Comments on: Google Focused Linux PC’s Fail At Wal-Mart http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/ Startup and Technology News Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:40:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Kin Lane http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2033608 Kin Lane Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:31:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2033608 I just don't think the masses are ready for this. Google is ahead of the crowd. When I tell people I completely exist on the web, nobody gets it. Even tech people sometimes. I don't use local apps.....if I can help. Plus I am heavily moving my business into the cloud. But most IT guys don't get it all. So if the leaders aren't following the masses definitely aren't ready. I just don’t think the masses are ready for this. Google is ahead of the crowd. When I tell people I completely exist on the web, nobody gets it. Even tech people sometimes.

I don’t use local apps…..if I can help.

Plus I am heavily moving my business into the cloud. But most IT guys don’t get it all.

So if the leaders aren’t following the masses definitely aren’t ready.

]]> By: ineedhits Australia http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2033187 ineedhits Australia Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:19:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2033187 I never thought WalMart customers would be a great target market for this PC... but I guess some people must have liked it if they sold out so fast... I never thought WalMart customers would be a great target market for this PC… but I guess some people must have liked it if they sold out so fast…

]]> By: Andy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2032738 Andy Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:54:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2032738 I think you guys are missing the point of the article. gOS is not meant to put all you tech heads in awe and adoration, but rather is aimed toward the blue collar workers who use a computer to simply do day to day functions such as email and online access. At the price, gOS is a hell of a deal. If everyone is so concerned about the functionality that extends beyond everyday usage, go buy a damn mac for 10x more. I think you guys are missing the point of the article. gOS is not meant to put all you tech heads in awe and adoration, but rather is aimed toward the blue collar workers who use a computer to simply do day to day functions such as email and online access.

At the price, gOS is a hell of a deal. If everyone is so concerned about the functionality that extends beyond everyday usage, go buy a damn mac for 10x more.

]]> By: Ben http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2032372 Ben Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:40:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2032372 For clarification....a lot of people are still assuming that Google produced gOS. They did not. As commenter #2 noted, <em>they are not affiliated in any way</em>. The "g" in gOS stands for good. That's all. And they happen to have links to Google's online apps in the dock. It's simply Ubuntu with a nice animated dock (AWN?) and a different background/theme. Again...gOS != Google. <a href="http://www.thinkgos.com" rel="nofollow">gOS</a>. That is all. For clarification….a lot of people are still assuming that Google produced gOS. They did not. As commenter #2 noted, they are not affiliated in any way. The “g” in gOS stands for good. That’s all. And they happen to have links to Google’s online apps in the dock. It’s simply Ubuntu with a nice animated dock (AWN?) and a different background/theme.

Again…gOS != Google. gOS.

That is all.

]]> By: Desiree http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2032027 Desiree Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:22:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2032027 Note to Duncan- gOS and Everex are two distinct companies, one does software the other does hardware. Your post confuses readers, i.e. the gOS logo, followed by the Everex business profile. Note to Duncan- gOS and Everex are two distinct companies, one does software the other does hardware. Your post confuses readers, i.e. the gOS logo, followed by the Everex business profile.

]]> By: mhater http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2031748 mhater Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:09:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2031748 YAFFOG - Yet Another Failure FOr Google :-) YAFFOG - Yet Another Failure FOr Google :-)

]]> By: adamvee http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2031604 adamvee Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:45:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2031604 fyi, slashdot is reporting this story and saying that the gPCs are constantly sold out. different spin, so who's more accurate? fyi, slashdot is reporting this story and saying that the gPCs are constantly sold out. different spin, so who’s more accurate?

]]> By: Jack http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2031164 Jack Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:35:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2031164 "Some will argue that the failure of gPC’s to take off bides poorly for both Linux distros and cloud focused offerings" Is this why the 90% of the articles I hear about the EeePC have to do with installing Windows XP? “Some will argue that the failure of gPC’s to take off bides poorly for both Linux distros and cloud focused offerings”

Is this why the 90% of the articles I hear about the EeePC have to do with installing Windows XP?

]]> By: bob http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030891 bob Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:20:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030891 I believe if this model was $249 and included Windows they would still be availble for purchase at Walmart. I believe if this model was $249 and included Windows they would still be availble for purchase at Walmart.

]]> By: matt http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030635 matt Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:56:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030635 The Gos was sold out at all the Walmarts around us? For $200 it was a pretty good deal The Gos was sold out at all the Walmarts around us?
For $200 it was a pretty good deal

]]> By: Forumistan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030148 Forumistan Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:52:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030148 Google, keep it on!... Google, keep it on!…

]]> By: Fabian Schonholz http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030072 Fabian Schonholz Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:55:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030072 Give it time. Maybe this was not the best set up to succeed, but it will in the end. Give it time. Maybe this was not the best set up to succeed, but it will in the end.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030055 Aaron Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:42:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030055 Linux/Google PC at Walmart story: THE FUTURE! Linux/Google PC leaves Walmart story: OMG FAILURE! Yay journalism! Linux/Google PC at Walmart story: THE FUTURE!

Linux/Google PC leaves Walmart story: OMG FAILURE!

Yay journalism!

]]> By: Your Daddy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030025 Your Daddy Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:03:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030025 It's just Ubunto with a green background and google short cuts. I built one for my gardner so he's stop asking me to fix his XP box full of Viruses and now I might have to start paying him instead :-/ oh no wait... he has an XP laptop his kid use :) It’s just Ubunto with a green background and google short cuts. I built one for my gardner so he’s stop asking me to fix his XP box full of Viruses and now I might have to start paying him instead :-/ oh no wait… he has an XP laptop his kid use :)

]]> By: Rick http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030017 Rick Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:57:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030017 I went searching through the legal statement for that sentence. Took me a minute to realize that it's at the top of every page... http://www.everex.com/products/products.htm I went searching through the legal statement for that sentence. Took me a minute to realize that it’s at the top of every page…

http://www.everex.com/products/products.htm

]]> By: Dave Kaufman - Techlife http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030008 Dave Kaufman - Techlife Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:46:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030008 GOOG - Market Cap 129.62B WMT - Market Cap 195.63B Maybe - they should have just skipped the middle man and worked together. It seems like Google tested the waters and Walmart said, nice try, please try again. Also looking up Market Caps I found that Everex's heart was apparently never in it: http://www.everex.com/corporate%20info/legal/legal.htm "Everex recommends Windows Vista Home Premium" GOOG - Market Cap 129.62B
WMT - Market Cap 195.63B

Maybe - they should have just skipped the middle man and worked together. It seems like Google tested the waters and Walmart said, nice try, please try again.

Also looking up Market Caps I found that Everex’s heart was apparently never in it:

http://www.everex.com/corporat...../legal.htm
“Everex recommends Windows Vista Home Premium”

]]> By: guy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030006 guy Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:42:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030006 Forbes also ran this story; they noted that the entire stock did sell out in the 600 stores that carried the systems. To me that would indicate a successful run, but given Walmart's business model, they probably were hoping the systems would sell out faster? Forbes also ran this story; they noted that the entire stock did sell out in the 600 stores that carried the systems. To me that would indicate a successful run, but given Walmart’s business model, they probably were hoping the systems would sell out faster?

]]> By: Soap http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030003 Soap Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:37:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2030003 Walmart & linux??? might as well tried to sell them at marthastewart.com and they'd have had the same kind of "success". Walmart & linux???

might as well tried to sell them at marthastewart.com and they’d have had the same kind of “success”.

]]> By: fow http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029980 fow Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:19:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029980 interest interest

]]> By: Matt W http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029974 Matt W Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:13:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029974 I'd be curious what the overall in-store sales numbers were for the gOS and how they compare to the (mostly online) sales numbers of the EEE. Are they really that different? If the EEE were available in stores, would it be flying off the shelves and considered a success, or would Walmart be just as disappointed. (Considering Wal-Mart isn't even stocking the EEE, I have to imagine they don't think they're missing out on much.) Don't get me wrong, I really want an EEE and would never buy a gOS, but the vast, vast majority of consumers haven't heard of either one (and couldn't care less about what they're missing). The tech-geek echo chamber tends to overinflate the importance of some products and sites (see: Pageflakes). I’d be curious what the overall in-store sales numbers were for the gOS and how they compare to the (mostly online) sales numbers of the EEE. Are they really that different? If the EEE were available in stores, would it be flying off the shelves and considered a success, or would Walmart be just as disappointed. (Considering Wal-Mart isn’t even stocking the EEE, I have to imagine they don’t think they’re missing out on much.)

Don’t get me wrong, I really want an EEE and would never buy a gOS, but the vast, vast majority of consumers haven’t heard of either one (and couldn’t care less about what they’re missing). The tech-geek echo chamber tends to overinflate the importance of some products and sites (see: Pageflakes).

]]> By: David Berube http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029971 David Berube Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:12:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029971 I ordered one the night they went on sale from Walmart.com. It arrived with much fanfare just to be plugged in and have the power supply blow up... I ordered one the night they went on sale from Walmart.com.

It arrived with much fanfare just to be plugged in and have the power supply blow up…

]]> By: thermosilla http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029963 thermosilla Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:02:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029963 @2 gOS is not affilated to Google... it is a very simple linux distro that used web apps instead of desktop utilities http://www.thinkgos.com/ @2 gOS is not affilated to Google… it is a very simple linux distro that used web apps instead of desktop utilities

http://www.thinkgos.com/

]]> By: lawrence http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029956 lawrence Tue, 11 Mar 2008 03:48:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029956 simple. as #1 said. it's highly, or looks highly, technical - and not friendly. specially for a Walmart audience - forget about it. they're better off sticking to their $299 pc systems sales every quarter or so. simple. as #1 said.

it’s highly, or looks highly, technical - and not friendly.
specially for a Walmart audience - forget about it.

they’re better off sticking to their $299 pc systems sales every quarter or so.

]]> By: Michael http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029950 Michael Tue, 11 Mar 2008 03:42:18 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029950 The plural of "PC" does not require an apostrophe... The plural of “PC” does not require an apostrophe…

]]> By: xavierv http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029949 xavierv Tue, 11 Mar 2008 03:42:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/10/google-focused-linux-pcs-fail-at-wal-mart/#comment-2029949 To distribute in Wall-Mart, Google should consider getting into what they don't really want to get into: global advertising campaigns and a more direct customer service. To distribute in Wall-Mart, Google should consider getting into what they don’t really want to get into: global advertising campaigns and a more direct customer service.

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