Reader Mark Scott submitted this interesting variation on Linux OEM netbooks: this one is bundled with Symantec's Norton 360.
Symantec's Norton 360 is an all-in-one anti-virus anti-phishing anti-spyware anti-botnet pro-firewall, backup and restore, the kitchen sink, and much more. Annual subscriptions cost $79.99.
Comet sells a nice-looking Toshiba NB100-11R netbook that comes with "Linux". It does not say which Linux, but the customer reviews reveal that it is Ubuntu Netbook Remix.
Now check out the Accessory tab. There is it, helpfully checked for you as a Pre-selected Accessory, an option to include Norton 360 for only 59.99 pounds:
"Pre-selected Accessory
This item will be added to your order so your machine can protect itself against viruses, spyware and online threats. Norton 360 also allows you to backup files and tune up your computer optimising its performance."
I'm sure you fine readers are way ahead of me-- no, Norton 360 does not run on Linux, even if you did want it.
The product pages for Norton are interesting in several ways. One, they're messes of bad scripting and overlapping text, and they take forever to load on every Web browser I tried (Opera, Firefox, Konqueror.) Two, they work very hard to make "PC" mean "Windows PC". Three, check out their pitch for Mac customers, "What is "iBotnet"?":
"Are Mac users under attack?
The short answer, no. Users of Macintosh computers continue to have little to fear from viruses, trojans and worms so long as they take reasonable precautions. However..."
I love yes-buts. So the moral is, watch out for those helpful extras!
