[ubuntu-uk] Fwd: [LUG] [Fwd: Computer for the elderly launched]

[Alan Bell]

Looks like they have thought about things better and spent more time
preparing than certain Linux powered netbook projects did.
It would appear that they control their own sales process and the full
company is on board with the project, they shouldn't have their own
sales reps selling against it. If they can set expectations right (which
they appear to be doing) then it has a good chance of success. I would
rather they priced too high and spent more time making happy customers
than priced too low and gave poor service to a bigger volume. I don't
think the hardware is junk or will overheat.

Alan.

etali wrote:
> Hopefully that's how it will turn out.
>
> However, if the hardware is poorly constructed, or the support is 
> terrible, it could just as easily go the other way.  I'm concerned that 
> in a few months time we'll be seeing people on Watchdog complaining 
> about how their computers overheated, or how they bought Windows 
> software and couldn't get it to work, or an update stopped their 
> wireless working and support don't help them....
>
> Suddenly the perception changes from "Fair play for making a good, safe 
> computer solution with training materials and support" to "This company 
> made overpriced junk, tricked pensioners into buying it, then ran off 
> with their money and left them with broken PCs".
>
> I'm not saying that will happen, just worried that it could. 
>
> I have several friends who bought Linux powered netbooks and have been 
> "put off Linux for life" because they went into the purchase with the 
> wrong expectations.  Most of their issues aren't even down to Linux 
> (e.g. they're annoyed they can't play games on the thing - it's a low 
> powered, low screen res machine, even if it was running Windows it 
> wouldn't play most games), but that's not how they see it.
>
>