New Linux Machines

[zscoundrel]

I doubt that just calling would do the trick, but if he started to SELL 
a number of machines configured for Linux he may start prebuilding Linux 
machines.  He is a business man so he would sell chocolate covered 
hockey pucks if there was enough demand.

When I bought my computer 18 months ago I explained that I did not want 
widoze on it and did not want to pay for the license since I was going 
to take the machine home, format the drive and load Linux.  He was very 
interested and work with me to replace the non-supported hardware.  At 
that point they did not have the expertise to build Linux boxen so I had 
to know what was and was not compatible - I suspect that this is still 
the case. 

When I first got my machine, he didn't know much about Linux, but last 
time I was in there (last June) they had Linux on the rack for sale!

Take along your favorate Linux hardware compatibility website.  We spent 
quite a bit of time surfing the Linux hardware lists to find stuff in 
his inventory that was compatible.  He is not to the point where a newby 
could walk in with cash and walk out with a linux box, but they are 
willing to work with those of us that prefer the penguin and that is a 
refreshing change!

Jim Herrmann wrote:

> So, what are you saying?  If all of us here in the group (or even just 
> several) call this place and ask if they sell Linux loaded machines, 
> we might have a convert?  Give us the number.  I'm sure a couple of 
> people would call just to be curious and helpful.  I will.
> 
> zscoundrel wrote:
> 
>> I have been working on the guy at Computers-to-go in Westport to 
>> start selling Linux.  If we can get some interest going, he will 
>> start building Linux machines, but right now he doesn't see enough 
>> interest. They are located on the corner of Westport road and 
>> Broadway.  (Just across from Cosimo!)  One of his techs is into Linux 
>> and I got him to strip 'doze off of one of the machines I bought from 
>> him - with a healthy reduction in price for the 'doze software 
>> license I didn't need to buy!  He even made me a fair trade on the 
>> internal 'doze modem for an external US Robotics 56k v.anything (plus 
>> the cash difference) and came up with a Linux compatible NIC for a 
>> fair price.
>> 
>> 
>> Jim Herrmann wrote:
>> 
>>> You guys went off on a tangent about the distros.  That wasn't the 
>>> point of my message.  Tell me where I can find a local retailer that 
>>> supports Linux machines.  I had a couple of replies off line, and I 
>>> will pursue those, but I was hoping for a big discussion about all 
>>> the dealers in town that support Linux.  How about it?  Are there 
>>> any?  If you are one, you should reply on the list to this message, 
>>> as it is a huge opportunity for you to advertise.  If you have a 
>>> friend that sells Linux boxen, then do your friend a favor, and tell 
>>> the list.
>>> 
>>> Never mind the damn distro.  Geez.
>>> 
>>> Peace,
>>> Jim Herrmann
>>> 
>>> Jim Herrmann wrote:
>>> 
>>>> I have a friend that has an opportunity to get a new computer, who 
>>>> has no windows experience.  Therefore, since there is no 
>>>> "re"learning curve, I thought I would try to steer them to Linux.  
>>>> They are open to the idea of Linux, being opposed to large 
>>>> monopolistic entities in general.  So here's what I am hoping to 
>>>> get from you guys.  I want to know who are the local businesses in 
>>>> town that will pre-configure, say a Mandrake 8.1 Linux box, and 
>>>> support it (the hardware at least).  These people live out near 
>>>> Lee's Summit, so a business in that general area would probably be 
>>>> best, but not necessary.  These people want a whole new system, 
>>>> Printer, monitor, CD-RW, etc. and they want it to be easy to use 
>>>> (which is why I say Mandrake) and no problems (which is why I want 
>>>> a preinstalled system).  Doesn't need to be top of the line, but 
>>>> rather merely adequate for the future, and very reliable.
>>>> 
>>>> So, I hope that gives a pretty good idea of what I'm looking for. 
>>>> Please discuss this on the list, as there are probably others on 
>>>> the list that would like to hear this discussion.
>>>> 
>>>> Peace,
>>>> Jim Herrmann
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> majordomo at kclug.org
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
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-- 
At 20, I was liberal, because I had nothing to lose and so much to gain.
by 40, I was conservative, because I had so much to lose and so little to gain.
Isn't it amazing what 20 years of hard work and experience will do for ones' point of view?