What is Digg?265 Comments
- daftman, on 03/11/2008, -5/+73Note that they are only stop selling it in-store but still offer it online.
In fact both in-store and online sales are both sold out
This would mean that they are dropping Linux machine due to the high store overhead cost per machine i.e support staff + shelf space. These low-end machines have low profit margin anyway.
So before the anti-linux people start celebrating, try to rtfa first. - Spr0k3t, on 03/11/2008, -7/+73Walmart is not the place a Linux user would buy their computer from.
- martalli, on 03/11/2008, -7/+71I could almost see this coming. I practice in a small community. We have almost all of our desktops running Linux, but many of the staff still don't really understand that Linux and Windows are different operating systems. The main problem is not that they can't see a difference, but they don't know what and operating system is. I suspect that Wal-Mart target population (the average American) cannot properly figure out what to expect when they buy a Linux-based computer.
- santasing, on 03/11/2008, -5/+47The article says that Walmart saw more sales of gPC in its online store. They are going to continue to sell this online. Buried as inaccurate.
FYI, the gPC was the fastest selling PC in Walmart history. - DiggLive, on 03/11/2008, -5/+42NewEgg > All
- UtahApocalyse, on 03/11/2008, -5/+27Linux users don't use Wal-Mart
- Aitese, on 03/11/2008, -3/+25FTA: ...the $199 computer just "wasn't what our customers were looking for," said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien
I'm sure that they had a higher than usual amount of complaints and inquiries from those who just picked the PC off the shelf not knowing what OS was installed as opposed to those who bought online who would have read all the information on screen warning them this was NOT a Windows system. I primarily use Ubuntu and dual boot into XP for games and my Zune, and I know for sure that the average user who has never heard of Linux would have been baffled when they switched this thing on. Trying to hide this story or twist it does not help the Linux community. - shaka776, on 03/11/2008, -10/+31(In nasally voice) "Yes, silly window users will never be 1337 like us!" chortle chortle.
Thanks for proving the point. - Cerialthriller, on 03/11/2008, -17/+37just as pretentious as the usual pro-linux people
- colincornaby, on 03/11/2008, -1/+19They will carry them on Walmart.com, not the actual Walmart stores. Walmart doesn't plan on selling Linux machines in the stores anymore.
- Philluminati, on 03/11/2008, -42/+59This thread is full of people like Amiga500 and ThePirateParty claiming that linux users are all really childish and really upset.
Personally I don't give a ***** if Walmart don't sell Linux based pcs. I wouldn't buy a machine there anyway. Windows users seem to think we spend all our time convincing them to switch. Let me assure you we don't. Were busy writing software...not waiting for Microsoft or Apple to release the next must have product.
These select people really want us to fail for some reason...presumably because they are pissed off they find it "too hard" and they can't call themselves "l337". - norman619, on 03/11/2008, -10/+27The customers were less than thrilled by Linux boxes and it's somehow Walmart's fault....
- korea, on 03/11/2008, -4/+21Who is "we"? I've use Windows, Linux, and MacOS across multiple versions and don't share your general bitterness. Am I part of this "we"? Or by "we" are you really only referring to a collective of irritating tween zealots? You don't seem much like a software engineer to me.
- lyononline, on 03/11/2008, -10/+24Sad day for Linux fans. But Wal-Mart might not be the best place to buy a computer anyway!
- inactive, on 03/11/2008, -28/+42Now there's a typical response. Windows users can't program and don't like Linux.... not because Linux isn't any good and has lots of problems, but because it's too hard. Ha ha ha. Whatever you have to tell yourself so you don't have to “give a *****”.
- techmaster, on 03/11/2008, -0/+13I was going to say basically the same thing... Linux users tend to be power users, who would rather build their machines then buy something premade. Most power users would never consider even a desktop PC from a store like Best Buy, much less Walmart.
- gahal, on 03/11/2008, -5/+17"Wal-Mart target population (the average American)"...
I see people at Wal-Mart that I see nowhere else. God knows where these people come from, but they shop at Wal-Mart. If these people are the average american, it looks like some of us forgot to evolve. - cquinnd, on 03/11/2008, -1/+12That's not necessarily true. Walmart also can drop items when they are looking to make space for another product that they hope will sell better, even if the dropped product is selling reasonably well.
- canthraxp, on 03/11/2008, -0/+11They probably needed the shelf space for Pear/Monster cables.
- redneckblues, on 03/11/2008, -0/+10I licked my power supply once. It hurt.
- norman619, on 03/11/2008, -2/+12Fact of the matter is that the average just wants a system they can use out of the box with little, if any, tweaking needed.
- mrisi, on 03/11/2008, -5/+15I'm a Linux user, but I'd like to point this out as a case in point of the dangers of only having Digg as your primary social news source. The whole time WalMart was selling gPC's all you read on Digg was how awesome sales were and how much people loved them etc, etc. Get enough people together with the same types of interests and hobbies, we form an alternate reality.
- Ookadoo, on 03/11/2008, -3/+12Unless you live in a state where they have a warehouse, then you have to pay taxes on every goddamned thing you buy there. That said, I still use it. :)
- Dumbledorito, on 03/11/2008, -4/+13I'd be dubious about buying any computer from Wal-Mart, no matter the OS. That's not a knock on Wally World per se; I just don't trust amazingly cheap systems. They're often unreliable, unexpandable, or both.
- strictnein, on 03/11/2008, -0/+8They did let people buy them. That's how they were able to stop selling them. Amazing, I know.
- inactive, on 03/11/2008, -3/+11I thought the same thing when I saw YOU there.
- JettaMan, on 03/11/2008, -3/+11Diggers are like soviet media. Anything that is not good for the party must not make the news.
- chamberlanderic, on 03/11/2008, -8/+15people don't trust when its too cheap and free, and they want the same thing they know from the office.
- amoeba, on 03/11/2008, -9/+16translation "After extensive meetings with Microsoft, Walmart has decided...."
- Myztry, on 03/11/2008, -2/+9More to the point the people who buy from Walmart refer to the monitor as the computer, and their Word processor as Microsoft. A lot of people simply don't know what they are dealing with.
- Ascus, on 03/11/2008, -0/+7the walmart by me was ALWAYS sold out of them. I guess I could have found one if I looked at some of the more Rural Wal-marts arround
- RoadWarriorX11, on 03/11/2008, -4/+10Average people don't even know they have a choice..
- sanotaan, on 03/11/2008, -1/+7i don't think a petition is going to be as effective as dollar votes in getting target to carry anything; it isn't a social responsibility issue, so they will likely react to the market above all.
oh hell, i'll say it: a petition is a waste of everyone's time. - banmaster, on 03/11/2008, -5/+11"Windows users seem to think we spend all our time convincing them to switch" All of the evidence does seem to point to this. You guys are worse than even the most die-hard mac fanboys.
- duality, on 03/11/2008, -0/+5The only conclusive proof that Linux isn't for the masses is one of two things:
1: Every implementation of Linux, source code or compiled, installed or not, everywhere on the entire planet, is destroyed. (not likely)
2: The entire existence of humanity runs its course, and Linux never gains dominant status. (too early to say)
Now, considering that Linux is still very much in existence, and I don't expect the world to end anytime soon, I think it's a little premature to be making such unfounded statements, dr3d. - hasslinthehoff, on 03/11/2008, -1/+6Not entirely accurate... they still plan on selling them online but not in physical stores.
- inactive, on 03/11/2008, -2/+7The bad thing is when this hits mainstream media. "Wal-Mart stops selling Linux machines, not what they customers want". That headline will be like a subliminal message in the head of most US citizens.
- MattBD, on 03/11/2008, -2/+7It was always intended as a desktop OS in the first place. Linus Torvalds started it with that in mind. OK, it is popular on servers, but it was always intended to be a desktop OS.
- rossisdead, on 03/11/2008, -3/+8Is this really the type of ***** that keeps people up at night? Which operating system other people prefer? Personal preference be damned!
- atariman, on 03/11/2008, -1/+6I suggest to anyone that says computers with pre-installed Linux sucks should checkout the Asus EEE PC. That was THE best investment in technology that I have ever made in my life. Period. Everything just works. The other day I wanted to install my HP Laserjet on it, and I just plugged in the USB cable and 10 seconds later I was printing to it. No going to HP's site to download a 50 meg file, none of that. No matter what I plugged into that puppy just worked out-of-the-box (USB flash drives, USB hard drives, wacom tablet, mice, keyboards, iPod, etc).
- compdude32, on 03/11/2008, -11/+16Hence the problem with most pro-linux people.
Fact of the matter is, your average joe doesn't want Linux, they don't care about the bennifits they just want what they are used to which in most cases is Windows.
Linux is a good system, but beyond the geek world it will never have following. Windows is also a good system, and has a following beyond the geek world. - mCanada, on 03/11/2008, -6/+11Arrrgg. Linux didn't fail. *a product failed* Operating systems are one part of the equation. To the computer scientist / linux affictionado it's important but from a business standpoint it's less relevant. You have A) Marketing (which encompasses a ***** load of things and isn't just "advertising" as most people think" B) supply channels C) price points D) demographics etc, etc, etc, etc.. And yes you have an operating system.. If the OS works with A,B,C,D....n then you might have a chance but just because you put Windows on a ***** PC doesn't mean you're
going to become Dell! - capiCrimm, on 03/11/2008, -6/+11no right-minded linux user buys these. Most linux users prefer computers with no OS installed, since we'll end up installing our own distro anyway, and we can find better deals.
However, since most Americans don't understand what an OS is, the only way they'll convert to Linux is if it's preinstalled. That's why it is interesting. - gilbes, on 03/11/2008, -5/+10Its no surprise the consensus changes to fit the circumstance. Too many of you are comming off as Linux snobs. This whole "***** walmart", and "Linux isn't for rednecks" attitude is frankly stupid.
A good desktop OS is powerful and easy to use. Linux can be powerful on the desktop. It is easier to use than before, but that doesn't make it easy. Even the mighty Ubuntu still requires a lot of command line use which is something the average person just isn't going to do.
I really don't think any Linux distro is ready for widespread desktop use. It can be, just not yet.
This was really a case of putting the cart before the horse. It may be a while before Linux gets a shot at the desktop like this again, and it may be well after it is ready to be a dektop OS to match the likes of Windows or OSX for the general population. - Ratteler, on 03/11/2008, -2/+7The product DIDN'T fail. They sold out their stock, and they are stilling selling it online.
They just didn't sell well enough to pay for their shipping and storeroom costs to put them on shelves. - dogatemycompute, on 03/11/2008, -1/+6During the past 6 months I have had more than a few customers express interest in linux machine for their homes assuming they could be bought for a reasonable price (less than the cost of Windows). I'm not a Walmart fan but I have tired to refer my customers to their stores on multiple occasions. Every time I checked their website they have always reported they were sold out of the machines. I'm not sure if Walmart isn't ordering enough of the machines or Everex isn't producing enough but in either case the demand was there but the supply was not.
- carpespasm, on 03/11/2008, -0/+4the same kind of people I make gas money fixing computers for.
- inactive, on 03/11/2008, -1/+5Ok, that was a troll comment but I chuckle :D
- amenic, on 03/11/2008, -1/+5They can expect to save money? That usually attracts some attention on the retail end.
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