algeriatul team mailing list archive

[Carl Richell <carl@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

@Randall & @Mark

> The certified hardware section of the site mentions company 
> names like HP, Dell, Toshiba, etc. while missing out companies 
> like System76 that actually sell Ubuntu computers.

> http://webapps.ubuntu.com/certification/
> After reviewing the link. It does not match what system76 is 
> currently offering....

Thanks for starting this topic. System76 has certified products in the
past and we consider the program a valuable asset for Ubuntu and the
community. For System76, Ubuntu Certification did not translate into
greater consumer or business demand. We've been building Ubuntu
computers for a long time and we consider our customers trust as an
affirmation of our reputation for quality Ubuntu pre-installed products.

Large OEM's are a different experience altogether. Typically, a customer
can't determine if Ubuntu is supported through a large OEM's website and
it's not clear if the OEM will support the customer should an issue
arise. For these OEM's, certification carries greater value. Customers
have the confidence that Ubuntu has been tested and works on the
hardware. That should never be a question when browsing System76's
website.

All that said, Ubuntu's certification page makes System76 appear as a
second tier, out of date, OEM when we work hard to position ourselves as
the Vanguard of Ubuntu computers. In fact, we consider it our
responsibility to reflect the very best of Ubuntu and Open Source
Software through our products. Due to our six to twelve month product
refresh cycle, certification isn't feasible; however, the new Ubuntu
ready program may fit perfectly. We'll investigate.

Now a word on bricks and mortar :-). Reading through this bug I can't
help but recognize a desire to walk into Best Buy and purchase an Ubuntu
pre-loaded pc - I'm certain predicated by the bug's description. This is
a great way to describe Microsoft's monopoly but I don't think it's a
direct line to squashing the bug - rather it's the logical end point of
squashing the bug. System76 requires the Internet in many of the same
ways that Ubuntu requires the Internet. Without it our market is too
small. I would also venture to say that most computers are sold online.
Ubuntu PC's at Best Buy or Walmart aren't the ticket. The ticket is
creating the most innovative and creative software the world has known
and marketing the hell out of it in a creative, audience capturing
way... this is enormously over simplified - there's luck too :-).

-- 
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: Confirmed
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 Linux OS Project: In Progress
Status in The OpenOffice.org Suite: In Progress
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: Invalid
Status in Baltix GNU/Linux: Invalid
Status in “linux” package in Debian: In Progress
Status in Fluxbuntu: The Lightweight, Productive, Agile OS: Confirmed
Status in openSUSE: In Progress
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.