Californians Can Get Free MS-Settlement PCs

soliaus writes "Seeing as how Microsoft recently lost the anti-trust lawsuit in California, Lindows has taken charge and is offering people free Lindows-related goodies. Basically, Lindows files a claim on your behalf, they keep the money, and you can get a copy of Lindows; a Click-N-Run subscription; a free PC; or other Lindows goods. More information about filing a claim on your own can be found here." (Note that this only applies if you purchased a computer for use in California.) Other companies will probably come out with their own approach to trading settlement money for goods, too, so if Lindows isn't your choice, waiting is a good idea.

Comments

Lindows of $$ .. hmm

[Anonymous Coward]

i think i'd much rather have the money than a crippled copy of debian. Is there no provision to get cash back instead of an operating system you don't want?

Good idea, and in defense of Lindows

[heironymouscoward]

Note that participating in this involves signing over your claim to Lindows. This is probably a good thing. Lindows are a major pain in the ass for the boys from Redmond, and they deserve our general support for this.

It's hard to understand the hostility some people demonstrate towards Lindows, which is a good package, well-made and well-supported. It's not ideal for pioneer Linux users, but you do have a large choice of alternatives. What Lindows has done is to demonstrate the possibility of a migration path from Windows to Linux, and for we should be grateful.

Incidentally, to those who say Lindows is "crippleware" it's very hard to cripple Debian, which classically bootstraps from a diskette. You do need to know what a shell prompt is, and how to use apt-get, but that's about it.

The lawyers are laughing all the way to the bank

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm sure that the lawyers are very happy with this case against Microsoft because for every dollar that Microsoft is fined the lawyers will get a dime. It's the case of the lesser of the two evils - whilst Microsoft may have a few questionable business practices, it's the lawyers that are bleeding this country dry.

And as you've pointed out, it's very hypocritical for Slashdot to cheer on this lawsuit whilst criticizing SCO.

Re:Other distros should be doing this.

[mikesmind]

No matter what you think about Lindows, you must admit that Michael Robertson is quick to jump on an opportunity. His marketing skills far surpass other Linux vendors. It really grabs your attention to see the message that you can get a free computer. He even spins it well to call it "MS-free PC."

Because it sets a bad precedent.

[Shivetya]

Allowing courts and governments to determine pricing is bad precedent.

Californian's wonder why businesses are leaving in droves will soon see other effects. You cannot have predatory governments and courts and expect your economy to thrive.

Right now the cost of doing business is not high enough to force everyone out, but inch by inch they leave. (iow, we know Ms will never leave, but there are smaller companies who other effects of the abuse of government and courts there)

Don't cheer crap like this.