Dell says Linux is not for business

WHILE DELL MAY have made some moves towards Ubuntu Linux, it is refusing to allow its business customers to buy it.

According to one poster on an Ubuntu forum, Dell refused to sell him an Ubuntu machine for his small, non-profit business.

Cosborn72 said he wanted to support Dell in its decision to sell computers with Ubuntu installed and tried to order one.

The small business representative told him that he could not order one of the Ubuntu-based computers through the small business department. Instead cosborn72 had to go through the "home and home office" department.

The Home office department told him that Dell had a policy which was remarkably like Holland's drugs' laws, in other words "personal use only".

Cosborn72 lied and said he would use the machine for his home and then tried to use a business credit card to pay for it and was told he couldn't. Since he could not buy the Dell without paying tax he didn't bother.

"I am just blown away that they would refuse my money because I was buying it to use for a business," he moaned.

Cosborn72 also questioned any outfit that goes around telling its customers how they can use their products, although the Music and Movie industry has been doing this for ages. He did not think that Dell was really interested in supporting Ubuntu and Linux.

Maybe someone should point out to Michael Dell that if he really wants his company out of its current financial doodah, and perhaps beat HP, he should allow his staff to flog some gear. Michael does not make much money if the computer is sitting in the warehouse. µ