J2D3

Ubuntu on Dell

Ubuntu just announced that Dell will be offering systems with Ubuntu 7 pre-installed. This is pretty huge for Ubuntu community, and really for everyone who uses a desktop or laptop computer (even if they have never heard of Ubuntu). To me, this move by Dell signals a sea change in the digital economy. The business model that relies on selling proprietary software is unworkable going forward. Companies like Microsoft, Oracle, and Adobe are going to have to adapt as functionally identical free and open-source versions of their products gain strength and “market share.” I put that in quotes because it’s funny to consider the “market share” that a free product enjoys.

So, for all of you who are considering Vista but are concerned that you are inviting an endless stream of frustrating and expensive problems such as viruses, blue screens of death, and the like… Ubuntu is your savior. I’ve begun suggesting Ubuntu to my non-tech-savvy friends and family as a viable Windows alternative, because after using it myself I found it to be fast, attractive, extremely easy to install, and able to do nearly anything that a windows or mac machine can do with ease. Also, unlike Vista, it will run on your five year old desktop with no trouble at all. It could probably run on a ten year old desktop but that’s just the kind of thing geeks do for kicks. Anyway, when you *do* run into trouble, you will find a huge community of other users and developers who are ready and willing to help you out for free, and there are going to be plenty of companies out there who will help you out for money, too.