Dell’s idea storm has been no secret among the Linux and OSS bloggers and therefore, the “Linux on Dell” idea has dominated the votes. Within a week, Dell responded saying they will make Linux happen. But really, with 10,000+ votes, how can it be ignored? Take the Dell Linux survey and tell Dell what you want (credit to Ubuntu Tutorials for bringing the survey to my attention)!
It’s about time someone realized Linux is ready for the desktop. Just over a year ago, Linux wasn’t ready for anyone but the computer enthusiast, but, through the tremendous work of Canonical (Ubuntu), Novell, (SLED, openSUSE), and Red Hat (Fedora), Linux for the desktop has been made possible. Not just usable by the average user but it’s advanced so much farther than Windows that Vista is almost just a catch-up release. Nearly all the “new” Vista features are nothing more than last minute attempts at the “we-have-it-too” feature frenzy which really doesn’t cut it anymore in the OS market. People are used to using computers in their work flows now and they want real product-defining features. Linux and Mac OS X have been producing but Vista can’t even keep up with the pace car!
Taking a look back in history, Microsoft was put on the map by IBM. Microsoft was kept on the map by companies like HP and Dell and because their software is so fatty, people have just been buying new computers in the hopes it would solve their problems! This is the only real reason hardware companies keep Microsoft around. The false guise could only be kept up so long by Microsoft (who’s employment is over 50% just in marketing). The hardware companies are turning to the cheaper and more robust OS and software solutions while Microsoft is left in the cold. Software companies are nothing without the hardware companies backing them.
Now that Windows wont be forced on users by the hardware companies, Linux will gain steam. Marketing will start to pick up for Linux and this is where the real money is. Microsoft hardly makes any of their profit from OS sales but instead from forcing companies to pay to use their services. Linux cuts the fat Microsoft has made a living off of. Dell has marked the beginning of the end for Windows.
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