[sf-lug] Dell Ubuntu computers

[Larry Cafiero]

Caveats abound here:

-- I just went through the process of ordering an Ubuntu Dell laptop for a
customer (actually a commercial neighbor who runs a beauty parlor) and I was
given a delivery date of three weeks after my order, and when it was
postponed another week -- making the turn around time a month -- she
cancelled the order and, with her boyfriend, she ended up going to Best Buy
and ended up with a Windows laptop.

-- I did an order for the heck of it just now, which I cancelled: Delivery
date (assuming there's no delays like the one above): July 22, 2009. That's
16 days  WITHOUT any "delays." I'd be willing to bet that there would be
another "delay" during the course of the 16 days, but let's take them at
their word. This is reasonable?

-- This, ahem, "service" that Dell provides in, ahem, "promoting" Ubuntu
needs a closer look if not some context. Arguably, having people wait up to
a month for a Linux box/laptop when they can get the same box/laptop
immediately with Windows does not do Linux/Ubuntu/FOSS any favors.

-- Good luck ordering Ubuntu Dell laptop/boxes from big box stores like Best
Buy or any other retailer, without having to go through the same process
above (if they even do you the favor of ordering a Ubuntu Dell for you).
I've asked different sales people at Best Buy in Capitola (Santa Cruz) and
the reaction ranges from, "What's Ubuntu?" to "We can't do that for you."

-- You are right: No one has a Linux shop like ZaReason in their
neighborhood because they don't allow retail outlets to carry their hardware
(and, believe me, I've asked to retail ZaReason hardware in my business in
Felton in Santa Cruz County. While I would like to carry their hardware, I
understand their position). They do everything by mail order and, being
based in Berkeley, I would imagine they could get hardware to you in less
than, um, 16 days.

-- We at Redwood Digital Research find ZaReason hardware top notch and we're
recommending the Untangle box they offer to our commercial clients.

-- There's the philosophical element to buying locally from a small vendor
rather than from a multinational corporation; buying from your locally owned
store rather than from the local Wal-Mart. Putting your money back into a
company like ZaReason that has a firm and unwavering commitment to Linux and
FOSS is a far better investment than saving 30 pieces of silver in going
with a huge company that, at the very most, gives Linux/FOSS hypocritical
lip service.

-- Chances are you'll see Cathy and Earl Malmrose -- the folks who run
ZaReason -- at LUG events in the Bay Area. Bet you can't say the same for
Michael Dell.

Getting down off the soapbox now . . . .

Larry Cafiero
Redwood Digital Research
Felton, California
http://www.redwoodresearch.net

On Mon, Jul 6, 2009 at 10:16 AM, Bobbie Sellers <bliss at sfo.com> wrote:

>   In case you don't have Linux shops like ZaReason in your neighborhood
> this
> url might be of interest.
>
>   <
> http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&dgc=CJ&cid=27811&lid=646949&acd=10536941-2562472-
> >
>
>
>   A Dell Inspiron15n laptop starts at $299 and can be customized
> considerably.
>
>   An Inspiron 530n desktop starts at about  $378 with a monitor.  Lots of
> customization available
> with this machine as well.
>
>   I was looking for other information and serendipitously chanced across
> this url
> which I had searched for earlier without particular success.
>
>   later
>   bliss.
>
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