$300 Linux installed Computer

[pimp racer]

Sounds like a good deal for the average Linux user. Look into it if your in need of a new decent computer.
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3321

 

[HACKr]

Ok, but more ram would be better.

 

[dougiemeats]

HACKr is correct. It would be better if they included at least 512 MB RAM. The saying that "Linux works great on older machines" is wrong. At least partly. People that make this statement need to elaborate:

* Linux using KDE or GNOME as their desktop environment DOES NOT work great on older machines.

* Linux with XFCE or FluxBox as their desktop environment works good on older machines.

Remember that, for the most part, modern Linux needs a modern machine. There are a few exceptions, but this statement holds true in most occasions. For a computer that only has 256 MB RAM, I would actually recommended running Windows XP. It feels more lightweight than GNOME, KDE, or even Mac OS X, based on my experience. They should include more RAM and charge slightly more. It will benefit the user more than it would by keeping the price at $300.

With that said, this is a good sign and I wish more computer manufacturers would give the consumers a choice on operating systems.

 

[pimp racer]

I agree with the more ram. But give it a year or if we are lucky a few months and we will see more people offereing Linux as alternative operating systems. I used quite a few linux distros my self so I am hooked on it but right now I gotta stick with XP becuase of some bussiness related issues.

 

[HACKr]

Strangely enough though, my computer is only a B&W G3. It runs OSX like a champ.

 

[dougiemeats]

Strangely enough though, my computer is only a B&W G3. It runs OSX like a champ.

G3? Impressive. I suppose that's the benefit of Apple controlling the hardware for their operating system.

I agree with the more ram. But give it a year or if we are lucky a few months and we will see more people offereing Linux as alternative operating systems. I used quite a few linux distros my self so I am hooked on it but right now I gotta stick with XP becuase of some bussiness related issues.

I sure hope so, but haven't we heard the same thing before? "This is the year of the desktop Linux!" Year after year, we hear this, and it has yet to gain widespread adoption. People need to realize that it will not be a massive migration from Windows to Linux, but rather small gains.

Open-source advocates should concentrate on switching people to applications such as Firefox, Open Office, The GIMP, Gaim, instead of operating systems. They need to make small steps first before switching to something totally unfamiliar. Once they discover the benefits of open-source through Firefox, Open Office, etc., then they may start to consider switching to a whole new operating system. But until then, there won't be a "year of the desktop Linux" for awhile.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Open-source advocates should concentrate on switching people to applications such as Firefox, Open Office, The GIMP, Gaim, instead of operating systems. They need to make small steps first before switching to something totally unfamiliar. Once they discover the benefits of open-source through Firefox, Open Office, etc., then they may start to consider switching to a whole new operating system. But until then, there won't be a "year of the desktop Linux" for awhile.

I think that you're right, but not for the right reasons

It strikes me that the big FUD issue with Linux isn't in getting the OS to work. Hell, you just boot off the CD and follow the prompts these days, just like Windows. No, what worries people is that they won't be able to work the computer when it's running. Open Source needs to create truly credible alternatives to MS Office, Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc. because only then will people migrate. Given that the average user has a heart attack when they migrate from one version of an app to another, using a completely different one will be a huge mental leap for them, and most users are frankly not ready.

In my mind, the only reason that Windows is still going is that MS Office is so awesomely capable.

 

[Danoff]

In my mind, the only reason that Windows is still going is that MS Office is so awesomely capable.

I gotta agree with this. At work, I run linux on one machine (for development) and windows on another (for documentation and presentations). Others that I work with run linux and MacOS. We use linux for all kinds of applications, and most of our heavy number crunching, but the Microsoft/Macintosh platforms stick around because there is no great alternative to office (though we do have those that swear by LaTex).

 

[HACKr]

Later today I'm getting a Power Mac G4 with 512 mb ram and Ubuntu Linux, no Mac OS whatsoever.

I am converting.

 

[dougiemeats]

Excellent points, Giles.

But what about the basic user? (like, my mom and dad)

The Basic User:
* Those that don't necessarily need Office, Photoshop, or Dreamweaver
* Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Word are the main 3 applications used.
* The non-gamers
* Add antivirus and antispyware to the list of "main applications used"

Linux provides security and stability, as well as providing a means for playing music and movies, word processing, and internet browsing (you know, the "basics"). If the applications you've mentioned are the main reason for not switching, why haven't we seen a majority of the basic consumer switching? No registry, no spyware, no viruses, no product keys and no expensive software upgrades... so why not switch?

This is where my point on pushing open-source applications, instead of operating systems, comes in. The main reasons they (the very basic user) won't switch is that they don't know about the benefits, such as security, of open-source applications. If you introduce Firefox, Thunderbird, Gaim, Open Office, and The GIMP to the basic user, they will see that they can have a polished interface along with usability and security with these apps. Once they are comfortable using these applications, then they will feel right at home after they install Ubuntu 6.06, which has all of these applications, except Thunderbird, out of the box.

Then again, you may be right. If the power-users, businesses, and schools used Linux on the desktop, then would it influence my mom and dad to use Linux as well? There's a better chance that they would. So maybe creating truly credible alternatives to the applications you have mentioned will indirectly lead to a migration mainly through influence.

Edit: That's interesting, HACKr. Rarely do you see a Mac user looking for alternatives to OS X. Have fun with Ubuntu, and with Wired!

 

[HACKr]

Yeah, I love Linux. It runs so smooth on this Graphite G4. All I need to do now is set up the wireless connection, which is surprisingly easy! Not like Airport on OSX. Dang is that frustrating. The rest of the OSX is fine though, I just figured I'd go with a simple (and free!) alternative.

Man, I am so happy with this computer.