Wal-Mart's Little Linux PC That Could
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Ubuntu has gained a lot of attention for its capabilities as a desktop Linux distribution for the masses. But it probably took a Wal-Mart to get it attention for the right reason: an affordable OS that can do what people need it to do.
Even though Wired cited research that sneered at the "unsophisticated" Wal-Mart shopper buying the Everex machine because it's crammed inside a big case, Everex seems ready to keep those buyers using an OS not called Windows, by providing 24-hour tech support via a toll-free call.
That's an important piece of the puzzle. If Everex can keep buyers happy and returns out of the initial batch to a minimum, they can push another 10,000 out to shoppers. Maybe more. We have to wonder what the magic number will be that prompts some kind of response from Microsoft.
I keep hoping that Microshaft never catches on to the slow death.
Some abusive, predatory business models deserve a slow painful death.
Remember when you used to be able to own and run three computers with a single OS purchase so long as you didn't run them all at the same time? I would love to have a computer just for games (fast and robust video, refresh rates and resolution, not connected to the internet, thus unaffected by viruses), another to surf (and easily rebuilt if it is infected by viruses, trojan horses or whatever)and a third for my serious, reliable, robust and secure pay-the bills use.
I could only use one at a time, but presently must buy three copies of Windows to accomplish it. Once upon a time things made more sense.