Matt interviewed for LinuxWorld Podcast

Wed. Aug. 15, 2007

I was interviewed by Don Marti for his LinuxWorld Podcast series.  We talked about the new XPS M1330 notebook that was carrying at LinuxWorld, and the kinds of choices we make when deciding what hardware to sell with Linux.  As I've noted here before, Open Source drivers are key. 

Note, Dell hasn't announced that we will sell any form of Linux on the XPS M1330, but that doesn't stop me from loading Fedora rawhide or Ubuntu Gutsy Tribe 4 on a  prototype unit to see what works (answer: audio and webcam need work, most everything else is great).

http://www.linuxworld.com/podcasts/linux/

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Only published comments... Wednesday, August 15, 2007 06:00 PM
by Matt Domsch, Linux Technology Strategist
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Marc said:
Hope you guys put Ubuntu on the M1330 soon. I'd love to pick one up...my experience with a souped-up 1505n has been fantastic, and something more stylish would be awesome.
August 15, 2007 7:05 PM
don hardaway said:
I really wish Dell would give a clue about when Ubuntu will be available on Latitudes.  I need to order a new one at my University and am waiting on Dell to offer it.  Any info on that?
August 15, 2007 8:17 PM
Matt Domsch, Linux Technology Strategist said:

@Don:  At the moment we have no plans to sell Ubuntu on Latitude notebooks.  That said, there are lots of people who run Ubuntu on Latitude notebooks, so you would be in good company if you wanted to as well.

Latitude notebooks are available as 'n-Series', meaning they can be ordered without a Microsoft OS installed.

August 15, 2007 8:17 PM
Don Marti said:
Thanks again for being on the podcast, Matt.  Now looking for something light, 1400x1050 screen, Intel graphics, ThinkPad-style "nipple" pointer (if there's a touchpad, one that I can turn off) -- will keep watching the Dell blog for ideas.
August 16, 2007 2:18 PM
eviltabbycat said:
sound & webcam still needs work?  Specifically? 
August 17, 2007 8:47 AM
Scott Lamb said:
Thank you for your efforts! It was great to hear that you're putting this work into selecting Linux-friendly hardware, pushing vendors to have open source drivers in the kernel.org kernel, and even working with the FCC on the regulatory constraints. I will remember it when buying hardware myself and when making recommendations.
August 19, 2007 1:08 AM
linux photoshop said:
looking forward for more development in the future, hope the audio and webcam can be further "work-out" so Ubuntu  can  further positioned as one of the awesome opensource operating system with Dell as its partner.
August 20, 2007 9:55 PM
Matt Domsch, Linux Technology Strategist said:
We've been able to get both the webcam and the audio working now on Ubuntu Gutsy Tribe 4, and we're submitting the appropriate requests to get those changes into Gutsy and upstream if they're not already in those.
August 20, 2007 9:55 PM
Morgan said:
Along with Don, I would prefer a Latitude offered w/ Ubuntu (would like at least a commitment from Dell that I would have something in the future) or even more than one style or size of laptop would be a nice option.  I'm currently shopping around to see what my options are and I'll probably be buying a new laptop sometime end of year or 1st quarter next year.
October 9, 2007 11:41 PM
Squirrel said:

"(answer: audio and webcam need work, most everything else is great)"

How much work do they need?? Please Dell, do something! Don't let your customers down!
 

January 9, 2008 10:44 PM
Squirrel said:
Forgot to mention: Sound does still not work on Debian Etch & Lenny (and Ubuntu 8.04).
January 9, 2008 10:46 PM
Matt Domsch, Linux Technology Strategist said:
webcams now work with the uvcvideo driver.  Audio works on the systems we're selling Ubuntu preinstalled on, and most others.  You can post to the linux-desktops@dell.com list (subscriber posting only, subscribe and read archive at http://lists.us.dell.com) your specific system and questions.
January 10, 2008 6:49 AM

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