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- underdog5004, on 10/11/2007, -9/+64Wal-Mart will sell a sub-$300 "back-to-school" PC this fall pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows Vista and OpenOffice.org productivity software.
The Everex GC3502 PC is based on a 1.7GHz Via C7-D processor, and will be available later this year preloaded with Ubuntu Linux.
Does this make sense to anyone else? - peaceninja, on 10/11/2007, -3/+21don't wear the PC's on your feet, or you'll get a chemical burn!!
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -3/+20Are those two sentences supposed to be in the same paragraph?
- Shadowman, on 10/11/2007, -4/+15I don't think this is big news.
Wal-Mart offered a low end Linux (Linspire) laptop in late 2004...
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1744052,00.asp
And Microtel PCs with various Linux distros as far back as 2002...
http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS5078749497.html - saturn5, on 10/11/2007, -1/+11"It remains unclear whether Wal-Mart will distribute the Linux version". Even if they do, go to a store and try to actually find one.
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -3/+13No saturn5, the question was if the paragraph in the headline made sense, not the article.
"Wal-Mart will sell a sub-$300 "back-to-school" PC this fall pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows Vista and OpenOffice.org productivity software. The Everex GC3502 PC is based on a 1.7GHz Via C7-D processor, and will be available later this year preloaded with Ubuntu Linux."
We are lead to assume that the computer being discussed at the beginning of the headline (first sentence) is the "Everex GC3502", but the information given to us ("with linux") contradicts the original statement of being loaded with Vista. - juicebag, on 10/11/2007, -4/+13I honestly doubt that the people who buy a PC at Walmart want a Linux PC.
- saturn5, on 10/11/2007, -3/+12H-P to join soon
Wal-Mart (who are close to Microsoft at exec level)
Toshiba hasn't /confirmed/ anything yet (but it's thinking about it)
That's a record for the most unsubstantiated claims in a single comment! - saturn5, on 10/11/2007, -12/+17Umm, it makes sense if you take the time to read the story. It's a PC with Vista but it also will be available later with Ubuntu. And Wal-Mart may or may not sell the Ubuntu version. That's hard to understand?
- Buelldozer, on 10/11/2007, -4/+9I honestly doubt that you can speak for everyone who shops at WalMart.
- ekravchenko, on 10/11/2007, -3/+7pretty good specs
"The GC3502 is based on Via's "carbon free" C7-D processor clocked at 1.7GHz. It comes with 1GB of DDR2 533MHz SDRAM, an 80GB hard drive, and a DVD/CD-RW drive. I/O includes 10/100 LAN, VGA, six (6) USB ports, a modem, and headphone/microphone jacks." - stmiller, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Blocked.
- Jorlwind, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5I don't think it's worth much to the community unless they openly market the things. More importantly, what Linux needs is to be put right on the shelves next to the Windows PCs with sales people who know what their talking about. If it's just online, then it was be mostly Linux enthusiasts who go spelunking the Walmart site for them, and thus it remains a niche market item.
Let us face it, most main-steam buyers (ex. the casual computer user) just go the the store, pick something off the shelf and take it home. They don't want to do as much online, they want to talk to people. While the Wal-Mart product would mean greater Linux availability, what I see that Linux really needs is visual recognition by consumers. It already had consumer loyalty, community support and more out-of-the-box hardware support than Windows, plus running more on less hardware power. Now it just needs a big instore display setting that screams, "look at me!" - stmiller, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3The most impressive thing is that the CPU is rated at only 20 watts. Less power consumption than a lightbulb from the cpu.
- amrush4th, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4This is more important now then efforts like this years ago is that with a $300 computer and high speed internet that is all someone really needs
- inactive, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3How about selling a PC without an OS altogether? Then disto companies can sell their linux distros off the shelf for $5.
- mitrovarr, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3I don't know how well this will end. I foresee a lot of returns/complaints after the programs people buy or download fail to run or the instructions people get from their ISPs to connect cannot be followed. Linux will meet the needs of most average computer buyers as well or better than Windows, but it has to be approached differently - you can't just try to operate it the same way as Windows and expect to succeed. The concept of different operating systems with different program libraries and different operating procedures is alien to most people.
Most people will just conclude that it's broken when the spyware-laden executable their aunt emailed them fails to run, not understanding that there's probably a free piece of software in the repositories that did the same job better and safer.
One thing that might help it work is if the printed documentation is excellent. I'm somehow guessing it won't be. - andrewtheart, on 10/11/2007, -2/+5On Linux being buggy - here's a snippet you need to read.
"While this is sometimes true, in general it is false. It is true in the way that all software has some bugs, regardless of who makes it or how they do it.
Generally, the trick to making software without problems is to expect those problems and try to minimize them. There is a whole area of learning dedicated to this process, called software engineering. Some proprietary software developers use this process, and some don't. Likewise, some open source projects use it and some don't. In general, Linux and other Free software projects use the same kinds of development processes that any developers do.
If a given Free software project has a lot of bugs and the developers aren't adapting the development process to account for this, then it is likely that someone else will either start a new project based on the source code of the old one, or start another project to replace the old one altogether. This evolutionary process guarantees that the best software processes prevail in the open source world, while proprietary software development is generally guided by the market (so if a company has no competitors, its software will probably not get much better)."
(Retrieved from http://learn.clemsonlinux.org/wiki/Linux_Myths#Linux_is_bugg)
A short synopsis of that text is that both proprietary software/operating systems and OSS software/operating systems are buggy. Personally, I'd much rather have bugs under Linux because I can easily complain to the developer of that particular component of the operating system and ask him to amend the mistake. Under Windows, you're stuck with a sub par operating system that isn't easily patched in specific ways like Linux can be. It's all about the developer infrastructure. Try complaining to the Microsoft team about the countless bugs in XP's DLL management, memory leaks, unresolved security holes, and more. Good freakin' luck. - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -1/+4You have very, very low standards--even for the Internet!
- MavRevMatt, on 10/11/2007, -3/+51. Sell PCs
2. Hype about Linux PCs
3. ???
4. Profit - schestowitz, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2I have articles to back each claiim.
- msgyrd, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Why digg him down? My 7 year old PC browses the internet just as well as my 1 year old PC. My 7 year old PC's specs are so low, $300 worth of current parts would likely outperform it in every respect. And really, internet access is all I need. Games and heavy multitasking are nice, but hardly a requirement for getting work done.
- geardosdotnet, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2It's a good boost for linux, but how many people will install a pirated version of windows on this thing as soon as they bring it home?
- darkmule, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3Psst.
Wal-mart used to sell (online mind you) several different selections of Linux. SuSE, Lindows, Redhat, etc. Along with no OS PC's. I'm not sure what happened to them (I assume they were 'ahead of their time' so to speak) thus the sales were minimal and they pulled them. It'd be a good time to bring them back. - moocow1452, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Expensive is relative. As for the student part, I'm guessing their cell phones cost more.
- mitrovarr, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Walmart used to sell Mandrake linux in their physical stores. No idea how it went, but it was really nice back before cd burners and broadband connections became standard equipment.
- rodgy, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Wake up guys. Wal*Mart has been selling Linux computers in Brazil for at least 2 years now. They distribute a local distro called Luminux. People buy them, format the HDD and install Windows XP (pirated of course).
- SendDerek, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Gusty Gillian?
At least you got the "G" part right... - Shadowman, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I bought a retail boxed version of Red Hat at Staples many years ago. They used to carry Mandrake too. I haven't seen Linux in stores in a long time.
- dqderrick, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Why is it $300? This still seems high. Just this weekend, Fry's Electronics is offering a desktop for $150 after rebate ($300 before). It even comes with Vista Home. Yes, I do realize Vista Home sucks and it doesn't come with the craptastic keyboard/mouse/speakers... but I'd say the hardware is comparable and maybe even better. Oh, and yes, I hate rebates too. http://www.netaffilia.com/ad/electronics/frys/i/2007/07/20/25735.html
- brhad56, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Her blog clearly said allergic reaction was ruled out by doctors because an allergic rash would have spread, but her injury was straight lines where the plastic on the flip-flop touched her foot.. Definitely a chemical burn.
- moocow1452, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1This takes 'backwards country" to an entirely different meaning.
- TVarmy, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1If it can support a dial up internet connection and costs $100 less, I think they'd get some sales. Of course, people who actually talk to the salesman and find out it can't run Windows apps might get scared. Then again, such a PC probably can't run that much aside from Vista itself. Plus, Ubuntu has a ton of free software that is surprisingly easy to find most of the time, but try getting a non-technical Walmart employee to explain all that to a customer. Which is really a shame, because it would probably mean bigger profit margins for Walmart to sell Linux PCs, even with a big price drop.
- monkeyboy7706, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1You will probably find the usual ripoff of that'll be $300 for the PC and do you want an extended warranty with that?
Walmart will also see this as something that gets people in the store buying other things they make more money on. - stmiller, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Who knows how to use an apostrophe?
- williamdyer, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2Lindows was a misbegotten idea, and desktop Linux really only got easy enough for mere mortals with Ubuntu Dapper Drake. Now that Feisty Fawn is exploding in user numbers, it shows that Ubuntu can consistently deliver.
Wal Mart was ahead of the market and ahead of the technology the first time around. Now it is ready. - brodie7838, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2Duplicate story from several days ago.....
- monkeyboy7706, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Probably not, even though Asda is owned by walmart it doesn't automatically follow what happens to walmart in the US.
- jpotts0007, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1because everything at wal-mart is cheaper (maybe in quality, but especially in price)
- jpotts0007, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I think this is a great move - I mean they are selling the same PC w/ Open Office first, so many Windows users will just be getting introduced to and familiar with Open Office beforehand. Someone with no Linux experience buys this PC and has preloaded software that he or she is already familiar with makes sense. This is just another step forward in the right direction for Linux to steal some of Microsoft's market share.
- cmirza, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I believe that case was determined to be allergic contact dermatitis.
- patm1987, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I'm just amazed that any RPM based distro got popular at all. Before Debian (and subsequently Gentoo), I was in a state commonly known as "Dependency Hell" that occurs once every developer decides that their library was so important that it should be dynamically linked to and embedded deep in the system, rather than statically linked or at least just placed in the same directory as a program that needed it. Thankfully, since no open sourced developer will believe that their project is less important than another's, we have decent package management now in either Portage or Apt (and rpm is getting better, last I checked Fedora was actually usable from a package standpoint after a bit of messing with configs).
- Shadowman, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1"Boycotting is the organized refusal to purchase goods or services in protest of the policies of the firm or country that produces it"
I don't eat at McDonalds because their food makes me puke. But I don't consider it a "boycott". - tearor, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1They got the 3500 with monitor for $350 right now
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5673669 - slezzzter, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Unfortunately, this requires Wal-Mart sales people to know what they are talking about. That's not likely. The salespeople in the electronics department aren't normally any more tech-smart than the ones in the clothing department. Also, you have to consider the types of people who buy a computer a Wal-Mart. These are the people who still use IE because they are frightened or, possibly, confused by Firefox. If they have to open a terminal, you've lost them and that computer's going back to the store. If you put the Ubuntu desktop next to the Vista one, people are going to accidentally buy it and then wonder why their Windows apps aren't working. Wal-Mart will lose money on so many returns that they'll stop stocking it. The Linux movement needs to be top-down and can't start at Wal-Mart before it's solidly in place at the specialty retailers.
A Wal-Mart Primer: http://www.somethingawful.com/d/comedy-goldmine/disgusting-sights-walmart.php - inactive, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I didn't know you have Internet there in Ethiopia, you starvin' Ethiopian
- mannaran, on 10/11/2007, -4/+4Time is ripe to use Linux on desktop/laptops! Less MS market share = more creative/reliable open source software
- wright3279, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0I'm assuming that a monitor is extra?
- heavyd14, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2Yeah, but you would have to go to walmart and catch some diseases. At least most of the Kmarts I've been to are clean. And then Target is a boutique compared to the dump that is my Walmart.
- gaucho4, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Didn't Wal-Mart sell Linspire based PCs a couple years ago? Or, Lindows I should say before they changed the name. I seem to remember hearing something like that.
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