IT Masala

Dell Inc is considering offering the Linux operating system as an alternative to Microsoft Corp.'s Windows on its personal computers, a Dell spokesman said on Tuesday.

The PC maker said it received more than 100,000 customer requests for Linux in a "suggestion box" posted on Dell's Web site less than three weeks ago.

As we all know GnuLinux is an open-source operating system that is generally available for free and can be used to run most computers, including Dell's PCs too..So why not ?

Making Linux available on other Dell PCs has been the top request since the Web site was launched on February 16.

The second most popular request was that Dell offer another popular free software title, OpenOffice, which competes with Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Ubuntu is a complete Linux-based operating system, freely available with both community and professional support.

Ubuntu is suitable for both desktop and server use. The current Ubuntu release supports PC (Intel x86), 64-bit PC (AMD64), Sun UltraSPARC and T1 (Sun Fire T1000 and T2000), PowerPC (Apple iBook, Powerbook, G4 and G5) and OpenPower (Power5) architectures.

Ubuntu includes more than 16,000 pieces of software, but the core desktop installation fits on a single CD. Ubuntu has both versions running Ubuntu on the desktop and Ubuntu on the server.

Note : Free CDs will NOT be the latest version of Ubuntu. If you want the latest Download a copy for FREE.

[ Download a copy of the CD for free ]  or [ Request free CDs ]

A major hurdle to the widespread adoption of GNU/Linux on the desktop (and, at times, at the server-level) is the lack of drivers for specific hardware.

Now comes an offer from senior Linux kernel developer Greg Kroah-Hartman - kernel developers will develop free drivers for manufacturers who provide the necessary technical details. "All that is needed is some kind of specification that describes how your device works, or the email address of an engineer that is willing to answer questions every once in a while.

A few sample devices might be good to have so that debugging doesn't have to be done by email, but if necessary, that can be done," Kroah-Hartman wrote in his blog.

The manufacturer is then assured of having a working driver in the main Linux kernel source tree; the driver will be updated through any changes in application programming interfaces and will also work with all the architectures on which Linux runs.

Kroah-Hartman's pledge goes further - the driver will be included in all GNU/Linux distributions, including those which are focused on the business sector. With regard to the hurdle of IP, he writes that if the manufacturer in question is worried about non-disclosure issues, then all needed requirements can be arranged through the Linux Foundation, a recent creation from the merger of the Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group.

One has to assume that Kroah-Hartman has discussed the issue with at least some of the 1500-odd kernel developers before going out on this limb. He has even offered support: "As for support, the driver will be supported through email by the original developers, when they can help out, and by the "enterprise" Linux distributors as part of their service agreements with their customers."