IBM/Red Hat Continues 52
homebrewer writes "This quick
little blurb on www.yahoo.com tells about IBM teaming up
with Red Hat to sell Linux." Someone else submitted
some bits about IBM providing Think Pads to hackers to make
sure that Linux runs properly? IBM is doing a lot of the
right things. I hear we should expect big things from them
at LinuxWorld too. Update: 02/18 08:43 by CT : here's a
related story.
Similiar stuff, litte more detailed.
A Question -- Consumer PCs? (Score:1)
What exactly does that mean? I hope I can still be an individual and buy a single computer with Linux on it at a fair price...
Are Thinkpads really that great? (Score:1)
Oh yeah, and the TrackPoint stick also sets it well above the rest.
Are Thinkpads really that great? (Score:1)
The quality is higher, to the extent that an older IBM unit with a 486 chip and a 10.4" screen appeared superior to my P133 with a 12.1" screen. For example, the screen on the IBM was so much brighter that it appeared to be larger than mine. Moreover, the quality of construction appeared to surpass my unit; which had about 5-6 dead pixels, developed a stress crack on the top of the case, and suffered a premature death of a Lithium Ion battery (for which I could not get a technical support response).
This unit, cost above $6000 including leasing fees and a higher level of support. With the remarkable decrease in laptop pricing, one should look at the current top-of-line laptops - but one that is just been supplanted by a newer version.
For example, the introduction of the PII chips to the 770 line did not give a large performance boost, but was costly in terms of battery life (from memory: it dropped to about half). Check out a more general source, e.g. Value America where this combination could yield a good price.
As a matter of honest disclosure, hardware is not my forte, hence do not rely solely upon my recommendations. These represent my plan of action for my laptop replacement.
One other consideration that is pertinent to a Linux user: it functions satisfactorily on a less fully equiped unit than a Windows OS would require. When in doubt, opt for more memory than CPU rating.
Fox interview (Score:1)
This is very good (insider's view) (Score:1)
(NOTE: Sorry for the double post. This should have originally been a comment. not a reply.)
As I work for IBM, directly with RS/6000's, Netfinity's, and the Thinkpad group as well, I thought I would add a view from the 'inside' of this story.
This is a very good thing for both IBM and Linux. I can assure you all, by talking to people around me, reading Gerstner interviews, and reading intranet news, that IBM is extremely committed and putting a huge amount of resources into this project. The above poster is right: IBM learns from their mistakes. From the experience with Warp we know that we need much better support of our products, and IBM is committed along with RedHat to doing so. We are already running a testbed Netfinity with RH on it here as I write this, and let me tell you, there is nothing like hot-swappable scsi drives in a 3 proccessor machine running Linux.
BTW, as an answer to an earlier question, ThinkPads (especially the newer models...600(E), 770, 390, etc are some of the best products I've seen IBM churn out. Highly reccommended. And yes, we are working on DVD in linux on a 600E. Hope this sheds some light on the subject.
Mustang|
Are Thinkpads really that great? (Score:1)
In a word YES!
I work as a consultant and have seen many people with Dells, Gateways, Microns, and Compaqs. Of those, the people who had IBM laptops like those the best.
If you are faced with the decision of shelling out big buck$ for a laptop and have to choose between an IBM or a cheaper model with more features, GET THE IBM. It is worth the technical support.
I am currently on a client site that has had worlds of trouble with Gateways and getting them to talk to the network.
Cheers!
RedHat press release (Score:1)
This alliance is now acknowledged by RedHat, in a press release [redhat.com].
Good news (Score:1)
Yes (Score:1)
Older Thinkpad 770 (200 P5, 1024x768x16) costs less than latest 300Mh PII from craptops.com will take 256Meg ram and is sturdy as fuck, runs Linux perfectly, very expandable and top quality, 5hr battery, THREE YEAR GUARANTEE.
Picked up mine for £1000 - worth every penny.
IBM dosn't do things half way anymore (Score:1)
The funny thing is that they were superior technology at the time. It just didn't count for much compared to comodity hardware that was 1/2 as fast and 1/3 as rubost. Since Linux has the advantages on both sides of that war ( better quality and multiple vendors ). IBM knows it's the next cash cow. It's the thing that can push the IBM percentage of PC sales into duble figures.
Remember, Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM (Score:1)
Remember, Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM
As a side note, the WSJ has been a good source for following the DOJ trial.
Good to see them doing the right thing (Score:1)
IBM *really* blew it in the 80's and early 90's. MCA and PS/2's anyone? Oh yeah, and OS/2.
Let's hope the techies driving this (?) at IBM can keep management (?) from screwing things up, like binary-only drivers with closed source. I hope they can find a few tidbits in OS/2 that are worth sharing with us, since by their own quiet admission OS/2 is dead on the desktop, and in mostly in maintanance mode on the server.
Lets see them bundle Creative hardware, and maybe the other hardware vendors will come around and support Linux.
I think we are over that first bump, and now these fence-sitting software vendors will come around. Otherwise, someone'll build a free OSS tool that does the job, like FreeCiv and GIMP. 'Hey, support us or we will assimilate your customers and clone your software!'
Don't forget HPFS! (Score:1)
DVD??? (Score:1)
Maybe this will increase Linux support for DVD?
*drools*
Are Thinkpads really that great? (Score:1)
Let me know if that's not true.
~afniv
"Man könnte froh sein, wenn die Luft so rein wäre wie das Bier"
"We could be happy if the air was as pure as the beer"
Anyone try the new ThinkPad i-Series? (Score:1)
D
IBM systems not subject to MS tax per WSJ (Score:1)
However, the systems will apparently be sold and supported by resellers, not IBM directly. This makes me a bit confused - it's unclear whether the systems will be shipped with Windows preloaded and then erased, or if there will be a special "no OS" order.
I hope VA or some other Linux company will buy and resell these systems - I'd love to have a ThinkPad with supported Linux, particularly if it was a 3xx series (since I, sadly, can't justify $ 4-5k for the 770s, more's the pity
A question for IBMers in the audience: Where does ValueAmerica get ThinkPad 770s to sell for $ 1,799.00? I thought IBM sold every one they could make at a high price, and then went straight to the next model. Seems like you'd have to find a massive glitch in IBM's systems to still have 233mhz 770s lying around, but I notice this has happened several times. What's the real story?
(Memo to anyone seriously considering ValueAmerica: Their price for a contemporary ThinkPad (770X) is higher than IBM's "suggested price". Caveat Emptor).
D
Payback (Score:1)
It's payback time.
Still with Windows? (Score:1)
pubic domain?!?!?!? (Score:1)
Ack! (Score:1)
I want one! Anyone have more info on that?
Of course, posting it here will completely kill anyone's chances of getting one, but still...
Boston Globe blunder (Score:1)
Oy.
Headline News even mentioned this... (Score:1)
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have arrived.
Are Thinkpads really that great? (Score:1)
Best Thinkpad Support call: "I dropped my Thinkpad from a third story window and cracked the case. The Duct Tape that's holding the display on is starting to peel off, so I figure it's time to get it replaced."
"When did you drop it sir?"
"About eight months ago."
IBM's motive for adopting Linux (Score:1)
(Note: I'm not speaking in any official capacity. I just work for Big Blue, and I know how we think.)
Thinkpads R kewl (Score:1)
It's about time IBM started supporting Linux properly & I applaud this completely.