Best Buy selling Ubuntu

Lincoln Russell 9 Jul, 2008 at 9:37am ET Article published in Tech

Slashdot is running a feature this morning linking to Best Buy’s product page for Ubuntu, saying it is available both online and in stores. It further questions how this went unnoticed since the release date on the product page indicates May 6.

The product page indicates the item is in the “Operating Systems” category of the website, yet it does not show in that product list. However, programs like “Video to DVD Plus” and “PhotoImpact Pro 13” do, in fact, appear under Operating Systems. That makes we wonder whether the webmaster is clueless or if it’s hidden on purpose.

Furthermore, Windows and Mac are listed as platforms in the left navigation; Linux is notable omitted.

At $20 for a free program, who wouldn’t be rushing to buy it if they could find it?

Comments

9 Jul 2008 ~ 10:00am Qeldroma Water should be free too, but ....

I suppose no one noticed because you either get your OS with your machine or simply don't buy one at Best Buy.

meh- typical BB markup.
9 Jul 2008 ~ 12:45pm TiberiusLazarus Notice the customer reviews. All made starting yesterday

If Best buy is actually trying to sell this (let alone if they actually have sold it), then I hate them even more than ever before.
9 Jul 2008 ~ 12:51pm PurplezArctic I don't think this needed to happen at all. Chances are if your 'Living the Icrontic Life', or just a geek for that matter, you won't be walking through Best Buy or going to Best Buy to buy a free OS.

Ubuntu is doing fine, betch. Period.
9 Jul 2008 ~ 1:31pm primesuspect lol betch

DECK
9 Jul 2008 ~ 1:41pm kryyst If that actually includes Ubuntu Support then $20 isn't a bad price at all.

Furthermore it makes for an interesting collection statistic and could lead to some future validity for them to start selling computers pre-installed with linux. Additionally many people (sad bastards) still don't have high speed so purchasing it is a valid option for them. Though you can order it directly off ubuntu's site for less.

Sure for the geek crowd this all seems preposterous. But unleashing Ubuntu into a public retail outlet isn't a bad thing.
9 Jul 2008 ~ 9:13pm airbornflght Hey, if it gets the OS out on the market and BB can make a buck doing it then hell yeh, free market capitalism.