Ubuntu.com listing laptops?

[jarrodhenry at comcast.net]

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Ghodmode <ghodmode at ghodmode.com>
> Perhaps the idea isn't completely bad, though.  What if Ubuntu were to add a
> section to their site that says "Where can I buy a computer with Ubuntu
> Linux Pre-Loaded?"?  Allow a link and a short description for each merchant,
> in alphabetical order.  That wouldn't show any favoritism among merchants.
> They could add a "Merchants, add your site to this list!" link.
> 
> I think that this would support all vendors who sell Ubuntu Linux-based
> computers.  In turn, this may also encourage more vendors to put together a
> Ubuntu package.  If they could get a link to their site on Ubuntu's site,
> they might see more customer purchases.
> 
> -- Vince

The problem is, Vince, that that's not how the corporate world works.  You'd get companies, even if they were in alphabetical order, vying and offering money to get higher and higher placement on the list.  They would be upset if their description was not as "good as" their competitor's.  It'd turn into a full time job placating the vendors as they came on to the list, and for what?

Most people who are looking for a computer go to the manufacturer's site first.  They don't go to the OS website.    The only people who would go to Ubuntu.com are people who know what they want, and frankly, by that point, they'd already know that Dell is selling it.

That said, it's not going to be as big a roll-out as people think.  It will, from what I' ve been told from some insiders, only be on one inspiron, one XPS machine, and one desktop model.    It's not like the entire lineup is going to offer linux.

But, when it's all said and done, it's Canonical's decision, not mine.. but I'd rather not see advertisements on an OS that brands itself as a Free OS, because that implies kickbacks and ad buys.. and the major manu's are already quite adept at penetrating the market through conventional marketing means.

Jarrod

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Subject: Re: Ubuntu.com listing laptops?
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