Dell Linux is for the faithful only

THE SPEC FOR Dell's Linux offering shows that the outfit is not prepared to push the envelope when it comes to its adoption of Ubuntu 7.04.

According to the Dell site, while it is going to install Ubuntu in some of the gear it flogs in the US, it is the sort of installation that only a Linux fundamentalist would be happy with.

One of the key things that is missing is the video and audio codecs for that are not already distributed with Ubuntu 7.04. These include MPEG 1/2/3/4, WMA, WMV, DVD and Quicktime. These are not installed by default in Ubuntu for legal reasons, but are almost always downloaded by owners of the operating system otherwise it is impossible to run any multi-media functions. The fact that Dell will not support them if they do install the codecs could mean that the operating system is gutted for home use.

Dell is also only going to install hardware and software options which are considered mature. While this is understandable from a support viewpoint, many Ubuntu users have huge amounts of software which is far from mature on board. Many would not even recognise Ubuntu in its natural state.

Dell is also recommending that Linux users buy Dell printers that have PostScript engines in them. It looks like Dell will satisfy those who want Linux to get a mainstream distribution, but will not support those who want to get a desktop which can provide similar functionality to Windows. µ

L'INQ
direct2dell.com