Linux makes big time

By RICHARD WOOD

Linux has leaped into the consumer mainstream with national retailer Dick Smith Electronics promoting complete Linux PCs starting at $1099.

The entry-level PC detailed on the web at Dick Smith Electronics includes a Duron 1.1GHz processor, 128MB memory, 20GB hard drive, 52x CD-Rom, speakers and 17-inch monitor. The same model without a monitor costs $798, including GST.

The chain's senior computer buyer, Chris Day, says savings of $200 to $600 are possible compared with a Microsoft Windows-based PC.

The Dick Smith brand "Terminator" series has been shipping since the start of the month with Mandrake Linux and OpenOffice and a bundle of other software. The base hardware box comes from ASUS in Taiwan.

Day says the full marketing campaign has yet to kick in, but there are already a lot of inquiries and lookers.

He says some customers will buy just because they want to play around with Linux. He expects students to be keen, as well as small-to-medium enterprises, many of which are integrating Linux into their office environment.

"There is obviously a need from those people for Linux-based desktops."

Day says the PCs are geared up for the first-time user and are "a pretty good little internet tool".

The company has done a deal with ihug for internet access. He says ihug was the only internetprovider willing to supportLinux, which was a surpriseconsidering the widespread useof Linux throughout the internet.

Day would not comment on Dick Smith's relationship with Microsoft, which supplies the operating system on most PC hardware.

If customers subsequently decide they want Microsoft Windows, they can buy that separately and install it.

The Dick Smith Linux PCs come with a CD that will clear the entire hard disk to prepare it for Microsoft Windows and provide the necessary hardware "drivers".

The same CD will also take it back the other way to Linux but is not set up to create "dual boot" PCs with both operating systems on it.

Day says they will keep an eye on the demand for that.

"We're trying to ascertain exactly what the demand is ... We won't really know until the stores start reporting back. We're learning, basically."

He says a scarcity of local accounting software options on Linux should not deter buyers because there are plenty available from countries such as Britain. He expects local vendors to move quickly to fill the gap as well.

Dick Smith Electronics is meeting the New Zealand Open Source Society to promote the product, and identify local services and "bolt on" support programs.

Day says the firm would like to offer a CD that would turn anyone's PC to Linux, but that would require accounting for a multitude of hardware configurations and not all hardware is supported by Linux.

Dick Smith Electronics