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Re: [PLUG] Linux Laptop Anyone?
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what distro's did you have in mind?
the only problem i see with offering many distros - is the difficulty
in getting the system fully functional. I had planned to make an image
that i could apply en-masse to each unit. however, the first system is
the hardest and time consuming - but i should be able to make that back
in volume imaging. so if it requires a lot of configuration for each
distro - then there is a diminishing return. unless people would be
willing to pay more for a windows-free laptop with the distro of their
choice. also - the distros that are freely available - ie: Red Hat and
Mandrake, I should be able to install freely with charging you or
paying them. However, for SuSE, I think I would need to get into a
distribution agreement with them - since they don't allow you download
ISO's.
right now i'm on the fence. i have a manufacturer that is willing to
let me sell system with or without windows (less $70) - but there is a
volume commitment that i must make - and I'm not sure that i can move
that many.
On Thursday, April 10, 2003, at 10:18 PM, Stratos Parisiou wrote:
Would you allow the buyer to choose the distro? Or would you have a
couple
distros to choose from?
If so, yes.
Stratos
----- Original Message -----
From: "W.Chris Shank" <chris.shank@acetechgroup.com>
To: <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 21:25
Subject: [PLUG] Linux Laptop Anyone?
Is anyone is interested in buying a laptop with Linux instead of
Windows - and not paying the Windows tax anyway? Would you be
interested in a dual-boot system - pre-installed?
Please let me know. I need to judge interest in this.
Thanks
On Thursday, April 10, 2003, at 03:24 PM, Stewart B. Lone wrote:
W. Chris Shank wrote:
Background: I'm trying to add a Linux-powered laptop to my hardware
offering. It is pretty much impossible to get the parts and build
your
own laptop (without buying the parts in the millions), so I thought
I'd
see if WinBook - who has a pretty agressive reseller program for
integrators could give me one's without Windows installed. This is
the
response I received from them.
**************************************************************
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for your interest in our "Critically Proven" WinBook
Computers. We
confirm that due to our licensing agreement with Microsoft, we are
unable to
provide a notebook without an Operating System. We apologize for any
inconvenience that this may cause. If you have any questions, please
feel
free to call 1-800-254-7806 and we will be happy to assist
you.
Thank You
WinBook Technical Sales
winsales@winbook.com
***************************************************************
What I think is most amazing is their admission that they cannot
sell
them without _an_ operating system because of their agreement with
Microsoft. I've heard dozens of reasons why Toshiba or Dell or Sony
(etc) won't sell wihtout an OS - and it's usually some BS about full
functionality, user experience, etc.
Now someone in the know - please tell me if I'm wrong - but didn't
MS
have to release this restriction on it's OEM's as part of the DOJ
settlement?
FYI: Here was my reply - but I don't expect to hear back from them:
*****************************************************************
What if I were to give you the Linux image to install yourself, then
you
could sell them to me with an operating system (Linux) installed. Or
are
you not allowed to sell a notebook without a Microsoft Operating
System?
If that is the case - isn't that in violation of the settlement
agreement
between Microsoft and the Department of Justice?
If I were to resell WinBooks, but first immediately removed Windows,
replacing it with Linux - not even booting into Windows once, would
I
be
entitled to a refund for the OS? Would I get that from you or
Microsoft?
Thank you
Chris Shank
____________________________________________________________________
__
___
Philadelphia Linux Users Group --
http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements -
http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion --
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.
Hello Chris. Would you care to comment on the merits of the winbook.
Im lusting for a laptop, but am having a hard time making a choice.
_____________________________________________________________________
__
__
Philadelphia Linux Users Group --
http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements -
http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion --
http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug
______________________________________________________________________
___
Philadelphia Linux Users Group --
http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements -
http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion --
http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug
_______________________________________________________________________
__
Philadelphia Linux Users Group --
http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements -
http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion --
http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug
_________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group -- http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion -- http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug
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