Linux + Wal-mart?

[Panda Man]

Wal-Mart's Clean Green $200 Linux Machine! | EcoGeek | November, Written, Linux, Have, Windows

Wal-mart did something cool for once. Maybe M$ will really start feeling the pressure for once if this goes well, I'm really wooting for this =D DISCUSS!

[gvblake22]

I would definitely like to see more industry support for Lunux. I've only just dabbled in a Ubuntu Feisty Fawn installation, but I can see how much potential it has. It's a great operating system if hardware companies can keep up support for it.

I have a bad feeling though that people are going to buy this computer without knowing they're getting themselves into and be disappointed that they can't use the traditional MS Office and then go on to bash Linux just because of a misconception. At least that company is offering free customer support, that should help the situation a little...

[Panda Man]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

I have a bad feeling though that people are going to buy this computer without knowing they're getting themselves into and be disappointed that they can't use the traditional MS Office and then go on to bash Linux just because of a misconception. At least that company is offering free customer support, that should help the situation a little...

I know, I was thinking about that. Honestly, I'd expect about half the people would do that and half would seek out, explore and see what all they can do with it, they have the tools they need (All hardware has drivers installed, Open office and other apps included, etc. etc.), they just need to play with it and adjust to it.

[Capper]

I've been toying with Ubuntu the last couple of days for an article......its a decent option, but driver support and making changes are a pain in the ass, and definitely not what I'd consider to be user friendly

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by Capper

I've been toying with Ubuntu the last couple of days for an article......its a decent option, but driver support and making changes are a pain in the ass, and definitely not what I'd consider to be user friendly

I've dabbled in Linux also (Ubuntu) and while it is a great OS, especially for free, drivers and software software support isn't the best, actually far from it. I couldn't figure out how to get the drivers for my 8600GT installed, even getting the latest drivers from nVidia for the 8 series and Linux.

[Panda Man]

Originally Posted by Capper

I've been toying with Ubuntu the last couple of days for an article......its a decent option, but driver support and making changes are a pain in the ass, and definitely not what I'd consider to be user friendly

Honestly, I've never had an issue with driver support, save wireless drivers (hello ndiswrapper!). Changing wasn't hard for me either (of course I love to explore new software, operating systems, etc. so I adapt rather quickly... plus google was a big help :P ), it's just that when I changed over, after about a week I got bored and went back to windows, which I'm afraid some people might do as well.

[halutzparilla]

is any one gana try this machine and review it...??? this sounds good to me, adding the fact you have all the apps u need to dabble with it... and under $200.. thats really gana give smack on BILL if this goes to success...

[Capper]

let me clarify, drivers for the laptop I'm using for the article were a pain.....the wireless driver was the only thing that worked.

[Stormcrow]

Originally Posted by yellowhello

I couldn't figure out how to get the drivers for my 8600GT installed, even getting the latest drivers from nVidia for the 8 series and Linux.

I used a program called Envy for my 8800, it works just like an MS Installer and you don't have to go through the agony of getting the drivers loaded. I like Ubuntu, and want to play around with it, but I can't connect to the internet. Not even Ndiswrapper helped, so it's not a viable option. Also took me 2 hours to even get sound, my Audigy SE is supported out of the box. I think it's great for people who have basic setups and just want to look at the browser and check email, but Windows is still it for enthusiasts.

[Yellowhello]

One great thing about running Linux in this situation is that all the drivers are preinstalled. That, for me, takes most of the frustration of Linux out of the equation. The rest of the problem is program compatibility and the GUI, and sadly that's what most people care about, I think.