Student drops out of college because Ubuntu didn't work like Windows

[Dapper Dan]

Woman says Dell computer kept her from taking online classes

[Lakshmipathi]

I wonder how come she ordered a laptop without even knowing its OS

reader comments

This is by far one of the worst news reports ever.

For everyone that wants to email the new station, here's a list of all the email addresses on the contacts page, in comma-separated format. Cut-n-paste into your email client, and let the flames begin!

[rokytnji]

Weak.

[bigtomrodney]

This article annoyed me on so many levels I don't know where to start. Actually I do, it's the poor reporting. Closely followed by a lack of direction and a failed attempt at subtle humour.

Anyway, that's how to become successful on the net, troll it up

[Dapper Dan]

It's hard for me to believe the station even took the time to report it. But I guess that's par for the course with the news business these days. Had she said she had to drop out of college because she couldn't get a new Dell computer with Windows Vista to connect to the Internet, they would have never even considered reporting it.

EDIT: The station just added this to the top of the "story."

***THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE***

Tens of thousands of people have read and commented on this story, making it one of the most-read stories in the history of WKOWTV.COM. 27 News reporter Dan Cassuto will file an update on 27 News at 5:00 on Thursday. We'll review viewer comments, explain why this story is making some viewers so angry, and explore how quickly it's spreading around the internet.

[GNU-Fan]

What bothers me is that all blame goes to the operating system, but it is not challenged that the college has a requirement on Word and the internet access needs a certain OS.

BTW. Wasn't Dell the website with that big warning sign "Are you sure you want a Laptop without Windows?"

[hazel]

What bothers me is that all blame goes to the operating system, but it is not challenged that the college has a requirement on Word and the internet access needs a certain OS.D

I think it very unlikely that the college really insists on Word. What it probably insists on is that essays, etc. are submitted in Word .doc format. And this lady, knowing nothing at all about computers, didn't realise that she could produce such files just as well using OpenOffice or Abiword. I'm surprised Dell didn't tell her that. Since they now sell laptops with Ubuntu, they ought to have someone on their help line who knows how to use it.

[techieMoe]

BTW. Wasn't Dell the website with that big warning sign "Are you sure you want a Laptop without Windows?"

Actually, that's a serious problem with Netbooks. Often times the operating system isn't mentioned at all. They sell them like appliances, but people still treat them as computers (and why shouldn't they?)

Dell needs to clearly mark computers they have with what OS they use. In the desktop and laptop arena, they already do that. As you said, they almost always have some sort of disclaimer saying "Dell recommends Microsoft Windows" or some such thing. With the netbooks? Not a mention.

[Dapper Dan]

(The last time I looked), it is really hard to know Dell sells computers with Ubuntu at all! There is nothing apparant on their front page(s) that even mentions Ubuntu. You really have to be looking hard on their site to even find an Ubuntu machine. I wonder how this girl even knew to order one...

[coopstah13]

i agree with moe on this as far as netbooks go, usually they don't really specify, but that is not the case with the laptops and desktops

I did a quick browsing of the site, i came across a link for "open source pc's" and when i clicked on it, there was a link saying do you want windows based, and a disclaimer on how these machines did not come with windows