Skype > Ubuntu > Dell > Wal-Mart
PC maker Dell 
just signed for Wal-Mart distribution, part of Wal-Mart's challenge to the big-box electronics stores. Will any of Dell's Ubuntu Linux computers be on Wal-Mart shelves? The lower initial and lifetime costs might be popular with Wal-Mart buyers.
If Ubuntu Dells show up in Wal-Marts, this might be good for Skype. Isn't Skype's Debian release sometimes pre-installed on Ubuntu, a user friendly Linux distro? This could be good for Skype's distribution and U.S. branding. Especially since we'll expect most Windows Vista computers to come with other messengers, not Skype.
Strangely, Skype doesn't appear to be Ubuntu Certified.
Comments
This will be an interesting story to track in the next few months, Phil. Ubuntu comes preloaded with Ekiga Softphone - an open source Skype-type application. But Skype's easy enough to install. Dell might very well preload their Ubuntu PC's with apps like Skype. If end users are concerned about "crapware", uninstalling these kinds of things is super simple in Linux - no dangerous registry edits or anything. So this is an interesting possibility. Will have to keep track of this.
Posted by: Pablonius Monk | May 29, 2007 06:04 AM
First Skype really needs to put Linux version on par, out-of-the-box feature-wise, to Windows/Mac releases...
nevermind that it's still somehow more troublesome...it replicates only Skype 1.x from Windows.
Posted by: Pawel Zimolag | May 29, 2007 08:44 AM
The version of Ubuntu I installed didn't come with X11, much less Skype. In fact, the leanness of the base system is precisely why I installed it in the first place.
Posted by: Prolific Programmer | May 29, 2007 01:22 PM
No way you want to throw Linux on the desktop of a WalMart shopper. They just won't understand why they can't install that game or Microsoft Office and why does Firefox say it needs a plugin when I go to flashgames.com and I can't get my HP Deskjet 12345xbt printer drivers to load and how do I get on AOL??????
Posted by: DT | June 5, 2007 10:01 PM
Here's why Skype is not Ubuntu Certified: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SkypeEthics
Posted by: Robert | June 7, 2007 12:04 AM