I'm a fan of these low-cost, high-function machines. They are practical investments. For someone who has an extra monitor (or has a an existing computer that has succumbed to viruses or other digital maladies) this seems like a surefire bet. I'd like to see us do a thorough review of this <a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7754614#Item+Description">gPC </a>computer. Based upon the written specs, it looks like a great buy. They are not presently stocked at any WalMart within 100 miles of Boston, however, it can be purchased online with free delivery to a nearby store. How about we get one for the next InstallFest and run a test? Anyone have a contact at the company that makes these (or at WalMart?) I attended the Ubuntu Developer Summit last week. After the conference ended, I was shopping in a store and one of the employees there noticed my Ubuntu t-shirt, saying "Ubuntu, what's that?" My short answer was "It's like Windows, but it's free." The guy said, "Gee, you know my computer isn't working right any more." So I went out to the car, and brought back an Ubuntu CD - they were thrilled to try it. Yesterday, I visited an out-of-state friend whose modern, high-powered, expensive Windows computer had become incapacitated by an adware virus attack. We struggled for about an hour to fix it - but failed.  We installed the free "Defender" software which claimed to clean it yet these viruses keep regenerating themselves with each reboot. I'll keep using Windows and Mac and all the other OS platforms on big and small devices where there's value, but nobody should have to endure this kind of debilitating virus mess on any platform. Ubuntu offers huge value, and this gPC (<a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7754614#Item+Description">Everex TC2502 Green gPC w/ Via C7-D Processor</a>) seems to hit the perfect price point. <div>On 11/3/07, Thomas Cameron <<a href="mailto:tom@drdabbles.us">tom@drdabbles.us</a>> wrote:<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> I think you misunderstand what I mean. By throw-away, I mean it is usually cheaper to replace the entire machine than it is to replace a failed component. This is typical of the e-machines that companies like Best Buy used to sell. Usually the $200 to $300 PC is assembled from very low quality parts, or very limited function parts (slow CD-ROM, slow RAM, etc.) to keep costs down. Essentially, what I am saying here is that while these systems are more than adequate for surfing, email, and general productivity suites, you should be very careful about suggesting them to someone that can't afford to buy another in the event of a problem. And, of course, none of this is to say I'm unhappy that Linux is being sold in Wal-Mart again. And I couldn't be happier that it's Ubuntu! On Fri, 2007-11-02 at 17:09 -0700, Kristian Erik Hermansen wrote: > On 11/2/07, Thomas Cameron <<a href="mailto:tom@drdabbles.us">tom@drdabbles.us </a>> wrote: > > Beware what you get in a $200 pc. If you let everyone know it will > > basically be a throw-away computer, fine. Otherwise, you may have some > > hard feelings later on. Just speaking from experience. > > I don't understand what you mean.  This is a computer specifically > designed for people who merely want to get on the Internet, browse > around, write emails, and print office documents.  It is not a gaming > PC.  I don't think it should be considered a "throw-away computer" at > all! > > Additionally, maybe people don't like having to install Ubuntu > themselves.  We are seeing more and more Ubuntu-preinstalled machines > popping up from various vendors, presumably because they got the > "thumbs up" from Dell's research... -- Ubuntu-us-ma mailing list <a href="mailto:Ubuntu-us-ma@lists.ubuntu.com"> Ubuntu-us-ma@lists.ubuntu.com</a> Modify settings or unsubscribe at: <a href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-ma">https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-ma</a> </blockquote></div> -- Brian