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Best Buy selling Ubuntu linux for $20

bestbuy.com — My first thought was this was just a book. But look at the Synopsis and system requirements. I'm hoping this will help bring in the people weary about a "free" operating system.

Bury
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  • dajernts, on 07/08/2008, -1/+2Is this a first or has selling Linux in retail stores been tried before?
    • MethodOne, on 07/08/2008, -0/+3Sometime around 1999-2001, I saw a copy of Mandrake (now Mandriva) Linux at Wal-Mart for the same price, published by Macmillan (the textbook publisher)
    • woody1987, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1You used to be able buy linux computers at Tesco (UK supermarket) for around £300 a while ago, although they have now stopped.
    • tnoy, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2You've been able to buy a copy of Linux at Fry's for almost a decade now.
      • dajernts, on 07/10/2008, -0/+1That's good to hear except I've never heard of Fry's. lol Is it American?
      • tnoy, on 07/10/2008, -0/+1Yes, there are few dozen stores around the country.
  • 1timeuser, on 07/08/2008, -0/+4I don't see anything wrong with selling it as it does seem to come with a book. I think they should mention that the software is available free on there website in the description though.
  • Jennica, on 07/08/2008, -2/+1What.
  • doowttam, on 07/08/2008, -0/+5Linux is often sold at retail. What you're really purchasing though is the documentation or support, so here, you're purchasing the book.

    It is illegal however to just sell a copy of Ubuntu, and many other distros, for profit.
    • amfantasy, on 07/08/2008, -1/+1you're stupid. Have you even read the CD that Ubuntu gives out?
    • Spr0k3t, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Check through the GPL a little more thorough next time. It is not illegal to sell a free distribution. You are allowed to sell it with the condition the profit made is only from added value or to recoup the cost of the packaging/distribution/shipping. I'm just curious if the book is worth $20 for a complete linux noob to get running.
  • dirtman777, on 07/08/2008, -1/+1Staples had either Fedora or Redhat on their software rack a few years ago. I don't remember the price now.
  • Kosher1947, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1You're paying for support and documentation, which is fine. It is really not that much different than buying "Ubuntu for Dummies" at a book store. You get Ubuntu and a book to tell you to use it.
  • BrokenBrick, on 07/08/2008, -3/+1I am going to make a shirt that says "Ubuntu is FREE" and wear it to work now. Down with BBY
  • DevastatorIIC, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2It's legal to charge for distribution of any free Linux distro. Best Buy just has an enormous markup.
  • richman241, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1Anyone who thinks this is a good idea to buy should look at this..https://shipit.ubuntu.com/ ubuntu offers there distro shipped on CD's for free
    • Uroboric, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2This is true, but I've never had any luck with this. I've ordered disks from Ubuntu 3 times and have never once received anything.
      • jim00, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Damn dude that sucks I've recieved all my disks in under a month (I've had 7.10 and 8.04 shipped) and considering I live in Australia thats pretty damn awesome!
  • dpantages, on 07/09/2008, -0/+7this article is already on the front page already...
  • nsummy, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Wow did you just discover Linux and the internet yesterday? Linux has been sold in Best Buy since the 90's. I remember in high school buying Caldera and Suse before I could afford a cd burner.
  • jim00, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Beats paying for $300 + for Windows! Best Buy actually have a product worth buying now even if you can get it for free;)

    https://shipit.ubuntu.com/ - Order a free CD, or just download it.
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