Archive for the 'Dell' Category
Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
Who really writes “Linux”? A special report from the Linux Foundation
Steven posted a good eWeek article summarizing the recent Linux Foundation report on who writes and contributes to the Linux kernel development. Too many have written blogs with titles like “who writes Linux” that I had to put “Linux” in quotes in my title. The reason is that this document/report is about the Linux kernel and there are many things that people commonly associate with “Linux” that are outside the kernel. Think of Gnome which is written by the Gnome community, KDE which is sponsored by Trolltech, package management tools from Red Hat, Debian or Novell (e.g. YaST, Apt Yum), a multitude of libraries, and even OpenOffice which is still controlled by Sun, but now with contributions from IBM.
So I would agree this report is fantastic - it provides a view into what’s going on beyond what we “think” happens. The Linux kernel community is a great success story in what Amanda calls “mass community collaboration” - even more ironic because there are many competitors, vendors, academics, hobbyists, customers and other random experts collaborating in one place.
Read the report (it’s “free as in beer”) and find out everything you wanted to know about Linux kernel development (including perhaps that IBM is the #3 contributor to the kernel). The story this report tells is a truly unique feature of the Linux community. You won’t see it anywhere in the communities or practices of other OSs, no matter how “open” they proclaim to have become.
The report is interesting in how it also debunks some myths that somehow get spread around. For instance, some have said “kernel development will slow down as the features catch up to UNIX/Windows”. Not true.
Some have said “Linux is just IBM” or “Linux is just Red Hat” trying to position Linux as dominated or caused by one entity that they’re not fond of. Again, not true (see the section of the report on Contributors).
Finally, take a look at how some end user companies are participating and reaping the benefits of a true collaborative development community. Did you know your next VW will be powered by Linux? Did you ever think the same features that make an auto’s systems “crash-proof” could also help on a server or mobile phone? The VW bullet is a pure example of innovation being applied to adjacent spaces - it would never happen in Windows, AIX or Solaris.
- Companies like Sony, Nokia, and Samsung ship Linux as a component of products like video cameras, television sets, and mobile telephones. Working with the development process helps these companies ensure that Linux will continue to be a solid base for their products in the future.
- Companies which are not in the information technology business can still find working with Linux beneficial. The 2.6.25 kernel will include an implementation of the PF_CAN network protocol which was contributed by Volkswagen. PF_CAN allows for reliable communications between components in an interference-prone environment – such as that found in an automobile. Linux gave Volkswagen a platform upon which it could build its networking code; the company then found it worthwhile to contribute the code back so that it could be maintained with the rest of the kernel. http://lwn.net/Articles/253425/ for more information on this work.
So with that I will end my praises and simply point you to the source over at the LF website here.
Sunday, October 14th, 2007
Michael Dell says Linux continues to grow faster than Windows; migrations have not slowed down.
Interesting comments by Michael Dell last week at a Gartner conference.
“On the server side Linux continues to grow nicely, a bit faster than Windows,” said Dell in an interview during the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Orlando. “We’re seeing a move to Linux in critical applications, and Linux migration has not slowed down.”
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007
Quicken 2008 for Ubuntu Linux?
I was configuring a Dell Ubuntu system just now and during the config process they now have a section for “Top Selling Software”. I was perplexed when I saw “Quicken Home and Business 2008″ as the only top selling software option to order with the Ubuntu Dell system. So I went over to Quicken.com and sure enough they don’t show any Linux supported versions. I also asked the “Live Chat” person and he said I cannot “buy the Quicken for your Linux”. Oh well..
Tuesday, June 26th, 2007
Dell Modifies its Ubuntu System Lineup
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
Looks like Dell added a 4th system (laptop) and made some tweaks to its base systems.
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007
ServerWatch Product Excellence Awards
Interesting survey of user preferences for product excellence. I was a bit shocked by the virtualization winner.. with VMware being so popular…
Wednesday, May 30th, 2007
Ubuntu splashes across the dell.com homepage
It’s exciting to see the image below showing up on the main dell.com website. (it’s one of a few rotating banners, if you don’t see it, click refresh until you get it)
Tuesday, May 29th, 2007
Dell Ubuntu PCs are here, buy now
One way to tell vendors support Linux is worth it is to buy from the vendors that support Linux. Dell’s Linux line is out there for purchase now. You can read about it all here, or you can buy them here.
There are oddities that you could probably say Dell “missed” - complain about this or that, but one thing is clear - Dell supports Linux on desktops and laptops better than any other mainstream vendor (ahem, they’re the only one). Sure I might save $50 on my next PC from someone else, or get some different video card, but for $50 difference, I’m going to buy a Dell and then tweak where it really matters. I actually went for the base video card b/c the other upgrade option on the E520 was not a solid card. I want DVI and better 3D card capabilities to make Beryl and unstoppable.
Heck, I may even wipe the PC and reload Ubuntu. I did an “instant chat” with a Dell rep yesterday when I had a question about whether the Ubuntu 7.04 operating system was the 32-bit or 64-bit version. I was shocked that this online rep knew the answer - stunned. (btw, it’s the 32-bit version, hence I may reload Ubuntu with the 64-bit)
Anyway, there are certainly refinements to be made, but Linux users now have a major PC vendor in their camp selling mainstream systems - it’s time to prove there’s a Linux market. If you’re buying your next PC, I’d encourage you to give Dell a strong consideration. They didn’t meet 100% of my intricate hardware requests, but they met 90% and I’m willing to fix the other 8% I really need myself.
Thursday, May 24th, 2007
Buy your Dellbuntu system starting at 5PM EST
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/05/24/15994.aspx
It’s finally here. Later today, Dell will offer U.S customers three different systems with Ubuntu 7.04 installed: the XPS 410n and Dimension E520n desktops and the Inspiron E1505n notebook. These systems will be available at www.dell.com/open by 4pm CST today. Starting price for the E520n desktop and the E1505n notebook is $599; the XPS 410n starts at $899.
I am very likely to purchase one of these to replace an aging Duron system I have at home. I also want to get a dual core 64-bit processor finally with VT…. KVM/Xen here I come.
Friday, May 18th, 2007
Sign up for notification of new Dell desktops/laptops running Ubuntu
They added a new announcement sign up button on the page:
Be the first to know when Ubuntu products have launched as well as other Linux announcements.
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