How Open Source is Faring in Retail 259
SilentBob4 writes to tell us MadPenguin is running the first of two articles taking a look at the 'world of retail as Tux is experiencing it'. From the article: "Of the stores we visited, only Linspire Linux was sold pre-installed on computers in-store. Those FOSS boxes were often among the store's best volume sellers, primarily because they were the cheapest, according to store staff. The staff believed, based on conversations with frequent customers, that most customers were buying the boxes to install Windows on them. But that is not surprising to us, because, as we discuss in section two, brick-and-mortar "computer" stores are still part of the Microsoft distribution chain. The fact that there were some open source products at all in these stores is actually surprising, as Microsoft guards its distribution chain jealously, and punishes those business partners who stray into carrying FOSS products."
wow... (Score:4, Insightful)
Exactly (Score:3, Insightful)
Then again, im not really shocked. I think to some degree people view pirating an OS or pirating from Microsoft in general as a lesser form of pirating.
Punish? (Score:4, Insightful)
And the source for this little gem is what? Do you suppose the DOJ would be interested if it were true? Do you suppose that MS' competitors would be screaming if it were true? Do you suppose that with the size of MS' market, the number of retailers and speed of the internet, if this were true it would be on the front page of the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal?
Remember 1998? (Score:3, Insightful)
You don't need fancy sociology about "disruptive technology" to explain why Linux distros do or don't have prominent in-store displays. If the makers write their checks to the store, they get their displays; otherwise, they don't.
great 'business' model (Score:1, Insightful)
And yes, COMPETING is possible; the 'distribution chain' excuse is just that. Linux is FREE, Windows is not. If that isn't viewed as a HUGE fundamental advantage in Linux's favor, you are obviously too drunk on the kool-aid.
Re:That's OK (Score:3, Insightful)
customer support needs to be there first... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:That is a shocker (Score:2, Insightful)
Who, exactly, is forcing you to buy hardware with Windows installed on it?
If you really want to buy your systems complete, Dell sells Linux systems or systems with no OS.
So,,, what's the problem here? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:That's OK (Score:4, Insightful)
Because sometimes, the price to the consumer winds up actually being cheaper even with the cost of the "Microsoft tax." That's because larger suppliers can get better deals at every point of the supply chain. The extra money for Windows doesn't necessarily wipe out that advantage.
Re:customer support needs to be there first... (Score:3, Insightful)
i think a big problem is a lack of people who could answer any questions on these machines
That and a lack of hardware quality. I non-technical friend of mine, a certified, card carrying Microsoft hater, bought a Linspire box from Fry's. The first thing he did was try to get a printer to work. He spent hours doing that, then finally took it back to the store. Turns out there was a hardware problem. So if time is worth anything, the Linspire became quite a bit more expensive than the $180 he spent for it.
I would guess many of the Linspire boxes sold at Fry's are bottom of the barrel in terms of hardware quality, given how that store operates.
Re:I wonder... (Score:5, Insightful)
I suspect that, years after Vista is released, you will still find a BUNCH of machines running XP.
One thing I have noticed is the maturity -> longevity effect for computer hardware and software. Years ago, the rapid pace of hardware development and the commensurate evolution of end-user software meant that a three-year-old box was not just NOMINALLY obsolete, it was obsolete IN FACT. New hardware peripherals and (above all) new applications could effectively not be used on systems just a couple of years old.
Nowadays, however, even though an Intel or AMD processor-based system from four years ago might have rings run around it by current stuff, the old systems are still very serviceable and can run almost any software you car to install short of the latest games. And they can be upgraded enough (e.g. video card) where even the "gaming barrier" can be negotiated in large part.
I suspect that a brand new AMD64 X2 processor-based system of today will stil be VERY useable eight years from now despite the advent of Vista or any other software technology. They're just not really coming up with very many "new things" to do with a PC (look at MS Excel 2003, for example. Does it REALLY look or work that differently from a Windows-based Excel spreadsheet from ten years ago?)
And FWIW, you can ALWAYS take an obsolete box, install the latest Linux distro onto it, and breathe new life back into that puppy like you wouldn't believe.
People are keeping their automobiles longer now, and I'm sure that's coming to be the same for PC systems.
It's not all Microsoft's fault (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:From a slightly different angle... (Score:3, Insightful)
in a business environment you don't have time for brand loyalty when your competitor is shaving $0.03 every transaction cost by going with the best deal regardless of brand.
Re:I wonder... (Score:3, Insightful)
This assumes there is no fundamental change in how a PC is used.
Vista for the home is a media center oriented OS and specifically an HD-media oriented OS. Audio and video. In 2006 that is marketable, in 2009, and beyond, that may be essential.
Wal-Mart is FOSS's Friend (Score:3, Insightful)
Wal-Mart will go to any means to sell a computer $0.99 cheaper than the guy down the street. They will lead a FOSS retail revolution, if the right distro can be pulled together.
Like laws and sausages, retail computer marketing is not pretty.
Re:Punish? (Score:3, Insightful)
You didn't really believe the orignal DOJ case was all about the consumer did you? The case came about through the efforts of competitors and once they received their money no further action was needed or taken. Business as usual in Washington.
Re:wow... (Score:3, Insightful)
I'm not. I'm starting to get tired of cult of victimization. Microsoft may be a 500 point gorilla, but it is a 500 pound gorilla that can't take your money without your permission. Since the days of the first IBM PC there have been alternative systems. Some of them, like the Mac, are even household words.
Whiner: "Microsoft doesn't give me any choice"
Realist: "Get a Mac"
Whiner: "But you can't build a Mac yourself"
Realist: "So go build a PC *without* Microsoft!"
Whiner: "But Macs are more expensive"
Realist: "Go buy a Mac Mini"
Whiner: "But it doesn't have the horsepower of a $3300 Alienware!"
Installing Windows on them? (Score:2, Insightful)
Have the people who think this ever tried to do a Windows install on a computer that didnt have it pre installed? If they think Linux is hard to install they have no idea the problems they will run into. Where are they going to get the drivers? That modem, sound card, and video card will most likely not work right if at all. How are they going to get the drivers with no internet access because the modem/ethernet card isnt working?
Are they going to try and use a reinstall disk? The ones that everyone loses within a year? Are they going to use a downloaded copy? The one that isnt going to pass the "genuine windows" check that lets you download updates?
All in all they must have asked a bunch of high school kids working for minimum wage with no idea what they were talking about.