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From: Distrowatch
My store - a story about a Linux-only computer store (Contributed by Benjamin Vander Jagt)
On November 2nd, 2003, Vander Jagt Computers opened up a new retail store in the middle of Berkeley Springs, WV. As you would expect, this store carries computer accessories, builds new systems, and provides in-shop and on-site computer service. You can find many a product, but one thing you will never find is Microsoft Windows.
Granted, if a customer provides his own software and requests that it be installed, Vander Jagt Computers will comply, but in virtually all cases, free software is highly recommended over proprietary software.
Response has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Most customers who enter the store for the first time have heard of Linux but don't know what it is. On display for all to play and learn with is a sub $200 used system with Slackware 9.1 running. Slackware 9.1 is preferred for its standards compliance, speed, security, and support base. Every customer who has seen Slackware 9.1 perform on this system has become a Linux fan. Many ask if Linux can be installed on their old Compaq's. Some are interested in the most secure operating system available. Others like the performance of software. All are blown away by the far superior software. Of course, it takes several minutes to explain that it's actually, positively free.
Vander Jagt Computers has two more Linux projects in the works. Firstly, Benjamin Vander Jagt will try his hand at creating a Slackware-based Linux distribution. "Slackware is the best base that I've found so far, because of its standards compliance. The software packages are mostly vanilla, which is the ideal end result for my distribution. Slackware is only lacking in automation, such as hardware detection. LILO will be replaced with GRUB, and two entries will be created for boot, the default of which ending with 'telinit 4' to automatically boot into the GDM. Of course, the GNOME menu will be reworked in the Red Hat way, and ReallySlick Screensavers will be added."
Secondly, a web server will be established for the distribution of public-domain art. Art is where the free software movement is lacking most right now, and most artists need to discover that public-domain is the most profitable way to distribute their creations. This server will store any public-domain graphics, music, games, movies, 3D models, engineering diagrams, and more. Though this server is probably going to remain free, it could theoretically charge artists a fee in the future, when it's more widely accepted that public-domain saturation is worth much more than the meager sales that artists usually starve through to begin with.
My store - a story about a Linux-only computer store (Contributed by Benjamin Vander Jagt)
On November 2nd, 2003, Vander Jagt Computers opened up a new retail store in the middle of Berkeley Springs, WV. As you would expect, this store carries computer accessories, builds new systems, and provides in-shop and on-site computer service. You can find many a product, but one thing you will never find is Microsoft Windows.
"If it's fundamentally wrong, it can't be practically right. It's official company policy to sell no traditional copyright- or patent-restricted software. We will not sell systems with Windows preinstalled. Any new or used systems that we buy that include Windows will be wiped clean. Several people have called this a risky move, but the real risk would be to attach my name to systems that are equipped with shoddy software. Already, the majority of warranty-related service consists of reinstalling Windows or fixing Windows problems. Even a lot of commercial software is no match for the free Linux alternatives."
Response has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Most customers who enter the store for the first time have heard of Linux but don't know what it is. On display for all to play and learn with is a sub $200 used system with Slackware 9.1 running. Slackware 9.1 is preferred for its standards compliance, speed, security, and support base. Every customer who has seen Slackware 9.1 perform on this system has become a Linux fan. Many ask if Linux can be installed on their old Compaq's. Some are interested in the most secure operating system available. Others like the performance of software. All are blown away by the far superior software. Of course, it takes several minutes to explain that it's actually, positively free.
Vander Jagt Computers has two more Linux projects in the works. Firstly, Benjamin Vander Jagt will try his hand at creating a Slackware-based Linux distribution. "Slackware is the best base that I've found so far, because of its standards compliance. The software packages are mostly vanilla, which is the ideal end result for my distribution. Slackware is only lacking in automation, such as hardware detection. LILO will be replaced with GRUB, and two entries will be created for boot, the default of which ending with 'telinit 4' to automatically boot into the GDM. Of course, the GNOME menu will be reworked in the Red Hat way, and ReallySlick Screensavers will be added."
Secondly, a web server will be established for the distribution of public-domain art. Art is where the free software movement is lacking most right now, and most artists need to discover that public-domain is the most profitable way to distribute their creations. This server will store any public-domain graphics, music, games, movies, 3D models, engineering diagrams, and more. Though this server is probably going to remain free, it could theoretically charge artists a fee in the future, when it's more widely accepted that public-domain saturation is worth much more than the meager sales that artists usually starve through to begin with.
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