Dell has given an overview of what customers can expect from their initial Ubuntu offering. "The default software from the Ubuntu media will be installed on the system, including kernel and applications. The peripheral options offered with Ubuntu will be a subset of what is offered with other operating systems. We're offering the hardware options on each system that have the most mature and stable Linux driver support. These hardware options have been thoroughly tested by the Linux team here at Dell.
We configure/install open source drivers for hardware, when possible. We use partial open-source or closed source ('restricted' in Ubuntu terms) drivers where there is no equivalent open-source driver. This includes Intel wireless cards and Conexant modems."
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Member since:2005-08-31
I'm looking forward to finding out how Dell plans to educate the users on things like Automatix.
Do you think Dell is going to put any time and money into a manual explaining how to use Linux that's going to be included with every computer. Just like the Windows "Getting Started" guide?
I suspect a nice empty box and lots of bemused and unhappy newbies.
Member since:2006-02-08
I don't think Dell is going to actively support Automatix. If Ubuntu themselves don't "recommend" Automatix, why would Dell? Besides, Automatix has been known to bork systems between Ubuntu releases.
This initial Linux rollout is gear towards business users.
I doubt systems admins for businesses would give their users sudo rights to install software. I am not sure how admins are going to define rights uniformly as there is no equivalent of a Windows "Power user" account in Linux.
Member since:2006-11-02
Actually, 7.04 (feisty) will automagically download the appropriate software for anything you try to run without the proper codecs/programs/etc. It works like this:
1) User attempts to play a MP3
2) Ubuntu pops up gnome-app-install with a message saying you don't have the codecs to play a MP3, then suggests the proper package (in this case, ubuntu-restricted-extras).
3) User clicks OK, types in password, and installs the package.
4) User plays MP3
Member since:2005-07-02
Yes, that works for MP3, but I don't think it words for WMV or Quicktime/Sorenson codecs, unfortunately. It also doesn't work for libdvdcss, as far as I know.
This is why CNR is a welcome alternative to the current method of installing win32codecs and libdvdcss (which was to use repositories whose legal status is in a gray area).
Member since:
2005-07-02
Not really...it'll be trivial to install that software, either using current methods (Automatix and the like) or - in a more "legal" way - with CNR's Ubuntu service (which will be available pretty soon).
I wouldn't be surprised if the CNR deal was not partially motivated by the Dell one. On top of the Ubuntu distro, Dell offers hardware, Canonical provides support and CNR easy-to-install software, as well as proprietary offerings (such as DVD software and multimedia codecs).