Carr stressed that, in these cases, it doesn’t even matter how good or bad the Linux OS is. These customers just don’t want to try something new. “We said a long time ago, we didn’t want to make a Windows clone. It has a different interface especially with the Ubuntu Netbook Remix. We think it’s a better way but it’s not the same way people are used to. That unfamiliarity can take a while to learn and there is an education that has to be stressed.””

It’s little to do with any deficiencies in the distros (although it seems widely accepted that MSI made a bad choice), more to do with bad marketing.

There’s plenty of positive reviews across the net of non-windows netbooks. It’s very much down to lack of knowledge before hand, varying degrees of success in which distros chosen and the interfaces used, and fringe idiots who can’t handle anything different.

The Asus that started all this came with a custom Linux distro (with custom interface too) remember.

Linux is not Linux is not Linux

“Clearly, Tung’s statement may reflect his subjective impression, rather than actual return figures. Still, it is worth noting that early netbook vendors do often rush to market with hasty Linux implementations. And unfortunately, the smaller screens and lower CPU power of netbooks means that “normal” Linux distributions like SUSE may not work very well on them.

“Compounding the problem, netbook vendors often see Linux as a “low-end” option, and thus offer a reduced hardware spec on Linux models. For example, the Linux version of the MSI Wind U100 comes with only a 3-cell battery, with 512MB of RAM instead of 1GB, and no bluetooth.

“Some netbook vendors, though — notably Asus and Acer — have worked closely with Linux software partners to produce well-integrated, highly usable products. The pioneering Asus Eee PC uses the Windows-like Xandros distribution, while the popular Acer Aspire One uses Linpus Linux Lite, a distribution specifically designed for netbooks. Dell’s Dell Inspiron Mini 9, meanwhile, uses a version of Ubuntu specifically designed for netbooks.”

Published very recently by Bruce Perens, a former HP employee:

“[J]ust about every PR firm offers to help “manage the perception of your company in online communities” these days. What do you think that means? Astroturfing Slashdot, Youtube, etc. In my various manangement positions it’s been offered to me. Indeed, some of the companies offer to create negative publicity for your competition that way – HP had a publicity firm for its Linux activities that told us it would do that when we wanted. I never asked them to do so and hope nobody else did either.

“This stuff is just standard these days. You’ve got to expect it”.

http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=985543&cid=25267133

Economical times are getting tough. Need the most bang for the buck.