[nzlug] acer + ubuntu

[simon]

The Acer meet happened today.

Present were Dipumon Simon, Muhammed Faizal, Stephen Powell, and Stewart
Williams. That would be managers for sales, marketing, technical, and
interdepartment liason. These are the guys making the decisions about
what gets put on the market.

They listened attentively, and took notes. A copy of Hardy-alternative
and the OEM-image was received with interest.

Acer is experimenting with linux right now, and they are very cautious.
They have been partly motivated by their competitors moves, their
customer's dissatisfaction with Vista, and a bunch of hardware that
sucks under vista sitting around.

The 4315s were supposed to be a kind of price positioning.

Pretty much what we thought.

There is likely to be another linux offering soon - no details. (Still
iffy.) It was "unlikely" *before* the meeting. We'll get a heads up when
it is ready.

Meantime - watch DSE for the next wave of the 4315 machines. Tipped to
have a silly price.

The plan is to create a working image for these things, so they will be
running Hardy with everything going but the modem. The image is to be
supplied to the stored to be included with the boxes.

The possibility of acer machines coming for evaluation by members was
discussed and well received. No promises.

Better hardware compatibility was discussed - however, Acer NZ pretty
much have to accept what they are given. Though they are interested in
evaluating exactly how (in)compatible that turns out to be. They would
like to be caught less flat-footed next time.

Since there will be more linux coming, Acer are looking to the LUGs in
particular as the people who will be supporting their customers (Acer do
not do OS support - they don't see that as part of their business
model). As such, they are keen for a closer relationship... we are going
to get consulted.

There is a possibility of sponsorship of community events and
initiatives - I'm compiling a list. It will be based on cost vs ROI.
I'll put RMS on the list - does that WGT internet cafe still need
computers?

There is not a lot concrete in that - but what would I expect? Does mean
that there should be more news soon enough. I'm going to count this as a
win.

As a side note - when it came to demonstrating that the mic wasn't
working... it did. I hate it when that happens!

So: How to get the Microphone working in the Acer Aspire 4315 with
Ubuntu Hardy Heron: take it to Acer HQ and get them to replace the
optical drive... I shall now go "wibble".









wibble