Re: Dell rebuttal - was Dell knocks Linux off the desktop

[ABrady <kcsmart kc rr com>]

On 04 Aug 2001 13:36:58 -0400, w us verizon net wrote:
> 
> On Fri, 3 Aug 2001, Terry Dooher wrote:
> 
> > w us verizon net wrote:
> >
> > > Why is Dell's team spending time working on factory-install of Windows
> > > for people who will wipe out Windows anyway like me?
> > > Instead of completely dropping the option of getting Linux presinstalled,
> > > it would be great if there would be an option to buy a naked PC.
> > > I would save money on the Windows license - and wouldn't Dell save money
> > > too?
> >
> > Because you're not buying a PC, you're buying a "solution". The returns
> > on naked hardware sales are tiny (if anything at all). Most companies
> > rely on software license sales or (in the case of Linux) pre-configured
> > installations to make their profits. More importantly, they rely on the
> > support services and warranties that go with these sales.
> >
> > With a naked machine, there's little in the way of support services you
> > can sell, and the type of people who buy bare systems will know about
> > their hardware and are not likely to need need extended warranties.
> >
> > In short "It's not a financially viable option"
> 
> I can't image that e.g. Oracle is currently making much money with Linux.
> But Oracle seems to realize that it is important to make Linux more
> powerful even if this means to loose money now. Linux is the only OS able
> to compete against Windows. If Linux becomes more powerful, then less
> customers will switch from Unix to Windows and less customers will switch
> to the SQL server. In the long run, this means profit for Oracle.
> 
> So does Dell think that they don't have to fear MS like Oracle does???
> Is Dell really convinced that MS will never build their own PC?
> Then take a look at the Xbox! If the government does not stop MS,
> then I think it's just a matter of time until MS will start selling their
> own PCs. Or am I so much wrong?
> 
> If Linux was not such a success on the desktop, why is Dell not pushing
> Linux by helping Linux out on the desktop? Or does Dell like it when MS
> gets more powerful and has more power over Dell?
> 
> Just my 2 cents.

Ok, here's my 1/50 of a dolloar.

Oracle is a current competitor, and it's number 2 to M$. They have a
great big stake in how things evolve because of that. If that balance
ever changes and Oracle is still doing what they're doing, THEN one can
talk about how wonderful they are at throwing lots of money into
something and getting almost nothing back.

Now, Dell should just go ahead and give everything away. That way all of
the people that want what they'd like to become the standard can get it
without paying a dime. That's only reasonable after all. Why? Because
that's what they want!

I don't think I should have to pay for electricity, either. Or food, for
that matter. Or gas, rent/mortgage, new PC equipment, telephone service
or anything else. I'm going to complain to all of the companies and call
them names until they start giving me all of that stuff for free! 

-- 
Earth first!  We'll strip-mine the other planets later.