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Linspire Releases Controversial Version 6.0

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the like-free-but-not dept.

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."'"

9 of 202 comments (clear)

  1. Mandriva just did this as well? by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 3, Informative

    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 :: faster than paper
    1. Re:Mandriva just did this as well? by ricegf · · Score: 3, Informative

      I believe Mandriva has provided proprietary products, drivers, etc. with their commercial offerings since at least their Mandrake name (they were sued into another name by a magician rather than a chair tosser). The philosophical difference is that Mandriva hasn't licensed Microsoft's secret 235 patents that allegedly might be related in some slight way to various undisclosed free software products. Whatever.

    2. Re:Mandriva just did this as well? by imr · · Score: 3, Informative

      Mandriva's business model is this:
      3 situations, 3 editions

      FREE as in FREEDOM:
      "Mandriva FREE" dvd.
      All rpm inside come from main and contrib repository which are fordidden to non free software. If a rpm in those is non free, it's a mistake.

      free as in free beer:
      "Mandriva ONE", live-cd:
      you can test it all your heart content, then install it if you want.
      Proprietary drivers are in there, wifi, 3d, modems, to make easy installation for everyone.

      Commercial edition as in value added:
      "Mandriva PowerPack", dvd
      This one has the same size than the Free Edition, the same proprietary stuff than the ONE, but also has more commercial programs added, like Cedega or Lindvd, and a bunch of others (skype?).

      About the codecs problem, the solution chosen is fluendo.
      This guys are supporting gstreamer on the free software side and providing linux and solaris native solution for codecs on the closed prooprietary one.
      http://www.fluendo.com/presentation.php
      http://www.fluendo.com/press/releases/PR-2007-01.html
      https://shop.fluendo.com/

  2. File Formats A Necessary Evil by p0tat03 · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.

    1. Re:File Formats A Necessary Evil by Tanktalus · · Score: 4, Informative

      Oddly, I can play more wmv's on my Gentoo Linux box (using Kaffeine/Xine) than I can on my WindowsXP laptop...

  3. Re:Linspire... by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Informative

    They use to be Lindows. Until Microsoft sued them for their name.

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    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  4. Typical axe-grinding by oddman · · Score: 4, Informative

    Why no ment6ion of freespire? http://www.freespire.org/

  5. Re:Linspire... by Volante3192 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Except Lindows DID beat them, in the sense that Microsoft would've ended up losing 'Windows' if it went to trial. The rename was part of a deal they hashed out. I forget the rest of the details.

    It's probably on the Wiki page if you care enough. I don't.

  6. Re:Linspire... by Volante3192 · · Score: 4, Informative

    And they're going to sue Linux users because of patent infringements. Could just as well have been trying to keep up appearances after paying off some startup Linux company.

    The rest of the deal was Microsoft paying $20 mil to Linspire and Linspire giving MS the Lindows trademark. I did end up getting curious.