3 ms·

I think your claim that they're somehow using Ubuntu's free CD package is a bit of a stretch. It's a big claim to make without any backing evidence. Don't you t

by icey 18y ago

I think your claim that they're somehow using Ubuntu's free CD package is a bit of a stretch. It's a big claim to make without any backing evidence. Don't you think Ubuntu would take notice if Best Buy asked them for 5,000 free copies? Best Buy has been selling Linux distributions for years - I bought a copy of Slackware in like 99 or 2000 because I didn't want to spend the time downloading it; as an added bonus, it came with a manual that I could let my girlfriend use if she wanted to toy around with it.

rplevy 18y ago
Good call, I highly doubt Best Buy is getting free copies from Ubuntu. If they are pressed by Ubuntu they must be paying something for them, and it is perfectly reasonable to sell at a profit because as someone else said they are selling the convenience. But I don't understand why Ubuntu gives away officially pressed copies for free, even to individuals. I think there should be a price to cover the manufacturing costs and to support Ubuntu. The OS itself of course should be free (in the gratis sense, but obviously also the libre sense). I think the same is true for music, which I normally download for free, but will pay for some nice artwork and officially printed CD (or vinyl record), especially if I want to support the artist.
- icey 18y ago
  It's a loss leader for them. The idea is that if they can get enough people using Ubuntu, then their actual business (Ubuntu support) will grow, because they will have a larger consumer base to support.
- pavelludiq 18y ago
  i ordered a few kubuntu CDs a while ago and use them to convert my less technical friends to kubuntu. People just like pretty packaged CD's. I would.t buy them though, but its a good idea, from canonicals side to shipped these free CDs. Its like a free demo, if you like it, you buy support. It seems to be working, they are still not out of business, i don't know how profitable they are though.
  - etal 18y ago
    It helps that Mark Shuttleworth has F-U money. He's coy about Canonical's revenue/profitability, but last I heard, they're not profitable yet -- but their planning is long-term and very ambitious. Blurb: "That means that we can fundamentally change the business model of the OS industry. Of course, it till take time to prove that we can achieve this, but we have a superb team and now that Ubuntu is well established we see increasing demand for services from Canonical, which is positive." -- http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/148 http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/148

by icey 18y ago

rplevy 18y ago

Good call, I highly doubt Best Buy is getting free copies from Ubuntu. If they are pressed by Ubuntu they must be paying something for them, and it is perfectly reasonable to sell at a profit because as someone else said they are selling the convenience. But I don't understand why Ubuntu gives away officially pressed copies for free, even to individuals. I think there should be a price to cover the manufacturing costs and to support Ubuntu. The OS itself of course should be free (in the gratis sense, but obviously also the libre sense). I think the same is true for music, which I normally download for free, but will pay for some nice artwork and officially printed CD (or vinyl record), especially if I want to support the artist.

icey 18y ago
It's a loss leader for them. The idea is that if they can get enough people using Ubuntu, then their actual business (Ubuntu support) will grow, because they will have a larger consumer base to support.
pavelludiq 18y ago
i ordered a few kubuntu CDs a while ago and use them to convert my less technical friends to kubuntu. People just like pretty packaged CD's. I would.t buy them though, but its a good idea, from canonicals side to shipped these free CDs. Its like a free demo, if you like it, you buy support. It seems to be working, they are still not out of business, i don't know how profitable they are though.
- etal 18y ago
  It helps that Mark Shuttleworth has F-U money. He's coy about Canonical's revenue/profitability, but last I heard, they're not profitable yet -- but their planning is long-term and very ambitious. Blurb: "That means that we can fundamentally change the business model of the OS industry. Of course, it till take time to prove that we can achieve this, but we have a superb team and now that Ubuntu is well established we see increasing demand for services from Canonical, which is positive." -- http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/148 http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/148