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A GNU/Linux Distro Needing Windows To Install?

Posted by kdawson on from the for-some-values-of-instant dept.

dgun writes "I recently put together a new PC. When I purchased the motherboard, I noticed that it came with an instant-on OS, a small GNU/Linux distro called Splashtop. I assumed that the OS was on a ROM chip on the motherboard. To my great annoyance, when I tried to boot to this OS, a message said that it was not installed. It turns out that motherboard comes with an install disk for this GNU/Linux OS — that you can only run from Windows, to install Splashtop on the hard drive. First of all, doesn't installing it on the hard drive defeat the point of having an instant-on OS? If I wanted to dual-boot a small GNU/Linux OS, there are plenty that I could choose from. Second, if distributing GPL'ed software by means that completely preclude it from being used without Windows is not a violation of the GPL, should it not be?"

5 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. give me a break by Sir_Lewk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Second, if distributing GPL'ed software by means that completely preclude it from being used without Windows is not a violation of the GPL, should it not be?

    No. Stop being absurd. There are plenty examples of GPLd programs meant only for windows. While this might be a little silly in this case there is nothing "wrong" with it and you need to stop getting so upset about it.

    --
    "linux is just DOS with a UNIX like syntax" -- Galactic Dominator (944134)
  2. Bad Article. Poster didn't bother to RTFA. by LurkerXXX · · Score: 5, Informative

    The poster of the story didn't even bother to read the link he provided... You can install it from a USB drive from the source. Asus simply doesn't provide that installer on their install CD.

    This is a non-story. The distro doesn't need windows to install. The distributor was just being cheap.

  3. I don't really think so by Tenebrousedge · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Second, if distributing GPL'ed software by means that completely preclude it from being used without Windows is not a violation of the GPL, should it not be?

    Is that a trick question? The GPL says nothing about Windows, it just says that if they're distributing GPL'd binaries, you should be able to get the source code from them. Just because you don't like something does not mean it should be illegal.

    --
    Those who advocate genocide deserve every protection afforded by law, and none afforded by common human decency.
  4. I got a motherboard for this "feature" as well by JackieBrown · · Score: 5, Informative

    Fortunately, I read the customer reviews at newegg so I was expecting it.

    I installed windows then splashtop. Splashtop is pretty but was not worth the time for the installation of windows.

    I was hoping I would at least be able to update my bios through it.

    It can't update the bios and cannot read any of my partitions.

    I changed my bios setting pretty quick to skip it from asking me to load splashtop.

  5. Re:Bad Article. Poster didn't bother to RTFA. by Ryvar · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, the original post is terrible. If he was *really* trying to get people to needlessly hyperventilate he should have titled it "A GNU/Linux distro needing BSD to install?!?!"