IBM Launches Microsoft-Free Linux PCs

[bemildred]

IBM has introduced a line of business computers that eschew Microsoft's ubiquitous desktop environment in favor of an amalgam of open source software.

The system, which IBM calls the Open Collaboration Client, combines the Linux operating system with IBM's open source Lotus Symphony desktop package.

Symphony includes word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet applications based on the Open Document Format. IBM Lotus Notes apps are also available.

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IBM claims the system can save businesses $500 to $800 per user on Microsoft software licenses and an additional $258 per user "since there is no need to upgrade hardware to support Windows Vista and Office."

http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/open_source/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=212202109&cid=iwhome_art_Open+_mostpop

[Deja Q]

1. I thought IBM sold its desktop/laptop PC division to Lenovo a few years ago.

[bemildred]

2. It is hard to keep up. nt

[Phred42]

3. Exactly - that was my questions too.

What happened did IBM sell off the onld technology to China and start something new?

I know a couple of Fortune 100 companies that would LOVE to dump MS and get into Linux like this

[The Traveler]

4. They did

Apparently, they are back in the biz with an emphasis on Linux desktop. Cool.

[Phred42]

5. not only a non MS OS but apparently new HW technology too

interesting

[Greyhound]

9. Just laptops and now they suck.

The ThinkPads of the 90s were awesome little workhorses.

[CatholicEdHead]

20. Only the SL series

The T and R are still pretty solid (typing this on an R61i right now).

[dkofos]

6. Linux is ready for primetime!!

[DavidDvorkin]

7. Not Open Office?

Hmm.

[Greyhound]

10. Open Office developed by Sun, so IBM wouldn't use it. n/t

[DavidDvorkin]

14. That's what I assumed was the reason

But I think it's an odd decision, anyway, for the long-term success of this project.

[Greyhound]

15. Doesn't matter, Open Office is free and compatible so the only difference

is that the Lotus version will be pre-loaded. Ubuntu has made Linux accessible to nearly everyone and M$ has been feeling the competition, outside the US, for quite a while.

M$ will be another "too big to fail" disaster in the future, especially now that Balmer is running it, the man is a dolt and knows nothing about computer systems.

[msongs]

8. link in the OP is not working. won't work with firefox? nt

[bemildred]

19. Might be Javashit, it works for me, Firefox on Windoze.

Or if could be a lot of things.

[Sebastian Doyle]

11. I wonder which Linux distro they're using, or if they came up with their own?

Canonical is mentioned, which would suggest a Ubuntu connection. But would it be regular old Ubuntu, or will there now be an IBMbuntu along with Kubuntu, Edubuntu, Medibuntu, Xubuntu, Christubuntu, and any others I might have forgotten.

[MazeRat7]

12. Been "windows" free for many years now... and it feels good.

However, I've wondered when Linux would hit real "prime-time" and pass the infamous "Can my mother use it test"... ;) I'm not sure we are there yet, its still pretty complicated for the average non-technical user.

*For those that want to know, I run Fedora and Ubuntu on all my servers, desktops, and laptops. The only caveat is I got saddled with NetGear Wirless G card from work and had to use the windows ndiswrapper to run the NetGear "proprietary" drivers that normally run only under windows.

Glad IBM is doing this. It's long overdue. IMHO.

Peace,
MZr7

[Greyhound]

21. Your mother can use Ubuntu (with some qualifiers) now.

In my experience, Gutsy, Hardy, and Feisty, have all proven to be even easier to load & run than windoze. The exceptions have been when, like you mentioned, a device is not one of those than Ubuntu can configure during installation, and wireless is the most common hiccup.

[mudesi]

13. It's just not going to happen. Stop dreaming

Linux is just not user friendly enough for the average joe.

[RC]

16. Hog Wash.

It is just as easy to use, just different.

I just loaded UBUNTU 8 on an old pc I had laying around. It had a Linksys wireless card in it. The only question UNBUNTU ask was for who I wanted to connect to. I selected my network and it ask for the security password. It just worked.
I have a shared printer. No problem there either. Just a few clicks of the mouse.

[Tesha]

22. Google and their G1/Android phone seems to feel differently ;-)

Linux is what you make of it.

Tesha

[Regret My New Name]

23. Hmmm.. That depends on what you're doing with it and what distro you use.

I don't use it much, but ubuntu seems very user friendly to me(which is why I don't use it...harharhar) Now if you're doing something more advanced that requires advanced knowledge of the underlying system, then you're probably not just an 'average Joe user'... But for someone who just wants to use their computer to browse the net, download music, look at porn, play solitaire, and send emails, I fail to see how it's any more difficult than Windows...

[BelgianMadCow]

17. Great news. Hope more will follow, and with the evolution to small affordable laptops

I think we will see others follow suit.

It makes total sense to buy and use such a machine. The only problem is getting a large enough user base, critical mass if you will, so that people will develop for it / support it.

The way M$ has bought up game companies, to then develop for Direct X 10 and Vista is nothing short of a coup for example. The road is long, but the only way is up ;-)

[BelgianMadCow]

18. dupe

don't keep 2 DU windows open when you post :-/