[Am-info] Roll-your-own categories. - Getting [OT]

[Erick Andrews]

On 04 Mar 2002 10:44:29 -0500, Sujal Shah wrote:

>On Mon, 2002-03-04 at 10:16, Erick Andrews wrote:
>[SNIP]
>> However, if I want an NT Server or one of it's follow-ons, I'll likely build;
>> I might even need to build to eliminate unwanted integrated peripherals
>> found on so many motherboards in pre-built boxes.  And I may not be
>> an "enthusiast", but a SOHO user or small integrator...come to think of
>> it, the last two comprise another unique category.
>> 
>> My point is that the choice of OS and its performance are strongly related,
>> which weighs heavily toward a build-your-own decision.
>
>True, but the lay of the market is simply that you have a plethora of
>choices out there of various Windows configurations at varying price
>ranges.  Honestly, it's the same for Linux.  You're not compelled to
>build your own. 
>
>Remember that we're talking about non-corporate users here (Mitch's
>original email specifically mentioned non-corporate Linux users), so NT
>server is unlikely to be a choice except for enthusiast-type users.  (I
>would count a small integrator as a corporate user... I don't know of
>any non-technical SOHO users that build their own systems).  I agree
>that OS and hardware combinations matter for performance, but it's
>likely only to matter if you really, really care about performance.
>
>Most home/non-corporate users don't care that much (At least as far as
>I've seen).  Hence my enthusiast point.  You have to really care to go
>through the shopping and trouble of putting together your own system.
>
>That's all.
>
>Look, I don't really care if the categories are right... I'm sorry I
>even put them in the email. :-)  I just don't think that Linux users all
>build their own machine.  The refund days events and the fact that you
>can go to the Linux Laptops page or to a dozen different sites listing
>all the combinations of Dell/Compaq/etc models that people have gotten
>running with Linux as some empirical proof that Many Linux users do
>actually buy OEM PCs.  
>
>Sujal
>

I fundamentally do not disagree with you.  I was of the impression we
we teasing out building your own v. buying a naked Walmart one, as
the topic shifted a bit.  

Buying a naked Walmart one still requires installing beaucoup software,
a task that entails a lot more time and effort than mounting a couple of 
drives, hooking up some cables, and screwing the lid down on the box, 
less the acquisition of the components of course.  We both seem to agree
that that effort a may be the real difference for many.

They are both *sans* OS...DIY or nakedly complete.

I would love to see Walmart's marketing plan.

-- 
Erick Andrews