An Ubuntu Story

from WinCustomize Forums
This is a nice story about people donating computers.    It also points out the problem with donating PCs with MS Windows on them. It becomes apparent that MS might need to rethink its licensing and allow for some sort of provision for donated PCs, like transferring to a nonprofit organization.    At some point in time, depending on the hardware they may need to be upgraded.   

There is another way to look at this, it could mean alot more PCs with Linux on them. How do most people make choices on purchases, by seeing or using the product, Duh!!!!      


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17,196 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am the local PC guy and get lots of old PCs that folks want donated.
If I can, I use Darik's Boot and Nuke to wipe everything and then install Ubuntu. 
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Zubaz - If MS handled their licensing differently, letting the owner transfer it to a nonprofit organization, would you leave MS on the PC?   
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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Zubaz - If MS handled their licensing differently, letting the owner transfer it to a nonprofit organization, would you leave MS on the PC?

It depends who is getting it.
Linux, when it doesn't work takes a skillset that is uncommon.  Giving a Windows shop a linux PC may just eat into thier costs and in the end cost too much.

I use Windows XP, and Vista daily.  I use Ubuntu occasionally and OSX rarely.  It has more to do with the task at hand, not the OS itself.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Zubaz - I now realize why I enjoy reading your posts or replies to posts, you have a way of getting to the point.   

My only experience is with MS and Windows, but it has become apparent to me that it is not going to work for everyone and having choices of OSs in not pointless. A little competition when it comes to OSs has to be good.   
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Anyone else have some thoughts on this?   
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hmm... licensing...
Volume license plans? A nonprofit organization could note MS and ask them for an offer on Windows Fundamentals. Or MS should offer one. When Ubuntu becomes usable for everything including Winamp in a seamless environment (Automated WinE), I'll jump from XP. (Too bad Vista arrived. )

Linux in general, still feels REALLY limiting in terms of what you can do even when it offers a lot app-wise. As an artist-PC user I can say it really frustrates me to use open source variants of stuff I paid (Who still uses GIMP nowadays?), OR go through WinE (ugh).

It'll be getting much more use in the near future, but hands down, closed-source alternatives win by having much better featured, better supported software that Linux users won't even consider buying because they can't afford to (mostly).
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Very interesting point that you present.

I can see that if you are doing very specific tasks that open source just won't cut it, but it could be the answer for a home computer that it's only purpuse is a gateway to the internet. What do you think?