[ubuntu-za] Ubuntu Distribution

[Morgan Collett]

On Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 19:52, James Cuénod <j3frea at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:47:14 +0200, Reenen Laurie <REENENL at pepstores.com> wrote:
>
>> Does anyone know contacts in Game or Incredible Connection?
>>
>> Have we tried it?
>>
>> Because our country is very price sensitive, and if Game / Incredible
>> Connection can sell their PC's / Laptops for R500 cheaper... that will
>> give them a competitive advantage.  And they'll sell a significant more
>> than the next competitor. ESPECIALLY if they don't have to support it...
>> Ie. the Ubuntu Community gives them contact details etc. so they can
>> refer their clientelle to us.
>>
>> It would be especially useful if someone has a closed corporation who
>> they can actually pay... These types of companies would prefer having
>> someone they can pay, and hold accountable.
>>
>>
>
> The problem is that Microsoft gets the manufacturers to install OEM versions of its OS on PCs - that's how they keep the market.
> Think about it, Microsoft has the ability to police pirated versions of Windows but it doesn't - why? Because people are stuck on it, as long as all other software vendors see that Windows has the market share they will continue to produce stuff for Windows (e.g. Adobe) and thus companies etc. that have to have legal versions of software and buy the said software in bulk must also run on a Windows platform because that's what the software runs on.
>
> I'll give you an example, I use a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop. Dell released a 1525n which is the same model but comes with Ubuntu installed instead of Vista. I bought the 1525 with Vista because it was cheaper than getting it with Ubuntu... Microsoft really is giving away their OS to keep market share...

There are however local system builders and retailers who are happy to
sell systems without an operating system, like Chaos Computers. They
explicitly list the price of Windows separately to the actual hardware
of their systems.

I've spoken to people at the big distributors - the kind that sponsor
cricket stadiums - and they seemed happy to supply Linux if there is a
toll free support line operated by some reputable IT company who
offers support contracts which would be built into the cost of the
system. This was a couple of years ago, and the local Ubuntu
commercial scene seemed to be moving in that direction to be able to
provide the support, but it seems to have stalled.

Replacing Windows with Ubuntu in the retail channel seems to be a case
of replacing a licence fee with a support cost (not that Ubuntu needs
as much support even, but supporting the use of arbitrary peripherals
is a problem that nobody wants to touch).

Regards
Morgan