On Friday 15 September 2006 4:51 am, stephan beal wrote:
dell, hp, compaq, nec, gateway sale all their computer for the public with linux...
i worked for Compaq for 5 years, and i can assure they DID try to sell Linux (and BeOS) computers. The problem was that nobody wanted to buy them. Old colleagues of mine who are still at HP (HP bought Compaq in 2000, right after i left the company) have told me of several attempts to sell Linux-based PCs. The main problem, as always, has been people's reluctance to buy them.
AS ALWAYS, HP's error, is that their marketing people have their heads in the sand. IF you don't ADD "available with SUSE Linux" in your NATIONAL TV ads, you aren't going to see very many. It's the total gutless fools who control marketing depts. in all companies, EXCEPT MickySoft, who are to blame. I mention MickySoft only because they know how to market and get the job done. HP, DELL, etc., are controlled by gutless wonders. In addition, and I HAVE suggested this to HP, IF they ONLY used Linux compatible chipsets and cards (ALL hardware - goodbye Broadcom), then it's easy to preload and ADVERTISE that HP's systems are Linux ready! Considering their purchasing power, I know full well that their costs aren't going to go up. There's my 2 cents. Fred -- MickySoft, the ultimate corporate parasite.