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If Wal-mart is really selling mass quantities of Linows, I really feel sorry for the idiot who bought them.

It's just like the packard hell computers. People don't know what they are getting. A mom may buy it for her son thinking hey this computer's only $400. Then when they open it and try running programs they realize "Oops, I guess that's why it was only $400".

I have no problem with Lindows trying to compete. But by using Wal-mart as their selling vehicle, I have to say they are taking advantage of naive consumers. Sure, buyer-beware, but that doesn't make what wal-mart and Lindows doing ethically right. It just means they can legally scam some money from poor uneducated consumers.

I don't see any ethical problems with Walmart selling computers with Lindows included. If Walmart wanted to sell the computers without an OS, they could do that as well and there would still be no ethical problem. In fact, I would prefer it this way as it would allow for more competitiveness in the OS market.

Bundled or not, it's up to the consumer to decide whether or not the computer and/or the OS fulfill their needs. For many, a simple email program, browser and word processor will be all that they will need and use. Lindows will provide those just fine. Those that want more can choose to buy a different OS (including Windows), which Walmart also sells, or even download linux for free.