On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:43:32 +0100, bbgruff wrote:
> Well, we were asked for "In the wild sightings", and I was assured by
> one of our long-standing writers here that Stores count as "in the
> Wild", so here's my own latest experience....
>
> U.K. readers will be familiar with PCWorld. Part of Dixon's-that-was?
> In my book, somewhere generally to be avoided, but a very convenient
> place to pick up blank CDs, DVDs, the odd cable, etc. Very
> "Windows-centric", and perhaps the *last* place I had expected to see
> Linux.
>
> On the way back to the office today, I stopped-by to pick up some ink
> cartridges. Through the automatic doors, huge Samsung T.V. to my left,
> and straight in front, blocking the aisle not 20ft from the door was a
> stand-alone-stand that one had to walk round to proceed. On that stand,
> an Acer One powered up and people playng with it. Right up front on the
> big price tag "This machine runs the Linux Operating System, and is
> pre-loaded with a complete Office Suite, compatible with MS Office"!
>
> Several people playing, so walked on to get my ink. Wandered round the
> laptop stands. TWO Asus netbooks (Linux) there and powered up.
> Ironically, somebody had displayed between them a boxed Norton Security
> pack at £29.99(?). Also, one other laptop with somebody at it, was
> running Ubuntu (Advent?).
>
> On the way out, I actually managed to get my hands on the Acer, and I
> really was impressed. Just 4 blocks of icons on the desktop,
> (Fun/Internet/Work etc?) and very snappy to use. Priced at £199 (that's
> very low over here - we often pay in pounds what yanks pay in dollars
> for kit), and when I started opening documents and spreadsheets, I soon
> had a crowd round again. Was able to spend a few minutes answering
> questions, expounding on not-Windows, no A.V, needed, full Office suite,
> free updates - for ever! etc... and then left them all to have a go.
>
> Cetainly I was impressed by the device. I always thought these things
> (screen and K/B) would be a bit small for my old eyes and clumsy
> fingers, but I was surprised at how good it was, and how easy to read
> the screen (8.9").
>
> I'm sure it comes with XP, and that a lot of folks will prefer that, but
> I was really amazed to see this (and the Linux statement) in such a
> prominent position in that particular store! Maybe it's because they
> can't sell them.... or something....???:-):-)
Don't be so sure about some folks preferring XP (in the UK). There is
more interest and take-up of Linux here in the UK than others think,
interestingly, children and people new to computers - they have no pre-
conceived prejudices.
Much of the sniping around here would be about American attitudes to
Linux, which apparently is much different.
As the recession bites, and before the world goes BANG, more people will
be watching every penny. 2 million out of work here before Christmas,
they say. IT and shops are always first to be chopped from the bottom up.
It won't only be me who is stony-broke then!
All the best,
Tony(UK)
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