Mandrake Hits Wal-Mart(.com) 512
caveat writes: "The Register is reporting that Wal-Mart is shipping PCs with Mandrake preinstalled. 'Prices range from $391 for a 900MHz Duron machine to $648 for a 2GHz Pentium 4 with CD-RW.' more power to them." So now walmart.com customers seeking a pre-installed Free OS aren't limited to Lindows. I wonder if any Wal-Mart manager is brave enough to actually set up a few machines in-store. Update: 07/15 15:35 GMT by T : As many people have pointed out, the systems running Mandrake -- just like the Lindows machines on offer -- are only available through Wal-Mart's website.
Proof of Concept (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Proof of Concept (Score:2, Informative)
I generally try to avoid Walmart if possible; the way that they treat their employees is unforgivable. As they continue to drive out competition, they make it harder and harder for people with grievances to do anything. Witness their union-busting practices [union-network.org].
Re:Proof of Concept (Score:2)
How can Linux, which embraces the little guy, allow such a place as Walmart to profit off of its existence? It'd be like Microsoft suddenly bundling StarOffice with Windows XP. Sure, StarOffice is getting some exposure, but then people will want Windows and other MS products still as well.
Re:Proof of Concept (Score:2)
So who would be appropriate to 'profit off of Linux'? I'm asking in all seriousness. I figured everybody'd be happy that a main stream store was selling pre-installed Linux machines.
I know Walmart's reputation with
Re:Proof of Concept (Score:2, Insightful)
Walmart vs. MS (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Walmart vs. MS (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Walmart vs. MS (Score:3, Funny)
"Walmart Windows" actually would be more fitting. Both companies (MS & WalMart) want you to believe they are your friend, when they're actually huge evil megaconglomerates that would sell your internal organs for a dime if you fell asleep in the lobby at corporate headquarters.
Many a sci-fi hero has emerged victorious by hiding in a cave while two opposing giant bad robots battled to their mutual death, so WalMart vs Microsoft is a good thing no matter how you slice it.
Re:Walmart vs. MS (Score:3, Insightful)
I doubt they are doing it to challenge MS, at least not directly. They are doing it because Walmart does whatever it takes to offer lower prices than everyone else. If Windows costs more than Linux, it only makes sense from their point of view to offer Linux. They don't care about the politics or technical merits of open-source software, etc.
They could preinstall any software they sell on the shelves.
I imagine Microtel could pre-install any software that they strike a licensing deal with. I don't think having the software on their shelf gives Walmart or Microtel any license other than to resell said software on said shelf.
If you have a problem with it, you can just bring it to a Walmart.
I seriously doubt Walmart will be offering much in the way of technical support. Hardware failures sure, you'll have your normal return-policy and warranty period, but if you trash your MBR or can't run Mozilla, I don't think they'll be much help (most likely, Microtel offers some kind of support).
If selling Lindows and Manrake increases their hardware sales, would they consider writing their own operating system? or maybe just Walmart Linux?
That's a major stretch. Again, they aren't interested in the politics, nor do I believe they are interested in becoming a tech company. They simply see that:
- PC hardware is dirt cheap right now
- Lindows/Mandrake is cheap
- As a result, they can offer a PC cheaper than the next guy
I suspect that after so many users return the machines (My AOL don't work on this computer, or Front Page won't run) they might reconsider.
Re:Walmart vs. MS (Score:2)
My guess is that they're bargaining for lower MSWindows licensing prices.
Re:Walmart vs. MS (Score:3, Informative)
They are diverse enough that loosing wouldn't kill them.
"Loosing"?! "LOOSING"?!
Loosing [m-w.com] means the act of letting fly, the act of letting loose, or the act of relaxing. I'm not sure what they're loosing in your sentence, but it doesn't make sense.
Unless you meant "losing" as in L-O-S-I-N-G, which means "the act of failure, or being brought to destruction" - which would make sense in that sentence.
Now I'm sorry if English isn't your native language or anything like that (although with a ".us" domain name, it probably is) but there are so many people here - and on the Internet in general - who spell "LOSING" with a second "O" that it does not have!
Oh, and apparently you're an idiot for thinking that Walmart has a vested interest in improving Linux.
However, I think that you do have a point - if Walmart thinks it'd be cheaper to improve the Linux product to increase their sales, they well might decide to roll their own or make deals with Linux vendors to improve the existing Linux distros. To people who say that Walmart is "just trying to cut costs," remember that bringing costs in-house - growing "horizontally" - has been used in the past by big buisnesses (Rockerfeller, Carnegie...) to help increase profits by removing a middle-man from the process.
Since I don't have a clear financial view of how much it would cost Wal-Mart to help with Linux as opposed to leave well enough alone, I can't say whether or not they will - at this time, I expect that they will not and simply pump cash into the Linux distros they sell through licensing expenses, and maybe request improvements.
Of course, the flip side to the coin is that they may be simply using this as a barganing tactic to get Microsoft to lower costs. In which case it still may be in their best interests to improve Linux, or at least threaten to do so. It's hard to say without knowing the exact costs as well as having market data to help predict the costs and benifits to trying to improve Linux compared to letting the distros evolve naturally. Time will tell...
Frys Electronics Has a $299 PC (Score:4, Interesting)
I'm probably gonna suggest my computerless newbie friend pick one up.
I just wish it was Mandrake ore Redhat with OpenOffice and a cvs of Winex pre-installed.
Re: Wow! a REGIONAL vendor is selling Linux PCs? (Score:3, Insightful)
We're talking about Walmart quietly adding PCs on their website with little promotion (other than geek news coverage) vs Fry's (a large regional store) displaying linux-based PCs in Fry's stores and boldly promoting it in their advertising. A friend of mine went there twice in the last couple weeks and bought two of them right off the shelf in the store. Saw a big ad, no mail order, no needing to know about about an obscure page on a website, didn't already need to have a PC, etc.
Sure, Walmart may be able to reach everyone, if they try... and maybe they will someday.
But in the here and now, and lot more people are getting exposed to a bargain linux-based PC due to (regional) Frys than (international) Walmart. Just because you're bitter that Fry's isn't in your area doesn't mean that they aren't managing to expose a lot of people to the concept of a $300 PC with linux.
Sure, you may like Walmart better (I do too... Fry's really does terrible customer service), and it is true that Walmart could expose a lot more people to linux-based computers, but the fact is that their linux-based PCs are on their website, only available to people who already have a PC and are willing to mail order. Fry's has these $300 machines in their stores, and they're devoting major advertising to let people know about it.
Indirectly claiming a flaw in Linux, tim? (Score:4, Insightful)
Why is the bravery required? Are you suggesting its hard to install Linux? Are you suggesting its hard to use Linux?
If a manager can't setup demos, then the whole idea of selling Linux in the stores is flawed and will ultimately fail.
Re:Indirectly claiming a flaw in Linux, tim? (Score:2)
Its neither hard to use Linux or install it. What's hard is teaching Walmart Managers to do it.
Re:Indirectly claiming a flaw in Linux, tim? (Score:2)
Walmart usually carries ONE Linux title -- Linux (Mandrake or RedHat), no applications. Same basic problem with CompUSA.
YES, Wine will handle much of the software, and the GAMING version of Mandrake might soften things, but they are still going to have problems.
More power to them. I hope they can make it work, and start carrying Linux software.
Re:Indirectly claiming a flaw in Linux, tim? (Score:2)
Yes and no. Though there's only one box, there's tons of software in it. If you buy Windows, all you get is Windows (well according to MS definition of an OS). When you buy Mandrake Linux, you get many word processors (abiword, ooffice, kword,
Re:Indirectly claiming a flaw in Linux, tim? (Score:2)
This is not a troll, but judging by his statement I think Timothy isn't that confident that a demonstrated PC and being honest with the consumer will help push linux.
Mod me down if you think that this didn't add to the conversation but it's my honest opinion.
Re:Indirectly claiming a flaw in Linux, tim? (Score:2)
[Ferengi] After all a demo is a machine that is not being sold and therefore is not making profit. [/Ferengi]
Re:Indirectly claiming a flaw in Linux, tim? (Score:2)
A Walmart manager has too many things to worry about already, like managing a workforce of perhaps a hundred or so minimum-wage workers, and keeping a store in stock of thousands of items, while dealing with any number of screw-ups, emergencies, and irate customers.
Apropos Apple in CompUSA, back a few years, I knew a guy who was paid by a marketing agency part-time to go maintain the Apple kiosks at Sears and Circuit City. He was not being paid what he was truly worth in terms of ability---most of his compensation was the feeling that he was participating in the Apple jihad. He was lucky to get any support at all from the commission-driven drones, who would be just as happy selling DVD players or dishwashers. Now the guy works at an Apple store part-time, as Apple has decided to focus on their own retail chain.
Unless some Linux vendor manages to fund some kind of underpaid mujahedeen squad that would go store-to-store to do periodic fixups and staff training, retail Linux kiosks are not going to work. Maybe RedHat needs to go retail?
Re:Indirectly claiming a flaw in Linux, tim? (Score:3, Funny)
Actually, this could be as much fun as when they sold Commodore 64s at Kmart. Since the machines will prolly have a compiler installed, how long before someone types in compiles and runs:
int main()
{
int i;
for (;;)
{
printf("Walmart sucks\n");
}
}
Re:It's not managers, its employees and customers (Score:2)
You even mention Zip files to alot of users and they get confused let alone say, just untar the file. huh? ok just type tar -xzvf (name).
Or, just click on it...
Odd (Score:3, Interesting)
It's probably Microsoft paying them to do it so they can say that they do have competition. =)
Re:Odd (Score:2)
My god, man, we're talking about the people behind Tandy computers!
Why would you want them screwing around with Linux?
Re:Odd (Score:2)
Re:Odd (Score:2)
Radio Shack is technophopic (Score:3, Interesting)
Sounds ironic, but it isn't as much as you'd think. All their electronic parts are just plain-Jane caps and resistors, your basic 7400 logic gate IC's, etc. They built their entire consumer electronics market by just rebranding pre-existing Japanese components (back in the 60s and 70s when being Japanese was Bad instead of Good).
When it comes to leading revolutions, Radio Shack is actually a bit behind the curve.....
Re:Odd (Score:2)
I remember when Wal-Mart was about (quality?) US-made products. Then Sam Walton died.
Good Machines for Beginners (Score:2, Informative)
walmart shipping...from their website (Score:3, Informative)
as a result, people still have to buy a windows/mac PC (or at least borrow someone's internet access) and get online to order, let alone discover, that walmart sells PCs sans OS, or with linux on them. kinda defeats the purpose, hunh?
Re:walmart shipping...from their website (Score:2, Interesting)
Actually, at the Wal-Mart where I live, they do sell some Computers. HPs if I remember correctly. Not sure of the OS (or lack-thereof), but I'd guess Windows.
as a result, people still have to buy a windows/mac PC
Now they can double their profit, sell you a computer so you can buy a computer.
Re:walmart shipping...from their website (Score:2)
Re:walmart shipping...from their website (Score:2)
Not at all. Its up to Walmart and Mandrake to promote these things. There's no real need to put them on a pedastel in the store or make a chessy late night infomercial (though that would be entertaining to say the least). "How much would you pay for all this computer goodness? 100? 200?" "How about FREE!" "Call within the next hour and get a free copy of Apache, the world's most popular web server!'"
Linux buyers will be informed buyers. Perhaps someone is going to buy one for the technophobe in their lives who just wants web and email and wants to spend as little as possible. Businesses can save time and money by buying linux desktop machines which have standardized pre-installed software and hardware. Maybe someone would want to partition the drive and install their old copy of Win98 as a dual boot. They bought the old OS didn't they? No need to throw it out along with the computer, regardless of what MS tells you to do.
PC's displayed (Score:4, Interesting)
Even though they are clearly in Linux for a buck, that is the ideal situation for retailers. IBM, Sun and the rest, should and do support us technically, Walmart and hopefully soon others by portraying linux as a viable option at the POS.
Store managers won't be setting them up... (Score:3, Informative)
Again it looks like it will only be available for online sales
quite some time now actually... (Score:5, Funny)
(Cheap shot, but I've got karma to burn today)
monitor? (Score:3, Insightful)
Today's Bloomberg News Report (Score:2, Interesting)
Interesting bits from today's Blookberg Business News Report
"Walmart reports that the sales of Lindows
has sky-rocketed."
Re:Today's Bloomberg News Report (Score:2)
In-store (Score:2, Informative)
No, because these are only being sold through walmart.com, not through the stores. I would wager that they are being shipped directly from Microtel.
Missing URLs + StarOffice 6.0 (Score:4, Informative)
MandrakeSoft Press Release with all details:
Press Release [mandrakesoft.com]
The range of Microtel/Mandrake PCs at Walmart.com:
Microtel/Mandrake PCs [walmart.com]
It's nice to see such a great powerful system preloaded with Mandrake & StarOffice 6.0 for so cheap... Send the PR to Bill Gates - I guess he's going to appreciate it!
Re:Missing URLs + StarOffice 6.0 (Score:2)
What a silly attitude... and here on Slashdot! There are an insane number of kids whose parents will buy them a new computer for back-to-school. Do you think that none of them would set up a Web server to be accessed of their home cable-modem installations?
Heck, you barely need the computer know-how of a 3rd grader to get a static page up on your Windows box, and it's not much more for Linux+Apache.
Staroffice 6.0 (Score:3, Informative)
It will be interesting to see what effect this has on MS domanace of the office-suite market. I don't think SO6 can beat MS office in funicantaily, but this does not matter to 95% of people using it. The $70 price more than makes up for it.
For the majority of people buying these computers, Mandrake and SO can do everything that they will need.
It will be cool to see the sales numbers in 3 months and see what is selling more, lindows, or Mandrake.
It's not spellchecked b/c I am not at my normal pc.
Re:Staroffice 6.0 (Score:2)
Re:Staroffice 6.0 (Score:2)
Re:Staroffice 6.0 (Score:2)
pricing (Score:4, Interesting)
Microsoft Windows XP Home
AMD 1.3 GHz Duron processor
128 MB memory
40 GB hard drive
$499.00
Mandrake Linux OS v8.2
AMD 1.3 GHz Duron processor
256 MB memory
40 GB hard drive
$498.00
Re:pricing (Score:4, Interesting)
What the price now?
Why not choose... (Score:3, Insightful)
I don't know about MySQL on win32, and I would guess the Gtk applications would be clearly inferior on XP than on Mandrake, since they provide a native interface on the later.
Re:pricing (Score:2)
Actually, thats besides the point. What does Joe Shmoe need with Apache and mySQL to begin with?
Re:pricing (Score:4, Interesting)
But heck, there isn't a GnuCash Win32 port, so I guess that makes you right. ;-P
I do have a serious point here. It's absolutely brillant that these apps are available for Win32 and other platforms, because that's pretty much the only way that market forces can actually effect Microsoft. If, for example, they start to see their highly lucrative Office sales slip in favour of Star/OpenOffice, then they might (unlikely, but possible) actually have to start doing something about stopping people from then migrating to Linux - hey, if you can run the same apps, but pay much less for the OS, then why not?
As I say, it's unlikely. I actually think that they'll just try and tighten their grip (through Palladium, tighter integration and buying legislation) rather than loosen it, but we can live in hope, right?
Re:pricing (Score:2)
~>gimp RS232.gif
(Window pops up)
Works fine here. You just can't save as a gif without extra software (That you are only supposed to use where the patent isn't enforcable).
Re:pricing (Score:2, Insightful)
On the other hand, people may find alternative, "inexpensive" ways to load some kind of Windows.
-MSE
Pro and Con (Score:5, Insightful)
1. Fear Reduction. If customers can *see* it working, and see a few neat demos (one of the few linux games, Open Office, etc...) then they will be much more likely to buy it.
2. Employee Knowledge. The majority of Walmart employees are not really encouraged to be knowledgeable about their products or their store. If electronics department managers took the dive and installed a Linux PC for their departments, employees who worked there could play with it and learn about it. They'd be in a lot better position to deal with it.
3. Zealots. Go to any Bestbuy or Circuit city that happens to have a Mac section, and you'll find one or two Mac Zealots there to 'encourage' people toward buying a Mac. If you put Linux PC's in stores, you'll probably get Linux Zealots there too to show people how wonderful Linux can be.
Reasons AGAINST setting up a Linux Demo PC at Walmart
1. su -; password; rm -rf *.*
2. When Linux breaks, (or is broken) you've got to be knowledgable to fix it. If you installed it, you've got no problem, but can you really count on someone who works at Walmart to know how to edit files? In my experience, non techies who sell computers would rather *not* fix a broken software demo by reinstalling. If they can't make it 'right' again with a few mouse clicks, they'll turn it off.
3. 133t k1dd135
4. Customer: "So, which of this software can I run on this Linux PC?"
Walmart CSM: "Uhmm... None of it, I think. I dunno. Are these things compatible with normal PC's?"
Walmart carries a few boxed Linux distros. I've seen Mandrake and Redhat shrinkwraps before, but that is the long and short of their in-store linux support. Joe Sixpack doesn't want to download Open Office. He wants to buy it off the shelf and have it work without thinking. Unless Walmart starts carrying some of the shrinkwrap Linux software packages, and maybe some 'collection' CD's, they're shooting themselves in the foot by displaying a Linux PC next to reams of Windows-only software.
Re:Pro and Con (Score:2, Insightful)
Well, they're not displaying a Linux PC next to reams of Windows-only software. These Linux-loaded PCs are only available via Walmart.com. You have to be looking for it, or have a friend point it out to you, in order to find it in the first place.
I think you're basically right - Walmart suddenly offering some PCs loaded with Linux is not going to immediately push Linux into the mainstream, like some people seem to think. Furthermore, if Walmart were to present these PCs in their stores as "just like Windows PCs, only cheaper!", they'd be shooting themselves in the foot. But they're not, and I don't think they mean to push Linux into the mainstream.
I think, really, this is like Linux getting it's tonail (not the full toe, and definitely not the full foot) in the door of "pre-installed OS" computers.
I mean, these things have to go in baby steps. In another two years, it's quite possible that Linux could be so much farther on that all the reasons against having these things in stores might be solved. I, for one, hope so. Some elitist geeks might shudder at their niche OS being tainted by "the masses", but I personally see the good outweighing the bad if free software were to end up being used everywhere.
Re:Pro and Con (Score:2)
I'm curious though, what makes you think that a Linux box would be MORE prone to this than a Win box? Last I checked, unpriviledged users could still edit the display settings for a windows box and set a refresh rate that the monitor can't handle, or drop it to 640x480x16 colors (which to a WalMart associate is "crashing the machine") You can also remove DLLs from the Windows folder, no?
By the way, you mention the Zealot Attractor factor as a Pro -- I'd call it a Con. The average WalMart associate is going to be more likely to think the geeky guy hanging out in the electronics section is looking to swipe something than be grateful for his help selling PCs.
Re:Pro and Con (Score:3)
Which brings up my number one pet peeve about walking into any store that carries computer anything or even Radio Shack now (unfortunately). When I go to these places, I know EXACTLY what I am looking for and I go in, go to where it is (by reading the freaking signs), I get it, I pay, I walk out. How come the freaking clueless blueshirts insist on talking to me or asking if I need help? Go back to your l33t talk with your buds about Quake and let me get my stuff and get out of here. Did I ask for your help? Did I ask your opinion on which video card I should get (usually cuz they thing I should spend lots of bucks on the piece o shit card of the week instead of the Nvidia card I have in my hand). When I do ask you something, if you don't know, then don't try and tell me you think it will work. Tell me you don't know. I'll say thank you and leave you alone. Don't try to sell me something I don't want! I remember walking up to someone who was so confused right after a salesman walked away to check on something...I ask that person what did they want to do. They tell me I only want to do internet and chat and maybe type up my resume and they are selling me this $$$$ machine...do you think it's ok? Usually, they point out a machine fine for, well, geeks like us, or a machine that's underpowered even for today's stuff. I point them to the correct machine (one which will do what they want, not one with all kind of toys like we'd like, and will not cost them an arm and a leg). They buy it. They go home. They are happy. They also won't buy without me or another computer friend again. These guys working at CompUSA and Best Buy almost all worked at a Grocery store last week. They are the rice boy equivalent to geeks. They think that PC over there is nice cuz of the case! Well, they don't know jack and I wish they'd just leave me alone when I go to make my purchases, or at least HELP ME GET my purchases instead of chatting with yer buds that work there. Honestly the Quake/SOF/PS/2 talk can wait 5 minutes while you grab a hard disk for me.
Maybe joe sixpack doesn't want to buy it! (Score:2)
What about the software? (Score:5, Interesting)
How long until we have a good sized shelf to sit next to these machines with software that can be loaded on them without trouble?
-josh
Re:What about the software? (Score:2, Interesting)
Instead, we should look to include a nice set of manuals, books, etc that come packaged with a copy of the latest version of a program. A perfect example could be StarOffice. They could buy a copy of the book, which would *hopefully* have a very good rundown on how to get the software up and running and how to use it from there.
This would allow a nice shelf of software for people to purchase. Note, I don't really think it is about the software; rather, I believe it is all in the appearance of software. Most of us know there are plenty of applications available for linux. The average user at Walmart, however...
Ask Wal-Mart (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Mod parent up...! (Score:4, Interesting)
Not that Wal-Mart is any sort of "Mecca High-Technologique", but Microsoft needs Wal-Mart a LOT more than Wal-Mart needs Microsoft. Why?
Check this out. [fortune.com]
Yup, that's right. Wal-Mart is FIRST in the world with annual revenues of $219 billion. Microsoft was 175th with revenues of $25 billion.
Ladies and germs, that's an order of magnitude difference in revenue.
Also, notice that the difference between Wal-Mart and #2 (Exxon-Mobil) is $28 billion, which is also > MS revenue. The truth is that Microsoft is "big", but Wal-Mart redfines "biggest". In the accompanying Fortune article, they point out that $220 bil is more than any company ever made in a year. Ever.
This is important because among the long list of gripes people levy against Wal-Mart [walmartwatch.com] is their notoriously cutthroat approach to strong-arming manfacturers and distibutors. They dictate what, how, when, where and how much. Unless you own your own country where you can lock them out, you pretty much do what they want or give up the opportunity to have your products sold off their shelves.
Think about it this way. If MS sold eveything they made direct thru Wal-Mart, they would only provide about 10% of Wal-Mart's revenue, and that's at high margins Wal-Mart wouldn't be willing to pay.
WM: "You want to charge us *how much* for WinXP Home Edition? BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! That's, like, a 90% markup over your per-unit costs! You'll take $10 a copy and like it or go elsewhere and take your stupid X-boxen with you.
The two questions to which I wasn't able to find answers while typing this are: what are the top ten US Computer System Retailers (# of units/year) and is Wal-Mart one of them?
Anyone know?
Walmart Employees (Score:2, Interesting)
The PS/2 was either turned off, or just crashed (rarely they do...), and I wanted it turned on or reset (can't remember). I asked an employee to do so (just for kicks to see their stupidity)- and they said that they didn't know how. In addition to that, they wondered if the tape was in it- and then commented that they might need to call the sales rep at the manufaturer to come out and reset it.
A few minutes later, they actually carded me when I bought "The Sum of all Fears" game (which doesn't touch Ghost Recon)- I normally don't buy games there, but it was cheap, and I was there. Money==Time.
Point is, that few will buy these machines (unless they just need an emergency Linux box at 2am). This is because the employees are so stupid that they won't know a single thing about the machines or the software. The linux machines won't even be an option that they will show people, or know about themselves. They lack proper training at all.
What they really need is a 30 minute course on how to sell linux (which isn't that hard to teach to someone), as long as they take the 36 month course on how to speak english first...
Hey, I am not against other languages or nationalities, but even Linus has always commented in English (and rather well at it).
Another Netscape 6.0? (Score:3, Interesting)
Lately we have seen a few articles pointing out some of areas where the Linux desktop is lacking that might not seem like a big deal to a Geek, but will be viewed as a major short comming by by the general public.
Netscape got a lot of bad press because of 6.0. I Hope we aren't going to see a repeat of that with the Linux desktop on Wal-mart PCs.
been approached by a stanger outside Walmart? (Score:3, Funny)
I sometimes wonder if these Wal-Mart PCs encourage piracy of MS OSes...... not that I really care if it does
I would assume the average customer who buys these PCs don't give a damn about what cheap OS is on the system (be it Lindows or Mandrake).... they probably just wipe the hard drive and stick XP on it from a CD they borrowed from a mate. Mandrake is still not ready for the n00b public, which is kidn of good, so Wal-Mart don't realistically expect that these PCs will be useful. As someone already posted, a retail version of XP worth a couple of hundred dollars would be an easy add on sales with a decent profit margin.
- HeXa
Re:been approached by a stanger outside Walmart? (Score:2)
There is a cool side to this though. Take my neighbor for instance. She's got a PII 450 with Win95 on it. She wants a faster Windoze box so she can put linux on her 450. So she goes to Walmart.com, buys the $299 PC, TRANSFERS her 95 license to the new box, and there you go. Microsoft of course says you can't do that with the newer versions of Windoze, but AFAIK this is still legal with Win9x.
Not in my area (Score:2)
Brave? (Score:3, Funny)
When I was much younger a bunch of my friends and myself would sneak into our Wal-Mart electronics area and install Doom on all the machines. They were networked at the time. When no one was looking, we'd have a fragfest. Lots of fun. I think we actually sold more Wal-Mart machines then they actual paid employees did!
Linux (and DOOM) at Circuit City (Score:2, Interesting)
Boy, those were the days-- unauthorized Linux installs, playing DOOM over a null modem cable on working hours. Sometimes, I think I miss retail.
Ummm...errmmm...why is the Mandrake box cheaper? (Score:2)
Is anyone seeing the price difference The Register mentioned in their article saying that the Mandrake boxes were a little more expensive than the no-OS boxes? If this is the case, is the money going back to Mandrake or is the money going to Wal-mart for going to the time and trouble of installing an operating system?
Linux isn't ready for the Store Shelves (Score:4, Interesting)
Problem 1. Connect to the Internet. The customer calls his local internet provider, Cable, DSL, or dial-up and says he want's to setup his system to connect to the net. The Internet provider sends him the software. Hmmm, where's the Linux install. Call back the provider. The provider asks what Operating system he's running. Customer repsonds "Linux". Click!
Problem 2. Swapping files. The customer's best friend just downloaded this cool program and wants him to try it. Hmmm, just stick the disk in and and run setup?
Problem 3. U.S. Federal Income Tax Software, Quicken for Linux, MS Office for Linux, Wheel of Fortune for Linux? While there are alternatives, they aren't mainstream.
Problem 4. Computer crashes. No problem take it to the local computer repair center. Ooops, they don't support Linux.
Problem 5. Ohhh, there's a new cool USB 2.0 gadget out for the computer at my local store. I'll buy it and connect it to my system. Hmmm, Linux doesn't recognize the new hardware and there's no Linux install software included with the gadget.
The point is, that Linux, at this time, is only for people that want to download it/buy it, install it, and spend alot of time learning Linux. It's not for people that just want to use it as part of their computer and don't really care what's running in the background as long as they can e-mail, surf, do finances, play games, etc. We Linux zealots often forget that the majority of the population could care less if they're running Wndoze, Linux, or Mac, as long as they can do what they need to do with their computer.
Re:Linux isn't ready for the Store Shelves (Score:2)
Re:You don't know what you're talking about (Score:2)
Is there any other way to run an ISP without using some form of unix? Plus, most ISPs also host websites, and apache is ran on some 80-90% of all websites, and most of those are are *nix operating systems.
They'll have to change the name of fsck (Score:5, Funny)
Come to think of it, kill will have to change too.
why this is A Bad Thing (Score:2)
Last time I checked, that's one of the signs of the apocalypse! (though I admit I'm posting before the Coffee has really kicked in)
Meanwhile... (Score:2, Funny)
Bill: "Did it work?"
Steve: "Yes, and they only asked 10 millions for it."
Bill: "That cheap. The company didn't ask more?"
Steve: "Yes. It's actually all money for bribing their higher-ups."
Bill: "Splendid. So they will start selling machines with Linux. Monopoly, my judge? No, we don't have one. See, even Walmart sells Linux Machines. So how dare those States say we have a monopoly."
Steve: "And the best thing is, all the strupid peons will order software along, and when they realize it wont work, they will blame Linux for it, and get Windows for the machine. So we will even increase our retail Sales."
Bill: "Damn Steve, your evil beats mine. You should really ask Slashdot for an icon of your own!"
Steve: "So how's the other plan going?"
Bill: "Fine, fine. With the RIAA and the MPAA on our Side we can't fail. And once DRM is a must, we will crush those Linux Geeks."
Steve: "Yes, Yes. But the young Torvalds. He could be very useful for us if he joined us. Can you arrange that?"
Bill: "He will either join us, or die..."
On a related note.... (Score:2)
http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp
and here
http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping
I saw one at the local Sam's Club yesterday. The funniest part was the bold letters on the box: "Linux Included, Windows Optional."
Numbers (Score:2)
Price Comparison (Score:4, Informative)
$399.00 Microtel 1.3 GHz Duron Lindows OS [walmart.com]
$428.00 Microtel 1.3 GHz Duron Mandrake Linux 8.2 [walmart.com]
$499.00 Microtel 1.3 GHz Duron Mandrake Windows XP Home Edition [walmart.com]
It's a message to (Score:3, Interesting)
So... The Wal-Mart boys think, "We'll show them. We'll WILL feature the product of the competion until they come the table."
So Wal-Mart makes all kinds of noise about featuring Linux on PCs. The aren't serious about it because they know their Joe Six-Pack customer isn't gonna grok Linux, but they hope that maybe the shoutin' will embarrass them and bring Microsoft back with a sweeter deal.
If Microsoft gives Wal-Mart an exclusive price on bundling Windows the Linux PCs will disappear from Wal-Mart's shelves.
Re:Can buy one online (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Can buy one online (Score:3, Funny)
Components Country of Origin: USA and/or Imported
I love the extreme precision of this statement
Re:Can buy one online (Score:2, Informative)
The caption text for the cheap one is: $391.00, Availability: Usually takes 1 to 7 business days to process before shipping, 128 MB memory, 40 GB hard drive, CD-ROM drive, Ethernet connection, 56 Kbps modem, Mandrake 8.2 Linux OS, Monitor not included
Mainly the difference seems to be the processor speed and the memory included, all have 40 gb drives and no monitor.
Re:Can buy one online (Score:2)
Re:Now how many people will actually buy one? (Score:4, Funny)
Rampant stupidity (Score:4, Interesting)
Early in 2002, Walmart starts to sell PCs without Windows
"Oh my god, all the software won't run!, they are doomed!"
A couple of months later, they start selling PCs with Lindows.
"Oh my god, all the software won't run! Nobody will buy them, everybody will return them!"
A couple of weeks later, they start selling PCs with Mandrake Linux.
"Oh my god, all the software won't run! They do this only to sell them Windows extra!"
Are people around here really so stupid not to realize that if everybody would want Windows preinstalled, Microtel/Walmart would have stopped selling Windows-less PCs A LONG TIME AGO? Is really anybody so stupid to think that if too many Lindows-PCs were returned they just go ahead and ship PCs with Mandrake?
Face it: This is a big win for Linux, a big win for competition and a big win for all computer users (including Windows users, strong Linux adoption will force Microsoft to drop Palladium, believe me.)
It's not a singular event, it's a series of events (first OS-less, then with Lindows, then Mandrake) that is enough evidence that there is a market for it and is successful in the market.
Microsoft is on the decline. On every market (including desktops) they are in the defensive. They have pissed off so many companies (IBM with Windows, Sony with XBox and AOL/TM with MSN, plus tens of others) that they are the underdog.
Re:Now how many people will actually buy one? (Score:3, Funny)
Why do you insist on looking down on [insert people group] when you're just as bad because of [insert something their people group is known for]. Your [bad adjective] attitude is responsible for [insert any open source project or multiple projects for bonus]'s failure. Screw off.
Re:Now how many people will actually buy one? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Now how many people will actually buy one? (Score:2)
Re:As a person who shops at Wal-mart... (Score:3, Insightful)
I worked at a GM factory one summer, and the employees there told me that one year they had to shut down production and send every one home for the day because not enough people showed up on opening day of deer season.
And from dictionary.com:
hick Pronunciation Key (hk) Informal
n.
A person regarded as gullible or provincial: "New Yorkers had a horrid way of making people feel like hicks" (Louis Auchincloss).
adj.
Provincial; unsophisticated: a hick town.
[After Hick, a nickname for Richard, from Middle English Hikke.]
Re:Now how many people will actually buy one? (Score:2, Informative)
They are also not marked ambiguously as 'Cheap Computers'. They are under a clearly labelled 'Computers with Mandrake Linux' section. Right next to a 'Computers with Windows' section. IIRC from the site, you don't even discover that these machines are cheaper until you go into the mandrake section. So they are probably not going to be easily confused.
Now, if these were offered in store like the editor suggests (with big 'CHEAP' labels on them), you might have troubles when 'Redneck X' comes back into a computer store with it saying 'I want to upgrade the hard drive, y'all!'. (Can you imagine the faces on the so called 'techs' when they boot it up?)
Re:Now how many people will actually buy one? (Score:2)
Re:agree (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:agree (Score:3, Interesting)
Recently, someone hit my car, so I had to buy a 25 year old truck to just to have something to drive. Since then, I've had to become a mechanic of sorts. I've fixed all sorts of little things on that truck in the last few months, and I actually find that kind of stuff *enjoyable*.
So here I am, typing this message on Slashdot, on my Slackware 8.1 box, and I look at my figernails and what do I see? I see grease and oil that I couldn't get off of my hands from replacing my truck's shocks this weekend.
So the ignornant people of this site can call me a redneck if they like. I personally would have never thought that I was the type to do mechanic work... And I am sure that none of you would ever think that some "redneck" could be a Linux "hacker".
Excuse me... I am going to affix a Tux sticker to my truck's bumper, along side the STP and hunting club stickers that were already there when I bought the truck.
Re:Wal*Mart welcome to the decline of western civ (Score:2)
Less returns if they have support (Score:2)
That way they sell you a system on the double cheap, for glaring problems they have some linux guy come in a few days a week, OR they say "here, get in touch with these guys."
Think about it, someone could get paid to help a noob with lilo.conf,installing devices,and anything in
Of course, most linux hackers are socially inept geeks* who haven't the foggiest about customer service. Hey, wait, that describes about 90% of the people who currently fill customer service positions! These geeks are naturals!!
*(yeah yeah yeah, erroneous broad sweeping generalization. I'm not trolling, I'm being funny. Ha. There. Look, I had 2 hours of sleep last night (unit test and fix test deadline RIGHT NOW)...)
Re:Returns (Score:2, Funny)
That's wal-mart.com, not Wal-Mart, the store.
It'll meet their needs after a little piracy (Score:3, Interesting)
Yeah, I remember hearing people say they just want the computer to do recipies and geneology, but two months later I look and find a million downloaded shareware programs (all saved to the desktop mind you). When they find that the programs their friends send them don't work, they'll start cursing Linux. It's what happened when Apple started selling their Performa machines in retail stores. Of course, with Apple, the only choice they had was to return the machines. Not with these though.
This is what's gonna happen. They'll be sitting at a barbeque talking about how unhappy they are with it, thinking of taking it back (well, send it back since they're only available online at the moment- if they ever sell retail, we'll see more of this). One guy will speak up, saying how Joe's son came over and installed Windows and Office on his system. Joe's son will become very popular as he goes from house to house charging $40 to install XP Pro (corporate version without activation he downloaded from Kazaa) along with Office XP. The systems "work" now, so everyone is happy.
I expect most people who do buy these machines will do so, some after they figure out they can't run Windows programs, while others will have purchased the machines with the intent to have Joe's son load XP on it.
Re:Why only 1 distro? (Score:2)
Exactly.
This whole thing worries me. I sure as heck feel bad for anyone who has to work the phones at the Wal Mart tech support line.
"I cant get this to work"
Did you read the man page on it?
"Huh? Whats that?"
Ok, fine. Drop to shell, I'll walk you through it.
"What the heck is that? Where is my start button? Where is the control panel? My pockets hurt."
Re:Why not dual-boot? (Score:3, Informative)
That situation was partially responsible for the death of BeOS. OpenBeos will not have those problems!