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Linspire Releases Controversial Version 6.0
christian.einfeldt writes "Today, Linspire releases version 6.0, its first new GNU/Linux distro in more than two years. With version 6.0, Linspire is betting that its business model of including licenses for proprietary software and formats such as Quicktime, Windows Media Player, Flash, Real, and Microsoft OOXML will win enough market share among mainstream Apple and Microsoft users to offset the backlash from opponents of proprietary software and formats. Version 6.0 also includes the highly controversial Microsoft patent coverage that has incited wide-reaching negative press coverage in the Free Open Source Software press, forums and blogosphere. But from Linspire's perspective, it's all about those new GNU/Linux users. '"Today we continue the Linspire tradition by offering the choice of a better overall experience for users new to desktop Linux,'" said Larry Kettler, President and CEO of Linspire, Inc. "Linspire 6.0 further bridges the gap between open source and commercial software, combining the best from each into a single easy-to-use, familiar and productive operating system."'"
no thanks.
Don't remember them.
Who the hell are they again?
Right here? This is me not purchasing it. :)
bork bork bork!
Didn't Mandriva just do the same - by default the download includes Nvidia drivers and PDF etc?
http://linux.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/09/1757214
liqbase
So the product is controversial because they worked with other companies (who may not be RMS's version of Open Source Advocates) to create a product that will work well with other systems and try to give features that Customers want. Life is sometimes a lot better when you decide to work with the system other then fighting it all the time. ... are not the enemies they are competitors. There is a difference between the two. Competitors you can work together for a common goal enemies you can't. Microsoft and Apple are willing to work with Linux distribution makers if they realize they can benefit from it. The Linux Zealots who have make Microsoft their enemy have loss out on a chance to expand what they can do.
There is a common misconception that everyone needs to change the world, for most people they just want to get by. Without the Morality of it all Linux is a Good OS not great but good, and technically not worth all the zealotry. So for the majority of people who needs a Good OS that is inexpensive Linux is a good option if they need to pay some price for a distribution to get improved compatibility so they can get along with their lives easer then all the better.
Microsoft, Apple,
So if I can now go to a web site and view Quicktime and Microsoft Format then all the better and if it is supported my Microsoft then there is a better chance (not complete) that the next version wont entirely kick me out).
Being a constant activist really wares people down and actually makes them miserable people. Where if you can work within the system you will feel better and probably get more good done.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
I've never used Linspire, but in terms of licensing file formats such as Quicktime and Windows Media, I think they're on the right track. People want an OS that works out of the box, and that includes media tasks. If it doesn't the average user has very little patience to make it work right.
As soon as I bought my first Linspire, I found that I had the ability to change others via a "Guardian Aspect"
Anyone else find the new comment thing, er, hard to use?
"Linspire 6.0 further bridges the gap between open source and commercial software, combining the best from each into a single easy-to-use, familiar and productive operating system."
But what was the bridge built with open source or proprietary software.
Why no ment6ion of freespire? http://www.freespire.org/
I install Linux over Windows about once every three or four weeks for friends. One of the first things to do is add mp3 support, and also ATI or nVidia support if need be. This used to be a hassle with Fedora, so I switched to installing Kubuntu. Now, this may make our lives even easier. How many Linux installs get MP3, DVD, or other proprietary support installed anyway? Why should we bash a company that is willing to include it from the get-go. I'll look into the non-OSS version of Freespire this evening, RMS be damned.
It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
http://carcino.gen.nz/images/image.phpi/463c5922/arguing.jpg
I know it's an oft-repeated argument, about whether or not to put the GNU/ on that product or platform. But extending the usual meme slightly may shed some new light on that debate. I'm just hoping it won't produce flame instead.
Linspire isn't just Linux. It's not even just GNU/Linux. Some might call it GNU/Apache/Qt/Linux/etc. Now it's GNU/Apache/Qt/Microsoft/Adobe/Real/Linux/etc. Pretty soon, your "free software" is going to have more corporate badges than a brand new laptop.
[
Does Linspire still force users to run as root? With that level of stupidity and the bundling of non-free software, potential users should take a serious look at this popular OS family called "Microsoft Windows".
I'm after one of those little Acer laptops but it uses Xandros, another distributor Microsoft suckered into their patent trap. Personally, I've no interest in interoperating with MS products or consuming their proprietary file formats and media codecs. I've even less interested in paying protection money to Microsoft, so it's no go unless Acer are prepared to ship without an OS.
Thank goodness GPLv3 will nullify the latest stench out of Redmond.
As simple as that. 99% of my Linux hassles is with proprietary, closed crap. Open stuff tends to Just Work after reading the friendly manual.
'Once scientists, even the dim-witted social scientists, get muzzled, the Western Civilization is finished.' - oldhack
What are we? F'ing communists?
The first thing any self-respecting linuxer does is go download a bunch of half-ass hacked or pirated versions of the same proprietary formats *anyway*. Jeez.
The fact that including support for the *normal* *standard* *formats* that everyone actually *uses* can even be considered to be controversial is why Linux is in the lousy state it is today.
Sad.
Then a bigger problem was Linspire itself was poo. It had many broken parts, and their much-hyped CNR didn't offer anything that users wanted. But you did get a genuine, time-wasting infuriating Windows-like experience with bales of crapware, nagware, and trialware that just wouldn't shut up and go away.
To make matters worse, Carmony badmouthed FOSS principles and deliberately misstated the meaning of "free" in free software when he released Freespire. I know, the word "free" meaning "libre" is problematic anyway, and Carmony made it worse. He pretty much spit on the very community that made it possible for Linspire to exist.
So. Maybe a new CEO will make it all better. Time will tell.
we will end no whine before its time
Does there need to be conflict and controversy?
stfu! yes!
How does Linspire get so much press?
Lemmesee, Linux makes up about one half of one percent of desktop systems. The top 20 Linux distros probably account for about 99% of all Linux desktop installs. Linuxspire is ranked as the 56th most popular Linux distro on distrowatch.
I figure that means there are about four Linspire installations world-wide.
But, I guess it's the PR stunts that really matter.
Speaking of which, there is now a Linux distro called "Vista." Maybe Linux "Vista" will get all kinds of press as well.
Microsoft is willing to work with ANY Linux distribution that will sign an agreement to the effect that they are including Microsoft "property" in their release.
You might want to look at Ballmer's latest words about suing Red Hat users.
What kinda drugs can a troll be on to write this diatribe. Downloading Formats? What???
I guess we could do a poll on whether he is an Apple or MS fanboy, but from the IQ level I would bet MS. There is no way this sucker could earn enough to buy the shiney toys Steve Jobs makes.
There are some people out there who do not WANT Linux.
They want free (as in beer) Microsoft Windows. But that takes too many words so they simply (and incorrectly) say "Linux". But what they really mean is "free (as in beer) Microsoft Windows".
Linux is not Microsoft Windows.
Linux is about Freedom (as in speech). But many people (and they are very vocal) do not want Freedom. They want "free" (as in beer) versions of proprietary apps to play proprietary content for "free" (again, as in beer) in proprietary formats.
"Microsoft, Apple, ... are not the enemies they are competitors. There is a difference between the two. Competitors you can work together for a common goal enemies you can't. Microsoft and Apple are willing to work with Linux distribution makers if they realize they can benefit from it. The Linux Zealots who have make Microsoft their enemy have loss out on a chance to expand what they can do."
I would suggest you to read up on the Halloween documents so you'll see how 'friendly' M$ is.
Patents Drive Free Software as Hurricanes Drive Construction Industry
It will be interesting to see if Linspire, like SUSE, will see a comparable market share rise in this version because of the patent protection. As frustrating as the implicit validation of an obviously groundless threat is, it is worth pointing out that the actual value of the deal has nothing to do with legal protection and everything to do with marketing.
Not, of course, referring to the negative publicity of the deal being made in the first place, which is read only by IT nerds anyways, but the combined value of some kind of flag to differentiate themselves from 'all the other linuxes' in the mind of confused non-technical decision makers and the possibility for a tiny toe-hold in MS-dominated solutions providers via holding Microsoft's endorsement.
Recently when, as is my usual practice, I spent some time berating one of our Microzombie monovendors for their lack of open source options my hapless victim, a low-level sales rep, hurriedly assured me that they were going to be offering some SUSE solutions. "It's the only Linux with legal protection from lawsuits" he excitedly told me. Point number one on his list of selling points. Not to mention the first time that vendor had ever mentioned Linux. Novell and Linspire have definitely sold their souls to the devil, but the devil did give them a decent marketing package in return.
I think it boils down to the issue of whether or not you believe software should be patentable. Without patents, the codecs would only have copyright to support exclusive use and that scenario is easily overcome by clean-room reverse engineering and re-implementation. However, once patents enter the picture then it doesn't matter how you re-implement the software, you are still infringing.
I personally believe that algorithms should be patentable. Supporting this I believe that all software fundamentally represents a particular organization of logic gates, so in effect software represents an abstract machine and machines are patentable. However I do not support patent-ability for design patterns or business processes as I believe the difference between algorithms and patterns and processes is that algorithms are hard to create while patterns and processes often have an obvious implementation that anyone in the field could independently come up with.
What do you think?
Shh.
Check the standings and you will see that the past 18 months have been horrible.
The smell is desperation is in the air.
Or else it could still be the leftover stench from Darl Carmony.
Freespire, anyone? You can purchase legal DVD playback with Freespire.
Seriously. Flash? one click in Ubuntu. Codecs? Few clicks, even better in Gutsy. OOXML? Not a deal braker here and I think for most of people. Adobe? Get a grip man, new KDE/GNOME PDF apps based on libpopper are much lighter and better. Even Windows users uses Foxit now.
And ohh, you can buy Fluendo Gstreamer codecs about 5 - 15 euros, if you want to be legimite.
Another slashadvert, sights.
And yes, Linspire action to buying protections right was stupid and greedy. It was worth community blackslash.
user@ubuntubox:~$ stfu This server is going down for shutdown NOW!
Looks like I've offended the proprietary fans here. :)
:)
Or did I speak ill of Linspire and it offended you?
What differences would there be if I took the commercial Linspire and re-released it myself? Would the only difference be non open source software that I wouldn't be able to include? If so are there any major difference between Linspire and Linspire's Freespire (besides the non-OSS not being included of course)? Or is it pretty much the same as Linspire, simply minus the things they can't legally include due to not having the license to?
Using openSUSE instead of Windows since 9th of October, 2007 and liking it.
Micheal forgot that most Linux users are created by OTHER linux users. They will not usually view the betrayal to MS very well...so will they be installing Linspire on the newbies PC? I think not.
Many Linux users can handle closed drivers/apps in their distro.(mandriva even gives you the choice) But almost NO ONE likes the sell out to MS. ooops, is that a problem Micheal?
As a Longtime follower of Linspire, I noticed Micheal Robertson slipping. He started out well, hoping for a return on the investment. He was not a hardcore RMS follower from the beginning, but a year and a half ago(or so) I felt he seemed to start panicing about whether Lindows/Linspire would ever pay off.
That seemed to culminate in this desperite MS deal.
I'd say if Linspire does not start breaking even, he will pull the plug within two years. (but maybe the MS deal was rich enough that he can hold out much longer. Who know how much MS paid him for the patent deal)
Life is sometimes a lot better when you decide to work with the system other then fighting it all the time.
No! Commercial software is the equivalent of an innovation tar pit. You are pretending there is some kind of peaceful coexistence when no such thing exists in commercial software. They made an old movie with a fairy tale ending that illustrates the reality. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031679/
Unless you like paying more for communicating less with others, you will reconsider your position.
Linux is a Good OS not great but good, and technically not worth all the zealotry.
As a sysadmin, Linux is heads and shoulders above windows. Transparent, logical, flexible while remaining secure. The same cannot be said for a Win32 server. Auditing? Very limited and cryptic. Logging? Cryptic and inflexible. Secure? Who knows! Flexible? Certainly not as delivered. Don't get me started on the when the myriad of license limits kick in.
Is Linux the best tool for every job? No. Please take this opportunity to establish a little more objectivity.
Got Trader Joe's? friendwich.com RSS feeds work now!
"Is it worth it to be right if the argument itself is stupid?"
.....
You must be new here. This is slashdot, where we argue over everything, and now that includes your stupid question
thanks for nothing!
Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
Come on folks, how hypocritical can we get. Although free software may win out in the long term, it's going to be a mixed world for quite a while. How many of us Linux users would want a system where you could never:
1. Watch a DVD
2. listen to an MP3 file
3. View any website with Flash content.
4. Use 3D acceleration on your ATI or NVIDIA card
5. Use your wireless card (Unless it happens to be an Intel).
6. Never view any websites with video content
7. Never use any website with Java content (OK, there aren't as many of these, but...)
8. Etc, etc.
I'm sure there are some of us who either don't need these things or force themselves to live without them on philosophical grounds, but I also suspect the majority of us don't. Fedora is pretty purist distro - how many Fedora users don't eventually go over to Livna or FreshRPMS and download codecs and video drivers?
Again, there are surely those who could live with a purist distro like Fedora out of the box, but I bet they are the minority. For everyone else who's ever downloaded an Nvidie driver or codec to criticize a distro who tries to include that stuff legally is pretty hypocritical.
He changed the license from the original. He specifically chose the GPL. It was a conscious decision on his part.
Looks like you just mentioned DRM and the GPL in a conversation about Linux.
So it seems to appear that you can talk about them. You just did.
I'm not the one trying to confuse the issue. Linux is NOT "free-as-in-beer Microsoft Windows" nor was it designed to be.
Did I say that his goal was "to change the world"? No? I didn't think I did.
This is great. The first thing I do when I setup a new Windows/Mac/Linux machine is to install all the standard stuff that nobody includes. Ex:
... ...
Windows: WinAmp, XVID, FireFox...
Mac: Flip4Mac, VLC, DIVX,
Linux: MP3 support for XMMS, Video drivers,
I understand why Linux distros can't install this stuff. It requires licenses, and the OS is free.
But I would gladly pay $50 for a distro that had this. Most end-users would too (many of them pay me far more than that for time it takes me to do it manually). The Slashdot editorial ^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hheadline makes it sounds like Linspire paid for a Novell-like or SCO-like patent license. That isn't what the press release says. It says they included some codecs.
Every year is supposed to be the year of "Linux on the desktop" yet whenever an article comes out about Linspire trying to make that happen, all the geeks jump on them like they are awful. Linspire is trying to make Linux easy and friendly and a pretty package. Yes, they rebranded RPM/DEB modules as "click-and-run" Yes, they pay licenses for stuff so you don't have to download it. They provide a service to the end-user, and we should be happy for every new Linux user who installs it and says "Hey, this is really great! It has everything I need" instead of complaining and making them look like Microsoft's evil twin brother.
I guess this post will be voted down into ovlidium. Anyway, I have to say this:
I've been using Linspire since their first beta (when they were called Lindows). It was a pretty decent distro, like a "moderm Debian, with KDE as default desktop manager". It had the "problem" with the root issue, but there was anything that prevented root to switch to a standard non privileged user. Lets go to today situation. This version is based in Ubuntu (instead of Debian), so it starts with all feature most Linux users wants (since Ubuntu is without dispute, the #1 Linux distro). Most people I know install over Ubuntu the "automatix" or some script to install Flash, JAVA and all codecs 99% desktop people use (remeber that a base Ubuntu installation don't even play mp3). I also use Ubuntu in another machine (have 2 notebooks and 1 server), but I bought a HP Pavillon dv5000 (Turion 64 model) and Freespire was the only distro that recognized the wifi card out of the box. You can make it work with Ubuntu and the Windows drivers, after following a 3 page step by step guide. I love Linux and love learning, but there is a moment when I want to do samething else than working for my computer.
The main difference now in Ubuntu and Linspire is the Linpire is defaulted to KDE instead of Gnome. CNR (Click and Run) is another important difference, but I guess Ubuntu will have day in the future).
So from a technical perspective, Linspire now is not so bad (in my opinion, it is even better, but this is debatable).
From a legal perspective, Linspire did a deal with MS not to promote MS claims on their patents as most people says, they did it to protect their clients (they are a commercial distro) and they use this fact to sell security (buy our distro, you won't be sued as some non computer companies were sued by SCO). From a commercial view, it was a smart move. I would like to see Canonical and Red Hat what they will do when MS lawyers go for them.
Regarding open source, Linspire did a lot contributions like Gizmo, Nvu, Lphoto and now the CNR (cnr.com), they are all open source (not just free). But the most important contribution is Freespire 2.0 (www.freespire.org) that it has also most of the propietary codecs, but without the Linspire brand (for what is worth).
IMHO, Linspire doesn't deserve to be treated as it were the LinuxOne stock scam (remember 1999?).
DNA in your Linux: DNALinux
Don't be under any illusions - Microsoft is an avowed enemy of linux and open source in general. Otherwise, why all the BS and FUD over alleged patent violations.
Actually, Ballmer is an friend of Linux. He is throwing chairs into Windows.
...that "distros" are dead and now there are 300+ Operation Systems and those are fighting for popularity and support for different corporations. So why we should anymore use "distro" when we have so many OS (windows, macosx and 300+ different linux OS)? (yes, very stupid question but how about?)
I really love the part on the Linspire website that says "Powered by Ubuntu". http://www.linspire.com/products_linspire_whatis.php?tab=features Priceless (literally!)
Care to guess who actually runs Linux systems?
You say the marketing is effective? You may want to read my other post about doing the math. Linspire is essentially a dead distro. And I think Novell/Suse is soon to follow. On the other hand, the real heavyweights in Linux: Redhat, Ubuntu, and Debian; want nothing to do with msft scams, er . . . I mean secretive patent protection deals.
until it became obvious that they couldn't find their butt even when using both hands. A lot of loyal *spire users felt the same way, especially when KC and friends decided to dance with the "Devil" to cover the butt they could not find. KC said "If you're so smart why don't you start your own distro?" And Chris Medico, with the help and encouragement of his friends, did. It's a fully realized (even though it's only just about to hit beta) Kubuntu derivative called "Klikit" www.klikit.org He's solved most of the codec problems and it's remarkably stable. I'm a 15 year Mac and Window guy and I run Klikit 95% of the time on my home machines. Linspire is so 2005... Linspire and Xandros lost a lot of good will when they ponied up the protection money.
Msft strives to be antagonistic to everybody, especially msft customers. Maybe you're not away of msft's long criminal history?
Msft claims that linux violates msft patents. Why doesn't msft put up or shut up? Msft has been making these specious claims for years. Logically, if msft had evidence, then msft would present it. Unless it's just another msft fud campaign. Right?
Msft has been caught red-handed in *numerous* outright lies and scams: how about bald face lying to the US-DoJ?
How about outright stealling stacker technoloy? How about the letters from dead people campaigns? How about fronting with fake think-tanks? How about astro-turfing with a letters-from-dead-people campaign? How about the obvious corruption in the OOXML scam? How about paying another company many millions to have that company file a totally bogus lawsuit against IBM, just to FUD Linux. How about bogus benchmarks, and bogus TCO studies. Please, name another major software company that does all that.
I came in here expected a big fight about morality and ethics and free software and evil software, and damnit, you all are being reasonable. Crap. Now what?
I expect commercial apps on linux. Gaming companies aren't going to develop their games for free use on linux. Period. Not at least and have them competitive with commercial games.
I use Linux all day every day. It is my primary OS. I expect to have the same level of programs as I would find in the commercial market. For the most part, with the OS itself and with the productivity apps such as Open Office, Firefox, media players, etc., I get that. It's there. Kudos to the hard working people that bring them to me.
BUT...
Gaming is something different altogether. Games are important to me and they need to be modern and something that can keep my attention. I'm not saying that this is impossible nor that there are no games available for Linux. On the contrary. There are games, but they are not plentiful. I play UT, Doom, ET, NWN, etc. But I really want to see current games being released with Linux clients from commercial gaming companies. That is the ONE thing that I see currently holding back Linux from being picked up by a larger segment of users.
I don't want a proprietard's OS. I don't want to have to worry about my privacy being violated, about DRM being implemented against the will of the community. About monitoring programs such as found in MS WGA/WGN utilities. I don't want content creators nor those selling the DRM schemes telling me what I can and can't do with my computer.
So, the OS must be free and Open. But the end user apps such as productivity and gaming can go either way for me. I don't concern myself with it much other than to ensure that they are there.
Even so, I will NEVER EVER support a company that gets into bed with the evil empire at MS. No way. They knew they were being a pawn in the battle to divide the community. The purpose behind those agreements with Xandros, Linspire, Novell were to divide the community. Luckily the community is resilient and has easily overcome the pressures. Kudos to those companies that didn't fall to the false foul mouthed jerk off known as Steve Ballmer.
You can lead a man with reason but you can't make him think.
The next step for market is for people to decide on there own to try Linux.
Linspire is exactly what is says it is, a bridge between MS to Linux. It is also exactly what Linux needs to win more converts.
Small steps.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Is that anything like the difficult third album?
... and then they built the supercollider.
Merrick: "The vaccine will be distributed gratis."
Al: Free gratis.
Merrick: Free gratis is a redundancy.
[Al looks at EB quizzically]
EB: Does that mean 'repeats itself?'
Al: Then leave gratis out.
Merrick: What luck for me Al, that you have such a keen editorial sense. Free. Distributed free. Period."
This quote distributed gratis, but I do accept gratuities.
I think one of the more interesting things about Linspire is that they apparently use Haskell for their system tools. Can anyone confirm this? If it's true, they clearly employ some interesting people.
I had been prepared to buy Linspire, or at least get their Click&Run service. I do think that the next leg of Linux's path to maturity involves commercial (not necessarily proprietary) software that runs on the Linux platform.
Then I go visit the Linspire web site, listing all the features:
Plug'n'play drivers: yea!
Multimedia support: yea!
Respects Microsoft IP: --WHAT!??
Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me. Linspire's been having sex with Microsoft.
Oh, well. Was nice knowing you. I'll stick to (k)Ubuntu, myself.
404555974007725459910684486621289147856453481154 in hex is "You sank my Battleship?"
[GPG key in journal]
Quicktime is absolutely, 100% non-proprietary at this point... h.264, MPEG-4 (ASP), AAC, MP3, are all open standards. They require patent license fees, but so do most open standards, including the WiFi card your probably using...
Windows Media is at least mostly open, with VC-1 now an SMPTE standard.
Microsoft is working towards standardizing OOXML as well. It's getting a lot of heat for not being entirely free, while ODF is, but that doesn't make it proprietary.
Real also isn't a very good example, with a player having long been provided for free use on any available Linux system.
Of note is that only the Slashdot summary made these mistakes. TFA did not mention these as proprietary. It did incorrectly mention many other open standards as being proprietary: MP3, Java, PDF, Flash, etc. though at least Flash was proprietary in the past. It also confuses proprietary software (closed implementations) eg. Acrobat, and proprietary standards eg. PDF.
Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
The enthusiasts who build and customize their own systems are a tiny minority of users.
Everyone else shops for a PC in much the same way they shop for any other home appliance - they buy it retail boxed and ready to run. They buy from dealers who won't touch the illegal codec for love or money.
``With version 6.0, Linspire is betting that its business model of including licenses for proprietary software and formats such as Quicktime, Windows Media Player, Flash, Real, and Microsoft OOXML''
Great. Next time someone comes whining to me about some Linux distro not supporting some proprietary format, I'll point them at Linspire. There's a distro for you that doesn't care about open source purity and just supports a whole bunch of proprietary crap right out of the box. You don't have to do any of the work normally required to get that all working (Easybuntu, Automatix, whatever). You just have to pay the price (and I don't just mean the $49.95).
Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.
"This... is... Slashdot!"
Strike while the irony is hot! -- The Freethinker
You'll find Microsoft's list of available codecs for Windows Media Player at Codecs
[Codec patents] Since when is this a problem for linux?...Maybe it's not entirely legal, but since when does the end user care?
Well, it's not a problem for Linux, but it IS a problems if the end user is a U.S. company that wants to deploy Linux on the desktop.
How is Linspire going to make legit codecs a selling point when the average user doesn't even know what a codec is, and why they need to be licensed?
I don't think the lack of legit codecs would be a deal-breaker for lots of corporate desktop linux - after all, a company could just not install media apps on corporate desktops - if there are no codecs, then it doesn't matter if those codecs would have needed licensing.
If, on the other hand, a U.S. company is looking to deploy desktop Linux with working media apps (sound, video - useful for training, video conferencing, media development), then that company might think that licensed versions of U.S. patent-restricted codecs IS a selling point.
Why do you think that RedHat doesn't ship patent-restricted codecs (or at least MP3)? My guess - lots of their enterprise desktop customers wouldn't get Linux from RedHat if RH was knowingly including unlicensed-but-patent-encumbered software.
---
PATENT LAW QUESTION: I'm not sure about U.S. law re: USERS of patent-protected software (as opposed to the developer/distributor, i.e. RH). What could happen to a company that knowingly USES software that infringes on a third-party's patent? A Cease n Desist? Infringement damages - is there such thing as contributory infringement by users in the patent arena?
for linux? that's just retarded.. are they just trying to fool the people who have never used linux before? why the hell would anybody pay for something that is free? how the hell are people able to sell Linux for commercial use? it just doesn't make sense..
*plays the Apogee theme song music*
Hey, what's the name of that distro Stallman uses again? The one that's '100% Free Software'?
Oh, yeah, UTUTO.(accept phony certificate).
"El Proyecto UTUTO es un proyecto de investigación y desarrollo de tecnología informática de aplicación social, con el objetivo de incentivar y promover la generación y apropiación del conocimiento en los paises en desarrollo, reduciendo la (así llamada) brecha digital entre los países que lideran el desarrollo tecnológico a nivel mundial y aquellos que hasta hoy se limitaban a importar y consumir desarrollos extranjeros.(...) Declarado de Interes Nacional por la Honorable Camara de Diputados de la Nación Argentina" --- HOW-TO-BREED-A-LINUX-HATER-HOWTO.
Main difference between the BSD license and the GPL license: one is from California and the other is from Massachusetts
I was following with great anticipation the release of the next freespire version back in June. Then just before the beta they announced the patent deal. After that I followed the discussions on the freespire boards. A lot of a good people left to http://www.klikit.org/. I stopped following after a while. It was about a 50/50 split between those who were upset and those who were not. Most (and I have seen a lot of this in the comments here) that were not upset seemed to have confused the licensing agreements Linspire had done in the past for codes and such with the current deal that also included patents. Which in the minds of most people crossed a line they hadnt before. This had nothing to do with the user experience or usability.
I liked the idea of legally watching a DVD or listening to an MP3 on Linux a more stable less vulnerable OS. I also liked the idea of having a distro I could recommend that was legal in this regard. You would be surprised how many people get scared when they see a window tell them that by continuing they might by breaking the law.
B5 71 ED FB 55 D6 4E 68 07 25 E2 FA CA 93 F0 2F, is mine! All mine!
So you mean all the people using Linux without buying a distro are going to use their clout as non-paying customers to not buy Linspire too?
Troll? Kiss my fucking ass. What I said is true and everyone here KNOWS IT. Linspire is a worthless HACK!
You are uninformed. The zealotry is not for the operating system, but for the freedom of what you can do with it and to it. You don't get the same freedom with proprietary software products. Any OS containing proprietary software has less features - not more - in my opinion.
Ok, you can stick with Ubuntu but from my experiance the previous version of linspire creamed all over the last Ubuntu install I tried.
Linspire is really Linux for the Desktop, try it any you may like paying for it.
thank God the internet isn't a human right.
Just because your operating system supports these formats doesn't mean that you're a proponent of non-open standards
Linspire and the rest of the distros that license proprietary media formats are validating/enabling the propagation of proprietary software. It is the functional equivalent of poisoning the well you drink from.
I think if we made Linux more accessible...
It is already accessible. Moreover, Apple has already discovered that licensing proprietary formats from Microsoft hasn't meaningfully helped consumer adoption. Why do Linux distros need go down an already failed path?
Got Trader Joe's? friendwich.com RSS feeds work now!
Try this web site to see if they have it available for your distro of choice.