the day dell refused to sell a computer

[mips]

maybe he means 'coupon'?

Thx, he should work on his spelling. That word sounded exotic

[DR_K13]

seems it on digg now!
http://digg.com/linux_unix

and here too
http://www.linux-tutorial.info/modul...ticle&sid=4889

[IronWolve]

Correct, the opensource options for business is freedos or Red Hat (Enterprise Linux WS v4 for EM64T 64bit system w/ 1 YR RHN, w/ Media)..

But, really, it doesnt have the microsoft license or (M$ Tax) if you call it. Thats a win.

Put your own ubuntu on it. Whats so special about Dell's repackaged ubuntu, same dvd?

I think for 250 bux for a workstation, and free ubuntu to top it off. Dell has my business. (Tax here is 20 bux on that, too)

[bloodniece]

I work for a small non-profit in TN as well. We have a Dell Small Business account and $100,000 worth of credit with Dell.

I called Dell Small BusIness and spoke with Carlous. He was courteous and helpful and gave me some useful information.

They would not sell ANY computer from the home and home business line to me, open source OS or not. I would have to open a separate account in the home side before I could purchase anything from that line. However, they did say the 6400 is basically the same model as the E1505N.

[haapai]

OK.. I went through the same thing, but the sales guy wanted to make the sale so bad he sent me this email. I also work for a non-profit, and boy was this guy clueless.
I deleted his name.(Dell Guy)


> The UBUNTU OS that you are wanting is free software,
> but it will not be supported by Dell or by any other
> computer manufacturer. You will not get free
> support from Linux either. Linux will most likely
> be charging premium prices for support free
> software. Also, any programs that you want to use
> like MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc. you will have
> to write the programming yourselves in order for it
> to work. Dell does not have a return policy for any
> of the systems sold with no operating system, or for
> systems with UBUNTU OS. I would really recommend
> going with a more traditional setup because in the
> long run it will be supported and will give you a
> better return on your investment.
>
> Dell Guy
> Small Business Sales Consultant
> Business Sales Division
> Dell, Inc.
> Direct number: 1-615-795-????
> or
> 1-800-456-3355
> My hours are 8-5, Mon-Fri, CST
> For Assistance with Your Purchase Online or By
> Phone:
> How am I doing? E-mail my Manager:
> manger?yeahright@Dell.com
> Need Sales? Contact me directly for help with
> servers, desktops, notebooks, networking equipment
> or software & peripherals.

>>>>My response.

Hi Dell Guy,

I understand that we may have to pay for support for Ubuntu, but we have
been running Ubuntu for over 2 years in the IT department. This includes
4 servers running Linux without support. Linux is a community supported
OS, and no one owns Linux.

As for the programs such as Office 2007 we have loaded OpenOffice
created by Sun. I am sure Dell is familiar with Sun. It has all the same
capabilities as Office. Other programs such as music players
(RhythmBox), DVD/CD (K3B)burn programs, photo editing programs (f-spot)
and many other programs are free.
On a side note I have been running Linux (Ubuntu, Mepis) at home and
have had great success. I even run it on a Dell Laptop, and it runs
twice as fast and long on battery life.

I understand that Dell doesn't take returns on NO OS, but don't you
still support the hardware? And considering that the Home side only
offers up to 1 year support it is a mood point.

I will be looking for another vendor to purchase CPU's and servers from.
This is disappointing since I have worked with Dell for more than 10
years.

Thanks Dell Guy for your concern, but maybe Dell should educate its
personnel on new technology. There are other OS's out there Microsoft
isn't the only business out there.

Haapai

>>>>His response.

The hardware would be supported and is available for up to 4 years on
Deminsion systems.

>>>>Ah.. OK.

[trinaryouroboros]

OK.. I went through the same thing, but the sales guy wanted to make the sale so bad he sent me this email. I also work for a non-profit, and boy was this guy clueless.
I deleted his name.(Dell Guy)


> The UBUNTU OS that you are wanting is free software,
> but it will not be supported by Dell or by any other
> computer manufacturer. You will not get free
> support from Linux either. Linux will most likely
> be charging premium prices for support free
> software. Also, any programs that you want to use
> like MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc. you will have
> to write the programming yourselves in order for it
> to work. Dell does not have a return policy for any
> of the systems sold with no operating system, or for
> systems with UBUNTU OS. I would really recommend
> going with a more traditional setup because in the
> long run it will be supported and will give you a
> better return on your investment.
>
> Dell Guy
> Small Business Sales Consultant

What a total deutchebag!

[Detonate]

More importantly, are they really supporting Ubuntu and Linux? They didn't seem too supportive to me.

After reading on this forum and others about Dell and Ubuntu experiences, I'm starting to think this whole exercise of Dell selling Linux computers is "designed to fail".

[mike999999]

After reading on this forum and others about Dell and Ubuntu experiences, I'm starting to think this whole exercise of Dell selling Linux computers is "deigned to fail".

Only if we make it fail.

Releasing a 'new' consumerside o/s (okay, it's not new, but it is new to Dell) is a massive undertaking. Any deja vu's of win98, winme, winxp and winV anyone? Each time there was a learning curve to smooth out the 'bugs' (heheh).

The point is their intention is sound, if not the implementation.

These sales reps are clearly not up to speed.

It's hard to believe a company refusing money based on the type of client account.

[trinaryouroboros]

This is by far the most ridiculous decision Dell has made. Even when linux gets support, it really doesn't get support. Ubuntu should have alternative competitive vendors, that should straighten Dell out from playing their silly games. I hope HP adopts Ubuntu, in my experience their hardware is so much better for the money.

http://system76.com/

If Canonical would be interested in such competition, I'm positive they wouldn't have any trouble finding hardware recruits/etc. You're right too, none of these big companies look at any of the "end users" unless one of those users happens to file a lawsuit or another company starts eating at their cash flow.

Hell, I'd opt to open business myself here in New York with Canonical's permission!

I'll get the hardware myself!

[macogw]

I wasn't aware they were selling those yet.

Oops, the extra-expensive Linux-based workstations use Red Hat, not SLED. http://www.dell.com/content/topics/r...z&~section=490