I decided to write this review to provide a quick inside to the new Linspire 5.0 released on March 15th, 2005. The review will determine the use of Linspire 5.0 in a SOHO (Small Office Home Office) Environment. The download was free for me since I’m a current CNR subscriber. UPDATE: Another Linspire review, and the Linspire 5.0 Live CD is now available for free download.
I will not post any Screen Shots, but instead offer users to visit OSDir.com and look at the screenshots provided by them from start to finish. These folks offer a wonderful service and deserve as much credit as possible in providing this for us. I am a Linspire Insider, but will do a very honest and open review about Linspire 5.0. I have also provided many hyperlinks to other areas of interest in this review, so please check them out.
1) Test System and Hardware Support
Dell D800 Laptop, with Pentium M 2.0Ghz CPU, 1GB Memory, 15.4 WUXGA LCD, NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5650 AGP Video, 60GB 7200RPM Hard Drive, 8x DVD+RW, Wireless 1350 802.11b/g, Intel GHz Network Card, and 56k Modem. As you can see this is a very modern and up to date test system, and should really demonstrate Linspire’s ability to perform in a SOHO Environment for which I intend to use it for.
Everything worked for me on this system, the LCD was not adjusted correctly at first but was easily adjusted with the Linspire Display Tool to its default setting of 1920×1600. I plugged in my Maxtor USB2 160GB External HD with a Fat32 Partition and it worked, my Lexar 1GB JumpDrive Traveler worked, my HP All-In-One Officejet 4215 worked once I installed the HP Drivers from CNR !
and Kooka for Scanner support also available from CNR, my Kensington USB Wireless PocketMouse was a go, in other words full support for my Hardware. I did not try the Modem for this test, but since it’s a WinModem there is a chance it won’t work.
Score: 10 out of 10
2) Install
As with most modern Linux Distribution the install process is rather eventless and straightforward. You first get greeted by a grub boot menu with the choice to:
A) Install or Update Linspire
B) LiveCD
C) Advanced Options
I choose the install option and a nice Boot Screen greeted me next. No info is displayed, except for a progress bar moving on the bottom. Pressing the ESC Key will display the action going on behind the Boot Screen for those needing to see or know this. Once the Install Screen comes up Linspire asks very few questions, and a total of 7 Mouse Clicks and 3 question need to be answered if you choose a standard install which I did. The install went very fast on my 3Ghz Test PC, 11 Minutes to be exact. This is the fastest install of any Distribution or Operating System to date for me.
Score: 10 out of 10
3) First Boot
The first thing I noticed was the huge improvement in boot up speed, still slow when I compare it to Xandros 3 or SUSE 9.2, but vastly improved. Hopefully as Linspire tweaks 5.0 over time boot up speed will also decrease. The Welcome Screen is nicely done and the KDE Splash Screen is the nicest one I have seen so far. During the initial boot your greeted to a Setup Wizard which let’s you setup a Non Root User, Adj!
ust Time, Screen Settings, Network Settings and so on. I assume this could have been accomplished during the initial install, but I guess it’s a matter of preference. I like it the Linspire way since it makes the install process a breeze for the average computer user. To many questions during the install process can cause confusion and unnecessary support calls. Once you finish with the advanced settings you get greeted by a Flash Tutorial that is very well done, and surely appreciated by new users to Linspire. I just clicked on the Exit Tutorial and logged out and back in to my non root user account. So to dispel one common rumor about Linspire, “NO YOU ARE NOT FORCED TO RUN AS ROOT”! You have a choice and I made mine. I would like to see more emphasis from Linspire to encourage users not to run as r!
oot like a warning message of the importance to use a Non Root User Account.
Score: 9 out of 10
4) Initial Feel and Look of the Desktop
I guess it depends on the user how they feel about Linspire’s Initial Look. For some it’s to flashy for some it’s not. I think they found a nice middle ground with the setup and I like it. There were a few things I changes like Wallpaper (I like scenic wallpaper), removed some Desktop Icons (hate clutter) and changed some settings in the Control Center. But overall, it still looks pretty much the same as stock, so yes I like it.
The menus are clearly laid out and easy to navigate, support options are easy to find on the task bar and easy to identify (Life vest Icon).
Score: 10 out of 10
5) CNR
CNR does what it promises, one click installs and uninstalls. During the initial release period CNR was getting hammered, and there were many complaints, but a week later and all is fine with CNR. There are still some outdated applications left in CNR, some that still won’t install (Win4Lin, Point2Play), and some that place icons in the wrong menu area like Pingus which should belong to the Games section. I also noticed that some have duplicate menu entries like Gimp and NMap. This is easily fixed by editing the menus, but needs to be corrected. I believe in a month or so Linspire should have most of these issues sorted out and things will be running very smooth. For those reading this review and running Linspire 5.0 and noticed similar menu issues, do Linspire a favor and submit a Diagnostic Report.
Score: 8 out of 10
6) Support
This is another area that Linspire shines, but many new users fail to take advantage of. Linspire offers excellent and fast support (from my experience) and really seems to care about their product. Users with problems have the following options, and I might have missed a few:
A) Forum
B) Linspire Support
C) Diagnostic Report
D) FAQs
E) Insider Tips
F) Quickstart Guide (PDF Format)
Is there room for improvement; yes would always be my answer. Every support system has problems, none are perfect. If you do find a problem, please let them know or they can’t fix it.
Score: 9 out of 10
7) What’s New and Improved?
The short answer would be much, see here for a quick look. Some of the best features I like are the Network Profiles that can be setup now; like I have 2 for home called Home-Wired/Home-Wireless and two for work call Work-Wired/Work-Wireless. All I have to do now is click on the one I want and everything gets setup just the way I need it. Great feature. You can also now see other wireless hotspots available around you and connect to them as well. Another feature I enjoy is LSongs, which features ShoutCast for Internet Radio, access to the new MP3tunes Music Store, and many other features. It works well for me and suits my needs. LPhoto is another very welcome feature that offers support for many Digital Cameras let’s you do minor adjustments on images like red eye removal for example. Reiser 4, not officially supported, but wow what a speed difference. I did the install with Reiser 3 first and then Reiser 4 afterwards and the system is more responsive, boots a little faster and just feels faster overall. No benchmarks to back this up, but try it yourself. Hibernate, yes it works, matter of fact this is the first Distro this has worked successfully for me. The process does not look pretty, but none the less it work. Linspire Internet Suite, I have to admit I would prefer Firefox, but the features offered with the suite are great. I use them constantly, Inline Spell Check, Hot Words, and Calendar…nice, very nice. Did I mention plugins, wow they are all there. No more CrossOver Office needed for basic Internet Plugins, I can go now to all my favorite sites such as Movies.com and watch trailers without worrying if they work…they all work, Windows Media, QuickTime, RealPlayer and so on. Hopefully they can incorporate these features into Firefox and we the users can enjoy the added speed advantage of Firefox. VPN, yes you read right, Linspire has an easy to use, GUI VPN client now. No more command line stuff here, which for a new user or one coming from Windows is a welcomed addition. They are not the first, this honor goes to Xandros, but it works just as well and easy. Job well done and thanks for listening! There are many more features I like but I would have to become long winded and who has time for that.
Score: 10 out of 10
8) What needs work?
It’s a short list, but here we go:
A) OpenOffice – It’s just plain ugly by default! Nothing matches the well designed Linspire Theme. It can be fixed a little by installing the optional OpenOffice.org-KDE fix from CNR, but it’s still ugly. Take a look at what Lycoris ProductivityPak has done with OpenOffice and that’s what it should look like. Hopefully they will offer 2.0 as soon as it becomes available. It could also use the OpenOffice.org Quickstarter feature to enhance startup times which are horrible by default.
B) Boot up Speed – Much better than 4.5 was, but still takes nearly a minute (53 seconds from grub to login) on this speedy Laptop. I would like to see sub 30 second boot times. One minute or more to boot a system is just too long…period!
C) CNR – More Applications are needed, many of the Warehouse Aisles are empty or near empty. Apps need to be updated more frequently. Apps need to be in the right menu once installed (9 out of 10 times they are). I would also like to see more Trial ware such as VMware Workstation, Win4Lin and so on. I prefer to try before I buy and so do many others out there.
D) Hardware – I know mine all worked, but doing a quick check on the Linspire Forums and you will see there are many others who have issues. But this goes to say with all Linux Distros, and is not so much a fault of Linux but the Manufacturers of the Hardware failing to make Linux Drivers.
Score: 7 out of 10
9) Summary
I was very impressed already with Linspire 4.5, but 5.0 is a huge improvement in usability, features, speed and productivity over 4.5. If Linspire can improve on this with their next version, all I can say is watch out Longhorn. Is Linspire on par with Windows XP, I would say yes to this and better, it’s more fun (Linux), cheaper ($50 a year for everything, including upgrades), secure (firewall, optional Antivirus, optional SurfSafe) and stable. Is it for everyone, I would have to say no. For someone coming from Slackware, Gentoo, Debian and some of the other less user friendly Distros out here, all the handholding would probably offend them. Keep in mind Linspire’s target market, new users and users coming from Windows. Now I’m not a !
new user and would consider myself a Linux Veteran as well as a Windows Veteran, but I do appreciate the ease of use, protection, and stability Linspire 5.0 offers to me and my whole Family. There are a few nearly equally qualified other choices like Xandros and SUSE, but I choose Linspire as my main OS at Home and for SOHO use. Do I still tinker with the other Distros out there…you bet, even Windows! ?
Final Score: 9.1 out of 10
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While I agree with you Linspire is a solid OS, it lacks good native SOHO software. (This would apply to other distros too) The software I am referring to would include but not limited to the equivalent of the following:
1) AutoCAD
2) MyOB
3) Corel Draw Suites
4) Adobe Suites
5) Music Compositions Suites
I am not talking about some small applications that mimics part of these programs. I am talking about full fledged ready to go professional software packages that can help get things done professionally. Either closed sourced or open sourced, I don’t really care. The fact is, these equivalents are not there and therefore a Linspire (or any other Linux distro) will NOT be suitable for those SOHO users needing these functions.
If you are one of the SOHO users that DO NOT require these functions, then Linspire is good for you.
I guess, what I am really saying is, the infrastructure is there. All they need is for 3rd party developers to follow suit and this had not happened yet.
Most SOHOs don’t need those programs.
“1) AutoCAD
2) MyOB
3) Corel Draw Suites
4) Adobe Suites
5) Music Compositions Suites”
In order to complete my rant, I guess I also have to mention that although native professional applications are not there yet, it is possible to install Win4Lin, VMware or CXOffice which will likely allow you access to those MS Windows based programs.
This is a hassel, but at least there are some ways for a SOHO user to get these functions in Linspire.
Native applications is urgently needed to move Linspire to the next level.
we are getting there. if you are developer, that stuff is already solid. in the web space, all thats missing is flash. in the office space, theres three “good enough for most things” office suites already. for music, theres some DAW environments starting to appear. the gimp/inkscape dont measure up to their commercial equivilents yet, but once they do they will fill large pieces of the puzzle. then there are things. after effects is one that is sorely missing from the video space, but things like blender and cinepaint are there and quite solid.
most of these things are relatively recent developments, and many arnt 1.0 yet. but compare the state of things now to five years ago, and it is night and day. many of the big pieces are there, or will be there soon.
Excellent job
But I still think it’s ugly as sin (INNOVATE, people!) and paying for CNR is quite lame.
…for this? 9.1 for… THIS?!?!
People. Try Xandros instead and then we’ll talk.
Linspire insinsts on making sure you use Linux application instead of Windows one, when you click on an .exe. Not the best solution imo, they should offer to install Wine when you do that.
For SOHO, I couldn’t find a decent replacement for Araxis’ Winmerge. All the Linux visual diffing software fall short.
Other than that. Linspire is a fine Linux distro if you know how to compile kernel modules. Their Linspire Suite is actually pretty useful out of the box.
In a very extensive survey of my house, 100% of the poeple that have a business related use for their computer, need at least 1 of those programs. OK, so the survey only included one person so isn’t statistically valid, but do you have any data to back up your assertation that those programs aren’t needed by most SOHO users.
I stopped taking you seriously after the first paragraph giving the install system a 10 of 10 score.
You can’t honestly tell me the user experience upon install was so flawless that it deserved a score that reflected that. In fact, your first sentence even stated that you had to adjust the display resolution… How is that a product that is perfect with hardware compatibility?
It seems to me you had an opinion going into the review. But then again, that’s just my opinion
If you’re already a Linspire user, I’d much rather read your review of Ubuntu or Xandros.
[k]
An OSNews OS review that actually mentions laptop support. Most reviewers avoid that important topic.
Remember, I said 10 out of 10 on “MY” System! I did point out there is lots of room left in HW support if you read carefully. Just check the forums to see yourself. No Distro detects 100% on every system, but Linspire did on this particular system.
http://shots.osdir.com/slideshows/slideshow.php?release=293&slide=3…
A very fair and balanced review. I pretty much agree. Even though I use and prefer Xandros, Linspire did a good job with 5.0 and shows promise as one of the Linux desktops that can help free computer users from Mirosoft dominance of the market.
Things are certainly looking up for Linux users these days!
> …for this? 9.1 for… THIS?!?!
> People. Try Xandros instead and then we’ll talk.
This is not moderated down? Eugenia is so silly it’s not funny… 😛
It’s correct, 9.1 is much too high (E.g. if Winmodems don’t work, why does it get 10 points? How many points would a system get that works with Winmodems – 11 out of 10?), but I’ll nevertheless switch from Xandros because Xandros 3.0 certainly isn’t as good as Linspire 5.
Good job on the review Michael. It really opened my eyes.
I would suggest that statement that “Most SOHOs don’t need those programs” is very true, particularly when you look at their target audience of people who have a computer to surf websites, chat to online friends, collect and send email, listen to mp3s, store digital photographs… I know many people whose use for a computer is just that.
I used to be gainfully employed using AutoCAD.
Like Michael I am also a Linspire Insider and I go back to Lindows Ver 2.0 which I bought on CD because in those days I used dialup.
I’m not biassed, though. I have looked for many years at how to get away from Microsoft domination, although there is little wrong in using any version of MS Windows if you (a) use all Microsoft products and (b) don’t connect to the internet nor swap floppies and CDs with anyone else.
No, I’m not being humourous, I think I’m being accurate.
I enjoyed OS/2 Warp in its day, and would have liked to use eCs, its successor, but had hardware/drivers problems when I tried.
QNX is a brilliant OS but it lacks native applications, a bigger problem than Linux.
Linux distros, well I love ubuntu – actually Kubuntu, the blue themed version that has KDE!
I like both Lycoris and Xandros but do feel they have been currently outclassed by Linspire 5.0 – and even in Linspire 4.0 and 4.5 days that distro was simpler to use, which again is what the target market is.
As the author of the revue pointed out, if you are a guru, a nerd, or someone who loves tinkering, it’s not the distro for you, and he listed several more suitable names.
However that type of user seems to frequently “rubbish” a product they would not personally use, and often uses their “status” as an expert to dissuade others.
So sad. Linux is a matter of choice. My choice is different from yours. So be it.
You see, my choice is not to spend time tinkering, but to switch it on and use it for the purpose for which it is designed. I believe the engineers in San Diego have done a superb job there.
As I admitted earlier, I have a personal interest in Linspire, but have always been open minded. If you had read any of the somewhat scathing comments I and my fellow insiders wrote during the beta phase about particular things that didn’t work, you would accept that lol
Maybe the report the Mad Penguin wrote is worth reading too.
“Hopefully as Linspire tweaks 5.0 over time boot up speed will also decrease. ” I think you mean increase.
“In a very extensive survey of my house, 100% of the poeple that have a business related use for their computer, need at least 1 of those programs. OK, so the survey only included one person so isn’t statistically valid, but do you have any data to back up your assertation that those programs aren’t needed by most SOHO users.”
Well, nobody in my house uses it so that is 1 (you) out of two. I support a few out of home businesses and none of them use that software. Everything they use is sales/contact type software plus e-mail, … that kind of thing. But they do no graphics other than importing pictures or pre-existing clipart/graphics into documents. None of which they manipulate other than getting red eye out, etc.. One person is a real estate agent. Again, doesn’t use any graphics manipulation programs. This is a side business for me and there are 7 I support. All of them use Macs by the way. My pre-requisite for supporting them. Maybe Linux in the future but if they get Windows they get no more support from me. Too many headaches I don’t need.
Please pay attention. Eugeina didn’t write the review and it is unknown if she is the one that approved it being posted. Please leave your critisim for Eugeina when she comments on something.
I’m also a Xandros User, mostly at work and rate Xandros very high on my list and frequent the Xandros Forums as well under the same user name. It’s not about my Distro is better than yours here, use what fit’s your needs. Be open minded and not close minded. I have used dozens of Distros, you name them and I have most likely tried them. I have several boxes here at home and work to play with, but have found Linspire to be the one I use mostly day in and day out. Linux is about choice for me as well as fun, just look at Distrowatch if you want choice. Windows, well there is Windows…not much else. And if you enjoy the daily trouble with Viruses, Adware, and Spyware then you know how much fun it can be. Just to satisfy my curiosity I also went ahead and tried out the modem and setup a free Netzero Account, short and simple it works! I have no real use for it and just assumed it would not work. By the way, the modem also works with Xandros, as well as most everything else…except for the 1920×1200 Screen Resolution which has an open bug for it.
Love that boot splash and the KDE splash….nice touch! Keep up the good work Lindows…i mean Linspire!
I guess until Linspire releases an OCE version like Xandros, the latter would be my choice above Linspire.
The least a commercial vendor of Linux can do is provide a “preview” version such as what Xandros does. And, no LiveCD is not acceptable.
http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=127…
I agree with you there, something like that would be nice. They did release a LiveCD for trial purpose today, so a start in the right direction. They also have in the past open up Linspire for free download. CNR will be a pay service however, but your still free to use apt-get. Just be careful what you install with apt-get or read up on pinning to safeguard your installation. This can also be an issue with Xandros, so always install from good sources.
I did not see a specific mention of your WIFI card working. Using the LiveCD mine would not although it was recognized. Can you verify yours worked? Byte way it works perfectly in Mepis out of the box. Xandros 3.3 required ndiswrapper.
Yes, if you read from the top I did mention it working as well towards the middle with the profiles you can setup. Mine is a “G” Card and it works in “G” Mode at work with a Linksys Router and Home with my Netgear Router.
My Belkin F5D7011 PCMCIA “G” card works in Five-0. Unfortunately, my Belkin F5D6020 PCMCIA “B” card, which works in Xandros 3.0 does not work in Five-0. Kind of how these things work I guess.
Good review Michael! I have a feeling that Linspire will be checking out all these little issues and perfecting Five-0 as time goes on. I have to say that using it is a pleasure. My only drawback and it is not necessarily a “target market” type of issue, is with adding the smp kernel through CNR. I have a HT P4 3.4ghz machine. The smp kernel that I installed with CNR broke my wireless and had issues with PS/2 as well as sound. Unfortunately I had to change back to the stock kernel due to those issue. As was mentioned by the crew at Linspire – they have not worked with the smp kernel on the desktop – only their servers.
Other than that, my overall experience with using Five-0 has been great. I love it.
The second reviewer doesn’t tell us anything we haven’t already heard a zillion times: why pay for free software. Well, I have got news for you, sir: I buy almost every new release of SUSE Pro and that costs much more than $49 a year.
The first reviewer is an insider, and yet manages to stay pretty objective. No wonder there, because the Linspire users and management are among the most open minded I have ever come across. I am myself a lifetime member: I don’t really use Linspire, but I decided to support the ideal of a linux distro for the masses.
I found a lot to praise about 5.0
Some minus I found:
1)CNR either failed altogether to install some apps (one was either Gltron or Armagetron, not sure), or once installed they didn’t work properly.
2)I was a bit disappointed with video streaming support: neither RealPlayer nor Mplayer in Mozilla worked very well (hint: maybe they should replace Mplayer with Kaffeine)
3)The OS is, IMHO, a bit too flashy out of the box, but that is easily solved.
Now let’s be honest: the release of 5.0 has been an immense effort. I am sure that point releases (and Linspire is very generous with that) will take care of any issue which might be left.
In any case Linspire 5.0 is a true milestone in linux ease of use. Anybody who is fed up with Windows has no excuses any more
Guys, Linux distros are not yet ready for the prime time. If you are talking about mission-critical applications then nothing beats Unix; If you are talking about Internet based applications then the best thing would be Linux; but if you are looking for a computer or a laptop as a tool to serve the internet and introduce you to digital life ( audios, videos, pics) then nothing beats OSX; and if you want the king of availability OS then it would be windows. You you can choose your flavor. In my opinion the best linux I ever liked was Xandros 3 deluxe ( have used all linuxes flavors since 1999).
Linspire 5.0 is promising finally but cannot beat Xandros 3 in their vision to linux approach.
Mr Michael Valentine ,
I must thank you for submiting your superb review , even do its not really complete or professionnal , we now know that the Dell 800 series of laptop is functionnal with Linpsire 5.0 and thats a plus for many people looking for a supported notebook that whas not made 3 years ago. If you test other hardware I hope you will do us again the privilege of seeing you work posted here again.
There is a couple of thing that I disagree with and that I missed from your report, let me discuss them openly with you. I must also confess that I tried it and it did not meet my requirement even do it whas very well integrated for the most part.
– 8x DVD+RW
In your hardware description you mention the fact that you have a DVD re-writer , I dont think I saw you test it or say if it whas able to write cdr , DVD , and rewrite over them , I could possibly have missed it ?
– SOHO Environment
Note : I am very proficient in GNU/Linux and know about the solution availaible , but I must say that I am no Linspire expert , hence you might know things availaible I missed or did not find or that no one else know exist.
You mention the fact that your testing/using 5-0 in a SOHO environment , I whas wondering if you know if there is a possibility to once your computer is fully done the way you like it , to do a master copy that would install the exact same image copy of what you have just done?
One of the most important thing for me and the other SOHO I work with is the ability to save data and do backup of them , I failed to see any mention of testing this in your review and if this capability is availaible.
I must agree that I like to go one step above everyone else because I add the missfortune of going tru a fire at one of my company , I whas wondering if you seen or know of any remote Backup possibility ?
I would have like it if you could have tested the Live CD too , its a great tool to get back at your data after someone decided to delete someting they should not have or tried upgrading a kernel manually but failed it and the computer is not booting , and I personnaly have add two computers ( 1 Desktop and 1 Notebook ) that failed to load the Live cd properly , but that the install whas possible on them.
– Test System and Hardware Support
You will say that I am nitpicking but I dont think that this time I can agree with you on your score for that portion , things like :
“worked once I installed the HP Drivers from CNR ”
“and Kooka for Scanner support also available from CNR”
” in other words full support for my Hardware. I did not try the Modem for this test, but since it’s a WinModem there is a chance it won’t work.”
I personnaly think that everything related to the hardware instalation should be availaible on the disc , and that everything is tested once the instalation is done , so that if something is not working an email message pop-up asking me to send Linspire the report of my hardware and the things which where not working so that in there next version/update it might be fully functionnal. I also have to deal with many people who cannot afford the internet or that the internet dont reach them yet in an affordable way but do have computers , sadly for them CNR is not a feature.
– First Boot
I have to strongly take a pro-active offensive stance
against this next point of yours , after having some computer completely taken over by shody product and there totally screwed up security , its one of the main reason I dont like Linspire or can see my self recommanding it.
“So to dispel one common rumor about Linspire, “NO YOU ARE NOT FORCED TO RUN AS ROOT”! ”
I have to disgree with your point , CNR in the past would not let user install some software unless they where root , can you confirm that all the software are now availaible and instalable from the User account ?
But the point most people make is not the one your trying to tackle , the point I and most other make is that “by default” Linspire does not force the setup of a root user
at install , and thats a very bad thing , many people dont because they think its not important , This is one point where there is no choice to be made , the security of a system and the ability to get back control after a takeover or a user running amock is not negotiable for me and many others. The sensivity of the data and the control of the machine I get to supervise/maintain or get consulted for there setup is too important , and I also dont whant to have to pay again for the effect of having my internet connection access blocked from a taken over user in another company who communicate with me but cant take care of is own security.
” I would like to see more emphasis from Linspire to encourage users not to run as r! oot like a warning message of the importance to use a Non Root User Account. ”
I would go further , but for the moment I do not worry too much , I havent seen any Gnu/Linux based computer behave in the predatory tactics of Microsoft OS taken over by hacker , bots or trojan , yet , and if this situation arise , that Linspire user attack my networks , They will be both ( User and Linspire ) held responsible in a court of law.
– Initial Feel and Look of the Desktop
I have to agree the look and feel is pretty good , I wish that they would also include most of the stuff availaible on there KDE-look website and some more free , open source and proprietary artwork included in the inital cost.
There a million of fonts that are freely ( in cost and license ) avalaible and Linspire should pro actively seek them and also include them in there base system.
– CNR
“does what it promises”
I guess it depend on what you think its promises are. Personnaly I would prefer if Linspire did a lot more work on getting CNR to be independant from there server , If they go under , which no one whants but none the less could happen , the availaibility to work without an internet connection should be availaible , and I am not talking about free as in no cost , I dont mind paying for my software at all.
“For those reading this review and running Linspire 5.0 and noticed similar menu issues, do Linspire a favor and submit a Diagnostic Report”
Its more do everyone the favor , eventually the system gets to be almost perfect for everyone. Lets just hope that Linspire do update there base system so as to not download the problem and have to download update after and that they are responsive and that the bug are also easy to fix.
– Support
“This is another area that Linspire shines”
I have to totally … agree with you 😉 , I wish that The way they do support would become the norm with all GNU/Linux distribution.
– What’s New and Improved?
That one I have a problem with your comment , it seem that you think and that you imply that most of the work whas done by Linspire , when the fact is they contributed very little outside of the L series of software and some hardware tweak. Its nice that they include other people software , it just sad that they dont give them the respect that they deserve, I am sure that they do a lot more work then I and other give them credit for , simply because they dont have yet the habit of communicating openly the change they made to the software made by others and giving back to those who give it to them free in both sense of the word.
” I have to admit I would prefer Firefox”
its availaible from cnr , and I think they said they where trying to release it with firefox but that the work whas not finished and too unstable to use it this time.
http://www.linspire.com/search_results.php?q=firefox
” Linspire has an easy to use GUI VPN client now.”
I think I would prefer they make it the most secure vpn , those things have the nasty habit of beeing the tool taken over by hacker , bots and trojan in order to get to control other people machine , its nice that its GUI , but SSL and totally secure would be more interesting for everyone.
“They are not the first, this honor goes to Xandros”
Actually there whas a GUI VPN in KDE 1 , I think SUSE and MandrakeSoft where the first.
– What needs work?
” OpenOffice – It’s just plain ugly by default! ”
1) its a complete office suite , if you say this is ugly I would have hated to be you in the dos time …
2) I dont think that people really know the amount of work that goes into an office suit , Microsoft certainly dont include it , and yet we get one of the best for free as in no cost and freedom to make copy.
3) I think that Linspire should offer a Pro version and that the money made from it pay developper to work on it full time to give Linspire and the GNU/Linux community more OpenOffice.org goodness.
4) After all we both know and they know it too that most people would pay to get the best and latest in an office suit.
5) I am going to be sending the blame to OpenOffice.org here , they should include a theming system so that developper can offer visual theme for everyone.
“Boot up Speed ”
I agree on all your point , and support them , but , I know that Hardware maker support is not what its supposed to be. Time and development will hopefully solve this.
“More Applications are needed”
Agreed but are you willing to make a specific list and contribute money for its development ? I read In Michael Minutes that He personnaly spent 20 million of is own money in the last three year , its not much for GNU/Linux but none the less , I very much thank him for it , because I know I certainly dont have that laying around or availaible. We have the luck and chance that the software are made free as in cost and free as in Freedom or like in this case paid by somebody else. In a microsoft world the same system would probably cost in the 50k for as complete and as feature availaible a solution.
“Apps need to be updated more frequently.”
I think the Linspire users need to contribute a little if they whant an up to date system , the Dev and Linspire employee have so many hours per day to do the work that they do. Just reporting an outdated software might be that thing needed.
“I would also like to see more Trial ware such as VMware Workstation, Win4Lin and so on.”
For this I am sure you have the software company to blame.
and not Linspire.
“Hardware”
They should have a free open to Linspire user Database , so that review like yours get to be browsable and informative to all linspire user. And they should offer the space for uploading Master or complete Setup.
– Summary
“For someone coming from Slackware, Gentoo, Debian and some of the other less user friendly Distros out here”
Ouch , this is the same software , there not less useable or user friendly , there less integrated and complete out of the box.Linspire is Building a model house and selling it to you.The other offer the materials and some basic assembled piece , but you have to work on it to have a finished house. Others offer the tools to work on the house , Linspire dont offer them out of the box in the public packages.
” all the handholding would probably offend them. ”
I think your repeating a lie , Linspire might be a king in integration and final solution , but freedom and availaibility of customization and choice is not a Linspire priority.
“Keep in mind Linspire’s target market, new users and users coming from Windows. ”
I am sorry to say that even Linspire forget there primary market. New user should have a wider choice of pre-installed computer offered from Linspire. Also they should not forget that the world is not just Windows , there is Apple and mostly other Gnu/Linux distribution.
I know the software Dev , test a lot of hardware , but the one that do really work should get picked by the OEM/reseller system and offered from a Linspire hardware store at a better price the there windows counterpart.
I think this somes up what I add to say regarding your review , again Thanks for sharing it with us , I hope your not too offended by my comment and that this is the start of a long series of your contribution.
– Roger
P.S. note to the OSNEWS dev and mods , can you fix the preview so that it say how many words one as written , thks.
The screenshots – especially the ones during installation look so sleek and clean, compared to RedHat’s anaconda and others. The customized KDE looks so nice – I can say its the BEST I’ve seen for a long time. I believe Linspire is Linux’s best bet to win more users.
Cleartype font rendering would be nice.
Another poster made the comment about Dell laptops; well, I have installed it on a Compaq Evo N600c notebook in dual boot configuration with Win2000.
I did not use all the facilities available, but certainly I CNR’d some applications (logged in as user) including Firefox and Balsa, and it found automatically the sound, network, and video drivers and installed them.
Actually, I would have thought that normally one would use a root login to install stuff to the OS> Please pardon my ignorance; while I’ve used PCs since the days of the NEC APC-3 in 1986, I’ve only really got to know Linux since about 2002.
Re the Live distro of Linspire 5-0. I am currently downloading that (5.0.69), because they are a wonderful tool to use when in strife. The insiders’ initial release download (5.0.59) was a combined install and live distro, so I don’t know if the general one was.
The live distro on the insider’s ISO works well in the same Compaq laptop, as it also does in an IBM P4 Netvista and a locally built tower running an MSI Duron 1300MHz processor.
Hope this info helps.
To answer a few of your questions and comments:
DVD works both read, write and rewrite with k3b
I use Acronis True Image to make a complete Image of my system about once a month to my USB Backup Drive, as well as copying my home directory once a week. There are other backup methods available but this method has worked for me some time now.
I did test the modem after the review with Netzero and the modem works. I just have not used a modem in about 2+ years now. Even for the scanner or printer to work in XP you have to install software to make it work. Same in Linux.
Yes, CNR client does run with su priviledge, but the CNR service can be unchecked from the user account to limit this if you feel it’s a security issue. You would then have to start CNR manually like kdesu cnr and then shut it down again after use. The default firewall does a great job from my testing, but is difficult to setup if you want to specifiy specific ports which has to be done from the console. They have some basic settings under the Control Center Network settings that work fine for me.
OpenOffice is a matter of taste, which from what I have seen from 2.0 will be mostly fixed. Great product, but needs work IMO.
I don’t knock any other Distros, and if this is how I came across, I’m trully sorry. I love Linux and support them many times a year financially and by testing their products. The most common argument I hear from users from the what I call less user friendly is the argument it’s to Windows like and this is where Windows shines, everyone can use it easiely.
I do plan on writing some more reviews, the next one will be on Xandros BE once released. Very nice Distro and does what it says. Take care!
Open Office is ugly in Linspire 5 because they did not install the KDE 3 Update with it. You can download the openoffice.org-kde plugin from click and run which will make Openoffice look more like the rest of your Linspire OS. http://www.linspire.com/lindows_products_details.php?product_id=186… (I think they just over looked it) I hope they add this during their point releases.
But I don’t know why people compare Linspire to Xandros all the time. They are really both trying to cover different markets. For one Linspire is much better at multimedia then Xandros and Xandros is much better for business use (Including Active Directory support which is not out in version 3 yet)
To me Xandros is more like Windows 2000 and Linspire is more like Windows 98 SE (Meaning Xandros is more geared twords business users and Linspire is more geared twords home users.)
No Linspire is not perfect but nor is OSX, Windows or Solaris. For such a young OS I think they have done a great job.
not gpl compliant since they wont provide a cd of source code!
Before spreading false rumors check the link below first!
http://software.linspire.com/pool-src/
http://forum.linspire.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=365786&pag…
You must be the same troll hanging out at Linspire now. Some of you guys need to get a life. You must be working for MS or SCO! No real Linux or Open-Source enthusiast would troll around like this.
Should be:
https://forum.linspire.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=365786&pag…
Thery’re all over the place, sadly.
They seldom get their facts right and sound like an old broken gramophone record, lol!
One forum I’m in has condensed (from memory) four or five “Linspire (or Lindows) can’t be Linux…” like threads into one over a period.
Gets rather boring.
The other trolling line I’ve seen persistently as part of the same inunformed bleat is the “It can’t be Linux if they charge for it”.
(Even when you paste from what the free software foundation actually has on their website).
Duh, lol!
Just need moderators to cut and eliminate such uninformed stuff.
I guess it’s just a waste of time feeding them and playing into their hands. It’s a shame.
I cant go to those links because it appears I am banned….
I didnt receive the written offer in my retail box and I did not receive a source code cd. When I asked for one I was told that they only provide a ftp site for the source! I was also told this exact thing when I asked over a year ago! I have a screenshot of my support ticket and it shows the linspire support person response and it was that linspire does not offer a cd of source only a ftp site! You better think twice about who is lying to who? I have sent the screenshot to eugenia maybe she will make a statement as to what it says!
SO linspire DOES violate the GPL by not including a source cd, they also do NOT supply the written offer! And if you ask they tell you it isnt available!
hi..
I use ubuntu and while its not perfect atm its a huge plus for the linux community because its committed to ease of use. Xandros is nice but I dont like their supermount as it only works from within xandros file manager, – which for users comfortable with their windows like env. is prob. fine and desireable.
I like review here of linpsire 5 but I wont use it because CNR is forced due to apt basically being borked in all distros other than pure debian ( and who doesn’t like availability of thousands of binaries at your touch ), although cnr does clearly have other pros on its side. If linspire addressed the ‘apt’ issue, it might get my attention but for now ubuntu ( supermount just works as does my digital camera detection which prompts me right away to copy pics to the HD ) reigns supreme as one of the easiest to use OS’s. It being free is a HUGE plus because oss is very important to me.
I would like to say for record though that I apprecaite what CNR offers new linux users although its somehwhat hard to convince me that ubuntu’s offering isn’t close to 100% as good when you consider that out of box you get synaptic and access ( via; system; admin; synatic package manager ) to thousands of free apps.
I choose ubuntu although windows users coming to linux might be better served by a install system that can handle re-partitioning a windows drive.
until ubuntu has a better focus on ease of use for internet needs out of the box; -which they are working on-, then i can’t yet reccommend it unless you dont really mind installing some internet browsing items manually . You should keep in mind that while with windows you can edit files via vindows explorer and such, that in ubuntu, and most distros you must provide a password to access some files with intent to alter them. This is smart as it keeps out unwanted users/hackers from causing mischief ( first they must get past your password of course ) but of course means a slight learning curve for new users coming from windows. The curve is easily worth the price of admission though and will reward the user with a stable, efficient system and a huge , pleasant community to get help from as they make the migration.
The end result of this all is I think ubuntu is better if you look at it from long term goal as long as you go into it not expecting things to be quite as easy as linspire or say xandros on some fronts like file management , but easily superior to them on other important areas like installing certain software and nice supermount functions that work everywhere. I dont know about linspire’s new ‘supermount’ functionality but I do know xandros fell down on that area ( at least from a power user perspective afa no access TO that cd from a terminal as its apparantly ‘tied’ into XFM ) albeit for regular users its got a slight “minor” edge on xandros in that you just eject CD , instead of having to do it from an applet ( very very minor nit ) although possibly the code required to take care of it requries more overhead in xandros or possibly linspire . There are pros and cons as you can clearly see but overall when taken as a whole ( as I say i dont have linspire 5-0 so I can’t say unequivocally ) I pesonally dont feel ( long time ubuntu user ) you can go wrong with ubuntu, coming from either windows or even another linux distro.
Sorry for length but I feel its relevant to explain why I think ubuntu is a good fit for alot of people. If linspire ‘fixes’ the apt situation, I might be a tad more inclined to rate it higher and reccommend it more. ( that based on linspire 4.5 and in new features I see no mention of that having been improved )
thx for reading
neighborlee
As I read in the GPL, Linspire, and any other Linux vendor, is only obligated to directly send modified source code to the ‘originator,’ of the source code that they modified.
Since Linspire does make the source code available as the previous links show, I don’t understand the hostile tone of your earlier statements. To argue that they don’t provide a way to obtain a CD directly from them (or image) that contains all of the source code is somewhat trivial.
I don’t see any Linux vendor that doesn’t include the source on CD as violating the spirit or intent of the GPL, as you suggested. As long as they make it “AVAILABLE” (minus any copyrighted material), I believe they’ve fulfilled their obligation.
Even if it’s only made available via an FTP site.
I am not understanding what you mean by APT being fixed in Linspire. Apt works totaly fine in Linspire. All they do is comment out the Debian sites from the APT sources file. If you MUST use APT then you just go in and uncomment the sites.
The reason why they do this (And Xandros does basicly the same thing) is so that you don’t by mistake install applications that may conflict with changes that Linspire made to their Debian base. CNR applications are tested and sometimes changed or the older version is used so that it will work properly.
But I used to use apt all the time on “Lindows” 4 and 4.5 before CNR got more apps. There used to be a site called lindowsdownloads.com that used to put up aps like firefox (Firebird at the time) that they had not yet added to CNR.
I just don’t get why people always seem to put Linspire down with information that is ether old, not true or made up?
So you do not see the part about “all third parties”! Read the GPL FAQ where it states that a ftp site ALONE is not enought to satisfy requirement three. Read linspires own statement that any user can receive the source code by the SAME method they received the product! Read in the GPL where it states that esentially ANYONE who receives the program receives the source, not registered users, not forummembers! So are you stating that the GPL is trivial?
I personally do not know of any linux distro that doesnt make the source available on a cd? I know, suse, debian, mandrake, red u know what, and so forth all do. Making the source available to SOME is not complaince with the GPL. Making it available to the “target audience” is not compliance with the GPL.
There is more to this story but right now I do not want to go out on a limb until I give linspire a chance to respond to my email and explain what happened…….
Thanks for reading!
Here is the email i sent to Kevin Carmony, I have received no response but best I can tell I am being traced/investigated so I am afraid this is it. I cannot stay on this connection and I think the facility whose connection it is is starting to realize something is going on as well. So I will be disconnected for a while……. I give my word to linspire that I will never ever visit the forums. If no one else cares then I do not either. My belief in the GPL was obviously misplaced and it appears to be only a stain on Linux. I thank OSNEWS as well as the other online reporting sites that responded to my email and I only wish I felt secure enough to continue. Take care!
————
Hello,
I thought I would email you to discuss the recent trouble at the forum. I have no idea why this has been blown into such a big matter but I assure you I did not intend any harm to linspire. There was a thread about the GPL and I responded with what I knew about the GPL, in particular requirement three of the GPL. THen someone would resspond back quoting some other part of the preamble or take some area out of context. I would then inform them that reqquirement three cannot be skipped and is a requirement. Needless to say it went on forever. I was very nice the whole time, as professional as I could be and I certainly did not violate community standards that I am aware of.
Why this has been blown into some conspiracy is beyond me? It was mentioned that I created numerous fake accounts. I have created numerous accounts and they always seem to be deleted or at least I am unable to sign back into them. I asked one time on the forum,after registering a new account since guests cannot post, why i cant get into my account and was informed that they was probably having trouble with the forums and that is what happened.
Now some of those accounts were probably deleted because the other forum members attacked me and I attacked back. Nothing bad but certainly not the nicest I could of been! But I simply went back created another account and was nicer the next time around after learning my lesson. It seems to me that you should have contact people with a PM or whatever to let them know their account is being deleted and they are not welcomed back if you do not want them to sign up for another account.Or possibly a statement to the forum about why the account was deleted so then the person would see it and understand why it was deleted. I also had a account created called doctaeveil and cool avatar of drEvil from austin powers, i made a few posts here and there mostly joking the way dr.eveil would and then I was deleted again with no explaination or anything. Then of course my “phreak” id was finally deleted with no explaination, after i was treated rudely, after kendall deletes some of my posts and rudely makes a reply on a thread I DID NOT even start! I even PM’d kendall twice and asked why but received no response whatsoever! I then register and log back in as jake tate and ask what happened and once again I am immediately deleted! So yes, I have had to create numerous accounts and they have all been deleted. I did not do this maliciously! I did it because mine kept being deleted or unable to log into! Have I been confused with someone else that attacks the site or something? I guess my repeated accounts could be misconstrued to look sinister but there was no malicious intent! I mean if someone violates community standards are they banned for life without even being informed why? Can someone not realize they were too brash and attempt to enter the forums again and act with more tact?
If I a not welcome at the linspire forums then why not email me and inform me of that. If I am not welcome there then I assure you I will not go there. I will not visit the linspire site at all. I will not ever mention linspire to anyone. I will even try to wipe it from my memory! Just say so and I give you my word that I will never ever register again.
Thank you,
Jake Tate
—————
Kevin has already stated that any user that requests a CD will get a CD. Most users in Linspires Target Market would never use a source code cd and it would just end up as a coaster, which I suspect includes you. I’m not sure why you are banned, and it’s not my business to know. Your best resolve would have been to open an incident report to Linspire and ask for the CD. If you did and did not get the right response move the incident up the chain until you do. Going to the Linspire Forum and trying to stir up things are never positive as you found out. If you did learn a lesson about all this and you are sincere about what you say, I welcome you back, but again not up to me! Linspire has been a very positive experience for me so far, and you will have your troubles with any company sooner or later, but keeping a level head to work things out is always the first and best step to take. If you do not plan on returing to Linspire please feel free to look at all the other wonderful choices available to you. There are literally over a hundret Linux Distros to choose from, but I’m sure most will react in the same manner if attacked or threatend. Take care!
I am confused. Below are all the paragraphs that list the words “Source Code” in the GPL. I do not see anything that says you HAVE to put it on CD. Also it seems to me that you only have to give the source to people who actually get the software from your company. Meaning that if your friend gives you a copy of Linspire or if you don’t own a copy you bought yourself, then Linspire is not required to give you a copy of the source code. It says” if you distribute copies of such a program, whether gratis or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that you have. You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the SOURCE code.” So NO they are not required to give you the source on CD nor do they have to give it to you if you did not get your copy of Linspire through them or if you don’t even have a copy of Linspire.
GPL Text:
1. When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not price. Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge for this service if you wish), that you receive SOURCE code or can get it if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it in new free programs; and that you know you can do these things.
2. For example, if you distribute copies of such a program, whether gratis or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that you have. You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the SOURCE code. And you must show them these terms so they know their rights.
3. You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Program’s source code as you receive it, in any medium, provided that you conspicuously and appropriately publish on each copy an appropriate copyright notice and disclaimer of warranty; keep intact all the notices that refer to this License and to the absence of any warranty; and give any other recipients of the Program a copy of this License along with the Program.
4. a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
5. b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
6. c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you received the program in object code or executable form with such an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)
The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for making modifications to it. For an executable work, complete source code means all the source code for all modules it contains, plus any associated interface definition files, plus the scripts used to control compilation and installation of the executable. However, as a special exception, the source code distributed need not include anything that is normally distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the operating system on which the executable runs, unless that component itself accompanies the executable.
If distribution of executable or object code is made by offering access to copy from a designated place, then offering equivalent access to copy the source code from the same place counts as distribution of the source code, even though third parties are not compelled to copy the source along with the object code.
Above it says ” You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Program’s SOURCE CODE as you receive it, in any medium, provided that you conspicuously and appropriately publish on each copy an appropriate copyright notice and disclaimer of warranty; keep intact all the notices that refer to this License and to the absence of any warranty; and give any other recipients of the Program a copy of this License along with the Program.
In any medium is what I read. Maybe I am smoking something but I am not getting what you are saying. I think Linspire is fine. Also I think Linspire has been asked this question 1000 times and that is why they may have not rushed to answer you. I also assume they have plenty of lawyers who have read the GPL very, very well.
Paragraphs 3.a. and 3.b. of the GPL each have the remark:
“to be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange”
Now I’m not a lawyer, and I don’t play one on TV. However, I feel that Linspire:
1. Doesn’t charge users for the FTP repository where the Source Code resides (source distribution mentioned in para 2.b.),
2. DOES, in fact, use, ‘a medium customarily used for software interchange.’
The word ‘customarily’ in this instance refers to the level of training & exposure of the person who wants the source code. Would someone brand new to computing be expected to use an FTP site/repository right away? Of course not. Don’t confuse the word, ‘customarily,’ with, ‘universally.’
It’s fair to state that people who want to work with source code would be EXPECTED to know how to use & access FTP sites. I think it would be extremely easy to argue that the those who work with source code would view FTP sites as a customary means of software interchange, as this means of s/w transfers has evolved into.
As for the Linspire EULA, when people purchase the boxed retail versions, they have the option of also downloading the appropriate ISO images (and future upgrades) of the OS. This could be viewed, as you stated regarding getting the source code “as the same method,” the user originally obtained the s/w. That same method would be electronically. While that may seem a bit weak, I’m willing to beat a T-Bone Steak that it would pass a legality test; pehaps shakily, but it would pass.
? “as the same method,” the user originally obtained the s/w”
Does it actually say that you have to give the source in the same method or format as you recieve the useable copy of the software? Not to take away from what you are saying. But I am not seeing that in the GPL?
“As the same method,” could be viewed as the following, in my opinion:
You purchase a Linux distro from Vendor-X.
Upon completion of the transaction, Vendor-X allows you to immediately download the ISO image of the Linux distro you are awaiting receipt (assuming a retail boxed option).
Since the purchase of the boxed, retail version provides you the additional benefits of ‘electronic’ distribution, you basically get a two-for-one, here.
Also, whether or not you utilize the digital d/l option of the ISO image is not the issue. It’s available as part of the purchase.
And by making it part of the purchase, it could be said that ‘electronic delivery’ is fullfilling the obligation of Vendor-X.
That’s how I see it, anyway.
Yea from my point of view from reading through it about 10 times it looks like all the vendor has to do is provide the source in a workable format (A format that any person or developer can use to recreate the program or programs) The method of delivery is not stated in the GPL.
All it says is” You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Program’s SOURCE CODE as you receive it, in any medium”
“to be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange”
Sounds like as long as you offer it to people who get your software through legal means (Downloading or buying with your permission) you have to offer the source in a format that people could use for development. So you could offer it on CD, DVD, HTTP, FTP etc.
I cant go to those links because it appears I am banned….
There has been a continued pattern of forum abuse from an IP address in the range that you are posting from. The abuser(s) have created multiple fake accounts, trolled in the forums, impersonated other forum members, and generally tried to stir up trouble and fights. If you are legitimate please email me and explain your entire story and I will investigate. Until we can confirm your identity via a provable method your IP address range has been banned.
I didnt receive the written offer in my retail box and I did not receive a source code cd.
Kevin Carmony (President of Linspire) said:
Q: Since the ftp pool-src download of Linspire is also free to the general public, is it true that anyone can obtain a source CD without being a Linspire owner, as long as they pay whatever fee is involved in sending out this source CD?
A: We’re happy to let anyone have access to the code. The only reason someone would really want the code is to modify it, which perhaps will end up back in the trees of some of the projects, helping Linux. For now, we’re not even charging for this, but few people have ever requested the code. I’ve asked our team here to audit this process and make sure there is an easy system in place to make sure this is a smooth process.
Q: Which begs the question as to why Linspire doesn’t do likewise for their box sets. Making the CD can’t be that cost prohibitive.
A: For every person from our target market that would actually do anything with the source, there will be 500 that won’t touch that CD. So yes, it would be a waste of money, resources and just litter the environment with more needless CD’s. We’d rather send out a CD to the one in 500 than waste 499 CDs and add to our landfills. =)
Q: But there does now seem to be a contradiction between what the FAQ and what Kevin has said and what the company in practice is doing.
A: I have yet to receive even one email from anyone saying we’re not in compliance with the GPL since my post earlier. If someone feels we’re missing something, it’s unintentional on our part, and please email me at kevinc at linspireinc.com and let me know so we can research this. We have always done everything we can to comply with the GPL, as it’s good for open source when the code is available.
When I asked for one I was told that they only provide a ftp site for the source! I was also told this exact thing when I asked over a year ago! I have a screenshot of my support ticket and it shows the linspire support person response and it was that linspire does not offer a cd of source only a ftp site!
And I have a record where the Support person wrote back to you and asked for your mailing address — you never responded.
SO linspire DOES violate the GPL by not including a source cd, they also do NOT supply the written offer! And if you ask they tell you it isnt available!
This is false. Anyone who wants to learn the truth can check out these threads from the President of Linspire in the forums:
https://forum.linspire.com/forum/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=366291
https://forum.linspire.com/forum/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=365549
I explained the accounts I had created and subsequently you deleted! I do not think I ‘trolled’ at all, other forum memebrs made smart remarks so I made them back. Seems to me there is a double standard with some being asked to remove their post and others simply having their account deleted! So why was my (phreak) account deleted? Why was the threads locked? Numerous other forum members agreed, even some of your long time members agreed that I did not violate community standards. Even if I had been deleted before am I not allowed to learn a lesson and try to come back and follow community standards?
So has linspire ALWAYS provided a source cd just for the asking? How many source cds have you’ll distributed with each release? So support has NEVER before responded to a request for a source cd by stating that they only make the source available via the ftp site? So does linspire include the written offer int he box sets and have they always done this?
I never said you had to provide the source cd to every user regardless of whether they want it or not. I know the GPL makes a point that no one is forced to have the source code. I suggested on the thread that you deleted that a offer at checkout or at least the written offer!
I find it strange that I read on the linspire site how you provide the source to the user by the SAME METHOD that they received the program but yet when i click on the link and request it i receive no reponse. The Kevin Carmony says you have to go to another location and use a different method to request it. So I do that and am told that you do not provide a source cd. So it seems to me like people request and then you tell them it isnt available and you hope they go away and you dont have to provide it, only if they push do you provide it.
gotta go…….. will be around
btw-you can unblock that range I have given you my public word that i will NEVER go to the linspire site again, and if i wanted to that block would not stop me… JT
btw- how am i suppose to see if anyone replied to my support ticket or not considering i am blocked? So did they respond before or after I was deleted and blcoked? Second of all, my address was right there on the support ticket so whats the problem. Not another diversion is it? And no that isnt my address but it would still show some effort if a cd had been mailed to that address! Heck, if you’ll was so sincere about the offer you would have thought that you would not have asked for my address simply mailed it to the one that was right below my name! Of course, I am sure you willproclaim about how much you’ll support open source and how many projects yada yada, and you will make available all the threads that show how supportive you are! But as I said, I no longer care! I have my linux so whatever you want to do is fine! I once again state for the public record that i will not ever mention linspire in any way shape or form verbally or typed,i will not visit the linspire web site or any website affiliated with them,i will not email anyone at linspire or post on any thread anywhere on the web or off that has to do with linspire! If no one cares then I dont either! Either Linux is a stain on the GPL or maybe the GPL is the stain on linux. At least as far as the commercial distros go! I for one will go back to using a free, REALLY FREE distro! So close up linux all you want. CNR it to death for all i care! I wont even mention the poor hardware support you guys have…opps! but oh well… Last post ever……right here. Goodbye cruel world
JT