I think it's fair to say that, for Linux to ever break into the mainstream, we need mainstream PC makers and PC retailers to commit to offering machines that come pre-installed with Linux and not hide their Linux offerings where only those specifically looking for Linux will find it. Problem is, retailers have an incentive to convince customers they're better off buying a bunch of overpriced, proprietary software to go with their new computer instead of "setttling" for freeware, and Linux doesn't offer nearly as many opportunities to try and sell them extra software, not to mention that said retailers might need to hire extra staff to get sales persons that can handle store level setup of new machines from both Windows and Linux or pay their staff more per hour to keep the same number, but get people who know both. Unless Linux users started flooding retailers and PC builders with demands for systems preinstalled with Linux, what reason do retailers more interested in turning a profit than ensuring their customers know their options and get the most bang for their buck have to start offering even a single flavor of Linux along side Windows? It sickens me, but this is pretty much corporatism 101: squeeze as much from every customer, screw over as many as you can, and make them thank you for doing so, and Linux doesn't really fit into such a business model, especially since die hard Linux fans have a reputation of knowing when they're being screwed. In an ideal world, I could go to my local OfficeMax, pick out any laptop or desktop they have in stock, and for a nominal fee, they'd install my choice of Linux or Windows, or I could save a bit and leave with a blank hard drive, but for the forseeable future, buying a new computer from my local OfficeMax means buying a Windows PC even if I plan to nuke Windows to install my preferred flavor of Linux, and I don't see Office Max deciding it's worth offering Linux boxes anytime soon. And while I don't really care what others choose to do their computing on, I just hope the proliferation of tablets doesn't eventually shrink the desktop market to the point building from scratch is the only option. -- Sincerely, Jeffery Wright President Emeritus, Nu Nu Chapter, Phi Theta Kappa. Former Secretary, Student Government Association, College of the Albemarle. _______________________________________________ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list