ZaReason Bolsters Ubuntu 9.10 Branding
ZaReason is taking a small but significant step to help strengthen the Ubuntu brand. To help celebrate the Ubuntu 9.10 launch, the PC maker is offering “a stick of Ubuntu aluminum case badges with each computer ordered” October 29 through November 5. Here’s why you should care.
Let’s be honest: Many consumers and businesses have yet to discover Ubuntu. But those who do frequently turn to ZaReason or System76 — two Ubuntu-centric PC makers — for help and guidance. I mentioned last week that both ZaReason and System76 planned to offer Ubuntu 9.1o preloads upon the operating system’s debut.
ZaReason’s efforts are particularly interesting because the PC maker always seems to be thinking about promoting and evangelizing the Ubuntu brand — placing Ubuntu logos on keyboards and Ubuntu case badges on netbooks, notebooks, laptops and servers. And now, ZaReason is offering those free case badges Oct. 29 through Nov. 5 with system purchases.
Such branding isn’t a big deal. Or is it?
I think you already know my answer.
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I have never used the windows key on my keyboard. What would I use the key for if the change it from a Windows Symbol to a Ubuntu Symbol?
Is there actually a use for that key?
If I remember correctly, you could send a self-addressed stamped envelope then they would send you a few of those metals stickers.
Either way, it’s cool to have the same stickers as the professional, common systems have. Even if just to get past that hobbyist appearance.
Actually, it can be one of the compose keys, which you can use to enter accented characters, such as é.
to: rodnox. The “ubuntu” key is used as a “Super” key to use for Keyboard shortcut setups. It gives more options for additional shortcuts. Example on my laptop the Ubuntu key + the “5” key will provide the Euro symbol, €. I have it setup that way since my laptop key has the Euro symbol on it. A Shift + 5 = the % symbol as customary on kwyoard
to: dragonbite. ZaReason’s badges are an aluminum/plastic laminate and they charge $5 for a strip. System76 will send a strip of paper badges if you send in a stamped envelop addressed to yourself.
You would actually be surprised by how many “normal” users of Ubuntu long for these stickers.
I posted a blog post (on my blog, obv. Not in the sky) on how to request some similar ones from the LoCo teams and people totally flipped with joy. It helps bolster their pride in their OS when they can “show off” that they use Ubuntu.
It’s odd. A lot of Windows users i know HATE their Windows/Intel/Nvidia stickers that come adorning their computers and don’t hesitiate to remove them. A hefty chunk of Ubusers would murder Balmer for easy access to Ubuntu equivalents.
I guess it would make a lot of sense for Canonical to provide those, I wouldn’t say at no cost, but at a nominal cost where they can break even. Brand recognition is key!
Wait. . .my 2 year old system76 laptop has both a branding badge and ubuntu keys on the keyboard. How is this different?
Offtopic but I’m looking to buy 2 laptops for my daughters with Ubuntu 9.10 on it. They already use Ubuntu on a workstation and love it. However, I’ve noticed it seems cheaper to just buy a Windows laptop and load Ubuntu on it rather than buy from someone who preloads UBUNUTU (Zareason or System76). Don’t get me wrong, I would love to support Linux vendors, but it seems they are always quite a bit higher in price. Any suggestions?
@Steve, I got a Refurb Dell Mini for $209, 8GB SSD, 1Gb RAM, from the Dell Outlet. It came with Ubuntu 8.04, but I had no troubles putting Kubuntu 9.10 in it. Are you looking for laptops or smaller netbooks?
I would look into dell in any case … they also sell new laptops:
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=usamp;cs=19amp;l=enamp;s=dhs
I guess $489 for an Inspiron 15in doesn’t seem bad. They also have some Ubuntu notebooks in the outlet some times.
Hope this helps!
[email protected]: I apologize if this comment sounds a little out of touch, but I’m happy to spend a bit extra to buy a system from ZaReason and/or System76 with Ubuntu preloaded.
For me, Linux isn’t about a big “price” advantage over Windows. Instead, it’s about a reliable alternative to Windows. And I’m actually willing to pay a little more for an Ubuntu system vs. a Windows system if it means I get personalized, reliable service. And in the case of ZaReason and System76, I’ve always received good, solid service.
On paper, Linux-based systems should cost less than Windows-based systems, simply because of the OS cost. So maybe I’m crazy for opening my wallet slightly wider for a system preloaded with Ubuntu. But I’ll continue to do it for peace of mind.
P.S.: I also plan to run Windows 7 real soon. This may sound crazy, too, but I think a strong offering from Microsoft will inspire the Linux camps to continue innovating as well. I look forward to putting Windows 7 through its paces.
People never look at the hidden costs in owning a PC running Windows. I personally liken Windows to a leaky bucket. All the patches from Microsoft and all the security software doesn’t fix all the leaks.
Additional security software also costs money or time or both. If you buy a Dell running Windows you will get a trial copy of McAfee. It’s a time limited trial copy. After 90 days or so it times out and you need to shell out more cash to keep the PC you’ve already paid for running properly.
To add insult to injury McAfee will not uninstall without wiping the hard drive clean. I’ve tried it on several Dell PCs. The uninstaller always manages to find a problem that stops it in it’s tracks. Norton could be even worse. In the past it’s had accusations that it leaves behind spyware that reports back to Microsoft.
Then theirs system maintenance. Why is it that the Windows registry always manages to get corrupted or bogged down with orphaned entries? Shouldn’t the OS looks after the registry rather than allowing just any application access? Registry hives are vitally important to a Windows system after all.
I personally prefer the Linux approach to security. The extra cost is worth the quality. And speaking of costs. Windows 7 upgraders with relatively new PCs are facing a major upgrade bill. Pay at least a few hundred pounds/dollars for a new PC or nearly as much for a retail copy of Windows 7. Upgrading Ubuntu is free. 9.10 is free and 10.04 will also be free.
The Windows 7 sums just don’t add up.
Is that “stick on” or “stick of?” A stick on badge makes sense, but what the hell is a stick of badges?
@d0od: yeah, many people love those stickers (I’m the contact address for the free System76-stickers in my locoteam).
@Steve: I understand very well the arguments of scale that make Dell cheaper than ZaReason or System76. I also understand that means companies like those 2 have to compete on another field (basic service level amp; a more personal treatment for example).
I bought my current desktop from somebody I know who was willing to investigate finding a motherboard etc. that matched my requirements *and* worked with Ubuntu/linux. I’m sure a similar PC from Dell or HP would have been cheaper, but… they didn’t sell one. 😉
@aikiwolfie: a good amp; rather lightweight antivirus for Windows is the German “AntiVir”, and if you don’t mind a “nag screen” during updates, it’s also free… 😉
That said, the lack of usability in Windows means I prefer linux/Ubuntu. 😛
@Jef (who didn’t show up yet, but I’m sure he will 😉 ): The brand recognition thing is one of the ways that ZaReason amp; System76 “pay back” to Canonical currently. I doubt it’s beneficial for them to pay Canonical for OEM services at this moment, but they can pay back this way.
@JP
“I also plan to run Windows 7 real soon. This may sound crazy,”
Well, that made me chuckle. I mean, the very idea that running Windows 7 may sound crazy to some.
@JanC … I use the Avira free download page quite often when repairing Windows systems. But the fact remains. Anti-virus software costs money or time or both. So you’re spending additional resources to keep a system running properly that should runs just fine.
And why should anybody need to put up with a nag screen just to keep their PC that they have already paid for running properly?
http://www.zareason.com/shop/product.php?productid=16197amp;cat=251amp;page=1
They are stick-on badges, but by the phrase “stick of” I assume they mean you will get 5 or 10 of them to stick on your other machine, give to friends, etc.
Correction: It says on the page I linked to:
“Order yours today and get enough case badges to share with 10 other friends!”
So that means you will get 10 badges in addition to the one stuck on your new Zareason computer.
@Andy:
It says “stick of” because it’s a row or strip of stickers. But yes, they stick-on.
i am from India, can i get one 🙁