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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Cactus Jack who wrote (4695)	8/16/2002 4:08:38 PM
From: Jim Willie CB	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 89467

meanwhile, inaction allows tax creep from inflation,ugh / jw

To: Cactus Jack who wrote (4695)	8/18/2002 2:26:32 AM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 89467

The week in review: Rebel Dell By Steven Musil Staff Writer, CNET News.com August 16, 2002, 12:00 PM PT PC maker Dell Computer has some new ideas about how to do business that seem to go against standard models--selling customers only what they want. In what appears to be a slick interpretation of Microsoft's new licensing terms, Dell Computer is making Windows optional for some of its business desktops. The PC maker next month will introduce n-Series corporate desktop and workstations that ship without Microsoft's Windows, or any other operating system, preinstalled. The Microsoft licensing terms, which were put in place on Aug. 1, specify that PC makers must ship PCs with an operating system. The new policy exists to prevent piracy and to better track operating system shipments. With the n-Series, Dell will include a copy of a free operating system--FreeDOS--inside the cardboard box. However, the operating system will not be preinstalled, so customers will not have to worry about reconfiguring their machines should they want to use a different product. The demand for PCs without operating systems, while limited, is often fueled by their convenience, especially for companies that want to experiment with Linux. Many large companies buy Windows through licensing programs and thus have to erase all the software that comes on factory-shipped PCs and reinstall their own. Dell is also turning heads with its new Professional Services group, which is promoting a new menu of IT services--such as moving data to new storage equipment or installing new servers--for fixed prices that it claims are lower than its competitors'. Dell is hoping that companies will be more willing to buy specific, fixed-price services than to wade through proposals for custom services from its competitors. As a desktop PC maker, Dell didn't have to worry as much about consulting. But now that it has become a major player in servers and other backroom hardware, it needs to provide customers with greater contact. In addition, Dell executives have publicly stated their goal of doubling the company's revenue over the next few years. Fixed-price offerings have been tried before. But unlike pure consultants, Dell will be able to piggyback on its hardware business, one of the few segments in the technology industry that is experiencing growth. news.com.com