[plug] Linux Desktop Market

[Kev]

G'day Chris

Chris Watt wrote:
> Hi Guys,
> 
> Reading reports and what not of the hindered rise of Linux as a viable
> desktop option to the standard home user, I was thinking to myself the
> ability of it to go down in Australia.
> 
> What I'm curious about finding out from people (probably in the
> archives, but fresh conversation is essential in this industry) is
> whether or not people on this list, as professionals in the IT
> industry believe that desktops and laptops with Linux preinstalled and
> configured for best use of the system would fly as a retail product.
> 
> I read a lot about Linux installed systems selling at higher prices
> than Windowze installed systems and fail to see any connection
> (besides the ever watchful eyes of MS Corp) to the price of the system
> + software to sale setup.
> 
> So, does anyone think that a company could be founded on the ability
> to offer premium computers (so computers ready for the internet,
> office apps, etc.) could be sold to the public or do you think there
> are still factors hindering the adoption of this system, esp. by
> schools, seniors and first time users?

My wife and I ran our own small consultancy(?) for 9+ years.  I've never 
used Windows.  My experience is that nobody wants to be the 1st kid on 
the block with something different.  When all the other kids have it, 
the rest will want it too.  Its a tortured kind of logic, but about as 
intelligent as it gets with most business management - and they're the 
idiots with the purse strings.  It doesn't matter how much superior your 
product is (and it is) they just don't want ot be 1st.  You can even 
convince them that Windoze is the bottom of the heap in the OS world, 
they're happy to grovel in the mire so long as everyone else is there 
grovelling with them.

At the risk of sounding like a resounding bell, there are only 2 
possibilities in the Linux world to offer these people - Linspire or 
Xandros.  My vote is with Xandros, but even they both need a lot more 
polish to be really successful at moving into a Windoze world.  They're 
both pay for distros, so the bean counters are even more edgy.  It 
simply isn't possible for the *average* Linux user (read geek when 
compared to the normal world) to be convinced that great unwashed 
business desktop users out there just can't get along with Debian, 
Mandriva, Fedora, Gentoo ... ad infinitum.  No, not even Ubuntu.

Here endeth the lesson.

Cheers
Kev


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Kev Downes
kdownes at tpg.com.au  ph 0404 7 0808 2
We use and recommend Xandros 3.0.2
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