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An Early Look at Freespire Linux
An anonymous reader writes "DesktopLinux.com takes an early look at Freespire Linux in a recent article. Linspire will be releasing their first version of Freespire, the first community Linux distribution to include many third-party proprietary codecs, drivers, and software. From the article: 'While I still have my doubts about the long-term wisdom of using proprietary software and drivers with Linux, I must say that if you feel you need to use such programs, Freespire makes it much easier than any other Linux distribution. And, when is all said and done, that's really what Freespire is all about -- making Linux as easy as possible for users.'"
... but EasyUbuntu accomplishes the same thing (at least as far as the codecs and drivers go, I didn't RTFA) for Ubuntu and is as easy as the name suggests.
is that it uses root accounts by default. That's pretty much asking for trouble.
Please, for the good of Humanity, vote Obama.
The work around is that there is no GPL violation. The Linux Kernel has an open API. If you conform to the API and have written all the code yourself, your code isn't subject to the GPL. The Kernel source is GPL. Any module can be whatever the author deems it.
It is illegal to distribute non-GPL binary kernel modules (ask any kernel developer), and Freespire should respect the GPL since they are a Linux company.
Well, the actual nVidia/ATI kernel module IS GPLed. It acts as layer between the kernel and the binary blob. This layer has an open API, which is used by the blob. Thus, the blob uses the kernel, it does not extend it. The extension comes from the GPLed layer.
The real issue is that nVidia & ATI use GPL code from other parts of the kernel in their drivers. This is the only issue, because the way I described above makes binary blobs perfectly legal.
This sig does not contain any SCO code.
People don't seem to understand what the GPL covers in term of "derivative" work. If you fulfill an API, that is not covered under the GPL. If you take parts of the linux kernel, modify them and then repackage them, that does constitute derivative work. It just happens that most kernal modules distrubuted with Linux distros are GPLed, but they don't have to be. The module can be 100% new code, and the author can then release it under whatever Liscence they want.
"It does mean that the user would need a valid windows license, but they come with all computers now."
That license does NOT grant the right to run Windows on any other system.
But, on a different note. There are different points of view. The first is that the "Operating System" is simply a resource manager. Its goal is to maximize utilization of your computer. From this point of view, Linux is already superior to Windows.
Another point of view is that the "Operating System" is central to your (enjoyable) use of the computer. That it presents and correlates information, and integrates applications. From this point of view Windows is superior to Linux.
What is a "newbie"? If it is someone who interacts "lightly" with a computer, and only does email and web surfing, Linux is probably a better choice. If it is someone who uses programs in a "non-integrated" way, Linux is a better choice.
Only if that "newbie" uses multiple programs and expects them to integrate in the Windows way, Windows would be the better choice. But that person would no longer be a "newbie". As to "config file problem" -- I have 22 years of computer experience, and I don't know my way around the "Windows Registry". It makes no sense to me. And, to boot, I have been unable to install Windows XP on some pretty plain hardware. I would say that Linux is easier to install and manage. I guess I'm not that mythical "newbie".
You are dead on in your observation that simply emulating Windows isn't the right direction. Not because Windows is a "bad" experience. Simply because the super-tight integration costs a lot. In security. In trying to customize. In maintainance.
"Crazy package dependencies". Interesting, the same finger can be pointed at Microsoft. For instance, I purchased a program "DVD Ripper". It claimed on the box to run on Windows 98 up to Windows XP. I installed it -- it is missing "something.dll" (not sure of the exact thing). Now, that would be a crazy package dependency. Especially as I really don't have time (or the desire) to dig though OTHER peoples computers to find what is missing. Or "warez" sites. Available in binary only, naturally. I should be so stupid as to actually download a random binary, from a site I don't trust...
"bi-daily system updates". Well then, don't do it! Or, choose a "Linux" that is stable.
As always, YMMV
Ratboy
Just another "Cubible(sic) Joe" 2 17 3061
I've tried over a dozen Linux distros and all of them have had major, glaring problems from a user standpoint. The worst is support for MP3 files. SuSE pretends there isn't any such thing; Ubuntu gives you a link to a cryptic page which says "please go away". USB thumbdrives can be plugged in but not unplugged on SuSE. Music CDs won't play, and no apparent reason is given. On and on. Ubuntu's the closest, but it's still not anything I could give to anyone who's not a masochistic geek. Get over it and fix the stupid problems!
The problem with #2 is that the drivers need constant support, because the kernel changes so fast. Of course it is logical that a driver written for Kernel 2.6.1 may not work with 2.6.15, but sometimes stuff even breaks because it was written for 2.6.14! This makes Linux driver maintenance expensive. If the maintainer does not have 24/7 devotion behind it, the driver is gone.
Contrast this with stuff like ext2fs for Windows. I can *still* use it, even after the updates and the switch from 2000 to XP. There should be a stable API for GPLed OSS drivers, which is changed ONLY between major releases.
This sig does not contain any SCO code.
>One eensy weensy little detail distinguishes Freespire from EasyUbuntu:
>
>legality.
Only in the U. S. of Eh. my friend. Up here in the Great White North, not to mention the rest of the free world, (NOT Australia since they've joined the US copyright tyranny) it is completely legal to use most of those codecs that might land an American butt in the slammer.
What I find most frustrating is that because people are so afraid of what the Americans will do, they intentionally cripple these distros. Grrrrr.
i switched from windows to linux within the last year.
first of all, get acquanted with linuxquestions.org.
if this is for personal enrichment / value, i'd recommend going debian or a derivative. the derivatives are easier to start with. i'd recommend ubuntu (lots of people seems to love, i've never installed it, but might eventually do so) or simply mepis. i use mepis day in and day out and rarely switch over to winxp.
if this is for business experience, you have to do redhat or suse.
mepis packages (software) are based upon ubuntu's packages. it is kind of like kubuntu (ubuntu with kde instead of gnome), but mepis (kde) is #1 in the mepis community and kubuntu is #2 in the ubuntu community.
keep in mind that your hardware may dictate what distro you use. i think both ubuntu and mepis have live cds - try them and make sure your hardware works with them. if it works with ubuntu and not mepis, ubuntu is the better fo the two choices.
wpa wireless entworking is still an "adventure" in linux. in order to avoid the research and the headaches, i spent $65 on a wireless bridge - my wireless linux box ethernets into the wireless bridge and all is nice and neat. as far as linux is concerned, it is on ethernet.
also keep in mind that there is no one or two right answers. visit linuxquestions.org. other distros will work fine - the most critical parts are between your ears and shoulders - your mind and your heart. i've enjoyed my recent foray into linux and linuxquestions.org's mepis forum has been very helpful.