Re: If you could design a $300 homecomputer today, what would you choose?

["Stephan Schaem" <tthai@mindspring.com>]

"Otter" <otter@oz.net> wrote in message news:9k61t8$squ$0@216.39.130.4...
> David Ogg wrote:
>
> > They chose to buy a PC with Windows on it, they had a choice. If anyone
> > here can find me a PC they want, and they don't want Windows on it, I
> > guarantee I can find it somewhere else, with the same warranty, support,
> > and hardware, at the same price, with another OS on it.
>
> >
> > Do you really think that everyone with windows on their computer was
> > forced to use it? I guarantee if you take a poll and ask people buying
> > new machines, and ask them what OS they want on their new PC, it will be
> > Windows.
>
> I think the biggest reason for this is that most of the people (not the
> technogeeks like most of us here in these newsgroups) simply don't know
> about the alternatives.  Your average computer user will most likely get
> their new overpriced system at one of the big retail chains such as
> Circuit City, or Fred Meyer, or whatever.  When they walk into one of
> those places and look over the selections, they will see the stats on
> the display models, and it will most likely list some form of Windows,
> some form of MS-Office, and probably a trial subscription to MSN or
> AOHell (in addition to listing the hardware of course).  At those
> mass-market chains, you never see systems with stats placards boasting
> Linux and Star-Office.  And the sales rep most likely won't even
> consider mentioning those as a possibility (if he even knows what Linux
> is).
>
> As an example, only about 2 years ago, I was at the Base Exchange at
> McChord AFB, and was looking over the different computers in their
> electronics department.  I asked the sales rep there if I would be able
> to buy one of their systems without any OS installed, since I was
> scouting out a system to become a Linux box).  He just flat out
> refused.  I don't remember the reason he gave, but if I wanted one of
> their computers for my Linux system, I would have to get it with
> Windows-98 preinstalled, which I wouldn't have been using anyway, so why
> would I want to pay extra for it?), reformat, and then do my Linux
> install.
>
> So, to cut this post short, since I nearly lost my train of thought
> here...  What good is having choices in operating systems and other
> software packages, if the typical consumer doesn't know about those
> choices and the folks selling the systems won't volunteer that
> information?

Ok. look in your crystal ball... how many people will get a linux PC when they
walk in Fred Meyer over a Windows PC?
They get the PC, then ask to look at the software section, or maybe ask if
they can run the same software they saw at their friend house.

I'm sure it better today and you dont have to spend a week getting a dev environment
to get basic tool to work. But its still a far cry from the software you get under windows.

Like you hint, the guy probably dont know linux.... can you imagine the guy walking back
asking for basic question as to why his new directx game wont install, or how does he
setup the new usb scanner he just got... or import his digital camera images, etc.. etc.. etc..

We are talking about 0.000001% . Thats why Dell droped the ball on linux. They dont offer
this as an option anymore. They realized that linux market is super specialized server and hacker.
And hackers build their own PC's :)

BTW, I beleive its possible to have API like directx working on linux... So 'pure' directx dev
could be ported in a snap to linux, but who we spend that level or R&D for those linux user?

Stephan