IBM: Support Linux on the IBM Thinkpad again

About a month ago, you apparently scaled back your support for customers running Linux on your Laptops, the IBM Thinkpads. Ref: Http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/06/20/1631257&mode=thread&tid=136. This seems to have been part of a large cost cutting effort. As we understand it, you will still support Linux on laptops as part of an IGS Services contract, but general support is not there any longer. We believe that you based your decision on inaccurate data, namely the number of preloaded Linux Thinkpads that were sold. We think there are many Linux users of Thinkpads that, for various reasons, did not purchase the Linux preload and the recent and robust community discussion supports that assertion.

This petition seeks to substantiate the claim that there are more Linux Thinkpad customers than a tabulation of shipped pre-loads would imply. We would like you to use this information to assure that IBM recognizes the true extent of its customers desires and continues to provide or at least to facilitate appropriate Linux drivers for the Thinkpad product line.

To the Linux Thinkpad users:

We also hope to determine, with your thoughtful/truthful answers, whether Thinkpad customers need Linux preloaded or just Linux Thinkpad certification. To this end we would like you to indicate if you use Linux in a dual boot environment and thus run Linux on a Windows preloaded system. It is our belief that many Linux users are either dual boot or choose and install their chosen distribution themselves. Perhaps a preload was not, and will not be, a popular offering. However, if Linux support is important to the Thinkpad buying decision wed like to quantify that and to send a strong message to IBM.

Please note, this is NOT an IBM sponsored nor supported activity. The decisions expressed are our own and not those of our employers. We are simply doing what we think is right.