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Ubuntu on DELL
I tried out the Ubuntu Alternate CD install on an old Dell 3700 Inspiron (Celeron 433), a Dell Dimension PIII-667, and a PowerEdge SC420. I was pleasantly surprised with the ease of install, slow but acceptable performance from the old machines and swift performance on the SC420.
I was considering purchasing a new Dell for my parents with Ubuntu preinstalled. While Ubuntu has made great strides, there are a couple of items that I would like to know if Dell is going to address for a preinstalled shipped box:
1. Lack of a configured firewall on Ubuntu (I've read all the reasons for not having a firewall on the default installation. I'm not convinced and will require a default firewall configuration along with a firewall configuration tool. There are plenty of options in the repositories, the questions is what is Dell going to preinstall).
2. NTP package is not present in Alternate CD default install.
3. Skype package is not present in Alternate CD default install.
4. Is there any webcam that Dell is going to provide that works with Skype and Ubuntu out of the box?
I would essentially like to order a machine to send to parents that they do not have to do anything but just plugin to get going. My past experience is that electronics sits in the corner in their house if there are initial problems.
Lastly, (this belongs on IdeaStorm), I wish Dell would focus this rollout of Ubuntu on two fronts:
1. In developing nations, such as India and S. America, where the numbers of consumers willing and able to purchase are staggering. There are many consumers in those countries who are using pirated versions of Windows XP and cannot get MS Updates to use with their new webcams and Skype. (Skype is a well known brand name in that part of the world).
2. The upcoming "Back to School/college" market opportunity in the US.
Message Edited by dattark on 05-29-2007 01:31 PM
I was considering purchasing a new Dell for my parents with Ubuntu preinstalled. While Ubuntu has made great strides, there are a couple of items that I would like to know if Dell is going to address for a preinstalled shipped box:
1. Lack of a configured firewall on Ubuntu (I've read all the reasons for not having a firewall on the default installation. I'm not convinced and will require a default firewall configuration along with a firewall configuration tool. There are plenty of options in the repositories, the questions is what is Dell going to preinstall).
2. NTP package is not present in Alternate CD default install.
3. Skype package is not present in Alternate CD default install.
4. Is there any webcam that Dell is going to provide that works with Skype and Ubuntu out of the box?
I would essentially like to order a machine to send to parents that they do not have to do anything but just plugin to get going. My past experience is that electronics sits in the corner in their house if there are initial problems.
Lastly, (this belongs on IdeaStorm), I wish Dell would focus this rollout of Ubuntu on two fronts:
1. In developing nations, such as India and S. America, where the numbers of consumers willing and able to purchase are staggering. There are many consumers in those countries who are using pirated versions of Windows XP and cannot get MS Updates to use with their new webcams and Skype. (Skype is a well known brand name in that part of the world).
2. The upcoming "Back to School/college" market opportunity in the US.
Message Edited by dattark on 05-29-2007 01:31 PM
PriceChild
8 Posts
345
0
Posted May 30th, 2007 12:00
Ubuntu _does_ contain a firewall by default!
It ships with no open ports by default, meaning if you install something like openssh-server or apache2 then its your responsibility to know that ports 22 and 80 are now listening for connections.
If you want to lock your system down further, I'd suggest a quick "sudo apt-get install firestarter" which can then be run from the System > Admin menu. Its a super-easy gui to alter the way iptables is set up. Don't worry about keeping firestarter open or loading it again each boot... firestarter is just a status/logging/tweaking app and doesn't start the iptables itself and is so safe to close. The changes you make will be made again next boot.
Pricey
Message Edited by PriceChild on 05-30-2007 02:24 PM- My initial post was probably not clear as to my requirements. I was looking for a "Drop Ship" solution that works out of the box for my parents (no additional package installation required and with a default configured firewall plus webcam and Skype compatibility). I was hoping that Dell's Linux offering would meet my requirements although I had still had some questions.
I've been involved professionally with Linux (FC/RH) over the last seven years and am aware of many of the options but naturally not all of them.
It appears that the iMac meets my particular requirements at this time. Just trying to find a machine that will work per my requirements for old folk with limited hand holding (Unfortunately Windows still does not cut it for them) or telephone instructions.
Thanks for the responses.
Bobby Budnick
4 Posts
345
0
Posted May 29th, 2007 20:00
2. Maybe this is a good idea.
3. Skype is proprietary/closed source software.
4. Many Linux apps do not yet offer webcam support. To my knowledge, Skype is one of them.
Message Edited by Bobby Budnick on 05-29-2007 05:01 PM