__/ [ Rex Ballard ] on Sunday 10 September 2006 10:54 \__
> Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>> Is Linspire Real Linux?
>>
>> ,----[ Verdict ]
>> | Linspire/Freespire is real Linux, and if you are hoping to convert
>> | someone loaning them a Linspire PC might be the way to do it. If you
>> | are a regular Linux user, you don't need it, but it makes a great set
>> | of training wheels.
>> `----
>> http://www.linuxforums.org/reviews/is_linspire_real_linux.html
>
> I haven' had the chance to use Freespire yet, but I definitely liked
> Linspire. This is an experience that most Windows users are familiar
> with. The user buys and installs the Linspire base system, then pays a
> modest fee, usually around $100 for as "subscription" service. They
> can then connect to the Linspire site, and download to their hearts
> content. They can download the applications, much the same way that
> Windows users download shareware, except that there is no additional
> registration required for any but the high end commercial applications.
> Even the commercial applications often have trial periods or are sold
> at extreme discounts. Star Office, for example, is available for
> something like $26. The big feature is Crossover, which lets users run
> most Windows applications, including most 3rd party Windows
> applications, with minimal effort.
>
> The look and feel are also similar to Windows, and most of the
> configuration tools are also similar in look and feel to those of
> Windows. The main thing is that Linspire has tried to help the
> end-user with no prior Linux experience to feel as comfortable as
> possible with their new Linux system.
I haven't used Freespire either, let alone experienced Linspire. But I have
come across over a dozen reviews (even BearItAll reported good experiences
with his family's use of Linspire), including some video/screenshot tours.
Not a single review that I can recall was a negative one (I don't post
everything I read to COLA as it becomes repetitive), as opposed to, let us
say, PCLinuxOS. No doubt Lin/Freespire looks impressive, easy and -- most
importantly given the targetted niche -- similar to Windows.
There are many advantages, which to a Windows user at least, are often
overlooked (blame the dead-end approach where Windows is taken for granted
or becomes synonymous with a PC, or even computing). Among the advantages:
security, more software (added value), no need to run helplessly around
disjoint Web sites seeking software, and help which contains substance
rather than promotional language.
I am not sure that you are, as yet, aware of the following recent highlight.
Linspire frees "Click 'N Run" software service
,----[ Quote ]
| In a surprise move, Linspire is now offering its CNR ("Click 'N Run")
| software service at no charge to its Linspire and Freespire Linux
| distribution customers. In addition, the company will soon be
| open-sourcing the CNR Client.
|
| CNR, previously a fee-based service offered at annual subscription rates
| of $20 for basic and $50 for premium ("Gold") access to new programs, had
| been the San Diego-based company main source of income.
`----
http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS8523030175.html
With so many vendors stocking similar goods (Xandros is probably the nearest
match to Linspire), it'll be intersting to see who rides the biggest wave.
Will Ubuntu and its mantra crush Novell and Red Hat in the long term? Will
Freespire evolve to challenge Ubuntu in its own back yard? One thing is for
sure, judging by everything I see on the surface and the news (not Faux /et
al/): Linux is taking over at a non-linear pace and someone is trying really
hard to conceal this fact. To quote from the above article.
,----[ Quote ]
| Now, however, according to CEO Kevin Carmony, Linspire is doing well
| enough from selling its higher-end products and services that it can
| afford to offer its basic CNR service free of charge. Thus, both Linspire
| and Freespire users can use the extremely easy software delivery and
| update program for free.
`----
Best wishes,
Roy
--
Roy S. Schestowitz | Steve Ballmer is Richard Simmons on steroids
http://Schestowitz.com | Open Prospects ¦ PGP-Key: 0x74572E8E
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