I think that those who use workstations and servers would have little trouble installing Linux. But this would save them some time. Especially since the OS would be (presumably) configured for the hardware. It will be great when Dell pre loads the OS on their xps line for the average consumer (me). We can then go right to work instead of dealing with hardware/os compatibility issues : ) Hopefully Dell will see merit in offering a choice in distributions. I've used both Redhat and SuSE, and prefer SuSE. My wife uses Dell computers at work and she is on the phone with them all the time. Nothing wrong with the machines. The bosses son insists on deliberately *ucking them up at every opportunity. Their support seems to be very good. But can you imagine the average first timer "joe-win-dohz" user logging in as root and careening through system and configuration files? What a support nightmare that would be! (Have I read that line somewhere before?) I think Linux will have to mature into a much more polished (i.e. easy to use without any thought) "product" before it will be acceptable to "joe-win-dohz". I think as more hardware manufacturers release the info necessary to produce drivers (or better, produce drivers themselves and release the code?) and major software companies see the light, we will begin to see a much more refined Linux (applications not the os). I think we all know that configuration and DOCUMENTATION are major stumbling blocks for joe average. I applaud the work that has been accomplished thus far. But lets face it, while a few guys sprawled about the world can produce extraordinary applications those same people apparently can't place themselves at, say my level, and write documentation that I can easily follow. Most documentation takes for granted that I know far more than I really do. I'm not that smart. I have, at last count, 11 Linux books. In the past year I've printed out god only knows how many how-to's and readme's, and read many many more. And I still feel stupid. Though I've improved a great deal, I'm no programmer. Never will be. Well...ah...what was this all about? Oh yeah, Dell... Sorry for getting on the soap box. Tim "Fred A. Miller" wrote:
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