Dell starting to sell Computers with Linux 82
I_am_Rambi writes "Dell is starting to sell PCs with RHEL WS. The trio of workstations come with either a P4, or Xeons (Dual capable). Prices range from $759 to $1263 (after rebates). Linux Desktops has more information." From the article: "Dell spokesperson Jeremy Bolen said the company basically defines a workstation as a heavy-duty desktop or notebook that is certified to work with various ISVs applications, including those for computer-aided design, video editing, modeling software for the gas and oil industry and other similar applications. Bolen argues that companies will purchase workstations for those specific jobs versus buying them as desktops for so-called knowledge workers, who spend time emailing, word processing and creating PowerPoint presentations. "
Yes, but... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Yes, but... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Yes, but... (Score:2)
Re:Yes, but... (Score:1)
Re:Yes, but... (Score:2, Interesting)
Guess that despite my complaints to the contrary, my last job was just overrun with Knowledge Workers.
Re:Yes, but... (Score:2)
"Knowledge Workers" need the computers to find Knowledge. They often use it for waisting time and such.
Workstations are for people who have to get work done using the knowledge they already posses. The need for emailing, word processing and playing with powerpoint isn't a high priority to those smart enough to be constructive
Re:Yes, but... (Score:2)
Considering it's Dell, shouldn't we be asking "Yes, but does it run AMD?"
Re:Yes, but... (Score:1)
I think your syntax is a little off...
Re:Yes, but... (Score:1)
Yeah! (Score:2)
Re:Yeah! (Score:1)
It's on the list of gphoto2 [gphoto.org] supported cameras.
Re:Yeah! (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Yeah! (Score:2)
Used to have a roommate with the C3030(and 2020 before it) that convinced me to go for it.
Re:Yeah! (Score:2)
Re:Yeah! (Score:2)
I owned a C3030Z and it worked great for me with Gphoto2. Keep trying until it works. I have used both USB and RS-232 to connect to it and both methods have worked. One of my colleagues took it and never returned it, hence the "owned" bit.
LANG=C gphoto2 --port "usb:" --camera "Olympus C-3030Z" --folder "/DCIM/100OLYMP" --get-all-files
Re:Yeah! (Score:2)
The process was a bit convoluted though, I eventually moved to using a Smartmedia to CF adapter because it was MUCH faster than the Olympus USB link under Linux or Windows. I'm sure things have improved in the nearly six years since support for that camera was added.
again (Score:5, Informative)
Re:again (Score:3, Interesting)
Dell also offers most of their desktop machines as "bare" (FreeDOS). These are the machines that are "buried" on the website. Sometimes these machines are cheaper than the Windows versions, sometimes the same, sometimes more expensive. Apparently this is because vendors like Real pay Dell to bundle their
How do you find those? (Score:1)
Anyway, how do you find those burried ones?
Re:How do you find those? (Score:4, Informative)
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.
Re:How do you find those? (Score:5, Informative)
In order to boot this system, you must install an operating system. A FreeDOS media kit has been provided which will allow you to boot your system once installed. Please note that many common applications will not run and/or fully function using FreeDOS, and in order to run these applications, you will need to install the appropriate operating system and/or device specific drivers. Consult FreeDos.org or your chosen operating system vendor for compatibility details." (boldface theirs; italics and sarcasm mine). No such text appears on any of the Windows pages. Indeed, Dell recommends Windows XP Professional. No similar recommendation supporting Linux exists.
Re:How do you find those? (Score:2)
Is anyone here going to argue with that? Ultimately Dell doesn't care, they're just moving boxes.
Dell recommends Windows XP Professional.
Even "IBM Recommends Windows XP Professional". Gotta get the OEM discount.
Re:How do you find those? (Score:2)
Nice summary, but incorrect.
The statistics above directly contradict your assertion:
Additionally, it was to provide background on why people find the non-Windows offerings to be "buried".
Indeed. I neve
Re:How do you find those? (Score:2)
I don't know if that means all that much. Once they have absorbed the startup costs of "Open Source Desktops", there is not much cost in offering additional models in that configuration (especially because they are nearly identical internally).
Re:How do you find those? (Score:2)
The word on the street is that Dell pays Microsoft per unit sold, regardless of what you get from them. So you're paying for a Windows license but not getting it.
And since many of the Dells can't be ordered without Windows XP (I picked 3 at random, none had a FreeDOS option) you often can't even pretend you're not helping Microsoft fight legal battles against linux companies if you're buying from Dell.
Re:How do you find those? (Score:1)
Yeah right. I'll bet your "inside sources" are a bunch of slashdot conspiracy theory dumbasses. Microsoft has been legally prohibited from doing this since 1993.
Re:How do you find those? (Score:2)
Re:How do you find those? (Score:2)
You see i had a copy of windows 98SE i bought for a desktop that couldn't run it. Unfortionatly one of the application i wanted to run needed Windows 98SE so i tryed to puchase a desktop to use my OS with. I did find one or two vendors willing to sell me a desktop with freedos but there was no price reduction. The excuse given to me by di
Re:How do you find those? (Score:1)
(Open and close eyes rhythmically to simulate) (Score:2)
Re:How do you find those? (Score:1)
Re:again (Score:1)
Re:again (Score:2)
Anyone who thinks the price disparity is due to MS kickbacks is on crack, because such a practice is totally outlawed by the antitrust decree.
Yeah, this lady I was talking to said her son was murdered, but I told her that she must be mistaken, because murder is illegal.
Re:again (Score:3, Interesting)
Is it that time of year again? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Is it that time of year again? (Score:2)
It seems every once in a while, like when contracts with Microsoft expire, we hear Dell is selling Linux computers and then as soon as the stories appear the computers end up buried in some hard to find place on their website.
Very true. No one takes Dell systems with Linux seriously, your better off with Sun hardware that runs Linux, cheaper and faster too as Sun uses AMD X2 processors that blow away anything Dell has.
bit pricey (Score:1)
Re:bit pricey (Score:2)
Re:bit pricey (Score:1)
Re:bit pricey (Score:2)
I've been a long time Mandriva user and finally gave up after installing 2006. Sadly, Mandriva has never been able to shake the "every other release is a piece of crap" syndrome. I had high hopes that a yearly release cycle would fix things, but it didn't. I was also got really tired of trying to find an update mirror that worked. I finally called their US nu
Re:bit pricey (Score:2)
KDE 3.3, eclipse,kmail,,tomcat, mysql database, OpenOffice, Firefox at the same time open with 256 was slightly impossible (-:
Re:bit pricey (Score:2)
Re:bit pricey (Score:1)
Re:bit pricey (Score:2)
That's a really facinating story, but most people who buy workstations are looking for computational machines and don't care about your old crap.
Re:bit pricey (Score:1)
If you don't need a dual P4 Xeon or other high end computer you obviously are not their target market, so don't worry about it. If a PIII-400 suits your needs, fine. I run Linux on a 200MHz ARM in an embedded system because that's all it need to run (more, actually,) but I do the development on a P4-3GHz notebook and i
Same with a car (Score:1)
My other car, 2005 BMW M3 is a hell of alot more fun though.
And there's support.... (Score:2, Funny)
Heh, I know what I'm going to suggest next time the Grandma-Types ask what kind of computer they should get. Have fun, Dell...
4 years ago (Score:2)
Support? (Score:1)
Re:Support? (Score:2)
Re:Support? (Score:2, Insightful)
Dell may be reluctant to start shipping Linux (or at least shipping it as a regular thing) because they fear that the effort of offering a variety of distros is too much (as you point out), and simply offering one distro is probably not going
Re:Support? (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:Support? (Score:1)
Re:Support? (Score:2)
What I want to see (Score:5, Insightful)
But, I DO care that Dell makes hardware support available for at least the big distros!
Give me supported hardware and drivers!
Hey all you hardware vendors out there, it's 2006 already!
I've decided this year that any manufacturer that will not at least make drivers available is behind the times and I will no longer buy from them.
I'm tired of reverse engineered hardware support. It should not be this way anymore. I choose to vote with my $$$ and I will plainly tell any vendor why I will not choose them. No support for Linux, no support from me.
Re:What I want to see (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:What I want to see (Score:2)
Binary drivers suck. (Score:2)
Yes, things should not be the way they are but binary drivers are not a good deal. "Reverse engineered hardware support" is often better than the driver provided by the device maker. How can that be? Easy, the maker can only afford so many hours of programming for any device but free drivers will be brought up to spec eventually. More importantly, free drivers never go away.
Re:Binary drivers suck. (Score:2)
Re:What I want to see (Score:1)
lenovo doesn't mention linux as an option when selecting a laptop/pc, but after using the search function one finds the
"knowledge workers" (Score:1)
Is anyone else tired of hearing that term?
By the way, this is hilarious: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_worker [wikipedia.org]
Re:"knowledge workers" (Score:2)
For one thing, it makes it easy for management to identify them for pink slips during downsizings, since they do not tangibly, immediately contribute to the bottom line. They can always be rehired as consultants later.
Well, since it's Dell... (Score:1)
Dude, stop buying Dell.
Re:Well, since it's Dell... (Score:1)
Neither of these is a good option, because in both instances I need to sit there and click away at the machine.
I like Dell servers - sometimes, but.. (Score:1)
Re:I like Dell servers - sometimes, but.. (Score:1)
Re:I like Dell servers - sometimes, but.. (Score:1)
Nothing new to see here (Score:2)
As an aside, I believe they're offering the systems with FreeDOS because some people do want to install linux, but don't want RedHat (I run Suse now).