Hello,
Somehow I had a feeling I was going to write another message in this subject. Tzafrir Cohen wrote: > You mean: asking them to do what Dell already does today in Israel > (preload with FreeDOS) is too much? > > If they're not doing so voluntarily, yes. A computer vendor, like any vendor, has a group of people which should have a synchronized view of what they are selling and supporting. The more complicated the picture gets, the more flavors the products have, the more resources they need to maintain that. It sounds simple when you look at your own single request, but it becomes a mess when you hear all crazy things people are asking for. So I understand why they say no. They have the right to bundle Windows as they see fit, and we have the right to buy what we want. Since Linux users are a drop in the sea (someone said 0.5%?) asking for a non-Windows computer is in almost all cases equal to "I'll install some cracked Windows I have". As for getting a refund, I'm really not sure that will work in a larger scale. It worked once, basically because Dell's main concern was to finish the story with as little noise as possible (that didn't work...). But let's face it: If you buy a travel package including hotel and flight, you can't get a refund for the hotel, and surely not for the price the hotel alone would cost you (unless the hotel doesn't meet its promises). And everyone knows you can get an hotel and a flight separately. And yes, there are some hotels which you can get a bed in only through a package deal. The laptop and the OS are bundled as a package deal, and you know it when you buy the laptop. Before the installation, your asked to "contact the manufacturer or installer to determine their return policy for a refund or credit" unless you approve with the license agreement. Their refund policy can be 0 NIS as well. Exactly as you won't get a refund if you choose not to sleep in the hotel, which you got bundled with the flight. To summarize my view: If there will be a demand for Linux or non-OS laptops, don't worry. Someone will supply it. But as long as this is something very few request, it's in a line with "I want a laptop manufactured in Dolphin-friendly countries" or something like that. Yet another annoying customer. Eli -- Web: http://www.billauer.co.il _______________________________________________ Haifux mailing list Haifux@haifux.org http://hamakor.org.il/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/haifux