Back in February when we launched IdeaStorm, we received overwhelming feedback from the community that you wanted Linux client options available throughout Dell's product line. In response, we told you that we were working towards this goal, and we did a survey of your preferences. When asked which distribution of Linux Dell should prioritize on, Ubuntu was the most requested option. Today, we are excited to tell you that Dell will begin offering Canonicals' latest version, Ubuntu 7.04, as an option on select Dell consumer models in the U.S. in the coming weeks. Watch a vlog from Mark Shuttleworth, Ubuntu’s founder, who provides background on Ubuntu 7.04 and what Dell's decision means for consumers.
This represents another step in the overall enhancement of our Linux program:
* Since 1999, Dell PowerEdge servers have been available with Red Hat Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and since 2005 with Novell/SuSE Linux Enterprise Server.
* Dell Precision workstations have shipped for years with the option of Red Hat Enterprise Linux
* OptiPlex desktops and Latitude notebooks are certified to run Novell SLED 10
* Dell updated its policy on driver support of new Linux desktop and notebook products to use open source drivers in kernel.org where possible
We recently launched a Linux community board as another way to help our customers to get help they need to augment things we've been doing like supporting Linux mailing lists.
You can also find the IdeaStrom update in Ideas in Action section.
In this video, Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth talks about why he started Ubuntu, Linux adoption rate trends, how previous barriers to Linux adoption for mainstream users are improving, and more.
While Ubuntu 7.04 will appear on select consumer products, we continue to offer a wide variety of Linux options including Red Hat factory-installed on our Precision workstations and Novell certification of all our business systems. Thanks again for the feedback and enthusiasm you have demonstrated with your response on IdeaStorm. For more information on our evolving Linux program, read today’s post on Direct2Dell.