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First Impressions of Freespire 1.0
Nate writes "Freespire 1.0 was released a few days ago, taking the desktop-oriented Linspire distribution and making it freely available (as in beer) to the world. Linux Format has some first impressions of the release, focusing on its much-trumpeted media playback facilities thanks to codec licensing. Flash, Java, DVD and WMV support out-the-box — could this climb to the top of the desktop distro ladder?"
I turn my desktop off to save on power and to try to keep my room cooler. Plus it dual-boots between Windows (for games) and Linux (for work). My laptop goes with me many times I leave the house. So to answer your question, I boot my machines quite often.
It's like sex, except I'm having it!
If you had read TFA, you would know that they're sticking with 3.3 because of stability issues with newer versions, and that it's probable future releases will include 3.5.
Because they have a lot invested in their custom patches to KDE, and haven't bothered to migrate them to 3.5 yet. I suspect it's a simple question of available resources and priorities for them.
I know, there's the "stability" argument as well, but I think that's most likely bogus.
Throw the bums out!
The downside is, of course, that you have to wait probably at least one full day for all of this stuff to compile from scratch.
But seriously, Gentoo doesn't seem to have nearly the problems I hear of other distros having with licensing. Is there really such a legal difference between distributing ebuilds (which contain download URLs for the codecs) and distributing the codecs themselves in debs? Could debs include download URLs?
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
That a big argument (excuse?) often given for the slow (non) migration to Linux from Windows is that there is no WMV, DVD, MP3, etc, support out-of-the-box. Now that there is a distro making an effort to offer these features, it's roundly dismissed. While I wouldn't personally use it (I'm absolutely loving ubuntu right now), I might take a look and see if it's ready for my parents, girlfriend, non-geek friends/relatives (I don't have high expectations, but who knows).
insert inflammatory anti-microsoft comment here
or use easy ubuntu: http://easyubuntu.freecontrib.org/
From their website, they seem to have a GPL compliant version and a free (as in beer) proprietary version, much like OpenSuse 10.0 was.
Here's a list of the licensed proprietary compenents. Under nearly every one it says explicitly that you are not granted redistobution rights.
Basically, I guess if you want to legally redistribute it you'd need get this one. Since it doesn't have the proprietary codecs, though, I think you'd be better off with Ubuntu.
The encrypted DVD playback doesn't work out-of-the-box, but is available (with a license fee) via the Freespire CNR repository (other than the other codecs, this is a per unit license fee that's passed along to the end user).
Linux is much more than an alternative...
Hope that helps.
*Haven't used Gentoo, but Debian/Ubuntu call the grub configuration file menu.list while FC/RH call it grub.conf."Linux is for noobs"-The new MS fud strategy
This has nothing to do with GPL compliance. Are you suggesting that Freespire has some non-compliance issues and is violating the GPL? This is no different than Red Hat Enterprise Linux -- you can't freely copy that either because it contains Red Hat trademarks (eg: the Red Hat logos).
The source code != the CDROM on which it is distributed.
Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
can you tell me the easiest method of getting Ubuntu up to speed with all the codecs, DVD-playback, flash, et cetera... LEGALLY?
n s
Keep an eye on here:
http://www.fluendo.com/products.php?product=plugi
They are currently only available to OEMs, but the plan (as stated in the link) is to make them available to end users via a webshop.
-- MartinG To mail me: echo kewyjlcxyzvjfxbqwh | tr bcefhjklqvwxyz
Where I work, backups are run at night over the network, as are software/OS upgrades, etc. Leaving the computer on is company policy (turning off the monitor though is OK and is encouraged).
Support Right To Repair Legislation.
Power management that works would be something to brag about. The best of both worlds.
The difference is mepis is more cutting edge or up-to-date as far as software and desktop go. And while Freespire has said they will be going to APT, right now you are still using their CNR, (which is nice for newbies), they are not there yet. APTy goodness allows you to choose where you get your software, and what level you wish to maintain, stable/testing/unstable(the latest).
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing. Emo Philips
AFAIK Real Player for Linux is one legal way to get MP3 playback for Linux in the US. Their latest incarnation on Linux is quite decent too, IMHO.