Slashdot Mirror
Lindows - What do Linux Users Really Think?
Harry asks: "Last week I had a laps in judgement and subscribed to the Lindows Insider program. After playing with Lindows for a few days, I decided that Lindows was not worth my trouble and un-subscribed from the program. When I did so, I mentioned my disappointments and requested that they take a survey on Slashdot to see what Linux users really thought of their product. They stated they did and received 'great results and mostly positive feedback.' After having a chance to play with Lindows, I can not believe this to be true. So, my question is: What do Linux users really think of Lindows and will they support it?"
I'm not aware of any such poll (maybe I missed it) and I don't remember many glowing reviews from our previous stories on Lindows. So maybe it's time to get the answer straight from the horses' mouth. Do you think Lindows is worth it?
'great results and mostly positive feedback.'
... I'm sorry, but I just don't see Lindows being successful. Do I even consider Lindows Linux? Not really.
Nice marketing spin
Does any sane Linux user think that a distribution where the user runs with root priviledges is a good idea? No. When I read this I though it was some kind of joke. Just what we need, users hosing their own system because their distributor not only gave them a loaded gun, but put it in their mouth for them.
Let's have a look at their FAQ Section:
The Lindows.com Insider program is designed to be exclusive to the individual that signs up. As an Insider member, we ask that you not distribute copies of the LindowsOS to other individuals and that you abide by the end user license agreement that comes with our software.
Cluestick - If we wanted crappy licensing agreements, we would be running Windows.
There are two types End User License Agreements:
1. A "Family" End-User
This license if for an individual end-user and he/she agrees to use LindowsOS for personal use and is to be used only by members of the End-User's Family.
2. A "Business" End-User
This type of license is for an agreed upon number of simultaneous users or seats(computer systems), but not both.
You can read the EULA (End User License Agreement) in its entirety here.
Cluestick: Once again, if I get stuck with these contstraints, (let's call this, non-free), then why am I using Lindows? Linux is about freedom (speech, not beer), why am I tying myself down like this? This is Caldera-think. If my enterprise runs Linux, I just want to pay $X a year to Suse/Redhat/IBM for support. Sitting there counting boxes to figure out how many licenses you should pay for is a big reason to avoid close source software in the first place.
Lindows.com respects all applicable licensing and is proud to be a strong supporter of the Open Source community by helping to advance several Open Source initiatives. We are financially supporting several open source organizations.
Cluestick: Wine, anything else? You can't just say 'strong supporter of the Open Source Community.' Hell, I'm sitting here drinking a soda, I think of myself as a strong supporter too. Compare this with, let's say Redhat: Off the top of my head. Gnome, Apache, Mozilla, and gcc. That's a strong supporter of the OSS community.
Anyone else disappointed with the Walmart 'win' this company gained? No thanks, my vote is for "this company does not represent Linux or the Linux community".
The real question is, "What do Windows users think? Will it switch them?"
Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!