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Will Linux take over the desktop? No. Not until my grandma can use it.

I'm getting really sick of that argument...the hurdle that stands in the way of Linux gaining ground on the desktop is not a question of usability: it is a matter of a)the installed user base's inertia, b)Microsoft near-monopoly on the Office Suite and c)the lack of mass-media marketing from Linux "Desktop" distributions (which they obviously can't afford). As it stands today, in 2002, Linux is very usable, as much if not more than Windows from grandma's point of view. Even the new versions of the "classic" distros (like Mandrake and RedHat) are a breeze to setup and use.

Face it: grandma won't be able to use Windows out of the box any more than Linux - stop repeating this inane argument, it is based on a false assumption.

This is probably exactly the kind of market Lindows.com is going after.

We talk about them a lot and ask: "Who would use their system?" but it seems to me that this is the perfect application.

It would provide Microsoft Office, X-windows, all kinds of terminal emulation, as well as stability, network management, security and most importantly, it would be COST EFFECTIVE.

Who are "these folks"? The product hasn't even been released yet (this review appears to be for a leaked copy).

But, of course, they are well aware of their obligations under various licenses. See here.

Does this mean that Microsoft is going to steal Linux? Sure, it's their arch-enemy, but hey! Oh! Now it all makes sense! No wonder they're suing Lindows! Duh! They want the name for themselves!
...They are good...

Well said.

And as for the list of products 'with confusingly similar names to Windows' that the CEO of Lindows is asking people to help compile - well if his case rests on this then he's going down bigtime.

95% of the products on this list are SPECIFICALLY FOR USE ON THE MICROSOFT WINDOWS PLATFORM. So their names are not confusing but perfectly accurate references to the environment in which they operate. From which argument we conclude that Lindows is also making plain reference to Windows OS as well. Doh! Talk about shooting yourself in the foot with a minigun.

Nalfy.

Does anyone else find it funny that Robertson has that same picture plastered all over the lindows website and the e-mail in question? He is certainly better looking than BillG but does he need to have his picture plastered everywhere? It reminds me of those cheesy personal injury billboards you see everywhere with the lawyer' s ugly mug plastered on it.

Does anyone else find it funny that Robertson has that same picture plastered all over the lindows website and the e-mail in question? He is certainly better looking than BillG but does he need to have his picture plastered everywhere? It reminds me of those cheesy personal injury billboards you see everywhere with the lawyer' s ugly mug plastered on it.

...is that Microsoft has a very high chance of winning this case.

For example, take a look at the list of other product names that have "Windows" or something similar in them. All of these products run on Windows. They aren't a competitor to Microsoft's core operating system business; rather, they enhance that market by providing valuable third-party add-ons to Windows.

Lindows, on the other hand, is obviously capitalizing on the popularity of Windows. To make matters worse, Lindows has a real problem becuase the name is phonetically so similar to Microsoft's product. Try to say "Lindows" out loud in a sentence. In fact, try saying the following out loud to someone else and see what they think you said:

"Lindows is an operating system that runs on your personal computer."

In fact, this is the worst possible outcome for Microsoft, because they HAVE to sue to protect their trademark. Suing a) creates negative publicity for Microsoft by geeks who think Microsoft is just trying to lay the smack down on a smaller competitor; and b) creates a lot of publicity of something that may be a threat to Microsoft's core business.

I would hazard a guess that this lawsuit will generate more publicity and hype for the-soon-to-be-former-"Lindows" than the product would have on its own. Had it not been named so similarly to Windows, I doubt that many people outside of the geek community would have even paid attention to it. As it is, even though it costs $99 per user and can't run everything as well as the real Windows, it still puts egg on Microsoft's face.

It must really stink for Microsoft to have to give tons of free publicity to a direct competitor. I'd look for Microsoft to push for a quiet settlement and get the "Lindows" pill swallowed as quickly as possible.

From Lindows.com
Lindows.com may disclose personal information to third parties we engage to provide services that involve data processing on our behalf. Also, if some or all of the assets of Lindows.com are sold to a third party, such third party will be entitled to use the personal information disclosed by users of this Web Site, but only in accordance with the terms of this Privacy Statement.

Now, someone explain. Does Microsoft help them with data processing? No. Have any assets of Lindows.com been sold to a third party? No. Therefore, they're in breach of their Privacy Policy, which is clearly stated here.

They do cover themselves by saying this: "Lindows.com reserves the right to change this policy at any time by posting a new privacy policy at this location." However, there's been no change to their privacy policy. Somebody made a boo-boo, it seems, because no amount of forcing should compel Lindows.com to break their own privacy contract with their customer/supporter.

Actually, reading it again, there's one place where the website COULD share your information: "We do not share your contact information with any third party without your consent, except to a court or governmental agency."

Then again, the Microsoft branch of our government probably didn't authorize this anyhow. :)

...and starts more MS bashing, refresh yourself on the actual post first. Granted, the article brief makes you inclined to think that this post is another chance to bash Microsoft, but something good has come out of it nevertheless.

The "Michael's Minutes" article which is linked to has a primairy purpose of NOT bashing Microsoft or jumping to conclusions about the "seizing" of the emails, but instead ask everyone out there in the Lindows.com community to help them in their case. They've developed a strategy to aid their case by trying to find AS MANY products out there on the market that have some kind of "Windows"-derrived name. Here's the actual important text:

Here's how you can help. We are composing a list of the many hundreds of products named "Windows Something" or "Something Windows" or even variations on the word windows, which are not from Microsoft. We know there are many, many products that fit this characterization and we could use your assistance to help us create this list. We are looking for hardware products, software products, products for any operating system and even operating systems themselves.

You can help us generate this list at www.lindows.com/list in three different ways:

1. By submitting titles which can be added to our
list by filling out this simple form www.lindows.com/listform

2. Send in printed materials which use the term "window(s)" generically such as software boxes or complete manuals to our offices, the older the better:

Lindows.com, Inc.
Attn: Legal Info
4350 La Jolla Village Drive Suite 450
San Diego, CA 92122

I say go for it. The goal is to catch Microsoft's real motivation for pursuing this lawsuit against Lindows: targeting competition rather than enforcing their trademark. So, rather than bash Microsoft here, take some time and actually help out the fight against them!

...and starts more MS bashing, refresh yourself on the actual post first. Granted, the article brief makes you inclined to think that this post is another chance to bash Microsoft, but something good has come out of it nevertheless.

The "Michael's Minutes" article which is linked to has a primairy purpose of NOT bashing Microsoft or jumping to conclusions about the "seizing" of the emails, but instead ask everyone out there in the Lindows.com community to help them in their case. They've developed a strategy to aid their case by trying to find AS MANY products out there on the market that have some kind of "Windows"-derrived name. Here's the actual important text:

Here's how you can help. We are composing a list of the many hundreds of products named "Windows Something" or "Something Windows" or even variations on the word windows, which are not from Microsoft. We know there are many, many products that fit this characterization and we could use your assistance to help us create this list. We are looking for hardware products, software products, products for any operating system and even operating systems themselves.

You can help us generate this list at www.lindows.com/list in three different ways:

1. By submitting titles which can be added to our
list by filling out this simple form www.lindows.com/listform

2. Send in printed materials which use the term "window(s)" generically such as software boxes or complete manuals to our offices, the older the better:

Lindows.com, Inc.
Attn: Legal Info
4350 La Jolla Village Drive Suite 450
San Diego, CA 92122

I say go for it. The goal is to catch Microsoft's real motivation for pursuing this lawsuit against Lindows: targeting competition rather than enforcing their trademark. So, rather than bash Microsoft here, take some time and actually help out the fight against them!

Word up!

Maybe it will be an equalizer between the slick corporate lawyer in the $1000.00 suit and a smaller software company trying to defend themselves?

Hi, you link contains an extra space. You could have prevented this by using standard html:

<a href="http://www.lindows.com/lindows_products_scre enshots.php"> screenshots &lt/a (but then without the space..)

that will look like this:

screenshots

Sign up to see the sneak preview before you bash. Personally, I'm quite curious to see what it can do.

For those curious, you can sign up to get the sneak preview. I'm curious enough to at least see the sneak preview before I bash away like the rest of you. I'd rather be an informed basher rather than a newbie/fanboy/hax0r kind of basher that we see so much on /. :)

1) There is no company called "Lindows", "Lindows, Inc", or anything like it registered with the Secretary of State of the Great State of California.

2) The "lindows.com" domain is not registered to any company, but rather to a no-name PO Box is Woodside, CA. I'm not familiar with the area, but I took the liberty of running a MapQuest between those two cities and found that they're 482 miles away. Now THAT'S a commute.

3) Come on, look at the picture of Michael Robertson... isn't that an obvious parody of Steve Jobs? :)

Anyway, you heard this evidence here first, and ReadParse said it.

Later,
RP

the link provided only brings you to a page with javascript popups of the images, which are slashdotted anyway. here's a direct link to both images: First
Second

...looks damn cool, should really help in the migration away from windows for people too comfortable with it to be able to switch.

the link provided only brings you to a page with javascript popups of the images, which are slashdotted anyway. here's a direct link to both images: First
Second

...looks damn cool, should really help in the migration away from windows for people too comfortable with it to be able to switch.

Screenshot 1

Screenshot 2

God, I'm going to get so many 'foes' doing this. I'm simply doing this because I would have found it very useful.

Screenshot 1

Screenshot 2

God, I'm going to get so many 'foes' doing this. I'm simply doing this because I would have found it very useful.

Lindows is a Linux application. Are you confused?

Lindows, (www.lindows.com) has a name that in itself is genius. It's software that combines Linux and Windows without violating any trademark or copyright--although I bet Microsoft will sue at some point.

PC Magazine - John C. Dvorak - October 26, 2001

http://www.lindows.com/lindows_news_news.php

This whole situation really is comical.

check that ultimate board page!

michael robertson has a comment on december 10th
and then all comments are from a user called "reply"..
they're mostly posted on the same day..
they pretend to be from lost of various people
praising the upcoming system..

if you check reply's profile
the email is "comments@lindows.com"..

i have not seen as ridiculous in a long time! :)

check that ultimate board page!

michael robertson has a comment on december 10th
and then all comments are from a user called "reply"..
they're mostly posted on the same day..
they pretend to be from lost of various people
praising the upcoming system..

if you check reply's profile
the email is "comments@lindows.com"..

i have not seen as ridiculous in a long time! :)

It's software that combines Linux and Windows without violating any trademark or copyright--although I bet Microsoft will sue at some point.

Guess they were right!

It says Lindows should be available this month. So is this true?

It's not very clear. The faq on their web site states that "Some of the LindowsOS code will be Open Source".
No idea if this is - or not - WINE-related.

Howard (I know this isn't Howard, it probably goes to a default@howardstern.com -- please pass this on to him),

I saw you mentioned on Slashdot tonight: http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=23009&cid=2477 192

Is that true? If you said "well screw that!" for Windows XP, perhaps you'd be interested in Linux, which can be downloaded freely from the Internet! You can install it on as many computers as you want to; there essentially is no license to violate (there's a license, but it's completely different -- the GPL http://www.fsf.org , which simply says that if you make changes and sell the changes, you have to provide the source code with it). And the complete source code is available, for free!

There's a new company, Lindows.com, http://www.lindows.com which is rewriting Windows from scratch, so they can run Windows games under Linux. Many programs already run under Linux, using an emulator called WINE http://www.winehq.org which can handle 90% of the Windows calls -- and which is constantly being improved, a new version being released every two weeks.

It would help your listeners greatly if you would mention this. The alternative is free, and open -- it comes with the source code, so if there's a bug, or a feature you'd like to see, you (or someone you pay) can easily modify the source. No waiting on hold with Microsoft Tech Support and being ignored because your problem isn't important enough. Any programming shop can fix your problem.

Most Windows programs already run on Linux, and it's only going to improve from here! I have no financial interest in this (I'm retired), I simply want to help your listeners make the better choice. Those with cable modems or DSL can download a CD image in 10-20 minutes, then burn it onto a CD and install it on all their friend's computers, completely legally.

Freedom is killer. That's what this country was based on. Especially in these unstable times, we need to protect freedom. Please help spread the message -- there's a free alternative.

Thanks,
Thing 1

PS It would be really cool to have recordings of your shows available on your web site. I'd love to hear the segment where you discussed Windows XP. Please consider it. You could even sell ad space in the recordings, for a separate revenue stream. Sure, some people will FF through them, but most will have it on while doing other things. I can help set this up if you like.

PPS You may also want to let your listeners know about the piece of legislation Senator Hollings is embarrased to discuss, but is promoting because of payments from the entertainment industry. It's called the SSSCA, and will kill the technology industry -- all digital devices will be required to have strong copy protection, which means writing "hello world" will require a Computer Science degree to protect the output. It also means the death of the open source industry, which is what created Linux. It's a response to the Napster-like ability of all media to be digitally transmitted, at no cost, with perfect copies. It's a new world; just as we lost the buggy whip industry when automobiles came around, we will lose the "media conglomerates" -- but they'll try to stop progress by buying legislation, and that hurts everybody. Imagine if you couldn't make mix tapes. That's their future. Again, choose freedom. Thanks.

Any word on what they're actually planning on selling it for? At least once purchased you can put it on multiple computers, but still... $99 is steep for a Linux. I'm also wondering if the $99 preview release is some sort of gimick to gain development funding (a Send Resume button at the top of Lindows.com is not confidence inspiring.

:q!