02.27.07
Dude, Certification Isn’t Preinstallation
"Major OEM to offer preinstalled Linux on desktops and notebooks"
2007 actually is the year of Linux on the Desktop!
Alot has been made of the prominence of preinstalled Linux as a request on the dellideastorm site, a community-driven site in which dell customers can (hopefully) influence the direction of the company’s offerings, with more than a few internet news sites proclaiming that Dell will sell Desktops and Laptops with "Linux pre-installed".
Unfortunately, it’s not what happened. Dell will be working with Novell and others to certify their hardware for Linux, including their desktops and notebooks, but they are not planning on preinstalling desktop Linux for their customers in the near future.
“Our point of view is that we are listening to our Linux customers,” said Jeremy Bolen, a Dell spokesman. He noted that the company already offers factory-installed Linux on some specific Dell Precision workstations for high-end corporate users, but is not currently installing the OS on its other laptop or desktop machines. “However, I won’t rule out the option of expanding the pre-installation program at a future date,” Bolen said.
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.
Roy Schestowitz said,
February 27, 2007 at 6:54 pm
It is amazing how many people fell for this PR stunt. Dell remains loyal to (or afraid of) Microsoft. It happens every time.
Did Microsoft want to ‘whack’ Dell over its Linux dealings?
http://news.com.com/Did+Microsoft+want+to+whack+Dell+over+its+Linux+dealings/2100-1014_3-6153904.html
Dell’s secret Linux fling [sabotaged by Microsoft]
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/09/dell_linux_china/
Microsoft ‘killed Dell Linux’ - States
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/03/19/microsoft_killed_dell_linux_states/
Draconishinobi said,
February 27, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Yeah, well, so what can you do ? Really, all companies out there strive for maximum profit. M$ can produce a big dip in the profit margins of any extant computer company. So, they all play along. So, I ask, where’s the ethics in that ? (on both sides)
Roy Schestowitz said,
February 28, 2007 at 4:59 am
In my humble opinion, when there’s such a deadlock on the market, industry watchdogs need to intervene. Take this other recent story from Bob Cringely as an example:
http://www.technologyevangelist.com/2007/02/microsoft_dirty_tric_4.html
Microsoft dirty tricks, part two
Monopolies are known to be the cause for poor support and high prices. Kickbacks/favours such as these are good for nobody. Except those who keep themselves inside the ‘circle’. The worry here is that Novell wishes to enter this circle of friends, which act selfishly.