Comments on: When Buying PCs, Always Bring your Live CD!

By: wetjet

wetjet — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 07:14:40 +0000

Dude… build your own! You get a ton of knowledge from doing it, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how to put it together. You save a bundle too!

By: manchicken

manchicken — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:45:22 +0000

malignedtruth: Actually, Dell has conceded to me on the telephone and in email that the problem wasn’t the demand for their GNU/Linux models, it was for all of their laptops in general. Evidently they’re having some production problems now that they’ve changed their painting process to accommodate the colored lids, and that’s causing them some quality control issues that is leading to long waits.

Dell has told me on both the telephone and via email that there are thousands of other orders (both Ubuntu and Win32) that suffered the same fate as mine. Some folks had their orders mysteriously canceled, too. I think this is just a serious scalability issue, not really one of underestimating demand or not understanding GNU/Linux’s benefit.

Just remember, while we’ve got a better OS right now, let’s make sure that we’re consistently keeping our eyes open for new and better stuff at all times.

By: malignedtruth

malignedtruth — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:32:06 +0000

I appear weekly at major stores that offer computers, I started years ago by offering all sales staff free LiveCDroms after showing them a demo.

They learn, in a fast overview of the booted Mepis, or even Damn Small Linux, that:
1. their systems comply with the ISO standards
2. Free Alternative solutions to slow Vista exist in their hands
3. Faster, clean, free of Microsoft Malware, OS is already here, for all 32 and 64 bit processors!
4. I will leave no crumbs on their demo systems drives
5. I bring in folks who want to buy
6. LiveCDroms are a pocket toolbox and troubleshooting answer
7. There are true 64 bit processing OSes available for the latest hardware technology

The only warehouse club that actually has suggested to us that everyone should go to the competition to buy computers, and to demo to 4 to 6 clients for a purchase of 60 new systems, has been Sam’s Clubs.

So, you see the 40 members of the local Linux Users Groups bringing our clients to Costco and the Dell Outlets ( http://cheaptronicsdepot.com is my local Dell refurbisher).

By: malignedtruth

malignedtruth — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:14:42 +0000

I will betcha Dell wasn’t ready for the huge demand for Ubuntu GNU/Linux. 64 bit GNU/Linux fully functions.

Dell probably had no clue as to the popularity of offering a virus proof, malware free, OS on their products that is immune to all the Microsoft faults, doesn’t subscribe to the Microsoft protection racket, and is not part of the Microsoft bloatware plan.

Lenovo, Asus, others, have been shipping greater numbers of Linux computers to all of Asia for at least the past year, and had their share of supply problems, too.

The sales of new GNU/Linux computers worldwide is phenominal. I am using refurbished Dell machines, that I load Linux distros on ( http://livecdlist.com ), with Dell warranty, from one of the 500+ US outlets.

One such outlet is http://cheaptronicsdepot.com only a mile from here. There are lots of GNU/Linux Computer vendors listed at http://linux.org

Go for it!

By: manchicken

manchicken — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:51:41 +0000

chep: Yeah, and that’s just far too long. System76 says they expect to ship my order within the next 48 hours, and I ordered it on Thursday last week. With the shipping I selected, I should have the order no later than Thursday by my math. That makes it exactly a week turnaround for System76, a MUCH smaller company who has much less resource to work with than Dell.

Dell really should be ashamed by their performance right now.

By: Kadence

Kadence — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 03:38:29 +0000

hi i enjoyed the read

By: chep

chep — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 23:25:48 +0000

I recived my Inspiron 1420 from Dell 2 days ago.
It was delayed for 1 week from the original estimated ship date. I did recive phone message notifying me about backorder, but I decided to wait anyways. =)
Overall it took more than 3 weeks from order to delivery.

By: nosrednaekim

nosrednaekim — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 22:42:38 +0000

Heh… I remember when you told me you were going to do that glad it worked! Just a thought: that toshiba probably had a santa-rosa chipset, which is so new as to not be supported very well by fiesty.You might have wanted to try gutsy instead.

Joseph, your idea rocks!

By: Rory McCann

Rory McCann — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:13:51 +0000

That’s a great idea. Let us know how you get with System76.

I like Joseph’s idea of some sort of quick hardware test. Since it would look like a test, staff would probably be less nervous about what you’re doing. It would be a lot quicker and would cover everything,

By: links for 2007-08-17 « My Journal of Life

links for 2007-08-17 « My Journal of Life — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 07:26:21 +0000

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