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Tuesday, November 12, 2002

NZ Herald

NZ Linux acceptance.

We responded to the above article about a branded version of Linux being made available, which is similar to packages being offered overseas.

We have received a response, saying that Dick Smith did incorrectly state that IHUG was the only ISP offering Support for Linux.

Our reply:

NZ's may conclude that Linux is a badly supported OS because of all the ISP's "only IHUG can connect the Linux box".

Pretty well most ISPs "support Linux" client connection, and many PC support people and companies can support implementing Linux or hand-holding customers and making the operating system productive. Internet connection is of course just the beginning of the support problem for most users.

The original article stated "The company has done a deal with ihug for internet access. He says ihug was the only internet provider willing to support Linux, which was a surprise considering the widespread use of Linux throughout the internet. "

This is untrue.

Paradise also supports LINUX connection. IHUG may give a fuller support service, but it is wrong to say that nobody else is "willing" to support it.


Conclusion

A Consumer version of Linux may satisfy the Consumer user that specialises in branded product. Linux is as easy or easier to support than Windows, and ISPs that claim to support Linux will do well out of any mass movement to the OS.

Making it available as a budget alternative without Windows XP is the ground breaking move by Dick Smith.

You can buy Linux installation disks for about $15 or (legally) copy a friends copy without purchasing a new machine. If we only buy branded offers of "support" then I think we are stuck in the M$ model of business.


It is like buying a car, and getting a free polishing cloth. Its lovely, but internet connection is just ONE aspect of Linux support. Commercial users of Linux should take Linux support very seriously and reap benefits that a consumer approach may not require. It may require a bit more spending on Linux support than the slender ISP support to get you on-line.