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On Sun, 25 Jan 2009 19:53:48 +0000 tom wrote: > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > Grant Sewell wrote: > > I find it such a shame that these devices actively publish the fact > > they run Linux. I mean, let's me honest here - the majority of > > people don't really know what Linux is (let alone GNU) and may well > > regard all of Linux with what they find on these CnM MiniBooks, > > thus essentially tarring Linux with the CnM MiniBook brush. > > > > Grant. > > Conversely the public buy a lot of devices that have GNU/Linux > embedded in them and are quite happy with them (sadly not knowing the > significance). I know. But there is a world of difference between someone buying a NAS box and it happening to be powered by our favourite OS but not pushing this fact in the face of the buyer, and someone buying an ultra-low-power netbook and being told "it runs on Linux". In a world of UMPCs running Linux, some might not be aware of the fact that there are different Linuxes around - I mean, for the majority of people, there only experience of "other operating systems" is the varying versions of Windows. It is *these* people whom would play around with this CnM machine in Maplins and go "Ugh... *this* is Linux? No thank you!". > I think what you have to bear in mind is that CnM are not selling this > as a high end UMPC yet alone a high end Laptop. The maplins site is > VERY clear on this. I never said they were selling them as UMPCs or the like. > - From what I have seen on the CnM site it IS possible to re-flash > the OS albeit that its MIPS based so you need to do extra work if you > want to do your own mods. However people (including CnM) have > already done this work, which is a testament to the nature of > GNU/Linux development, AND CnM are offering their own web space to > host and sponsor some of these enhancements. > > Although I'm not here to promote CnM, I think what I am trying to say > is that the CnM minibook IS a step away from the x86 monoculture and > have taken on board the spirit as well as the letter of GPL. > > I think this machine is a viable option for somewhere where (like > finding your next meal) electricity is expensive and short supply. > Sadly they do not currently offer an alternative power source, but > that may come soon. > > Yes by all accounts the CnM minibook IS a compromise, but it maybe an > interesting development as energy supplies dwindle and prices rise. > > Tom. Kudos to CnM for their break-away from the "x86 is king" attitude. Kudos to them some more for actually embracing what the GPL is all about. And Kudos to Maplin for stocking and selling them. My point still remains - the majority of the *public* will not understand the finer points and will see a "laptop" that runs "Linux", may well not be impressed by it and will therefore think that "Linux" is rubbish. This is a bad situation for Linux adoption. Grant. -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html