14 ms·

Normally I'd say it's difficult for the retailer to support enthusiast needs like this. It can just be too costly. For example, maybe their return inspection po

by lnanek2 14y ago

Normally I'd say it's difficult for the retailer to support enthusiast needs like this. It can just be too costly. For example, maybe their return inspection policy is to run some Windows test software or something and it would have to be rewritten to multi-platform, or all their inspectors would have to spend time learning how to and reinstalling Windows, etc.. Push them too hard and they will run away from Linux crying due to the higher costs for few sales, like some sellers of hardware with Linux out of the box have done, or competitors not footing the bill will beat them out. It is a very low margin business where just having the automatic conveyor belts to put bins near where the parts have to be picked off the shelves helps immensely. Newegg sells a ton of components to enthusiasts and small time computer shops upgrading and building their machines part by part, however. I think they'd be better off with a more lax policy regarding OS installs considering their customer base.

Symmetry 14y ago
I think most of us would be ok if they had a policy of not supporting Linux returns and they were up front about it. But if they don't support Linux returns but claim to potential customers that they do support them then, well, that's problematic.
keithpeter 14y ago
"For example, maybe their return inspection policy is to run some Windows test software or something and it would have to be rewritten to multi-platform, or all their inspectors would have to spend time learning how to and reinstalling Windows, etc.." Or just boot from another device?
schiffern 14y ago
>For example, maybe their return inspection policy is to run some Windows test software or something Why would anyone run that on the user's OS?? If the point is to test the hardware, wouldn't it make more sense to have a custom USB stick OS that automatically runs the appropriate diagnostics after booting? What's easier: 1) plug in USB stick, power on machine, move on, or 2) power on machine, wait for OS to load, plug in USB stick, install diagnostic software, start diagnostics, which may or may not reflect actual hardware problems since you don't have a known-good OS under you? RMAs typically don't troubleshoot software. Even Apple's hardware return people will only offer to wipe your drive and reinstall (you did back up before sending it in, didn't you?)
- excuse-me 14y ago
  But if the returned machine is running some weird Linux OS - how are our bored techs supposed to look through your photos folders for any porn ? - ps we really do not want to see nude photos of the average FOSS developer. - pps No I don't work for Microsoft, but I've been involved in FOSS since before Linux AND there are very few of us that anyone wants to see naked.
kstrauser 14y ago
> For example, maybe their return inspection policy is to run some Windows test software or something I've heard this trotted out before, but it's unequivocally wrong. You just don't test hardware from inside the installed OS. First, that introduces too many variables: how do you clearly disambiguate between hardware issues and software problems? You'd have to install an entire suite of verified-good drivers to make sure you're starting from a known point. Second, how do you get into that OS in the first place? Many corporate (and plenty of prosumer) systems will have BitLocker enabled, and few of those customers will be keen on giving up their admin passwords to NewEgg or any other third party. Some systems will boot directly into an unlocked desktop, sure, but I'd bet good money that NewEgg has received more returned computers with encrypted Windows installations than Linux installations. "We need to run tests under Windows" just isn't a legitimate excuse, unless they're also requiring Windows users to return pristine systems that have never had OS updates, new drivers, or applications installed.

by lnanek2 14y ago

Symmetry 14y ago

I think most of us would be ok if they had a policy of not supporting Linux returns and they were up front about it. But if they don't support Linux returns but claim to potential customers that they do support them then, well, that's problematic.

keithpeter 14y ago

"For example, maybe their return inspection policy is to run some Windows test software or something and it would have to be rewritten to multi-platform, or all their inspectors would have to spend time learning how to and reinstalling Windows, etc.." Or just boot from another device?

schiffern 14y ago

>For example, maybe their return inspection policy is to run some Windows test software or something Why would anyone run that on the user's OS?? If the point is to test the hardware, wouldn't it make more sense to have a custom USB stick OS that automatically runs the appropriate diagnostics after booting? What's easier: 1) plug in USB stick, power on machine, move on, or 2) power on machine, wait for OS to load, plug in USB stick, install diagnostic software, start diagnostics, which may or may not reflect actual hardware problems since you don't have a known-good OS under you? RMAs typically don't troubleshoot software. Even Apple's hardware return people will only offer to wipe your drive and reinstall (you did back up before sending it in, didn't you?)

excuse-me 14y ago
But if the returned machine is running some weird Linux OS - how are our bored techs supposed to look through your photos folders for any porn ? - ps we really do not want to see nude photos of the average FOSS developer. - pps No I don't work for Microsoft, but I've been involved in FOSS since before Linux AND there are very few of us that anyone wants to see naked.

kstrauser 14y ago

> For example, maybe their return inspection policy is to run some Windows test software or something I've heard this trotted out before, but it's unequivocally wrong. You just don't test hardware from inside the installed OS. First, that introduces too many variables: how do you clearly disambiguate between hardware issues and software problems? You'd have to install an entire suite of verified-good drivers to make sure you're starting from a known point. Second, how do you get into that OS in the first place? Many corporate (and plenty of prosumer) systems will have BitLocker enabled, and few of those customers will be keen on giving up their admin passwords to NewEgg or any other third party. Some systems will boot directly into an unlocked desktop, sure, but I'd bet good money that NewEgg has received more returned computers with encrypted Windows installations than Linux installations. "We need to run tests under Windows" just isn't a legitimate excuse, unless they're also requiring Windows users to return pristine systems that have never had OS updates, new drivers, or applications installed.