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Canonical hopes Best Buy Ubuntu will spur Linux adoption

arstechnica.com — The increasingly popular Ubuntu Linux distribution will soon be sold on the shelves in Best Buy. Will users pay $19.99 for what they can get online for free?

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  • ileftfark, on 07/11/2008, -2/+49https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

    For those who do not have broadband. Or any decent friends.
    • joelito, on 07/11/2008, -18/+14Does Shipit include manuals and phone support for 60 days?

      Tought so.
      • baithe, on 07/11/2008, -6/+10Umm, Ubuntu itself comes with all the manuals you need and the Ubuntu forums are some of the best in the linux community. For free.
      • zakatov, on 07/11/2008, -4/+15"Tought so"? You type with a retarded accent too?
      • jonathandyer, on 07/11/2008, -2/+3your forgot to add the "/sarcasm" tag.
      • Szandor, on 07/11/2008, -2/+13Umm, Ubuntu forums ≠ phone support for 60 days.

        For $19.99, Best Buy Ubuntu is a great deal - and a step in the right direction for Linux awareness.
      • rowjimmy, on 07/11/2008, -2/+4@szandor: yeah, ubuntu forums >>> phone support.

        have you looked at the combined documentation available online for ubuntu & debian? i've yet to run into any normal problem that i couldn't just google and find a detailed explanation of how to fix it...
      • plainOldFool, on 07/11/2008, -0/+12I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that those who know how to download the file, burn the iso CD and find all the support they need from various forums are not the target demographic for this $19.99 boxed package. Sounds like it is aimed at those who don't know much about Linux and are looking for a good place to start.

      • avediscordia, on 07/11/2008, -0/+5Most people aren't going to want to do that, though. They just want their problem to be fixed as quickly as possible and with a minimum of effort on their part. Besides, with the forums you could be waiting for days for someone to respond to your question (if anyone responds). With phone support you get help right when you need it.
      • HonoredMule, on 07/11/2008, -0/+7A few of you seem to be completely missing the point. It's a marketing ploy, putting Linux in prominent view where people actually look for "computer stuff," and putting a price tag on it for the sake of under-educated consumers who are paranoid about anything free.

        To the average Joe:
        free product online = socialism/communism, not worth anything, maybe not legal?
        paid product in store = capitalism/consumerism and respectability "like Windows"
      • Sairgem, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Maybe if they offered support for 6 months. $20 is too much for Ubuntu when you can get it for free several ways.
    • jhshukla, on 07/11/2008, -6/+3Or any computer geek friends.

      there, corrected that for you.
    • BradMajors, on 07/11/2008, -0/+11For the free version: "the delivery may take up to ten weeks".

      If instead you want it in two to four weeks you need to buy it from Canonical for $12.99. http://www.amazon.com/Canonical-Ubuntu-8-04-DVD/dp ...

      If you want it today you need to go to Best-Buy.
  • motang, on 07/11/2008, -0/+27Good luck and it's good that they are doing something to get the general publics attention.
  • mcmlxxii, on 07/11/2008, -1/+5660 days support is a fair exchange for $20 - especially if you can't get wireless working and have to compile your driver like me! That'll take a bit of explaining to a new user

    In many cases Ubuntu does just work though, I've been using it since Edgy and Hardy is a giant leap forward from then, in only 2 years. Wishing this scheme every success, but worth remembering that bad customer experiences travel further than good ones.
    • theaverageidiot, on 07/11/2008, -9/+3But do you REALLY think that ANY Best Buy or Geek Squad employee has the ability to compile your wireless drivers for you? I can do it myself but what about all the people who buy it for the "support" to find that Best Buy employees can't even hold their own on Windows, much less a more complicated (and IMO better) operating system.
      • Vektuz, on 07/11/2008, -0/+17Its not Best Buy or Geek Squad doing the support. Its a third party that is actually pretty good (apparently) at this linux thing.
      • rromansanturio, on 07/11/2008, -0/+7The support is offered by a Canonical partner, ValuSoft.
        Hope you find Windows Vista help "Helpful"
      • theaverageidiot, on 07/11/2008, -3/+1Oops, well then sorry =). Whenever I heard "Best Buy selling Ubuntu" and it "comes with support", I automatically assumed the support came from the Geek Squad.
  • jimmarch1, on 07/11/2008, -0/+32The phone support is worth $20 for some people. It brings this out of the category of "automatic ripoff".

    Another variant on this concept ships a CD with a big thick book...again, turning this into "non-ripoff" territory.

    Both plans let you put Ubuntu on retail shelves, which is otherwise impossible or at least would stretch Canonical's resources to the breaking point.
    • danfive555, on 07/11/2008, -1/+1Why would the phone be better than ubuntuforums or any ubuntu websites offering support? In those places you can get links and commands to paste into the terminal.
      • Kirizan, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3because if your installing it on your only computer, it's hard to get to forums when your network/wireless driver needs to be compiled. Ubuntu does a good job, in my opinion, at recognizing drivers, but there are some instances where this is not true. After you're on line, ubuntuforums is the best way to find/solve a problem.

        I can also see the phone support good for people who don't know a lot about computers, and therefore might not understand some of the terminology in the forums. Over the phone, the person on the other side, if they hire competent support personnel, will be able to explain in more detail what they are doing and why.

        For the people who know computers well, and are good at searching through forums, this is a rip off. For the average consumer, this is a good deal. I also like the idea that this will help push Ubuntu's market share, and hopefully knock Microsoft down a few pegs so the stop release ***** like Vista and start spending the time/money on a decent product.
      • plainOldFool, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Do you think the folks that will spend $20 on Ubuntu will think forums and wikis will be better than phone support? these are going to be über-novices that probably won't be able to follow even the simplest technical sites.
      • Eezyville, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2Because with the help support over the phone its almost like help support with M$. Thats puts Ubuntu and Windows on a equal level and eliminates some of the myth that Linux is only for geeks if its sold at the same place as Windows and offers the same type of support. That shows that its catoring to the same crowd. I think this was a good move from the Ubuntu guys.
    • Lounger540, on 07/11/2008, -0/+5I bought my first copy of Linux in a box. Redhat, at Bestbuy, in 1996.
  • GruntboyX, on 07/11/2008, -2/+19I am willing to pay 20 bucks not to have to tie up my slow interent connection for 2 days downloading the live dvd. Not to mention the support that comes with it could prove valuable.

    Also if metered internet becomes a bigger trend. this will prove to be a very useful alternative.
    • vizo, on 07/11/2008, -8/+5What, are you on 28.8 still? Broadband is cheaper than dialup in most cases. You could spend that 20 dollars you're willing to pay on your first month of broadband. Sheesh.
      • Ecsa0014, on 07/11/2008, -0/+6For some of us broadband is just not available. I live in the sticks and have been waiting for broadband to be offered in my area for years. Outside of high-priced, insanely limited satellite internet, dial-up is my only option.
      • haxcorner, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3We don't all have access to affordable broadband. I know in the US you can get a satellite account if DSL/cable isn't available - but for a halfway decent connection you're looking at a huge upfront payment ($300 - $1,000 for equipment, installation) & much higher-than-average monthly rates.

        On the other hand - even those who have access to cheap(er) broadband don't necessarily need a 15Mb/5Mb or even a 3Mb/768k connection - upgrading to a faster connection (and paying more monthly) to download one file is silly if your use of the internet is browsing, checking email and watching the occasional Youtube video. 512k connections would suffice for those situations and the $20 for Ubuntu would be, in my opinion, well worth the investment.

    • sk11, on 07/11/2008, -0/+6Ubuntu will ship you a free live cd: https://shipit.ubuntu.com might take a months to arrive though.
    • danfive555, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1You can also download it and burn it at work.
      Takes me about 2 minutes to download and 2 minutes to burn the live CD.
      • inksmithy, on 07/12/2008, -0/+0That works if you a) have a computer with a writer in it and b) don't have a manager who will sack you for using company resources for private use.
  • jcani, on 07/11/2008, -0/+10Appears to be a good move for Ubuntu Linux, even if they have to deal with the dreaded Best Buy.
    • danfive555, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Next they will deal with the dreaded Best Buy customer.
  • frostbyt, on 07/11/2008, -11/+3I wont pay.

    Dugg for the dick on a box pic.
  • stevea1210, on 07/11/2008, -5/+281 - cut a whole in the box
    2 - put your OS in a box
    3 - make her open the box
    And that's the way you do it...
    • ooby, on 07/11/2008, -1/+24a whole what?
      • jonathandyer, on 07/11/2008, -0/+16Maybe it was a typo and he meant to spell 'whale'... cut a whale in a box...no that does not work either.
      • savethejets, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1whole in one?
      • 4321234, on 07/11/2008, -0/+4I think he meant "cut a whore in the box", but that's just plain mean.
      • MethodOne, on 07/11/2008, -3/+1He means 'hole'.
      • Amiga501, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1I see your working on that PHD. Good luck with that.
  • sugarhigh4242, on 07/11/2008, -1/+10If the packaging/manual is good, I will pay $20 every release just for the collectability and to support development.
    • vizo, on 07/11/2008, -3/+7Since when are operating systems collectibles?
      • sugarhigh4242, on 07/11/2008, -0/+16Since I started collecting them... (duh)
    • 4321234, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2You want to support development of more Best Buy stores?
  • tehjarvis, on 07/11/2008, -0/+6I might buy itt. It's cheaper than running and buying a Dell with Ubuntu already installed on it. I've used Ubuntu on some of my boxes since Breezy, they could use a few bucks. I'll probably just give it to a friend as a gift anyways.
  • Owned1Up, on 07/11/2008, -18/+4I will do my part to slap whoever I see grabbing it in Best Buy, and continue to beat them with the box until they understand the meaning of free download.
    • Szandor, on 07/11/2008, -1/+5You're not helping anyone.
    • danfive555, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1Why pay for it if it's free?
      Help and support is also free.
    • tech42er, on 07/11/2008, -0/+4Because everyone has screaming fast broadband, right?
  • johnomaz, on 07/11/2008, -1/+18I think this is targeted at users that just dont' know about linux. imagine if you go into bestbuy looking to buy an OS because your 5 year old, out of warranty, hard drive died in your Dell, and you don't have any restore CDs. You look on the shelf and see the trusty Microsoft logo, but then you see the price tag. Next to it, you see a friendly looking penguin with $20 under it. You ask, will that do e-mail and internet. You will get a yes answer, and then you buy it. Get home, install. If you have any issues, you call BestBuy, and they say that Ubuntu has 60 days support and the number is in the box. If anything, the person can also bring the computer to bestbuy and pay to have it installed. Either way, its a way to get ubuntu/linux to the uninformed/novice user.

    Yes, I use Vista and love it. 64bit Vista now actually. And I used to use Linux, but my laptop died, and linux went with it. The day they get a linux distro for my iPhone though, it will be on there =).
    • rohan1234, on 07/12/2008, -0/+3Except people like that won't go into bestbuy looking for an OS, because they don't know what an OS is. When they see Ubuntu in a box they won't know that it's something that can replace Windows, unless someone tells them about it.
  • samurimaster, on 07/11/2008, -1/+4I'm surprise it took them this long to do this in Best Buy, My local Barnes & Noble has a small shelf of Linux instruction books that come with Live CDs
    • MattBD, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1I swore by my copy of the second edition of Beginning Ubuntu Linux when I first started. I highly recommend the newly released third edition to anyone interested in trying Ubuntu - it includes a copy as well.
  • clontzman, on 07/11/2008, -1/+6I installed Ubuntu a couple of weeks ago on a moderately beefy, but old, Insipiron 8600. The polish of the OS is decent, but I was really unimpressed by the poor support for sleep/wake (machine often wouldn't awaken) and, worst of all, the absurdly complex process for downloading wireless drivers. Once working, it's decent, but it still lacks a lot of polish. If I'd paid $20, I'd have been pretty pissed if it didn't work well on such common hardware.
    • HonestAbe, on 07/11/2008, -2/+3I also run Ubuntu on an Inspiron 8600. Yesterday I stupidly forgot that I was running on batteries. No warning, it just goes black when the battery dies. Really unacceptable.
      • richiewrt, on 07/11/2008, -2/+3There is a warning system, just like in windows you just have to set it up. Not in front of my ubuntu box or I would tell you how.
      • HonestAbe, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2You mean the settings under Power Management that do nothing?
  • Vektuz, on 07/11/2008, -0/+14The 19.99 is also for the neat packaging, quick start guide, presentation
    And also (interestingly) a period of live on the phone support for whatever you want. Having problems getting wine working? phone them up. Want to know how to get the beta nvidia drivers installed? phone them up...
    That has to be worth something.
    • danfive555, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1Instead of phone them up I just go to ubuntuforums.org
      or google search for the solution.
      • tehjarvis, on 07/11/2008, -0/+6We're talking about people with no real linux OS experience here...tech support is an industry mainstay, and you're not considered a real company without it.
      • Fiola, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3what if you only had one machine and that's the one your trying to install ubuntu on?
        What if it's the network portion that you can't get working? not everyone has the luxury of having more than one computer.
    • lynx44, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1I can't even imagine what that phone call would sound like from the average person. Its hard enough to get people to understand simple tasks, but if it came down to the command line I just don't see that working out. Now, if they can remote into your PC, then I could see it working, but just over the phone instructions would be a nightmare.
      • tehjarvis, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1My girlfriend is pretty computer illiterate, but I was able to tell her over the phone how to activate the correct repos on a new hardy install and install flash and extra codecs, through terminal.
        Granted, that's a simpler task than installing wireless drivers and such, but it was easy enough to explain as long as she listened to me step by step.
      • Toshibi, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1I worked DSL tech support for about a year. Attempting to troubleshoot network problems you would have to drop people into the command line all the time. You would do it the same way in Linux as you do in Windows. You spell it out, be patient.
    • arekarek, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1I wouldn't be so sure about Wine and stuff. Just guess why there's a "supported applications" section in Add/Remove app...
  • HonestAbe, on 07/11/2008, -2/+6Will they get a refund if they take it back when they can't figure out what to do with it?
    • tobikow, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Which they wont if they actually buy it...
  • snurfle, on 07/11/2008, -3/+9Oh, Christ.
    Best Buy trying to comprehend what Ubuntu even *is*, when they barely grasp the concept of Windows.
    Let the good times roll.
  • trackerbishop, on 07/11/2008, -10/+7this is stupid. best buy is for richers and women. they dont want ubuntu because they can afford XP.

    sell it at walmart for $10. BAM, ubuntu becomes the OS of the poor
    • mrraven200, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Stereotype much?
    • 1timeuser, on 07/12/2008, -2/+1It's not the richers that need its. it's the n*ggers that need it.

      Naggers need linux.

      WHAT, 2 SOUTH PARK REFERENCES IN 1? HOLY CRAP!
      • LeviTheSmith, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1One timer troll?
      • 1timeuser, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Different user with similar name who is not trolling?
    • jerrycurley, on 07/17/2008, -0/+1People FAR smarter than you ever will be, and far more wealthy than you ever will be shop at Walmart.
  • tobikow, on 07/11/2008, -7/+1I thought there was stuff in the Ubuntu license that wouldn't allow this sort of thing?
    • belumaves, on 07/11/2008, -1/+7no, Ubuntu is under the GPL which says you can charge whatever you want for the software however the source code has to be freely available.
    • DarkLaughingMan, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Nope, none at all. I think the only rules are that you have to say that you can get this for free at this place or who created it, and any modifications you make you have to release as well so anyone else can use it.
  • Hassassin, on 07/11/2008, -1/+6Can you call someone stupid for buying Ubuntu? If you think about it, they're making a smart choice, getting away from M$... but then again they're paying for a free OS... it's a conundrum.
    • ISurfTooMuch, on 07/11/2008, -0/+8But they get 60 days of phone support, plus they don't have to download it. Sounds like a fair deal to me, especially for a novice user.
    • 1timeuser, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1To me it's sort of like donating a couple of bucks to ubuntu... however bestbuy makes some of that money too..
  • diggydougie, on 07/11/2008, -0/+10Yes. I bought a copy of Red Had years ago. It's stupid but here's my logic. I'm not sure how this all works if I just download it with no support other than browsing message boards. If I buy the packaged thing I know that all I have to do is run the install and expect it to work. And for only 20.00 I can afford to throw away the money. And most people feel that they are somehow stealing if they just download something. Thank the RIAA for that sentiment. But if you bought it off the shelf you can be certain that it's legal.
  • Rizmaster, on 07/11/2008, -11/+2Are you kidding? The people who buy these are ***** assholes from the ghetto who are going to go home and install their bootleg XP on it IMMEDIATELY. Trust me, happens all the time.
    • belumaves, on 07/11/2008, -1/+2congratulations, you are an idiot. you can't install XP on Ubuntu, it is an alternative OS. Try doing some research before you start accusing a whole group of people of doing the impossible k?
      • ISurfTooMuch, on 07/11/2008, -1/+2Please forgive Rizmaster. He obviously put his mouth in gear before he RTFA. Or, more likely, he didn't even read it after writing that post.
      • Amiga501, on 07/12/2008, -3/+0He means install XP in place of Linux, you dumb ass. You've been using English how long?
    • FairDinkumMate, on 07/11/2008, -0/+5@rizmaster

      You that assumed the article was about PC's coming pre-installed with Ubuntu! FYI - It's actually about Best Buy selling boxed versions of Ubuntu for people to install on their already owned PC's.

      See how stupid you look when you make comments without reading the article?
  • unknown32, on 07/11/2008, -1/+5That is nice that they are trying to get out their to the public but will it make any dent ?

    Madiva / Mandra / Xandos / Corel Linux All had boxed software and that didn't make much difference as of actual market share.
    Before I get digg down about this is not a good desktop solution etc ? then why sell at a big box store to begin with ? Isn't that Shuttleworth's goal ?

    I guess Ubuntu is hoping name recondition will help ?
    • rowjimmy, on 07/11/2008, -1/+1a lot of people would argue ubuntu is the first linux distro that is (almost, nearly, not quite) desktop ready...

      i've bought a boxed copies of mandrake and red hat way back when and found the manual useful (mostly because this was before i had a dial-up connection) but today, with the ubiquity of broadband, i think it is just the rich preying on the ill-informed. oh wells.
  • clickwir, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2I think this is a good move. If not to make money, to at least get a product on the shelves so that more people see it and some people just don't feel comfortable using something that they can't buy off a shelf. Even though they can get newer and better by downloading, but some people are just like that. And this will help get more eyes on UBUNTU.
    • MattBD, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1Also, there's the whole "get what you pay for" mentality - people will probably think it's better if it's being sold.
  • ISurfTooMuch, on 07/11/2008, -1/+2The main problem is that novice users aren't going to know enough about Linux to be interested in this. If someone has heard of Linux, odds are it's from a friend or coworker who has told them about it. For those who don't know about it, you might as well have the name and all other text on the box written in Chinese. They'll look at it, their eyes will glaze over, and they'll move on.

    Not that I oppose them trying this. Anything that will get Linux in front of the public is a noble effort. I'm just not sure how effective this will be.

    If you want to drive adoption, especially for something new, you have to grab the public's attention. Firefox did that with the NY Times ad. I'm not saying that it wouldn't have succeeded otherwise, but it sure gave it a push. Canonical ought to be thinking of some way to get people's attention. Hell, maybe they ought to serve up a huge cake made to look like Tux at every Best Buy on launch day. Maybe even sell a version of Ubuntu for $25 that includes a small stuffed Tux. I guarantee that the sight of that little penguin will grab the kids' attention, and they'll demand that their parents at least look at it.
  • shadowman99, on 07/11/2008, -0/+7Back when Red Hat actually packaged thier distros and sold them via retail I would buy at least one release a year. Starting from Redhat Linux 5.1 until RH9 I would pay at least 60 dollars per year to "support the cause" Most of the time I was buying a distro I had already downloaded and installed a month or two prior. But the retail distro gave me an easy way to reward Red Hat for pushing development forward.

    I'm likely to do the same with Ubuntu now. Even thought I still used Fedora, I recognize Ubuntu as a "good citizen" in the Linux comunity and they should be rewarded as well.
  • ajocksch, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1I think this is a great move. It's unfortunate but, because they are free, Ubuntu (and other distros) are sometimes seen as having no value by consumers (The whole "you get what you pay for" mentality). By charging $20, even if it is just for support, this will hopefully add value to the Linux brand for many consumers.
  • digitallysick, on 07/11/2008, -0/+8Now best buy needs to actually have it installed running on some demo pcs. That would be nice
    • ISurfTooMuch, on 07/11/2008, -0/+7More importantly, they need to give their salespeople at least some basic training about what Ubuntu is. With a new (to the consumer) product like this, someone will ask, and they need to get a response a little more informative than a blank look and shrugged shoulders.
      • digitallysick, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2I agree , education will be the key. Most people i see shopping there and actually buying computers are not very bright. n00bs get pwnd by best buy. I will see a cart full of anti virus software , anti spyware, etc.
    • lucidjames, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2Definitely needs compiz fully enabled with the keys on a little placard. The cube sells.
  • p51d007, on 07/11/2008, -0/+4Will they be willing to pay 20 bucks for something they can get online for free? They have to ask this
    question, from people willing to pay for extended warranty and the outrageous "geek squad" prices?
    Plus, when joe six pack comes in, draggin' the clan, and the "sales" (for lack of a better term) guy says
    this here linux works just like windows, ole joe is thinking he is getting a cheaper version of windows. He
    takes it home and can't figure out why the crap he downloads from the web won't install.
    • danfive555, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1What crap are you referring to?
      I download a lot of things and they all work on linux.
    • Szandor, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2I think Windows-only games will be the biggest 'surprise' for these types of users.
      • heavyal, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3I was at Walmart the other day with the kids (ok, stop laughing) and my daughter brought this hokey little cake game up to me and kept buggin me to get it - it was one of those 5 dollar things from the cheap shelves so I finally took the thing from her and checked out the specs. It was made for Windows XP and since the 'family computer' at home runs Ubuntu I was about to tell her 'no' that it wouldn't work but for some reason changed my mind and instead said I'd get it and TRY and make it work but no guarantees.

        Well, we got home and I figured it was gonna be a hassle and I wanted to get the whining over with so I could get some work done so with my daughter standing next to me I inserted the cd for the game into the drive of our machine. Two seconds later the mount icon showed up and a window opened showing the contents of the cd with a single setup.exe icon in it.

        Knowing for sure that it wouldn't do anything but curious of what kind of error I would get I double clicked the setup.exe icon - BAM! installshield instantly popped up just as if I was running the thing from Windows! Wait a sec .. so now WINE actually does its thing without dropping to the command line? Well thats cool .. I hadn't messed with WINE in some time so this was a surprise to me, but still I figured there was no way this program would run even if it appeared to install correctly.

        I walked away from the machine at this point to get a cup of coffee and returned 2-3 minutes later to see my daughter sitting with a broad smile on her face in front of the computer playing her new game. Sound was working, video was flawless .. the darn thing had actually worked! I asked her how she got it to launch and she said "I clicked the little cake icon on the screen" .. so WINE even installed correct shortcuts.

        So to make a long story short (I know, too late), I don't doubt that there are a ton of games out there that are simply not gonna run on Linux, but I personally was pleasantly surprised at how well this whole install went and that the game worked so perfectly. So maybe the 'surprise' wont be so bad after all?
  • tehjarvis, on 07/11/2008, -0/+6in 1998 I bought a Linux for Dummies book with a Red Hat 5.0 disc included. I would've downloaded, but I had a slow internet connection and no experience with Linux at all. It was a really good deal at the time and got me on the road of OSS.
    I can't believe that was 10 years ago.
    And I've forgotten most of what I've learned since Linux has become so much easier.

    So yes, stuff like this does have it's place.
    • MattBD, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2That's pretty much how I got into it last year, but with a more recent edition. It was about a year or two out of date (it had Fedora Core 5 on the disc) but it did cover Ubuntu, which was the first distro I tried that I really liked. I wound up using Kubuntu as I preferred KDE, but I do wish I'd bought a book about it two or three years earlier.
  • ryjax, on 07/11/2008, -0/+0I wonder if the os that comes in the box has some kind of validation for phone support. If I have a problem in Gutsy, can I buy the box and expect support for that. I'm also curious if the version distributed with the box are only LTS versions.
    • ISurfTooMuch, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1It'll probably ask you to register and input a validation code, at which point the support clock will start running. Depending on what level of support they're willing to offer, it might not be a bad idea to just hold onto that code for a while before activating it. That way, you don't use it until you need it. No reason to activate on the day you do the install.
  • afallucco, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Its a way to raise awareness. People see linux in the stores and then decide they want to know a little more about it. The more awareness, the more adopters.
  • danfive555, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2All the free help and support is available at ubuntuforums.org and if that isn't easy enough for you just type your question + Ubuntu into Google, and hit search.
    • lucidjames, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2I'm not so sure that Best Buy's patrons are familiar with getting help from forums. The phone support would be a more familiar source, and probably refreshingly good phone support.
  • Zaggynl, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Well, it _IS_ cheaper than Windows even if you pay for it :o)
  • stevensj2, on 07/11/2008, -0/+5Doesn't change the fact that people use computers to use the applications it has, not the OS that powers it.

    Sure, this might get Ubuntu (and linux) on a few more computers. But it's going to frustrate and disappointed just as many.

    Fact is, people want to use good quality apps they are familiar with. When they are used to using iTunes, iPhoto, and Photoshop....Rythmbox, F-Stop, and GIMP are going to be very unimpressive.

    *Initiating massive nerd-rage and an influx of buries in T-minus 3...2...
    • 4321234, on 07/11/2008, -1/+1At least you're admitting Microsoft sucks.
    • mossblaser, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1Personally I prefer rhythmbox to itunes - itunes is just really slow and it trys to push their store in your face. Fspot vs iPhoto, well not a type of app I use (though with the exception of image editing tools, I gather they're fairly similar), the gimp, well, if you genuinely need photoshop (not just a casual pirate user) that will be a stumbling point (yes old versions run in wine but really...).

      It depends - remember most people wouldn't go beyond iTunes in your list and to find other tools just there "out of the box" would be a pleasant surprise!
    • prammy, on 07/12/2008, -1/+1F-spot works very well for a home user who wishes to catalogue and edit the photos. Picasa is also available for Linux.

      As far as the whole Gimp vs Photoshop, professionals who use Photoshop on a daily basis are more likely to not use Gimp. Gimp works just as well for the average Joe who wishes to edit his pictures.
      • stevensj2, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1F-Spot and Picasa combined do not have the capabilities, ease of use, and appeal that iPhoto does. They are worlds apart.

        We all know GIMP is bad; the reason pros don't like it is the same reason new users would hate it: its UI is an archaic mess. This over-abundance of menu items lead many to make the association that 'more buttons = more powerful' but it isn't.

        The web-based and free Photoshop Express is a better alternative.

        If Windows and Mac users alike can get FREE software that is much higher quality than the Linux offerings, tell me again why they should all be flocking to make the switch?

        Linux isn't for the mainstream market. Never will be. Linux zealots just need to let it go.
  • maoglone, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1Just wait 'til someone calls the Geek Squad and ends up with Vista back on the computer they'd sent off...
  • zzzpoohzzz, on 07/11/2008, -6/+1hrmmmm
    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8888 ...
    $20
    or...
    http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
    $Free
    • CrushThemTorg, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2The problem is that the average user (read: Ubuntu's ultimate target audience) would have no idea what to do with an ISO. They might know how to burn a CD in iTunes or ezCD-Creator or whatever crap is bundled with their system, but an ISO would freak them the ***** out.
      • jmantra, on 07/11/2008, -1/+2The phone support makes it well worth the $20..
  • nero147, on 07/11/2008, -0/+6I actually work at Best Buy for the Geek Squad and I have to say it's about time. For the people that think that charging for Free Open Source Software is bad or immoral, let me point this out. Most end users do not know how to download and install an ISO file. Now this isn't something that's up for debate, I've worked a lot of different tech support and I'm sure anyone else who has will agree with me. Now Best Buy is the largest consumer electronics retail outlet in the world. I am giddy with the prospect of almost every person in the country having access to linux as an option on their new computer, as well as support for it. Most of the computers at Best Buy will run Ubuntu, I've checked. The main problem is that people don't know how to install Broadcom chipset drivers. Now you could look that up, but that first hurdle will be enough to kill any interest that most people have. Personally I will tell people that they can download it for free, or they can buy it at the store. I can tell you though that I guarantee that most people will buy it. Also think about this... This is a metric for linux adoption that isn't out in the clouds, there is no way that hardware developers can ignore the stats on a fortune 100 company's sales of a linux distrobution. This might be the first great leap in getting some of the manufacturers who have been lagging behind on driver support to start getting with the program.
    • RyeBrye, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2"there is no way that hardware developers can ignore the stats on a fortune 100 company's sales of a linux distrobution."

      IBM, Dell, and others have been selling linux distributions for years. Best Buy is not doing anything revolutionary.

      Wal-Mart - the biggest retailer of any kind in the universe - sold the linux-based gPC and everyone then predicted it was going to be some kind of deluge of linux on the desktop. (It wasn't)

      Ubuntu's installer is quite nice, though. I like how you can install straight from a LiveCD and browse the web and play games and stuff WHILE your OS is installing - which is something Apple and Microsoft need to work on.
      • nero147, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1Sorry, I should have been more specific, I meant a Fortune 100 retail companies sales stats. while online sales are an important part of the industry, they aren't the entirety. Also IBM sells linux based computers, but they are enterprise grade. I was referring to consumer grade, because we all know that linux is doing fine from an enterprise standpoint.
  • Portnull, on 07/11/2008, -0/+0When I click back to 'operation systems', Ubuntu isn't there. In the top left under 'Shop Operating Systems', there's MS Windows and OSX. So... can I actually find Ubuntu when no one told me it's in the shop?
  • 4321234, on 07/11/2008, -0/+6I'm selling bootlegs for 5 bucks a pop.
  • JonForTheWin, on 07/11/2008, -0/+4That's a really, really, ***** bad idea. It needs to be sold pre-installed in decent machines.
  • Culyt, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2Unlikely to be a massive boost to adoption as they seem to only have a small number hidden on the bottom shelf in the out of the way area.

    There is shelf/unboxing pictures here:

    http://princessleia.com/journal/?p=1262
    • nero147, on 07/11/2008, -0/+0To be fair that varies from store to store. You can't hold an entire company responsible for the actions of one store.
    • Amiga501, on 07/12/2008, -0/+0The best part is... take any other box off that shelf, and it won't work with Ubuntu.... that is unless they go through the extra hassle of trying to get it to work with Wine.
  • zimzum2, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2 Until wireless just works, ubuntu will never be more than a geeky alternative.
  • volcompimp, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1LAME - Linux has been sold like this in stores for as long as I can remember.
    As other people have stated it comes w/ phone support and the convenience of
    not having to download it for those who are clueless.
  • compacho, on 07/12/2008, -0/+3Customer: Umm, how come my wireless adaptor isn't working?
    Tech Support: STFU and Google it!


    I kid, i kid. I love Hardy and I haven't booted into my XP partition in 2 months.
    • gubatron2, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1shame on you, still having an XP partition!!!!
  • vishnumrao, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Two observations from me:

    1.Showcasing Ubuntu on the Bestbuy shelves give some visibility to Linux. ( But linux is not Ubuntu)

    2. I would be willing to buy Ubuntu from BB, if it came with all the codecs to play mp3, dvd etc. i.e if it came as a complete OS, and not a crippled one.
    • noahsawyer, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1To start off with you can download VLC media player http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ that plays almost anything. Ubuntu is not allowed by law to include several codecs, so the user has to find third party software.
  • gubatron2, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Yeah, a lot of people will buy it, people are stupid and don't even have a clue of how to download and burn an ISO. Good move by Ubuntu, hope they make a few million out of this, Ubuntu is def. worth the $20.
  • noahsawyer, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1I think this is a great idea. It's no different than getting a Linux distro attached to a magazine.
  • Vadi0, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Every lil' bit helps. Brand recognition and so on. A few kind words for it from friends, and the person will just decide to try it out.
  • kibbledbits, on 07/13/2008, -0/+1For my favorite distro of linux, I hope it does well.

    Ubuntu already has the most community support, now they are gaining the commercial support. What's next the enterprise?

    I'm pushing for a heterogeneous network where I work. Linux has some wonderful services that are easily installable which can accent even the most ardent Microsoft shop such as Subversion, Mediawiki and Trac.
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