jbs

Where's My Dell Ubuntu Linux PC?

I've installed Ubuntu on several Dells. One of the major downfalls has been proper hardware support. Enabling wireless networking (usually) requires the use of driver wrappers (ndiswrapper to be precise). As another example, Xserver usually requires tweaking to enable widescreen and dual-screen setups. Without these tweaks the screen is stretched or doesn't utilize the whole monitor.

I imagine the delayed rollout is partly attributable to Dell's desire to ensure that the hardware is supported by the OS. They will also need to train support staff on how to address some of these issues.

So it comes as no surprise that it is taking a little bit. I just hope that Dell is adequately prepared once these PCs are sold. And I guess we'll see if the delay was worthwhile.

Dell Tries Its Hand At Mass Distribution

On Howard's the repair point, I think Dell's strategy serves do-it-yourself buyers. Here's how: I like Dells because although I can build my own computers I have little inclination to do so when I can buy a Dell so cheaply. When my computers have broken I figure out what component broke and Dell sends me a new one within 2 days, which I then install. This has been fantastic.

Serving do-it-yourselfers is fine but that is not who Dell is trying to serve. And by entering Wall-Mart the buyers are becoming even less sophisticated. So I have to agree that Dell's approach to repairs will absolutely have to change as their customer base shifts and they roll out this retail approach.

Dell Aligns With Microsoft-Novell Linux Partnership: The Good News & The Bad

Although not the point of this article, readers should note that this is a positive sign for Novell.

Novell bought SuSE a few years ago, which was controversial because they previously pushed their own enterprize operating system. Novell was also the first to realize the importance of making their client-side networking software work with many other operating systems. While Microsoft makes it difficult for non-Microsoft OS's to get the full features of a Windows network, Novell has been pushing the ability of its client to work on Windows, NetWare, and Linux operating systems for years. Novell realized a long time ago the benefits of collaborating with other OS developers.