Linux Format forums

[Myrlin]

I am getting increasingly annoyed at the way manufacturers are selling inferior-specified equipment into the UK (and, to some extent, EU) markets.

Two recent examples I have experienced personally are the Samsung YP-T10 media player, where the UK version has UMS connection, and a range of audio formats (OGG Vorbis, etc) disabled for the EU market, and the Asus Eee PC 900, where the manufacturer has supplied a lower specification battery to the UK market than that provided to US and Far Eastern markets. Despite this, we genrally pay more for our products in the UK than elsewhere.

I would be interested to hear of other examples.

These practices often have a disproportionate impact on Linux users.

Does anyone have any ideas about the most effective way of starting a campaign to address this?

Maybe LXF could start a "Name-and-Shame" column!

[badger_fruit]

The biggest and most blatent abuse of the UK people IMO is Car prices.
With regards to computers, having not upgraded for about 4 years I really couldn't say lol but I agree with the name and shame idea, LXF is a popular magazine although ranting on a forum usually has little or no effect; why? because the greedy corporate types don't care about individual opinion, if LXF themselves stood up and said "we're not advertising your product because of the blatent price differences beween the UK and our friends in other countries" then they MIGHT start to listen. However, I fear that even LXF can be baught afterall, advertising revenue is also a big business unto itself and LXF would be insane to turn down the money that must change hands for product placement/advertising

Believe me, Rip off Britain is in full force but money talks and the consumer is resigned to ranting on a forum which isn't read by anyone who cares (unfortunately).

[Farmer]

I care, Mate!

Try living in France. Anything vaguely electronic or IT oriented is stupidly expensive. I live in a rural environment in the centre of France and the locals are always complaining that everything is controlled by the Parisiennes, who earn more, pay less taxes etc etc!

One thing that really does annoy me is the fact that I have to go to UK sites to buy "stuff". I then pay inordinate postage, way over the basic GPO (sorry, I just revealed my age!!) Royal Mail overseas charges and quite often, the articles never arrive until 3 or 4 complaints later! A classic example is a website called "The Linux Source". I ordered some CDs from them on 20th May. Nothing arrived. I went to the website, and all there was was a message saying they were updating their system and things would be sorted. Anyone wishing to track their order should follow the info on the confirmatory email. There was no tracking info on the confirmatory email!! At the moment the website shows a message that everything is updated and OK and that the website will be open on the 14th of June. Guess what? It is now the 25th of June, I haven't had the discs, I haven't had a refund, and I can't do anything except wait (some more!)

I know this isn't quite "rip off Britain" as you were referring to it, more a "rip off anyone you can", but to me it symbolises what I was trying to get away from when I moved to France and, as you say, someone, somewhere, has to say something, even if no-one is listening!

cheers

[towy71]

Aye well I know nothing of that website, I've always found that either Linuxemporium or cheeplinux are both reliable
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still looking for that door into summer

[RedWillow]

[HINTERG]

Or maybe a gallon of petrol at French prices, or a nice little chateau for the price of a UK flat
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Trying to stay sane in a crazy world......

[Farmer]

I came to France because I could live reasonably well on my pension compared to struggling below the poverty line in UK, not because I could live in luxury. Before posting glib comments, maybe people should make themselves aware of the true state of affairs. By astute use of capital at the correct market moment I may have been able to acquire a small 2 bed house, but fuel costs are just as bad here as they are in UK and HINTERG's comments, even if they are slightly tongue in cheek, are ill considered, condescending, and bordering on offensive.

[Rhakios]

I'm sure his post was intended in good humour and was not specifically intended to offend.
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Bye, Rhakios

[HINTERG]

Appologies. I had only intended to make you smile. I myself spent time in Brittany last summer looking for a retirement home. You are right that our pensions go much farther away from rip off Britain. To be frank, I am jealous as heck
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Trying to stay sane in a crazy world......

[Farmer]

[HINTERG]

Thanks. I am going back for more info July 12.
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Trying to stay sane in a crazy world......

[wyliecoyoteuk]

Well, last time I was in France, for the Dieppe Kite festival sept 2006, the prices for electrical goods (including Ordinateurs) compared quite favourably with British prices, Petrol and Derv were about 60% of the UK price, likewise property, good wine and electricity. a Euro was about 64P then

Considering the higher value of the Euro compared to the pound (now about 80P) if your pension is paid in pounds that's gotta hurt!
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The sig between the asterisks is so cool that only REALLY COOL people can even see it!

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[towy71]

Farmer
I too am jealous but I am photosensitive so have to lurk back here in the cool and the damp, as for poor pensioner, I'm £30 below the breadline according to official statistics
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still looking for that door into summer