Roy Schestowitz wrote:
> __/ [ Larry Qualig ] on Sunday 07 May 2006 14:49 \__
>
> > Roy Schestowitz wrote:
> >> __/ [ Cyberwasteland ] on Sunday 07 May 2006 03:20 \__
> >>
> >> > hakro807@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> >> >> Hi!
> >>
> >>
> >> How do you do?
> >>
> >>
> >> >> I noticed that Walmart offer a few computers with Linux and I believe
> >> >> they have done so for a few years. Does anyone here know how Linux have
> >> >> been recieved among the costumers? Who is the typical costumer, how
> >> >> many boxes have been sold, is the customers happy with their choice,
> >> >> have many switched (back?) to Windows. If certain applications have
> >> >> been missing, what were these etc.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >> Linux was received warmly by the customers, who clearly bought it for a
> >> reason. Other than gaining actual ownership of their data, there was an
> >> improvement in reliability, resilience, and flexibility.
> >
> > I didn't see the <sarcasm> tags here so I have to disagree. There are
> > many Linux users who do feel strongly about what you mention (ownership
> > of their data, flexibility, resilience, etc.) but these people that you
> > just described won't be running out to Walmart to buy their next
> > system. The people you just described already have a good amount of
> > computer knowledge and will likely buy a better system for less money
> > elsewhere (over the internet)... even it if means installing their own
> > distro which won't be the one that Walmart pre-installs.
> >
> > Most Walmart shoppers buy the computer because it's $20 or $30 cheaper.
>
> No <sarcasm> tag was needed. I impulsively beg to differ.
>
> The most average among the folks at Joe Averageville will walk away from
> Walmart with a shiny Linspire machine, which is reminiscent of Windows,
> but gives less of a hassle.
>
> Mind you, everything is already installed. Joe will rarely be a long-time
> Photoshop user. He will happily be surfing the Web, checking his E-mail
> (very likely Web-based), and compose documents. No need for serial numbers
> for a cracked copy of Office; No need to wipe and restore factory defaults
> whenever a virus hits the machine and slows it down to its demise; No need
> for pricey software and knowledge of common software/Web sites (e.g.
> adobe.com) as Synaptic/YaST/other centralise all and make it a box-ticking
> job.
I don't necessarily disagree with this but you just described a
completely different customer. Here is an "average Joe" who likely
doesn't know much about Linux but will likely be happy with his/her
purchase.
The original customer you described is the person who's already aware
of Linux and seeks "to own their own data, scalability, resilience,
etc." People who think this way have likely already been exposed to
Linux for some time and are not shopping at Walmart to bring home that
shiney new Linspire machine.
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