Juniper Seeks to Rally Partners
It's now or never for Juniper Networks. In a savvy move, the networking company scheduled its partner event in Las Vegas — the same week as the big Interop show. That's a smart move, but Juniper will also face its share of challenges during the week. First, the good news. Juniper's partner event should be […]
Dell Prepares to Announce Ubuntu Linux Systems
When Dell officially begins to sell PCs with Ubuntu Linux pre-installed, I'll be among the first to know. That's because Dell plans to send me — and thousands of other people — an enewsletter announcing the systems any day now. Indeed, Dell recently updated its Ubuntu Linux Web page with a teaser for the Linux […]
Update: Delivery Day Nears for Dell's Ubuntu Linux PCs
The VAR Guy is nearly ready to buy a new PC. And it sounds like Dell is nearly ready to sell him one with Ubuntu Linux preinstalled. Dell plans to officially announce its Ubuntu Linux PCs via an email to prospective buyers within the next few days or weeks, according to All About Ubuntu, a […]
Five Threats to Cisco's Empire
Before all you Cisco loyalists flame The VAR Guy, let's make one thing clear: He believes Cisco's momentum is accelerating. Heading into next week's Interop conference in Las Vegas, Cisco appears unstoppable. But that's usually when something completely unanticipated goes wrong. So, what — if anything — could give Cisco fits in the years ahead? […]
A New Pitch for WiFi
Please forgive The VAR Guy for dragging a bit today. He's on his second cup of coffee after spending most of last night at Shea Stadium in New York … suffering through a three hour rain delay before the umpire said "Play Ball." During the delay, The VAR Guy downed two burgers and a Carvel […]
Intel Jumps Aboard Ubuntu Bandwagon
Intel is the latest hardware company to give Ubuntu its stamp of approval. Only a few days after Dell announced plans to pre-load Ubuntu Linux on selected PCs, Intel is now helping Ubuntu design mobile and embedded versions of the operating system for small, handheld, graphical tablets and other devices that are Internet enabled. The […]
Vista: 40 Million Licenses, How Many Satisfied Users?
The VAR Guy isn't accusing Microsoft of creative accounting. He knows Bill Gates isn't like former Enron CFO Andrew Fastow. But The VAR Guy scratched his head when Gates said Vista sales now exceed 40 million copies. Hmmm. Let's take a closer look at the facts. First, let's give Microsoft credit: 40 million copies of […]
Can SAP Give Novell A Lift?
If you read The VAR Guy regularly (doesn't everyone?), you know that he isn't exactly bullish on Novell. However, he has to give Novell some praise today for bolstering the company's relationship with SAP. SAP and Novell are now offering joint support to customers that run SAP applications on Novell's SuSE Linux. The announcement comes […]
Hell Freezes Over: Windows Now Pre-loaded on Macintosh Hardware
The other shoe has finally dropped. When Apple transitioned its hardware to Intel processors, many pundits wondered when Macintoshes would come pre-loaded with Windows. Well, Apple still isn't ready to make that move. But a big IT distributor is. Tech Data now offers 13 Macintosh configurations with Windows XP and Parallels preinstalled. Parallels is the […]
Does Linux Violate Microsoft Patents?
Microsoft claims open source software violates more than 200 of its patents, according to an article in Fortune. The online world is now buzzing about that article… wondering if Microsoft will pursue royalties from open source companies and their customers. Hmmm. The VAR Guy was just about to buy a Dell PC with Ubuntu Linux. […]
Who Preloads Ubuntu on PCs?
Much of the Linux community is waiting to for Dell to introduce PCs with Ubuntu pre-loaded in North America. But if you can't wait for Dell to deliver the goods, there are alternatives. Check out PricePC.com, System76.com and ZAreason.com for a look at small PC suppliers that are loyal to the open source community. In […]
Ubuntu, Zimbra Set to Partner
Take the world's fastest-growing version of Linux and match it with the world's fastest-growing open source email platform… What do you get? How about a promising partnership between Ubuntu and Zimbra? I heard a rumor — well, more than a rumor — from a trusted source that Ubuntu and Zimbra will announce a relationship next […]
Microsoft Partner Points to Soft Vista Demand
Microsoft continues to generate record profits. But the mood about Windows Vista remains mixed at best, especially among hardware and software partners. The VAR Guy was surprised to read a surprisingly honest assessment of the situation from Hauppauge Digital Inc., maker of WinTV technology. In a statement about quarterly results, Hauppauge CEO Ken Plotkin said, […]
Saving My Dollars for Dell Ubuntu
It's official. I plan to purchase a Dell PC with Ubuntu Linux as soon as possible. My only challenge: Dell has yet to actually unveil the PCs. The company's Web site now includes a teaser for Ubuntu-based PCs. According to Dell's site, the PCs with Ubuntu preloaded are "Coming Soon – By Popular Demand." Interesting. […]
Red Hat Channel VP Keeps His Word (Again)
If you listen closely to Mark Enzweiler, Red Hat's channel VP for North America, he'll tell you quite a lot by saying just a little. Enzweiler in March assured The VAR Guy that Red Hat would leap from its dominant Linux server position and land on mainframes and desktops. Those words rang true this week […]