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July 19, 2008

Dell has started pre-installing Linux's Ubuntu ver. 8.04 on some of its PCs. This is considered by many as a significant move by Dell. The company is one of the top-three largest makers of computers, workstations and servers in the world, and this recent move indicates just how Dell is serious about Linux.

Actually, Dell started offering Ubuntu on just a few selected consumer PCs in mid-2007. But 2008 marks the year that Ubuntu is supposed to move from 'geek status' to a broader set of consumers, thanks to the release of Ubuntu 8.04 a little over three months ago.

Microsoft recently began its latest Windows Vista offensive, this time trying to assure partners and customers that they can migrate to Vista with full confidence. (!) Of course, Dell supports Window's Vista, but the Texan computer manufacturer also supports customer choice.

Not just a simple desktop upgrade, Ubuntu v. 8.04 also includes a range of server enhancements as well. At the same time, Canonical has had its hands full developing Ubuntu for sub-notebooks and mobile Internet devices, dubbed Ubuntu NetBooks.

As a result of all of this, Canonical risked biting off more than it could chew this year. A buggy 8.04 release could have soured Dell on Ubuntu, and crippled the Linux desktop movement in a way.

Dell is now giving the operating system another strong vote of confidence. However, Dell still doesn’t plan to offer Ubuntu on its servers. Dell’s endorsement of Ubuntu on the desktop remains a big win for the desktop Linux industry, and the Linux community as a whole.

Smaller Ubuntu-focused PC companies like System 76 and Za-Reason deserve credit for making early moves to Ubuntu. However, Dell’s big endorsement now carries a lot more weight for traditional consumers who are just starting to explore Linux, and are still at their very beginnings with using the OS and its various open source applications.

Source: Web Services.ca.

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