Comments on: Dell: Linux on board

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 19:50:47 +0000

You’re wrong. The OEM agreements with Microsoft do not prevent the sales of other OSes on computers sold through big manufacturers. The only reason Dell does not include a version of Linux is because they would be required to support it with their tech-support, which they do not want to do at this point in time, especially considering how many variants of Linux there are to choose from.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:50:05 +0000

NOPE! One CAN buy a hardware system and make M$ buy back their OS. As with DRMed “product”, it’s ultimately up to the consumer to act.

It’s GREAT that Dell is standing up to M$. Let’s hope this trend continues with other hardware manufacturers.

With hardware manufacturers on the CONSUMER’S side we have the power. Without hardware to run it on, what good is an OS???

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:17:47 +0000

I am sure many hardware manufacturers would like to offer choice with software. It only makes sense for the bottom line. However, I believe that if these hardware manufacturers did offer this choice, they would most likely lose their “preferred partner” status with Micro$oft. Preferred status most likely includes driver development assistance, access to certain application programming interfaces, discounted pricing, advanced notification of certain changes requiring modification of drivers, less chance of a “license compliance” auditing, etc. I have no absolute proof of this, but judging from Micro$oft’s past antics, it would come as no surprise if this is true.