Linux at Walmart and Other Techie Delights
March 27, 2008 by debonics
I have mentioned in my previous blog that Walmart had been my saving grace when I was looking for a WiFi routers on a budget; But now I find that they also sell a Linux operating machines too–Amazing!
I stumble across this knowledge in the standard web 2.0 way. I was reading a post on StraightUp Social which mentioned Walmart has its own blog “Check Out“. Two clicks later and I am reading the “gadget” guys blog on Linux, laptops and Apple TV. Like any true blog there is a place to comment on his post or the products. If gadgets aren’t your thing, then there are other blogs on gaming, gardening or general topics by other Walmart employees.
All in all, I found the blog informative. I was intrigued by the Linux machine as an offering and even read the comment on that post. And the blog on AppleTV offered a movie solution for people living “in the sticks”. So if you are a linux chix or geeky in anyway, but financially strapped there maybe a machine for your at your local Walmart.
Disclaimer: I still disagree with Walmart labor policies, but the frugality of my life leaves me few options when it comes to buying technology.
I think that selling these low cost machines is a great boon for many people. On one hand, people who cannot afford highly end machines can still get a fully functional machine that comes with all the tools they probably need already in the box, like email and web browsing and office needs (via Openoffice). Secondly, it allows people to expose themselves to Linux and Open source tools in general which increases exposure to Linux.
I think that Linux is getting more and more to be a viable choice for the home users. I see this move as a fantastic move by Walmart.