Dell will sell Linux PCs

    We already wrote about Dell ’s initiative to start working more closely with manufacturers of popular Linux distributions to satisfy the many requests of users who want to see computers with a preinstalled free OS in the product line of this brand. But until now, it was not known about any specific dates, nor about the degree of seriousness of the intentions of the companies, nor about any other details.

    But this week, on Dell’s Direct 2 blog , which serves as one of Dell’s public relations tools, the first entry appeared that the rapprochement with Linux was in full swing and the company had developed an optimal strategy, in her opinion, with which wants to introduce customers.

    In particular, Dell made a decision on the main problem that has always been between PC and Linux manufacturers - the problem of hardware and OS compatibility. Those lines of computers that are supposed to be equipped with Linux will be assembled so that the drivers for as many of their components as possible are contained in the kernel itself.

    For other devices, such as printers and wireless adapters, the most stable open drivers supported by the user community will be selected. But for parts of the system that are much more critical from the point of view of stability, for example, for video cards, the user will be able to choose closed drivers from the manufacturer as well. Thus, Dell in most cases actually transfers the technical support functions of future PC buyers from installed Linux to specialized forums and communities, including those that exist around certain OS distributions, depending on the user's choice.

    The important question that arises from this is: how is Dell going (if at all going) to influence the hardware manufacturers so that they open their drivers and, accordingly, the specifications for their products? After all, this will take work with the same graphics accelerators to a new level, giving the community the opportunity to squeeze out everything that is possible from them.

    In response to this, one of the company's Linux team employees reasonably remarked that asking such questions should soften their radical position and listen to the arguments of the equipment manufacturers. With the intense competition that exists between ATI and nVidia, it’s hard to imagine that they will open all their secrets to the world overnight. It is enough to recall the widespread practice of programmatically disabling some functions of the video chip, which are included only in its more expensive modifications, which no one will refuse either today or tomorrow.

    Discussion of only the first post on the topic of Dell-Linux has stretched for almost 200 comments. From his reading it seems that both sides sincerely seek to smooth out all possible angles on the way to a common goal. And if the same working atmosphere in the communication of Open Source activists and the company continues, the success of the entire enterprise seems quite achievable.

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