I’m sure many of you already know that Ubuntu is not only available as a free download, but you can also order it on a CD at absolutely no cost. What’s the fun in that when you can actually pay to have the CD delivered to your home?
As someone over at Digg found out Best Buy (a retail electronics store in the United States) has actually placed a $20 pricetag on the open source operating system. Shipping charges range from $3.99 for standard to $16.99 for overnight delivery, or you can pick it up in store to save yourself a few extra bucks. I double-checked store availability around me and almost all of the Best Buy’s have the boxed copy in stock.
Can they really sell free software? You bet. According to the GNU license this type of thing isn’t even frowned upon:
Redistributing free software is a good and legitimate activity; if you do it, you might as well make a profit from it.
When I told Ashley about this her first response was “wouldn’t it be funny if someone bought it, and then paid Geek Squad to set it up.” I don’t see anything that says that the Geek Squad can’t install Linux, and I’m guessing that the $129.99 computer setup fee is what you’d get charged. Yikes!
So what do you make of all this? Is it a good thing since Ubuntu is more apt to being exposed to the general public, or are they out to just rip people off?
I think I’m going to hold off on picking up a copy right now. I’ll get mine in October when these go on clearance in preparation for the new release. 
despicable if you ask me.
Sounds like a good idea to me. Greater Linux exposure to the general public. This will get some of the people who think that free=crap to try the OS. While I am amused by the fact that people would pay for what they could get for free (legally), if you are on dial-up, your burner is broken, or your mail service is less than reliable, this is a good option.
I think this is an immoral act. I got my Ubuntu’s CD at my box office from Canonical Ltd. for free.
I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody auctions the Eiffel Tower or the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge at E-Bay. Would somebody make a bid? How about the Niagara Falls?
I think that this includes paid support which makes a difference. The free version does not include any support.
If I ever saw anyone in a Best Buy going to purchase that I’d tell that they’re getting ripped off.
I dont think this is a bad idea. Sure people could get the CDs for free if they knew about that scheme but I’m not sure how many non-technical people can burn an ISO after they download it. (I know I have had quite a few peopel ask me how to do this at my website tuxs.org. Seeing it in Best Buy might make it seem more legitimate to people and I’m sure more people that werent aware of Linux will become aware of it. So although its not the best thing there are some advantages to it.
In that case, they (Best Buy) should just give them out for free.
Linux is still not a viable OS for most people
I couldn’t believe it either when I saw it, Amazon is selling as well. But if you put price on something maybe it will be noticed at a more faster rate.
Canonical and Amazon have been selling the discs for a very long time.
[ubuntu.com]
It’s not like Best Buy will start retailing free software. They buy large quantities from Canonical, and then re-sell them!
It’s called cheating.
Btw, you can get Fedora for free too in case any one doesn’t know. And I’m surprised how no one holds Linux CD/DVD giveaway when they can hold giveaways for commercial software.
Ahhh… that would definitely make a difference. That would make the price a little more justifiable depending on what kind of support you actually get.
Most people that go to Best Buy get ripped off anyway. Just listen the accessories they sell people who are buying a new computer.
Agreed. I’m sure Canonical would ship CD’s to all of the stores at no cost. Then they could just put them on a stand somewhere.
Huh, I didn’t realize Amazon had it listed as well. I guess what will be really weird would be going in and seeing Ubuntu on the shelf.
OpenSuSE is being sold at £39.99 on amazon.co.uk, but I couldn’t find ubuntu. It’s crazy, how can this be legal?
Well, under their license it is perfectly legal to do this sort of thing. It’s kinda crazy though.