That idea is so 2003... PeoplePC, AOL, others tried it and failed.
You'd really have to fine tune your business plan to get the cost outs. Plus, make it extremely hard (or impossible) for people to call in for service/questions - call centers are expensive.
Thanks,
Ron Geoffrion 913.488.7664
________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Monty J. Harder Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 7:27 PM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: idea: a managed linux distribution, for weak users
On Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 3:46 PM, <[email protected]mailto:[email protected]> wrote:
There are a number of lightweight, cheap computers that fit on the back of a monitor and netboot for this sort of thing. Cheap enough to rent out to people at a $5 a month, upcharge from the regular connection package.
Actually, it wouldn't have to be an "upcharge". If you can get TW to sell the Internet access at "wholesale" rates, in exchange for the volume and offloading of support and billing, you could offer a "free computer"; pricing the combined package at the same as standard RR rates. The question is whether the centralized management would make the support economical enough to be profitable.
In which case, TW would do it themselves.