Who ask for Linux?

[Blash]

http://sweetcomputing.com/index.php?wiki=AskForLinux

There are some good point there. I mean, Dell's customer feedback site has Linux filled nearly the whole of the first page, people should at least tell people at the store that you are using Linux.

Also check out Sunnz's efforts at PledgeBank and we all shall go ask for Linux one same day.

[Redman]

Although the thought is good, many companies simply don't care if you are using Linux.

My father had a e-mail problem with his ISP (related to the mailserver) and when he called them, the only respons he got was "we don't support Linux".

When he told them the problem was on their end and in no way related to his computer, he got the same respons: "we don't support Linux" ...

[carlosponti]

i have been on the Dell site and i still am not seeing that Dell will make a move to prepackage Linux. they may get more to a point of offering more No OS pc's however that is the extent of their support. the main reason is that Microsoft has a strangle hold on OEM PC's with contracts that lock vendors into windows. it would be nice if Dell offered PC's preloaded with Linux something easy to use but most users will just be confused by it.

[fingal]

Getting companies to use Linux isn't easy, unless you are the key decision maker. One thing I've learned is not to push too hard. A softer approach seems to work better: especially one which plays to what companies are looking for.

Organisations are simple. They just think: 'How can this save us time and money?' And they worry about anything which appears to get in the way of this. Convincing them to change is a slow process, especially if (like me) you lack hard financial skills. Actually, those skills don't interest me much.

If you could draw up a balance sheet showing a company exactly how it could save money over a given time period (compared with current spend) you've got a solid case. They seem far less interested in social benefits and providing much support.

I think mentioning Linux use is valuable though. People seem much more aware of it now, though I'm often amazed at how naive society is about technology. Organisations are also resistant to retraining staff. After all, that costs time and money.

[Redman]

Quite right fingal!

The company I work for has two LAN servers (Windows).
Since I am webmaster and I have plans to move the site to an internal webserver, I discussed it with the General Manager. Because I made a clear report on it, he is now aware of what Linux is and how it is related to Windows.

So, I have little doubt there will be a Linux server here at work

But only because I have the knowledge and the ability to manage it.
The G.M. ackowledged that.

So, indeed, having the "power" is important!

[Blash]

I think we should still do the pledge thing.

It is not like we need companies to support Linux tomorrow, but if more people know about people using Linux, the better.

Ah yeh, I don't know if it is still going anymore, but there is this TCM thing that might come out in the future that doesn't allow alternative OS to be run on CPUs. There has to be pressure that consumers are using Linux so these kind of things can't happen. Probably won't affect server CPUs like the Opteron or Xeon, but not everyone can afford them.