I was helping a friend spec a new Linux netbook today – a Dell Mini 10v. In the process I went through the page-by-page configuration steps on Dell’s UK website, even though many of those pages didn’t actually offer any options at all.

One thing that did stand out, though, was the “TOP SELLING SOFTWARE” page, trying to encourage the unwary buyer to invest in some additional software. This is a Linux netbook, running Dell’s Ubuntu distribution, so why was I offered:

• podMediaCreator – Windows only
• Microsoft Office 2007 – Windows only
• Adobe Photoshop Elements – Windows/MacOS X

Notice something in common here? None of these will run on a Linux netbook (WINE and virtualisation aside for any techie pedants reading this).

If I was a cynic I might suggest that Dell are hoping to sell some extra software to unwary buyers who don’t really understand the difference between Windows and Linux. But I’m reminded of Hanlon’s razor: “Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity”. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, and assume that their web developers fall into the latter category.

Click the image below for the full gory details: