algeriatul team mailing list archive

[lelamal <lelamal@xxxxxxxx>]

I'm Italian, and wanted to buy a netbook for my mother. At first, I
browsed Dell US Website (don't ask me why), for I thought I could buy it
from there and have it shipped. I chose an Inspiron Mini 10, which came
nicely with Ubuntu pre-installed (although it was an outdated copy which
I had to wipe out anyway). I felt so stupid when, after placing my
order, I found out it wasn't possible. So, I set out to see if I could
find the same deal on the Italian Website. I searched for the word
Ubuntu, and a couple of results came out, among which I could see the
netbook I was looking for. But when I clicked on it, I saw that any
reference to Ubuntu had disappeared. You could only get it with Windows
XP installed, and with no way to customise it. So, even though Dell
advertises Ubuntu on their machines, they don't actually keep their
word, and their offers force you to pay the Window$ tax nonetheless!

You can tell they don't actually care at all about Linux for the way the
User Manual is written, too. There's only one mention about Ubuntu
regarding the installation of the OS: whilst Windows gets half of the
page with detailed guidelines, Ubuntu gets two (!) lines where they
suggest to refer to the documents delivered with the computer (are they
referring to this manual, or talking to the lucky ones that get Ubuntu
pre-installed overseas?). Throughout the rest of the Manual, Ubuntu is
not targeted at all, while clear explanations are given about Windows,
with graphics and detailed descriptions both for XP and 7. Moreover, all
references to diagnostics, troubleshooting, drivers, and various
applications that come with the machine imply the installation of a
Windows OS, and never take into consideration the possibility that users
are really on a a Linux OS (let alone Ubuntu).

Last but not least, of course, the hideous Windows sticker and the
button on the keyboard: how ugly and useless is that for a Linux user? I
read yesterday (can't remember where) a nice comment that said something
along the lines of: "the Windows meta key says a lot about producers'
attention and care for Linux customers".

Alex, you don't say which machine you picked in the end, but if it's an
Inspiron Mini all I can tell you is Ubuntu Netbook Edition (Lucid Lynx)
works flawlessly on it. The first thing I did, out of revenge, was to
wipe out the HD and erase every trace of the OS whose license I was
forced to buy. However, my only problem was with the wireless
connection, because Ubuntu doesn't ship with pre-installed proprietary
drivers, and it's an issue when they're for the Broadcom for you will
have to use a wired connection in order to download and activate them.
Apart from that, no problem at all compatibility-wise.

I do agree with you, though: it's a pity in 2010 we still have to go
through Window$ and all these shenanigans to run a Linux distribution.
If in order to run Ubuntu my mother has to buy WIndows XP, then the
present bug will take decades to be fixed...

-- 
Microsoft has a majority market share
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu 4
dz, which is a direct subscriber.

Status in Club Distro: Invalid
Status in Computer Science Ubuntu: Invalid
Status in EasyPeasy Overview: Invalid
Status in Ichthux - Linux for Christians: Invalid
Status in JAK LINUX: Invalid
Status in The OpenOffice.org Suite: Invalid
Status in Tabuntu: Invalid
Status in A simple player to online TV streaming: Invalid
Status in Tv-Player: New
Status in Ubuntu: In Progress
Status in “ubuntu-express” package in Ubuntu: Invalid
Status in The Jaunty Jackalope: Invalid
Status in “ubuntu-express” source package in Jaunty: In Progress
Status in Baltix GNU/Linux: Invalid
Status in “linux” package in Debian: Confirmed
Status in Fluxbuntu: The Lightweight, Productive, Agile OS: Confirmed
Status in openSUSE: New
Status in Tilix Linux: New

Bug description:
Microsoft has a majority market share in the new desktop PC marketplace.
This is a bug, which Ubuntu is designed to fix.

Non-free software is holding back innovation in the IT industry, restricting access to IT to a small part of the world's population and limiting the ability of software developers to reach their full potential, globally. This bug is widely evident in the PC industry.

Steps to repeat:

1. Visit a local PC store.

What happens:
2. Observe that a majority of PCs for sale have non-free software pre-installed.
3. Observe very few PCs with Ubuntu and free software pre-installed.

What should happen:
1. A majority of the PCs for sale should include only free software like Ubuntu.
2. Ubuntu should be marketed in a way such that its amazing features and benefits would be apparent and known by all.
3. The system shall become more and more user friendly as time passes.