[PLUG] "Friends don't let friends use Dell"

[Chris Hedemark <chris@yonderway.com>]

Also known as "Dell... the *other* four letter word."

So I start this groovy new job across the aisle from Gabe R. and there 
is this shiny black little econo-box Dell Optiplex GX260.  It's one of 
those cutesy little boxes with the laptop-style super slim CD-ROM 
drive.  No problem so far, except it is running Windows (and I'm 
working primarily with the *NIX servers).

After a few days of struggling along using Redmond's finest desktop OS, 
I realize I'm using my personal laptop (Apple Powerbook G4) way too 
much.  Dagnabbit, I need a *NIX box on my desk.

While I usually use OpenBSD or OS X for personal stuff, this is work, 
and I don't have time to screw around.  So I grab Red Hat's latest 
stable distro (8.0), pop it in the chintzy little CD tray trying not to 
break the 'puter and reboot.

Red Hat installs fine, no complaints, and even seems to recognize my 
video card and monitor.

XFree86 doesn't work.

OK I know Dell somewhat recently got out of the Linux business, but boy 
oh boy I didn't know they were going to go out of their way to use 
stuff that doesn't work with Linux (actually, I'm lying... I used to 
support their laptops so I know what kind of compatibility pains can 
come with Dells).  Turns out that the video chipset they are using 
won't be supported until XFree86 4.3.0.

Right now I'm compiling binary RPM's from the SRPM's from Rawhide 
(XFree86-4.2.99) and crossing my fingers (and maybe saluting this Dell 
with a finger).  Every time I touch a piece of Dell hardware I am 
reminded way I dislike their hardware and why, given an opportunity to 
do so, I'd never sign a purchase order for Dell hardware.

If it sounds like I'm overreacting, you might be right if it were just 
one isolated incident.  But I've never had to deal with  a single 
manufacturer pumping out more *BAD STUFF* over such a long period of 
time except perhaps Packard Bell.

Chris Hedemark .. Prospect Park, PA .. http://yonderway.com
Homeland Security begins at home; support your Second Amendment.

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