Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 7th May 2008 18:11 UTC, submitted by Dan Warne
As we all know, the Eee PC, running a modified Xandros, has been a major hit for Asus, and because of that, also a major hit for Linux. The device proved that a computer with a pre-installed Linux distribution can still be s successful machine, and many hoped that this would push Asus and other vendors to produce more computers with Linux pre-installed. This hope could be in vain after all if the new Windows XP-based Eee PC has anything to do with it.
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Member since:2007-02-17
This is what I just don't get about these discussions. The logic seems to be "Linux is free", "Microsoft version costs less", thus "Microsoft is selling for < 0". The problem with this is that it just does not make business sense. First, I can't imagine that Xandros would be willing to give away their distribution for free. I mean, why? They are not a charity. Second, the Xandros version is a "modified" version of Xandros. Who paid for these "modifications"? Perhaps Xandros? Just so they could give this version away for free? Come on guys. And raw cost is only one part of the equation. What about after sales support? Still in many places (not all), getting people with Windows expertise is just pain cheaper than finding people with Linux expertise. Hopefully this will change with Linux getting more exposure. As a community we need to start thinking with a more business savvy perspective. I certainly would guess that Microsoft is making little on these licenses. But stop with all the conspiracy theories. They just look dumb.
Xandros is not free, but Mandriva and Ubuntu are ... and both of those work just as well on an EEEPC as Xandros does, and they offer the equivalent software.
So my expectation is that if Asus offers me any linux software for more money than what I can get Mandriva or Ubuntu for, the Asus are trying to rip me off.
RE[2]: Xandros is not free!
by tomcat on Fri 9th May 2008 01:58
in reply to "RE: Xandros is not free!"
Member since:2006-01-06
So my expectation is that if Asus offers me any linux software for more money than what I can get Mandriva or Ubuntu for, the Asus are trying to rip me off.
They're not trying to rip you off. They've simply settled on Xandros as a distribution, they've tested it, they support it, and they're passing on those costs to you. If you don't like it, fine. Install another distro and STFU.
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Member since:
2008-04-20
This is what I just don't get about these discussions. The logic seems to be "Linux is free", "Microsoft version costs less", thus "Microsoft is selling for < 0". The problem with this is that it just does not make business sense. First, I can't imagine that Xandros would be willing to give away their distribution for free. I mean, why? They are not a charity. Second, the Xandros version is a "modified" version of Xandros. Who paid for these "modifications"? Perhaps Xandros? Just so they could give this version away for free? Come on guys. And raw cost is only one part of the equation. What about after sales support? Still in many places (not all), getting people with Windows expertise is just pain cheaper than finding people with Linux expertise. Hopefully this will change with Linux getting more exposure. As a community we need to start thinking with a more business savvy perspective. I certainly would guess that Microsoft is making little on these licenses. But stop with all the conspiracy theories. They just look dumb.