Dell's Ubuntu Deal Still On

LXer Feature: 15-May-2007 A missing post on Direct2Dell site, especially viewed against the backdrop of their latest arrangements with Microsoft and Novell, prompts questions about the Dell's Ubuntu deal. The deal is definitely still "on".

On their Direct2Dell blog site,Dell had to post a note on 10 May explaining the deal with Ubuntu is still moving according to plan, indicating that some in the GNU/Linux community had thought Dell was dumping Ubuntu for Microsoft and Novell. Early this morning, LXer reader, Benjamin Watson, questioned why Dell's post regarding Ubuntu had gone missing from the Direct2Dell blog. LXer and Dell representatives confirmed that the post was missing. Some might have interpreted the missing post as suggesting Dell was dropping the deal with Canonical. Dell and Ubuntu representatives, responding by e-mail, say the relationship still stands.

Ubuntu's marketing manager, Gerry Carr, replied that, "The deal is going ahead as planned and to schedule." Dell spokesperson, John Pope said that the post involving Ubuntu had been accidentally removed. Pope said dell's chief blogger, Lionel Menchaca, apologized for the "unintentional removal" and has restored the post. Dell's blog has the following note: " "Update #2: 5-15: This blog post was erroneously unpublished last night. Apologies for any inconvenience this has caused." Dell is still looking into the cause of the unintentional removal.