Linspire Linux 6.0 Released

Technology » Operating Systems » Linux - 10/10/2007

Linspire released the new version of the well known commercial distribution based on Ubuntu, but with tons of proprietary software and closed stuff. Good news for people willing to pay for Linux, the cost is about $50. All the others can still download Ubuntu for free...

Linspire Linux 6.0 is based on Ubuntu, but adds CNR, proprietary software, closed drivers, and codecs.

Let's see some of it's features, according to the company:

CNR available

“CRN.Com provides access to over 20,000 free & commercial software programs, packages and libraries. Linspire 6.0 comes pre-installed with the CNR Client (Currently in beta stage - auto-updates are available for upcoming Client versions).”

Multimedia Support

“Linspire comes pre-loaded and ready to support MP3, Real, Quicktime, Windows Media, Java, Flash, and more. Everything is already licensed and ready to run. Optional DVD playback support is just a click away at CRN.Com.”

OK, perhaps that's good for new users, but personally I prefer to get Ubuntu and add some external repositories to add any codecs I want. My cost? Zero...

Plug-N-Play Hardware Support

“Linspire provides the most extensive hardware support available including drivers from ATI, nVidia, Intel, and others.”

Wireless Networking

“Linspire supports the latest 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networking and an updated Network Control panel lets you customize profiles so you can effortlessly shift between home, work and other networks without bothering with any configuration screens.”

Office Productivity Suite

Linspire's comes with pre-installed Open Office 2.2.

Internet Suite

Linspire comes with pre-installed flash and java plugins for the browser. It also provides Pidgin for instant messaging.

Lphoto - Digital Photos

“Linspire includes Lphoto, the best all-in-one photo manager available. Import, organize, edit, crop, enhance, and share photos from over 300 hundred plug-n-play supported digital cameras. Even use your photos as a screensaver and make video CDs!”

Personally I use Picasa. I didn't have to pay for it and it's really to install. Also, most modern distros provide F-Spot.

Lsongs - Digital Music

“Lsongs is an all-in-one music manager built-in to Linspire and ready to help you rip your favorite music, organize it, play it, sync it to portable players, and burn it to your own music mix CDs. Lsongs provides everything you need to easily manage and enjoy your music collection.”

Free Internet Calling

“The popular Gizmo Project VoIP software lets you talk to your friends all over the world for free with no long-distance phone charges. Call computer-to-computer, set up conference calls, and check voicemail - all at no charge. Or you can "Call Out" to land-line telephones for as little as a penny per minute, and automatic account creation makes Gizmo Project a snap to set up.”

Microsoft IP Protection

In other words, Linspire has an agreement with Microsoft. If you hate Novell for that reason... perhaps you should also think about Linspire.

My conclusion is that Linspire might be good for some companies or for totally newbie users, but if you really want to learn something from Linux and avoid older windows traps, it would be better to try something open, like Ubuntu or Fedora. There are many free Linux distributions out there to do whatever you want to do...