Linspire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Linspire, previously known as LindowsOS (also Lin---s, pronounced as Lindash), is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian. Linspire's focus is on ease-of-use for home, school and business users. Linspire strives to make a GNU/Linux distribution that is easy for the average person to use and not one that will necessarily pander to the demands of a power user.

Linspire 5 Desktop

1 History
2 Editions
3 CNR
4 Language support
5 Open source support
6 Criticisms
7 Freespire
8 See also
9 External links

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History

Michael Robertson, the founder and former CEO of MP3.com functions as the Chairman of Linspire, Inc. Kevin Carmony serves as President & CEO for Linspire.

Microsoft Corporation sued Lindows, Inc. claiming the name "Lindows" constituted a trademark infringement on "Windows". In February 2004, a judge rejected two of Microsoft's central claims. At this point, Microsoft offered to settle the case. As part of an estimated $24 million cash and licensing settlement from Microsoft (for a case that Microsoft itself brought), Lindows agreed to change their name to Linspire, and transfer the Lindows trademark to Microsoft. See Microsoft vs Lindows for more information.

Linspire, Inc had the initial goal of developing a GNU/Linux-based operating system capable of running major Windows applications as well. It based its Windows compatibility on WINE. Linspire Inc. later abandoned its initial approach in favor of making Linux applications easy to download, install and use. They achieved this using an application called CNR (click and run), a program based on Debian's Advanced Packaging Tool, providing an easy-to-use interface and a slightly modified package system for an annual fee (apt-get costs no money, but has less user-friendliness). CNR (click and run) has roughly 2,500 pieces of software for download [Today however CNR is no longer based off of apt get]. You can browse a sample listing of all of these programs here.

Linspire, Inc sponsors many open-source projects and events, including the Gaim and Kopete instant messaging clients, Lsongs, Lphoto, IRMA, the KDE-Apps.org and KDE-Look.org websites; and sponsors Nvu, which is at 1.x (or in the 1.0 series) and is an open-source WYSIWYG website editor based on the Mozilla composer code) intended to rival and supplant the internal use of FrontPage. In the past, Linspire contributed over $500,000 to the WINE project and also hosted several Linux and open source events such as the annual Desktop Linux Summit, Debconf and KDE Developers Conference.

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Editions

Several varieties of Linspire, known as editions, target different markets. Three main editions exist: Standard, Developer and Live.

Standard: The standard edition is intended for most consumer desktops and laptops
Developer: A version designed for developers, this version comes with many development tools such as text editors, compilers and libaries for developing software.
Live: Potential users can download a no-cost LiveCD version of Linspire in ISO image format from P2P networks, or directly from Linspire and run it on their computer without installing. This is legally-sanctioned and encouraged.

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CNR

Linspire's CNR Service (short for click and run but is often joked about as "Collect New Revenue") allows users "unrestricted access to software stored in the CNR Warehouse" [1] The service allows users to install applications using a single click for about USD $20. CNR also includes Click-'N-Buy or CNB which contains many commercial or proprietary Linux applications available to members at a discounted rate. Currently CNR has over 2200 different products ranging from very simple applications to major commercial works like Win4Lin and StarOffice. Linspire offers two different pricing options for their annual subscription-based CNR service:

CNR Service (basic): The basic CNR Service, available for about $20 per year, allows users to install applications using a single click.

CNR Gold Service: Like the basic service, the Gold Service, available for about $50 per year, allows users to install applications using a single click. Additional extras come with the CNR Gold Service, such as discounts on commercial Linux software (like StarOffice, Win4Lin, Cedega and MyBooksPro) as well as other services and features. Proponents of the service claim that one software discount practically pays for the cost of CNR Gold Service.

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Language support

Linspire sponsors the IRMA Project which allows people from all over the world to assist in the translation of open source software. IRMA supports over 50 languages with over 1,500 translators. IRMA allows Linspire to be available fully translated in many languages, such as English, UK English, German, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, and others.

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Open source support

Linspire has contributed millions of dollars in direct funds and contributed code to several open source projects. For a company of Linspire's size, their contributions have been quite admirable. With very few exceptions, all code that is developed by Linspire is contributed back to the open source community. Linspire is also the lead maintainer for important projects such as Nvu, Lsongs, Lphoto, and an important contributer to other projects such as Mozilla Firefox, Gaim, Reiser FS, and many others. (See: http://www.linspire.com/oopensource.)

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Criticisms

Many advanced Linux and UNIX users complain that Linspire allows users to run as root without more forcefully notifying them of the dangers, reducing the system's security. Also charging for what some view as simply a modified version of Debian have attracted criticisms. Others disagree and argue that the Linspire OS is considerably different from Debian and most other Linux distributions, because it includes dozens of non-open source software programs on its installation CD, such as support for MP3, DVD, Quick Time, Java, Flash, Real, Windows Media, Adobe .pdf, and so on. Some of these licensed, 3rd-party products include fees to the license holder which are paid for and legally licensed by Linspire.

Linspire employs the controversial practice of allowing users to always run programs as root, which can potentially nullify the traditional UNIX security system. During the installation, users are encouraged not to run as root but to set up user accounts. However, unlike most distributions, it is not mandated, with the choice being left up to the user. Michael Robertson, the Founder of Linspire, has argued that the separation of root from normal users is essentially not relevant, claiming that once an intruder has gained access to your machine under any account, your data has been compromised and the point is moot. Linspire also claims that this should be the user's choice, not Linspire's.

Opponents maintain that an intruder managing to gain control of a Linspire system can do anything he or she wants to the computer, such as installing spyware and loading kernel modules to mask the intrusion, and therefore believe that the default should be to force the creation of user accounts. Moreover, with Linspire being a distribution aimed for generally less advanced home and business users, they may not be able to make meaningful choices about their system security.

However, it should also be noted that the default Linspire installation does not include network services. There is also a strict firewall installed and enabled by default, which blocks everything except for port 22. On the other hand, without the security barriers of separate user accounts, even network-connected client programs pose highly increased risks, especially with the increased popularity of peer-to-peer type networking applications.

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Freespire

In August 2005, a distribution LiveCD called "Freespire" hit the web by accident. Freespire was a GNU/Linux distribution based on the source pools from Linspire. This distribution was created by a fan of Linspire and was not produced or released by Linspire Inc. Freespire was confused by some users to be an actual product from Linspire, and its creator voluntarily changed the name to avoid the confusion. As of the name change, the former Freespire adopted a development codename "Squiggle", and began contemplation of a new distro name. Linspire then offered users a "free Linspire" (purchase price discounted to $0) by using the coupon code "Freespire" until September 9th 2005, so as to prevent confusion between the two projects.

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