Pre-Installed Linux Tops Dell Customer Requests

dhart writes "Within only a few days of Dell opening a new customer feedback website, they discovered that the feature most requested (by an almost 2-to-1 margin!) is an option on all new Dell PCs: pre-installed Linux. (And the number 3 request is pre-installed Open Office.) I believe they'll have a harder time now with the tired old mantra 'There's no customer demand for Linux.'"

Demographics

[Wordplay]

Strangely, the #2 option was pre-installed pictures of Natalie Portman.

Re:Their system configurator

[taursir]

It's probably just a money-making or liability ploy. Although, you'd assume that if you're selecting that configuration, you know what you're doing, and they don't have to deal with people going, "OMG, IT WONT START".

Include a Wireless Driver That "Just Works"

[aquatone282]

. . . and I'll order a Dell with pre-installed Linux too.

Re:Demographics

[Anonymous Coward]

If they are running windows, that will happen soon enough.

Re:Their system configurator

[Anonymous Coward]

"no operating system, Linux configuration"

is'nt that because the operating system is actually emacs?

Which distro?

[seebs]

It's ridiculous. While "Linux" may be a large market, each individual Linux is going to appeal only to a subset, and furthermore, users may not know which one they want. How do you know whether you want Linux Home Basic, Linux Home Premium, or Linux Ultimate? Or, if you run a home business, maybe you need Linux Enterprise or Linux Business. If you're not sure, maybe you should try Linux Starter, but I'm not sure you can upgrade.

No one would ever expect a commercial product to succeed with that kind of internal market fragmentation, I don't see why they think it'll work for Linux.

Are you a Dell call center employee? ;)

[xxxJonBoyxxx]

...the question weather preload linux in not technical, but purely...

C'mon, admit it. You're writing this from a Dell call center in India right now.

Re:Um... why?

[LParks]

What if I want a BSD?

If you want a Blue Screen of Death, then just get one of their Windows options.

Re:Demographics

[networkBoy]

How 'bout a petrified statue of Natalie Portman shaving Brittney Spears in soviet russia while standing on a beowulf cluster of old koreans?

(did I miss anything? ... oh yeah! not sure where the hot grits go...)
-nB

Someone make a custom DELL distro

[mozkill]

Someone merely needs to start a custom "DELL distro" for dell computers. Screw letting Dell have control over that... it would be disaster for a distro to allow their grimey fingers into things.

Re:The Indian tech support is worse.

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm in the UK. Maybe that's why I don't get the American-based tech support when I call. And yes, the systems are servers. The newer ones are PowerEdge 1900 systems.

I really don't care where the people are who are offering me tech support. At the very least I expect them to speak understandable English.

Re:Their system configurator

[HAKdragon]

emacs is and excellent OS, it just needs a good text editor.

Re:The Indian tech support is worse.

[Zaiff Urgulbunger]

There's a dude in India who's probably really pissed because every time he calls Dell for support on his server, he gets someone from Texas!

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Re:Their system configurator

[JonathanR]

And with GRUB, you can dual boot vi & emacs.

Re:Winds of Change.

[drsmithy]

2007 is the year of Linux. Vista sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!

1996 is the year of Linux. 95 sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
1997 is the year of Linux. 95 sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
1998 is the year of Linux. 98 sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
1999 is the year of Linux. 2000 sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
2000 is the year of Linux. 2000 sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
2001 is the year of Linux. XP sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
2002 is the year of Linux. XP sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
2003 is the year of Linux. XP sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
2004 is the year of Linux. XP sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
2005 is the year of Linux. XP sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
2006 is the year of Linux. XP sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!

Of course you did you inconsiderate clod!

[techno-vampire]

did I miss anything?

Yes: ponies! Lots and lots of pink ponies!

OMG!!! PONIES!

Re:Winds of Change.

[Stamen]

2007 is the year of Linux. Vista sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!

But seriously, Viska sucks so hard Hoover Inc. sued for patent infringement.

Re:Grite Story:

[koreaman]

Yes, that's how an American would hear an Australian (or New Zealish, we can't tell the difference) accent.

Re:Demographics

[Anonymous Coward]

oh yeah! not sure where the hot grits go...

Oh I am. >:-D

Re:Consequences of Linux Demand

[bckrispi]

It should convince dial-up ISPs like AOL to release a Linux client.

AOL subscriber who runs linux? +1500 Funny!

Re:Winds of Change.

[kernelfoobar]

The day Microsoft makes a product that doesn't suck, is the day they start making vacuum cleaners...

Re:Great Story:

[mwvdlee]

I know a teenage Filipina girl.

Are you sure about that?

Re:The Indian tech support is worse.

[moranar]

He should just post his gripes in broken English to Slashdot, like everyone else does. Sheesh.

Re:Demographics

[HateBreeder]

2. ???
3. Profit!

Re:The Indian tech support is worse.

[bhiestand]

I'm in the UK.

Every time I've gotten an American English speaking rep from Texas.

At the very least I expect them to speak understandable English.

I think I see the confusion you two are having. You see, you're asking for someone to speak English that you can understand, and you're a Brit. The GP is an American, and has no problem understanding American Texan English.

It is quite likely that you actually are being connected to their call center in Texas. Next time you call, ask to be transfered to somebody in India. It will be a lot easier for you to understand, especially if you ask the rep to drop his fake American accent.

Why did you stop? ;-P

[Anonymous Coward]

2007 is the year of Linux. Vis... er... XP sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
2008 is the year of Linux. Vis... damn... XP sucks, is not selling and the revolt is on. It's about time!
2009 is the year of Vista. It's about time! Come back! Please! Or I'll throw you a chair! Now! Here! Please!

Re:Flaimbait?

[encoderer]

"But trying to understand Slashdot logic is an exercise in futility, so whatever"

That, my friend, is something we can agree on....

Re:The Indian tech support is worse.

[EsbenMoseHansen]

Or better to buy Sun machine with Solaris, that is THE server

From my experience with Solaris, I assume that you mean he is going to love his Dells after trying Solaris :p

Re:Demographics

[db32]

There is a car analogy waiting to happen here...

Re:Mod parent... Well, *you* decide...

[scruffyMark]

All the Filipinos I've met (only a handful to be honest) sounded to me like they had American accents :)

But just to agree with you, all of them had very good spoken english (if a little quiet).

Funny, I'd say speaking quietly is not exactly characteristic of an American accent.

Re:The Indian tech support is worse.

[Anonymous Coward]

I am very much being upset that you are of the thinking we cannot speak English very correctly, you insensitive clod!