It sounds completely loopy, getting a netbook for free but a heavyweight in the industry – Linux – is keen to see the idea take off.

The idea is that mobile companies will give the netbooks away for ‘free’ with some version of Linux installed and the profit will come later through application downloads reported PC World.
Mobile phone companies currently do something similar with handsets purchased on contract. The devices are subsidized by the subscription fees which means the likes of Vodacom, MTN and Cell C are able to sweeten the deal with gift vouchers, quad bikes and the odd kitchen sink. South Africans can also sign a similar contract for a laptop with 3G access.

The model is therefore neither revolutionary nor free as suggested, you’ll pay for it somewhere along the line, basic economics dictates this fact. What is interesting is that it is Linux who is trying to push the idea, it’s a mass market model and let’s face it Linux has not really managed to infiltrate the non-techie market yet.

Great idea but implementation is going to be problematic. Firstly, if Linux wants to go big with this project they’re going to have to beef up their support because who the heck can actually use Linux besides the propeller heads of our society. I have the greatest respect for those members of our society who enjoy hacking through code to get from A to Z but for mass market uptake Linux is going to have to become a lot more user-friendly.

Secondly, they will have to wean the newly converted PC dummies off Windows. It’s tough to become accustomed to a new operating system and they’ll have to manage expectation and dare I say it, make the thing look like Windows.

Now what may convince me to ‘buy’ a free Linux netbook is if there was a download called Linux-for-Dummies. One click does it all. Not even my Windows Vista does that!