Comments on: Why Walmart isn’t the place for Linux http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/ Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Why there's no more Linux at Wal-Mart | Tech 2 Uphttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-120041 Why there's no more Linux at Wal-Mart | Tech 2 Up Sun, 21 Aug 2011 12:06:27 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-120041 [...] Why Walmart isn’t the place for Linux [GearDiary] [...] [...] Why Walmart isn’t the place for Linux [GearDiary] [...]

]]> By: William Rodriguezhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-26104 William Rodriguez Sun, 16 Mar 2008 05:47:58 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-26104 Personally as president of the ASU Open Source Awareness Association, I took this hit pretty damn hard. I had high hopes when it came to the idea of these products being sold by Wal-Mart. Remember what happened when they started selling CFL lights? I happened to like that, and now my excitement has come crashing down like an outdated space station. Personally as president of the ASU Open Source Awareness Association, I took this hit pretty damn hard. I had high hopes when it came to the idea of these products being sold by Wal-Mart. Remember what happened when they started selling CFL lights? I happened to like that, and now my excitement has come crashing down like an outdated space station.

]]> By: rennynhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-26098 rennyn Sun, 16 Mar 2008 05:31:51 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-26098 So very true. Linux is good and all, but you cannot put some schmuck shopping at Walmart in front of it and expect it to work, much less find software for it. So very true. Linux is good and all, but you cannot put some schmuck shopping at Walmart in front of it and expect it to work, much less find software for it.

]]> By: n0dozhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-26041 n0doz Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:56:09 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-26041 The whole WalMart issue is dangerous (off-topic) stuff, so I'll let this be my last word. There are many stories about this company and their business practices. Some are generated by union organizers anxious to tap into WalMart's 1.1 million employees; others have an issue with the aggressive way WalMart negotiates with their suppliers. Like most things, the truth is somewhere in between the competing points of view. My favorites are the people that don't want WalMart in their town or neighborhood, like somehow having a retailer where they don't spend as much for stuff is a bad thing. "Now Martha, don't you go saving us any money down there at that no-good WallyWorld. You go spend twice as much at that specialty store instead!" Uh, OK. An on-topic thought: even if they are limiting their in-store selection to Microsoft-powered units, low-priced computers that are reasonably easy to use at thousands of stores brings home computing to people that would not be exposed to it otherwise. That's good, isn't it? The whole WalMart issue is dangerous (off-topic) stuff, so I’ll let this be my last word.
There are many stories about this company and their business practices. Some are generated by union organizers anxious to tap into WalMart’s 1.1 million employees; others have an issue with the aggressive way WalMart negotiates with their suppliers. Like most things, the truth is somewhere in between the competing points of view.
My favorites are the people that don’t want WalMart in their town or neighborhood, like somehow having a retailer where they don’t spend as much for stuff is a bad thing. “Now Martha, don’t you go saving us any money down there at that no-good WallyWorld. You go spend twice as much at that specialty store instead!” Uh, OK.
An on-topic thought: even if they are limiting their in-store selection to Microsoft-powered units, low-priced computers that are reasonably easy to use at thousands of stores brings home computing to people that would not be exposed to it otherwise. That’s good, isn’t it?

]]> By: Joel Mclaughlinhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-26039 Joel Mclaughlin Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:23:13 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-26039 Yes Lex it does. Yes Lex it does.

]]> By: Lexhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-26025 Lex Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:13:10 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-26025 Wal-Mart has tons of brand-name stuff. If you want to pay more, there are lots of other choices. Hey, I saw a redneck in a Neiman Marcus once so this cuts both ways. :-O Wal-Mart has tons of brand-name stuff. If you want to pay more, there are lots of other choices. Hey, I saw a redneck in a Neiman Marcus once so this cuts both ways. :-O

]]> By: Why there’s no more Linux at Wal-Mart | best tech newshttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25939 Why there’s no more Linux at Wal-Mart | best tech news Sat, 15 Mar 2008 06:10:32 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25939 [...] Why Walmart isn’t the place for Linux [GearDiary] [...] [...] Why Walmart isn’t the place for Linux [GearDiary] [...]

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25888 Judie Lipsett Sat, 15 Mar 2008 02:15:38 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25888 Too true, Joel. :lol: But not working for me...working with me. :-) Too true, Joel. :lol: But not working for me…working with me. :-)

]]> By: Joel Mclaughlinhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25885 Joel Mclaughlin Sat, 15 Mar 2008 02:12:27 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25885 I'm a old reader too! ;) Sometimes we end up workin for ya! ;) I’m a old reader too! ;) Sometimes we end up workin for ya! ;)

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25882 Judie Lipsett Sat, 15 Mar 2008 02:02:21 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25882 "I’m a fan since your Gadgeteer days." Awesome! It is always nice to see "old" readers here. :-D “I’m a fan since your Gadgeteer days.”
Awesome! It is always nice to see “old” readers here. :-D

]]> By: n0dozhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25881 n0doz Sat, 15 Mar 2008 01:54:29 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25881 ...and that apparent lack of accuracy is (IMHO, of course) precisely why mass marketers have such a hard time justifying bringing an item like Linux to market. BTW, I think the lack of accurate figures pertains more to single users like Joel; the use of Linux in professional applications should likely be easily determined. We know there are devotees of the OS other than business and industry but how do you explain that to your investors or board of directors, especially when those folks are used to using hard data to back up their decisions? Oh, well...at least there's still the online option. That's actually a pretty good deal at WalMart - they'll deliver an online order to your local store, so it's almost like having it right there anyway. And thank you for the welcome, Judie... I'm a fan since your Gadgeteer days. …and that apparent lack of accuracy is (IMHO, of course) precisely why mass marketers have such a hard time justifying bringing an item like Linux to market. BTW, I think the lack of accurate figures pertains more to single users like Joel; the use of Linux in professional applications should likely be easily determined.
We know there are devotees of the OS other than business and industry but how do you explain that to your investors or board of directors, especially when those folks are used to using hard data to back up their decisions? Oh, well…at least there’s still the online option. That’s actually a pretty good deal at WalMart – they’ll deliver an online order to your local store, so it’s almost like having it right there anyway.
And thank you for the welcome, Judie… I’m a fan since your Gadgeteer days.

]]> By: CrunchGear » Archive » Why there’s no more Linux at Wal-Marthttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25869 CrunchGear » Archive » Why there’s no more Linux at Wal-Mart Fri, 14 Mar 2008 23:32:12 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25869 [...] Why Walmart isn’t the place for Linux [GearDiary] tr { border: 0px } td { cellborder: 10px; padding:5px; } table { border: 1px solid silver; margin-left: 20px; width: 540px; padding: 5px; } [...] [...] Why Walmart isn’t the place for Linux [GearDiary] tr { border: 0px } td { cellborder: 10px; padding:5px; } table { border: 1px solid silver; margin-left: 20px; width: 540px; padding: 5px; } [...]

]]> By: Joel Mclaughlinhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25837 Joel Mclaughlin Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:05:44 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25837 n0doz, Hey thanks for joining in. Walmart's still selling Linux machines, just not in the brick and mortar stores. Be very careful when counting market share numbers. <a href="http://www.oreillynet.com/linux/blog/2007/10/how_can_linux_market_share_be.html" rel="nofollow">This article</a> over on Oreillynet.com says that sometimes Windows servers and desktops get counted as a Windows sale. The PC originally may have had Windows on it, but we will turn the machine on long enough to open the CD tray, pop a Linux disk in and install Linux before Windows ever booted. That machine should be counted as a Linux box, but was counted as a Windows machine at the time of the sale. Market share numbers with Linux especially is incredibly hard to measure with any accuracy. n0doz,

Hey thanks for joining in.

Walmart’s still selling Linux machines, just not in the brick and mortar stores.

Be very careful when counting market share numbers. This article over on Oreillynet.com says that sometimes Windows servers and desktops get counted as a Windows sale. The PC originally may have had Windows on it, but we will turn the machine on long enough to open the CD tray, pop a Linux disk in and install Linux before Windows ever booted. That machine should be counted as a Linux box, but was counted as a Windows machine at the time of the sale. Market share numbers with Linux especially is incredibly hard to measure with any accuracy.

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25836 Judie Lipsett Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:00:48 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25836 @n0doz - sometimes items with links get held for moderation - I'll go ahead and approve it if it shows up, as some might like to see the sources you cited. Welcome to Gear Diary, we are happy to hear from you! :-) @n0doz – sometimes items with links get held for moderation – I’ll go ahead and approve it if it shows up, as some might like to see the sources you cited. Welcome to Gear Diary, we are happy to hear from you! :-)

]]> By: Joel Mclaughlinhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25835 Joel Mclaughlin Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:54:29 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25835 Exactly! :D I LOVE seeing that moment! The same goes for anything in technology really. Some people see me and my MP3 player and ask me tons of questions. Then later, they go and by what I've been using. I had that experience with my wife and Firefox. Once I showed her how to use tabbed browsing, she was hooked! Exactly! :D I LOVE seeing that moment! The same goes for anything in technology really. Some people see me and my MP3 player and ask me tons of questions. Then later, they go and by what I’ve been using.

I had that experience with my wife and Firefox. Once I showed her how to use tabbed browsing, she was hooked!

]]> By: n0dozhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25834 n0doz Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:52:27 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25834 Found my stat...Linux' market share is 0.65%. Explains for me why WalMart made their decision. But I still understand/respect your loyalty to the penguin... the main thing is, you found something you enjoy using. That's what really counts in the end. Thanks for the discussion, enjoyed it. Gotta go to work. BTW, I'm a first-time user on this board...tried twice to post this stat comment with a link to the source, marketshare.hitlink, but it didn't post... sorry if they show up later! Found my stat…Linux’ market share is 0.65%. Explains for me why WalMart made their decision. But I still understand/respect your loyalty to the penguin… the main thing is, you found something you enjoy using. That’s what really counts in the end.
Thanks for the discussion, enjoyed it. Gotta go to work.
BTW, I’m a first-time user on this board…tried twice to post this stat comment with a link to the source, marketshare.hitlink, but it didn’t post… sorry if they show up later!

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25833 Judie Lipsett Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:48:51 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25833 I think people just get comfortable with what they've been using, because they have it exactly how they want it (even if they aren't always happy with it) and they get scared to try something new. But over time, whether it is a shiny new piece of hardware or a friend who will patiently guide them, there can be little events which will bring people out of heir comfort zones, and allow them to try something new. The best part is when they have an a-ha moment with that something new, and you see the makings of a new convert. :-) I think people just get comfortable with what they’ve been using, because they have it exactly how they want it (even if they aren’t always happy with it) and they get scared to try something new.

But over time, whether it is a shiny new piece of hardware or a friend who will patiently guide them, there can be little events which will bring people out of heir comfort zones, and allow them to try something new.

The best part is when they have an a-ha moment with that something new, and you see the makings of a new convert. :-)

]]> By: n0dozhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25831 n0doz Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:44:22 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25831 Sorry if this is a duplicate... I found the stat I was looking for at http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=8 ...where they claim Linux' market share is 0.65%. Joel, almost everything can be measured and usually is by someone. I'd even hazard a guess that there are far more stat geeks than computer geeks. :wink: Sorry if this is a duplicate…
I found the stat I was looking for at http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=8
…where they claim Linux’ market share is 0.65%.
Joel, almost everything can be measured and usually is by someone. I’d even hazard a guess that there are far more stat geeks than computer geeks. :wink:

]]> By: Joel Mclaughlinhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25828 Joel Mclaughlin Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:38:45 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25828 Mac snobbery is WAY worse than Linux, but sometimes I do see Linux guys that need to lighten up. Sometimes even I trend that way! :D The thing that is more annoying is the people who aren't even willing to try. It's all I ask! :cry: Mac snobbery is WAY worse than Linux, but sometimes I do see Linux guys that need to lighten up. Sometimes even I trend that way! :D

The thing that is more annoying is the people who aren’t even willing to try. It’s all I ask! :cry:

]]> By: n0dozhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25826 n0doz Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:37:42 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25826 Never mind... Just found it here: http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=8 ...where they claim it's 0.65%, vs. Windows 91.58% and Apple at 7.46%. Hmmm... WalMart's decision becomes quite clear now, doesn't it? Never mind… Just found it here: http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=8
…where they claim it’s 0.65%, vs. Windows 91.58% and Apple at 7.46%.
Hmmm… WalMart’s decision becomes quite clear now, doesn’t it?

]]> By: Joel Mclaughlinhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25825 Joel Mclaughlin Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:36:41 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25825 "So… what is the market share for Linux, anyway?" I'd say it's immeasurable. How in the world can you tell how many times a Linux disc image is used? I mean without putting spyware on it? ;) “So… what is the market share for Linux, anyway?”

I’d say it’s immeasurable. How in the world can you tell how many times a Linux disc image is used? I mean without putting spyware on it? ;)

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25824 Judie Lipsett Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:35:15 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25824 n0doz - I totally understand about snobbery being off-putting. I think it was part of the reason that I avoided Mac for so long. <blockquote>I truly believe it’s the consumer who must educate him/herself before entering the store, not the consumer expecting the store to do the educating.</blockquote> Totally agree. n0doz – I totally understand about snobbery being off-putting. I think it was part of the reason that I avoided Mac for so long.

I truly believe it’s the consumer who must educate him/herself before entering the store, not the consumer expecting the store to do the educating.

Totally agree.

]]> By: Joel Mclaughlinhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25823 Joel Mclaughlin Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:34:16 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25823 Wow. That's amazing! :D Seriously, there are some very good people that are working for Walmart. Same goes with Radio Shack or any other retail outlet. Occasionally I will run into someone who knows something. Unfortunately for Walmart and other retail places, they soon wise up and leave. I've seen it in almost every department. You finally get someone that can help you and knows what he's talking about, and then they get a better job and leave. :( As for Joe Sixpack messing up, yeah I agree. It's not Walmarts fault. It just ticks me off a bit that there were so many stories that said Walmart was giving up on Linux or Middle America hates Linux.....which isn't exactly true. Sure, Walmart customers aren't looking for Linux always, but some are. Also, Walmart is still selling them online. Wow. That’s amazing! :D

Seriously, there are some very good people that are working for Walmart. Same goes with Radio Shack or any other retail outlet. Occasionally I will run into someone who knows something. Unfortunately for Walmart and other retail places, they soon wise up and leave. I’ve seen it in almost every department. You finally get someone that can help you and knows what he’s talking about, and then they get a better job and leave. :(

As for Joe Sixpack messing up, yeah I agree. It’s not Walmarts fault.

It just ticks me off a bit that there were so many stories that said Walmart was giving up on Linux or Middle America hates Linux…..which isn’t exactly true. Sure, Walmart customers aren’t looking for Linux always, but some are. Also, Walmart is still selling them online.

]]> By: n0dozhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25822 n0doz Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:29:32 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25822 I'm all for education, except that I truly believe it's the consumer who must educate him/herself before entering the store, not the consumer expecting the store to do the educating. And when I do expect to gain info from a clerk, I try to find one that is more well-versed than I am about a product. Honestly, I thought most people looking to save some money did it that way. I'm also all for expanding the availability of alternatives to the "same old thing", i.e., Windows. I don't personally use Linux, but I don't currently have a need to change OSs, either. I have the opinion that most of the computer-using population feels that way, too. Unfortunately, that means that volume retailers aren't going to feature products that appeal to a small segment. Really, I think that a bigger surprise than WalMart pulling the plug on a Linux unit would be a computer-only specialty store doing so. For WalMart, it's all about the bottom line...support for a small-niche item is not even a consideration. I certainly understand and respect the "once you try it you're hooked" attitude that users of other OSs have; it's the snobbery that some of them have (not pointing fingers here) that sets me off. So... what is the market share for Linux, anyway? I’m all for education, except that I truly believe it’s the consumer who must educate him/herself before entering the store, not the consumer expecting the store to do the educating. And when I do expect to gain info from a clerk, I try to find one that is more well-versed than I am about a product. Honestly, I thought most people looking to save some money did it that way.
I’m also all for expanding the availability of alternatives to the “same old thing”, i.e., Windows. I don’t personally use Linux, but I don’t currently have a need to change OSs, either. I have the opinion that most of the computer-using population feels that way, too. Unfortunately, that means that volume retailers aren’t going to feature products that appeal to a small segment. Really, I think that a bigger surprise than WalMart pulling the plug on a Linux unit would be a computer-only specialty store doing so. For WalMart, it’s all about the bottom line…support for a small-niche item is not even a consideration.
I certainly understand and respect the “once you try it you’re hooked” attitude that users of other OSs have; it’s the snobbery that some of them have (not pointing fingers here) that sets me off.
So… what is the market share for Linux, anyway?

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25820 Judie Lipsett Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:22:32 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25820 <blockquote>Sales clerks education….yeah that sounds good. ;) Never happen.</blockquote> Now hon, you are letting your bias show. ;-) I'll have you know that when I went in there looking at Zunes, they knew exactly what they were and how they were different than iPods. They also had a nice assortment of Creative and Sandisk MP3 players, and the salesman had no trouble telling me pros and cons. Maybe San Angelo just has better AV guys, but I bet a lot of them, across the country, take pride in their job and in knowing about the products they sell...assuming people bother to ask questions, of course!! If Joe Six-Pack goes into a WalMart and buys a $400ish laptop computer for his kid and never talks to anyone about why it's so inexpensive, then it's not necessarily WalMart's fault that he didn't ask. That would be like me buying Windows software and being mad that it wouldn't work in my Mac (even though it will now, that is beside the point!).

Sales clerks education….yeah that sounds good. ;) Never happen.

Now hon, you are letting your bias show. ;-)

I’ll have you know that when I went in there looking at Zunes, they knew exactly what they were and how they were different than iPods. They also had a nice assortment of Creative and Sandisk MP3 players, and the salesman had no trouble telling me pros and cons. Maybe San Angelo just has better AV guys, but I bet a lot of them, across the country, take pride in their job and in knowing about the products they sell…assuming people bother to ask questions, of course!!

If Joe Six-Pack goes into a WalMart and buys a $400ish laptop computer for his kid and never talks to anyone about why it’s so inexpensive, then it’s not necessarily WalMart’s fault that he didn’t ask. That would be like me buying Windows software and being mad that it wouldn’t work in my Mac (even though it will now, that is beside the point!).

]]> By: Joel Mclaughlinhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25817 Joel Mclaughlin Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:53:43 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25817 In other words.....boutiquify Linux! :D In other words…..boutiquify Linux! :D

]]> By: Joel Mclaughlinhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25816 Joel Mclaughlin Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:52:44 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25816 Hey Judie. So do I! :D My wife likes it for groceries but I would rather go to Kroger....better selection there. Sales clerks education....yeah that sounds good. ;) Never happen. Personally, what I would LOVE to do is start a business promoting Linux preinstalled computers. I would do a store front similar to what Apple does and even put free wifi in the store and hey let's sucker them in...put a GOOD coffee shop in the store too. Make Linux appear as cool as Apple and you got a winner. I think machines like the one whose review I am going to get done this weekend are going to do alot for Linux. This UltraLap SR is pretty nice looking. It's shiny and cool looking for sure! :D Hey Judie. So do I! :D My wife likes it for groceries but I would rather go to Kroger….better selection there.

Sales clerks education….yeah that sounds good. ;) Never happen.

Personally, what I would LOVE to do is start a business promoting Linux preinstalled computers. I would do a store front similar to what Apple does and even put free wifi in the store and hey let’s sucker them in…put a GOOD coffee shop in the store too.

Make Linux appear as cool as Apple and you got a winner. I think machines like the one whose review I am going to get done this weekend are going to do alot for Linux. This UltraLap SR is pretty nice looking. It’s shiny and cool looking for sure! :D

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25813 Judie Lipsett Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:45:34 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25813 Hey! I shop at WalMart, too. And I think it's a little bit unfair to classify all of their shoppers as low income, when they are selling flat screen LCD and plasma TVs in the AV section, and I don't even own one, yet. :-P Anyway, I do agree with this statement: "People are used to buying 5 inch round plastic disks and shoving them in the slot and installing a program. With gOS and Ubuntu, your likely going to be using Synaptic or some other program to download the new program and install it and that function is alien to alot of people." I think there needed to be brochures next to the devices that explained what you could and couldn't do - something well done, easy to read, and engaging. And a little bit of AV sales floor education, just to allow the clerks to in turn educate the customers. Hey! I shop at WalMart, too. And I think it’s a little bit unfair to classify all of their shoppers as low income, when they are selling flat screen LCD and plasma TVs in the AV section, and I don’t even own one, yet. :-P

Anyway, I do agree with this statement: “People are used to buying 5 inch round plastic disks and shoving them in the slot and installing a program. With gOS and Ubuntu, your likely going to be using Synaptic or some other program to download the new program and install it and that function is alien to alot of people.”

I think there needed to be brochures next to the devices that explained what you could and couldn’t do – something well done, easy to read, and engaging. And a little bit of AV sales floor education, just to allow the clerks to in turn educate the customers.

]]> By: reidmehttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25810 reidme Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:58:25 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25810 LOL. That I would have to agree with. LOL. That I would have to agree with.

]]> By: n0dozhttp://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25809 n0doz Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:56:44 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2008/03/13/why-walmart-isnt-the-place-for-linux/#comment-25809 A little off the mark. Retail, and in particular mega-retail like WalMart, has less to do with a small segment of the market like Linux and more to do with sales and profit. What is the market share for Linux, 10% or less? For a company to even take a chance on mass-marketing Linux from a sales standpoint is amazing in itself. WalMart is obviously trying different approaches as it works to expand the types of "specialty" markets (electronics, computer, HDTV, etc.) that it competes in. Not every sub-group can be morphed into a mega-retailer's style of sales, and Linux is apparently one of those sub-groups. Rather than bashing the big W for dropping Linux, why not praise it for at least trying? By the way, I don't work for WalMart, but I do shop there. I keep looking for those drooling, impoverished, illiterate droogies that all the elitists claim are WalMart employees, but I can't find any... unless they're actually making fun of the nice handicapped kid that pulls the carts back from the parking lot. Shame. A little off the mark.
Retail, and in particular mega-retail like WalMart, has less to do with a small segment of the market like Linux and more to do with sales and profit. What is the market share for Linux, 10% or less? For a company to even take a chance on mass-marketing Linux from a sales standpoint is amazing in itself. WalMart is obviously trying different approaches as it works to expand the types of “specialty” markets (electronics, computer, HDTV, etc.) that it competes in. Not every sub-group can be morphed into a mega-retailer’s style of sales, and Linux is apparently one of those sub-groups. Rather than bashing the big W for dropping Linux, why not praise it for at least trying?
By the way, I don’t work for WalMart, but I do shop there. I keep looking for those drooling, impoverished, illiterate droogies that all the elitists claim are WalMart employees, but I can’t find any… unless they’re actually making fun of the nice handicapped kid that pulls the carts back from the parking lot. Shame.

]]>