So it's official now....

[jens]

I guess people do not understand what the Suse license is. Its only for business users that are wanting to use Suse Server. Part of Microsoft's deal with Novell is that they had to sell to its customers Licenses to Suse Server. That has nothing to do with consumers buying those Ubuntu loaded systems. You dont have money going back to Microsoft for Ubuntu. regardless of how you feel about the Novell and Microsoft deal its still a good thing that Dell is giving its consumers, namely me what I want a system preloaded with Linux. btw that whole deal with Microsoft will fall apart in the future anyhow. Microsoft will never be able to get rid of Linux no matter how they go about it. Not to mention Microsoft better be careful touting Patent Infringement no telling how many patents they infringe on.

Dell already sold SuSE servers before this.
Buying SuSE licenses from Microsoft is what's new.
(...and we all know hard MS is trying to get rid of them...)

They only offer a few Ubuntu desks to look good.

Being an active player in the anti-Linux/GPL FUD campaign is what's wrong with Dell.

It's also plain stupid.
Dell is one of those who actually claim it's dangerous to use Ubuntu (the MS/Novell/Dell FUD creators pact).

[smolloy]

Dell is one of those who actually claim it's dangerous to use Ubuntu...

I hadn't heard of this. Do you have a link?

[jens]

I hadn't heard of this. Do you have a link?

Sure:
Dell and Novell Alliance
Novell and Microsoft - Dell Joins Microsoft and Novell Collaboration
The IP agreement is mentioned in both links.

I'm all for preinstalled Linux but not from a company that claims (obviously pure FUD) I need some sick Microsoft IP protection (while not even offering this for Ubuntu but only for SUSE).

Can one really claim this isn't "double-speak"?

[smolloy]

Kinda funny that they say that,

Microsoft and Novell also agreed to provide customers with patent coverage

Yet they are happy to sell PCs loaded with Ubuntu (which, as you say, has no such "patent coverage").

But I still like the fact that they're offering PCs loaded with Linux. It doesn't even matter to me that it's not that many PCs (most likely a reflection of the predicted uptake of linux PCs vs MS PCs), it's just nice that they've realised Linux exists, and that there is a potential home-desktop market.

For you they're tainted due to the patent-crap, and I understand that, but IMHO it's a good recognition of Linux in the home-desktop market. It's a small start, but maybe it will lead to bigger and better things, and perhaps more PC makers (not tainted by IP stuff) will take this up. I suppose that will depend on how successful Ubuntu-Dells are.