Dell Cannot Get a Break
My ex-employer Dell Computer Corporation has run into a load of problems recently. To try to rectify it, Dell launched a web site called IdeaStorm where people could make suggestions on what Dell can do to satisfy its customers. The most popular suggestion was that Dell start shipping computers with Linux an open source OS on it. A week ago, Dell announced that it had listened to the feedback and yes, they would begin shipping Dell computers with Linux on it. Hear the crowd cheer!
Fast forward a week later and hear the boos and people throwing things. Dell announced today a deal with Microsoft and Novell to promote their version of Linux. So why are people so unhappy? Well, to a Linux supporter, buying a computer with a Microsoft supported OS is like Hitler becoming the head of the United Nations. To many open source fans, Microsoft is the Anti-Christ and supporting anything that Microsoft is involved with will just never happen.
I think this is great example of listening to your customers, but not truly understanding them. Yes, Dell heard the feedback that users wanted Linux on Dell computers, but they failed to take into consideration who these people were and what they were really wanting and requesting.
The Linux community needs to step back and understand that throwing the latest distro of one of the many flavors of Linux isn’t an easy task. Novell’s Linux flavors are far better tested and certified, from my understanding – it makes a lot of sense.
Just because the partnership has the name “Microsoft” in it doesn’t mean everyone should start casting stones. Maybe it violates their “principles” of not supporting MS, but given how much Linux has NOT progressed in terms of market share, maybe they should take what they can get.
I’m not defending Dell, I’m condemning the Linux zealots.
Tim,
I think you make a good point, but I think it is a very tough battle to change certain people’s views on Microsoft. What I think the bigger issue is and Dell needs to be condemned is them not realizing ahead of time that this type of announcement would alienate the exact same people they were trying to appease when they first decided to ship Linux run computers. Thank you for your feedback.
You are absolutely right, anything opening a can of worms with Linux is indeed a tough battle. Dell certainly should have anticipated their condemnation from invoking Microsoft in this deal – lesson learned I hope!
I’m a current Dell employee and think what needs to be looked at is that at the heart of the matter, what Dell is doing is addressing the most important issue: customer choice. While many in the Linux community do not agree with the Microsoft/Novell alliance, Dell joining into the agreement does not cast a shadow on any of the other Linux community support the company is involved in (i.e. strong Red Hat partnership, Novell certification on desktops, notebooks and forthcoming offering of Ubuntu on consumer notebooks and desktops). Dell’s joining the Microsoft/Novell alliance is focused on enterprise server customers that aren’t currently Dell Linux customers – offering them increased interoperability between Windows and Linux which is needed more and more in heterogeneous data center environments and IP assurance. If an enterprise customer wants Red Hat support, Dell has great offerings there as well. If it is a consumer desktop or notebook with Linux pre-installed, Dell has answered the call there as well with Ubuntu, which was delivered via direct feedback from the Linux community on IdeaStorm. Thus bringing us all back to what should be the focal point here and what is most important – customer choice.