on buildng a FREE resource for Dell owners using Ubuntu:
A foolhardy investmentAn interesting concept perhaps, but one ultimately doomed to failure.
I would hazard to suggest that such a venture would be like fisslinggood seed onto barren ground, when one considers the target market forthis ambitious venture.
Firstly, let us consider the target market. Those who would purchase aDell computer with the linux installed, typically do so with onefactor predominant in their mind’s eye. That is - they choose thelinux in order to save money. Any venture that invested resources inproviding training services to this market is at a disadvantage fromthe first day, since that market has already classified itself as apenny pinching mob, collectively bereft of financial resources.
Secondly, one must consider the technical depth of this target market.The linux lacks the shine and technical sophistication of modernoperating systems, such as Vista. There is only so much that can betaught to customers about the linux before one has exhausted it’stechnical abilities, let alone the shallow pockets of it’s users.Selling training for advanced topics such as - Virus Protection, DiskDefragmentation Utilities, Job Scheduling, Windows Scripting, andWindows Clustering, Sequel Server .. all great topics that make a firmfoundation for a lucrative training program .. but these opportnitiesare solely lacking in the linux world.
And Thirdly, let us consider the professional development of thistarget market. When one enters an University level course in advancedcomputing with a view to a productive future in the IT industry, whatexactly do you think they teach students there ? They would hardly beteaching the linux, the unix, or the mainframe in this day and age.Nay - Its primarily Windows and Vista that form the foundation of aprofessional career these days. One would only be doing a halfhearted disservice to users if you limited the training program to thelinux.
So whilst I find the idea of offering training to Dell’s linuxcustomers gregarious and even charitable, I think it is a venturedoomed to failure, and surely one which most investors would beloathe to back with the resources required.