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Either It Has Windows Or They'll Steeeeeeal It!
R. Alex Whitlock
The arrogance of Microsoft never seems to
astound:
Microsoft has urged UK PC vendors not to give customers the opportunity to buy a PC without a pre-installed operating system.
Supplying base systems, or 'naked PCs', is a missed opportunity, according to Michala Alexander, Microsoft's head of anti-piracy.
Writing in Microsoft's Partner Update magazine, which is distributed to computer dealers, Alexander estimated that 5 percent of computers sold in the UK in 2006 would not include an operating system.
Alexander is keen to bring that number down, even though customers could want a base system because they want to install Linux, or because their firm already has a licensing agreement for an operating system such as Windows.
"We want to urge all system builders — indeed, all Partners — not to supply naked PCs. It is a risk to your customers and a risk to your business — with specifically 5 percent fewer opportunities to market software and services," wrote Alexander.
Linux vendors and free software supporters, though, believe these base systems can play an important role in supporting the open source market. Some are concerned that Microsoft may be attempting to use its powerful position in the market to hamper competition.
"May"?
Not sure about the rules in Britain, but it seems to me that Microsoft does have the right to check up on whether naked systems are having Windows sneaked on them at the last minute. They can do it the same way we do: by buying the PC and seeing if it's installed. Or getting an agreement. On the other hand, if they're simply hanging around the vendors like the chewing gum guy in Clerks, they ought to be able to be kicked off for trespassing.
But here's the thing that kind of surprises me: why are
any computers sold without an OS? It seems to me that they should all come with some form or another of Linux (if they don't come with Windows, of course). Obviously different people have different Linux preferences, but anyone who has a "preferred" brand of Linux is obviously adept enough to install it themselves (which they would have to do anyway - and besides, most of them are likely to build their own anyway.
Is there something in Linux licensing that prohibits this?
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Observations
Nothing in most Linux licenses prohibits it.
However, as you mentioned, most Linux users are particular about their build, and they may not appreciate another build coming with it. Plus, the computer maker wants to shave off every penny when selling the barebones PC; it costs a certain amount to put Linux onto the machine, even if it's done by some guy just slipping in a Ghost image and walking away while the hard drive loads up.
Actually I think there are plenty of reasons PC could be sold without an OS. I have often *heard* from users in the past "Why can't I just use the software that came with my last PC?" Heard is emphasized because people have given up. I suspect a lot of people still don't like that they are paying for all new software when they didn't feel like their old software was a problem, they just wanted something faster.
That's like buying all new music because you bought a new CD player. (Boy wouldn't the RIAA love that). But I suppose one could compare that to changing technologies such as Vinyl to Cassette to Compact Disc or VHS to DVD to HD-DVD or Blu-ray. Then again most of the time a new PC will still run the old software just fine other than the fact that they don't want you too.
Microsoft makes most of it's Windows profit from the pre-installed machines. I believe I've seen it printed somewhere that something like 95% of Microsoft Windows sales are on pre-installed machines. Every machine sold usually has a copy of Windows with it. Regardless if you plan on using Windows or not. I'm sure that does wonders for it's marketshare numbers.
As for the Linux issue. I think PC vendors should preinstall Linux, but I think there are a few reasons why they don't.
#1 Which distro? I mean you pick Redhat (the #1 distro in the USA) and people who don't like Redhat complain. Of course the ones who would complain most would be the ones going "Just provide the drivers in a way that distro independent"
#2 3rd party support. How many people buy a computer these days without 3rd party hardware in mind. iPods, webcams, scanners, printers, etc. It would be easy enough for them to label products as "Linux compatible" and "Linux ready." Trust me, I've seen plenty of issues trying to find support for various devices (like my mp3 player and the wireless card in the kid's computer).
#3 Internal Computer parts support. This is probable the biggest problem I think which is why I left it for last. Although I have been able to install some version of Linux on practically every PC I've ever been around, it's not without it's issues. Wireless being one of the biggest issues. Most PC Vendors seem to like Broadcom. Broadcom is well known for not providing Linux drivers, NOR do they provide enough specs for 3rd party driver writers to create drivers for Linux. Right now there's pretty much 2 hardware vendors that do this. Nvidia prodvides their own drivers (which I happen to like a lot). ATI provides specs (albeit slowly sometimes) to 3rd party's so that properly drivers can be created for any system (especially Linux). There are a few others out there that seem to be doing something. I heard the Samsung laser printers actually come with installation software and drivers for Linux (which is why I'm seriously looking at getting one).
Generally speaking, it's the 3rd party support that's lacking in Linux right now. This is making PC vendors not wanting to attempt to support it. I mean after all, when things aren't working, they need someone to ask too, right?
Although most users can't call Microsoft for help directly, they are suppose to call the vendor. The vendor tries to troubleshoot and if stumped they turn around and ask Microsoft.
Now with Linux, who does the vendor call when it's stumped when everything is created by 3rd parties and the vendor of the failing part doesn't support that?
That's why I spend 1 day out of every month emailing various vendors (software and hardware) and ask about Linux support.
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