[nzlug] acer + ubuntu

[simon]

On Wed, 2008-06-04 at 18:49 +1200, Robin Sheat wrote:
> On Wednesday 04 June 2008 17:41:01 simon wrote:
> > Meantime - watch DSE for the next wave of the 4315 machines. Tipped to
> > have a silly price.
> 
> Ohh. If it's really silly, I might have to pick one up for myself to ... I 
> dunno ... have...doing something.
> 
I was also asked if linux people would be receptive to bargain-basement
machines offered exclusively to the community... these would be almost
factory-second but basically un-touched. Many fail QC because the box is
bruised - and they will come will full factory warranty.

While ex-XP, the price reduction is usually significant so at least the
customer is not paying *extra* for the redmond tax.

> > 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 stores won't install it themselves? Or is that kinda outside the scope of 
> what they do?
> 

I'm unclear as to the details - technically, if the box is opened, it's
no longer new. I'd hope the store could install themselves - the
simplest thing would be to ship an HDD and get the old ones back. DSE
can usually swap out an HDD.

> > 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
> 
> Even if they had the ability for providing local LUG information to people, it 
> could be useful. Especially if one or two people at the LUG had access to a 
> machine so they knew what they're talking about.
> 
That was the idea - I'm taking it softly, looking to the next release.
Hopefully we can get a linux page on the local web-site with links and
advise.

Unlike their other products, linux stands on it's own - there's not a
lot they need to do to support it. This is very attractive to them. They
also like the quality of the feedback they got.

> > 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.
> 
We actually have Lee to thank here - it was his persistence that brought
this home for us. Particularly when he made the process formal - forcing
a formal assessment. That led to the feeling that what had been
happening so far is not how they want to treat their customers.

> Oh, on the topic of hardware, this is worth watching:
> http://www.archive.org/details/LRL_USA_2008_Power_Management_Anger/
> (or google video, which lets you fullscreen but not download)
> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7753780993269800999&hl=en
> 
> It goes a good way to explaining why some things seem so damn hard to get 
> working right. The main points are "manufacturers hate you" and "they can't 
> get it right, even when there's a specification".

They acknowledged that Acer HW seems ta have a rough reputation campared
to the others - particularly with linux. But they are puzzled - their HW
is identical to the others. They cannot see what the problem is. Can we
quantify the difference?

They were strongly motivated by the implication of sub-standard
equipment and my machine was dissected. They identified the flaw in the
OptDD cable that I found and they no longer use that model. Indeed, they
had none there and gave me a new DVD-burner instead.

As it stands - support for the 4315 will be a redirect to my site (may
as well). I'll get an advance look at the next one (under NDA - sorry)
to work out what needs to be in-place for that. After that one is a big
success... we'll be able to do much more.

(Hmmm... I'll have to move NZLUG and NZOSS to a more prominent position
on my site so the regional folk get a chance.)

Once more - if there are any problems with me being front-and-center
like this, let me know.