I've had a blissful day today on the net. I've spent the better part of it reading articles about the pros and cons of using Linspire as a distro. Usuallly negative comments come from Geeks (and I'm a Geek) who have taken the time and become accustomed to the idosyncracies of Linux. I am new to Linux and had chosen RedHat as my first distro because I had read it had 50% of the Linux market and when I would visit bookstores it had the most books written about it.

Well, well. As someone who is not afraid of change or experimentation, and having a strong desire to ditch Microsoft, the experience of getting it to work with my computer was frustrating and I was turned off not a few times. But like I said I'm a Geek and I had at it until I was comfortable with moving around the GUI and eventually the CLI.

I wished I had had Linspire on my first attempt with Linux. No distro is "The" distro as personal work style dictates which you ultimately choose. But to someone completely new to Linux, Linspire is simply perfect. Mind you, I've only read the reviews but if the job is to get people interested in Linux (we are talking about the Common User here, guys) it will not happen with anything less than such a distro.

All I've heard from the reviews, time and again, is that it simply "works". Or works "simply".What could POSSIBLY be wrong with this? I'll tell you: fear. Geeks have created a world for themselves around Linux and to know someone can enjoy the benefits of Linux security and power, not to mention the cost savings without having to slave over the CLI, well, offends them. Linux was their way of fighting back for all of the wrongs done to them in school and on the playground: "Look who's awkward now!", I can hear them saying to a friend, as they watch a non-geek try to "build sourcecode". It's sad, but why do things have to be hard to be enjoyed? Besides, two wrongs don't make a right and this is short-sightedness for Linus and I'll tell you why.

Marketing 101

When you are marketing a product to someone you have to think about how THEY think of the product, not what YOU would LIKE them to think.
And marketing software should be easy because you have the experience of Windows and Mac OSX to draw on. In essence, what do these two companies teach us about how the Common User views computers and how has Linspire used this knowledge?

Windows teaches:Be everywhere. Key:bottome line.
Apple teaches:Be easy. Key: design.
Linux MUST teach:Be everywhere and easy. Key: focus.

For Microsoft to get into the game, did Gates (a geek) reinvent the wheel? No. He "simply" took the desktop and shifted the icons to the left and put it everywhere. Linspire has done the same by creating an interface similar to Windows. It's simply smart marketing. And I believe it's Mac's ease of use and obvious creative design that keeps it in the game.

I feel that Linspire has done a good job of blending these two principles, with the majority of the reviews saying all hardware was "just recognized", that the idea of Click N Run for one-click installing of software (great name, too) was great and placing their product in stores such as Walmart. Sure it builds a brand for Linspire but also extends the reach of Linux. I only wish we Geeks would get behind them and promote a single Linux distro as entry-level. Not as the ONLY distro--but as the only ENTRY-LEVEL distro. THE ONLY THING LINUX LACKS IS A MARKETING FOCUS. All other distros will still exist, will be free and used by Geeks, the "Master-level" users. How's that?

With Linspire, Geeks could becom the world's heroes. If we got behind it as our only entry-level distro and a good number of the public took to it, who do you think they would call for support? Right--you! All of your effort and time spent learning Linux will put you front and center on the world stage of Computer Tech Support. Think of all of the jobs waiting, all of the support companies that can be started... Who would do the interviews on talk shows, like Oprah? You! MTV would have a Linux/music spot called "Rosegarden", hosted by, you guessed it, you. Who else?

Look, there is simply nothing negative about Linspire as a disto. If you don't like it, don't use it. But to get someone else to CONVERT to Linux, it represents a great opportunity. To get the Common User, guys, you need a marketing focus, a laser to burn into the Public Mind--Linspire is your best tool yet. Sure, entry-level people end up paying for it, with all of the slick packaging and what not but it doesn't mean YOU will--you're too savvy for that. After all, you're a Geek.

I've had a blissful day today on the net. I've spent the better part of it reading articles about the pros and cons of using Linspire as a distro. Usuallly negative comments come from Geeks (and I'm a Geek) who have taken the time and become accustomed to the idosyncracies of Linux. I am new to Linux and had chosen RedHat as my first distro because I had read it had 50% of the Linux market and when I would visit bookstores it had the most books written about it.

Well, well. As someone who is not afraid of change or experimentation, and having a strong desire to ditch Microsoft, the experience of getting it to work with my computer was frustrating and I was turned off not a few times. But like I said I'm a Geek and I had at it until I was comfortable with moving around the GUI and eventually the CLI.

I wished I had had Linspire on my first attempt with Linux. No distro is "The" distro as personal work style dictates which you ultimately choose. But to someone completely new to Linux, Linspire is simply perfect. Mind you, I've only read the reviews but if the job is to get people interested in Linux (we are talking about the Common User here, guys) it will not happen with anything less than such a distro.

All I've heard from the reviews, time and again, is that it simply "works". Or works "simply".What could POSSIBLY be wrong with this? I'll tell you: fear. Geeks have created a world for themselves around Linux and to know someone can enjoy the benefits of Linux security and power, not to mention the cost savings without having to slave over the CLI, well, offends them. Linux was their way of fighting back for all of the wrongs done to them in school and on the playground: "Look who's awkward now!", I can hear them saying to a friend, as they watch a non-geek try to "build sourcecode". It's sad, but why do things have to be hard to be enjoyed? Besides, two wrongs do make a righ and this isshort-sightedness for Linux and I'll tell you why.

Marketing 101

When you are marketing a product to someone you have to think about how THEY think of the product, not what YOU would LIKE them to think.
And marketing software should be easy because you have the experience of Windows and Mac OSX to draw on. In essence, what do these two Companies teach us about how the Common User views computers and how has Linspire used this knowledge?

Windows teaches:Be everywhere.
Apple teaches:be Be easy.
Both should teach:Be focused.

For Microsoft to get into the game, did Gates (a geek) reinvent the wheel? No. He "simply" took the desktop and shifted the icons to the left and put it everywhere. Linspire has done the same by creating an interface similar to Windows. It's simply a smart marketing. And I believe it's Mac's ease of use and obvious creative design that keeps it in the game.

I feel that Linspire has done a good job of blending these two principles, with the majority of the reviews saying all hardware was "just recognized", that the idea of Click N Run for one-click installing of software (great name, too) was great and placing their product in stores such as Walmart. Sure it builds a brand for Linspire but also extends the reach of Linux. I only wish we Geeks would get behind them and promote a single Linux distro as entry-level. Not as the ONLY distro--but as the only ENTRY-LEVEL distro. THE ONLY THING LINUX LACKS IS A MARKETING FOCUS. All other distros will still exist, will be free and used by Geeks, the "Master-level" users. How's that?

With Linspire, Geeks could becom the world'S heroes. If we got behind it as our only entry-level distro and a good number of the public takes to it, who do you think they would call for support? Right--you! All of your effort and time spent learning Linux will put you front and center on the world stage of Computer Tech Support. Think of all of the jobs waiting, all of the support companies that can be started... Who would do the interviews on Oprah? You! MTV would have a Linux/music spot called "Rosegarden", hosted by, you guessed it, you. Who else?

Look, there is simply nothing negative about Linspire as a disto. If you don't like it, don't use it. But to get someone else to CONVERT to Linux, which is where Linux is right now, to get the Common User, guys, you need a marketing focus, a laser to burn into the Public Mind--Linspire is your best tool yet. Sure entry-level people end up paying for it, with all of the slick packaging and what not but it doesn't mean YOU will--your too savvy for that. ya Geek.

I've had a blissful day today on the net. I've spent the better part of it reading articles about the pros and cons of using Linspire as a distro. Usuallly negative comments come from Geeks (and I'm a Geek) who have taken the time and become accustomed to the idosyncracies of Linux. I am new to Linux and had chosen RedHat as my first distro because I had read it had 50% of the Linux market and when I would visit bookstores it had the most books written about it.

Well, well. As someone who is not afraid of change or experimentation, and having a strong desire to ditch Microsoft, the experience of getting it to work with my computer was frustrating and I was turned off not a few times. But like I said I'm a Geek and I had at it until I was comfortable with moving around the GUI and eventually the CLI.

I wished I had had Linspire on my first attempt with Linux. No distro is "The" distro as personal work style dictates which you ultimately choose. But to someone completely new to Linux, Linspire is simply perfect. Mind you, I've only read the reviews but if the job is to get people interested in Linux (we are talking about the Common User here, guys) it will not happen with anything less than such a distro.

All I've heard from the reviews, time and again, is that it simply "works". Or works "simply".What could POSSIBLY be wrong with this? I'll tell you: fear. Geeks have created a world for themselves around Linux and to know someone can enjoy the benefits of Linux security and power not to mention the cost savings without having to slave over the CLI, well, offends them. Linux was their way of fighting back for all of the wrongs done to them in school and on the playground: "Look who's awkward now!", I can hear them saying to a friend, as they watch a non-geek try to "build sourcecode". It's sad, but why do things have to be hard to be enjoyed? This is short-sightedness for Linux and I'll tell you why.

Marketing 101

When you are marketing a product to someone you have to think about how THEY think of the product, not what YOU would LIKE them to think.
And marketing software should be easy because you have the experience of Windows and Mac OSX to draw on. In essence, what do these two Companies teach us about how the Common User views computers and how has Linspire used this knowledge?

Windows teaches:Be everywhere.
Apple teaches:be Be easy.
Both should teach:Be focused.

For Microsoft to get into the game, did Gates (a geek) reinvent the wheel? No. He "simply" took the desktop and shifted the icons to the left and put it everywhere. Linspire has done the same by creating an interface similar to Windows. It's simply a smart marketing. And I believe it's Mac's ease of use and obvious creative design that keeps it in the game.

I feel that Linspire has done a good job of blending these two principles, with the majority of the reviews saying all hardware was "just recognized", that the idea of Click N Run for installing software (great name, too) was great and placing their product in stores such as Walmart. Sure it builds a brand for Linspire but also extends the reach of Linux. I only wish we Geeks would get behind them and promote a single Linux distro as entry-level. Not as the ONLY distro--but as the only ENTRY-LEVEL DISTRO. THE ONLY THING LINUX LACKS IS A FOCUS. All other distros will still exist, will be free and used by Geeks, the "Master-level" users. How's that?

With Linspire, Geeks COULD BECOME the world'S HEROES. If a good number of the public takes to it, who do you think they would call for support? Right--you! All of your effort and time spent learning Linux will put you front and center on the world stage of Computer Tech Support. Think of all of the jobs waiting, all of the support companies that can be started... Who would do the interviews on Charlie Rose and Oprah? You! MTV would have a Linux and music spot called Rosegarden, hosted by, you guessed it, you. Who else?

Look, there is simply nothing negative about Linspire as a disto. Don't like it, don't use it. But to get someone to CONVERT to Linux, which is where Linux is right now, to get the Common User, guys, you need a marketing focus a laser to burn into the Public Mind--Linspire is your best tool yet. Sure entry-level people end up paying for it but it doesn't mean YOU will--your too savvy for that. Long live the Geeks!

And you do wan't Linux excepted, don't you?

Suse Linux "does" play MP3s out of the box. However it will not play DVDs.

...Two major distros, Fedora and SUSE, do not ship with the ability to play MP3s files, due to license concerns about the patents that encumber them. Goodbye to them.

Ok, Linspire may be VERY easy, but to do the Click-N-Run functions you have to pay 50 bucks a year! I have tried Linspire (in a store) and I have Ubuntu on a computer in my basement- Ubuntu is pretty much just as easy to use, even for me, who is just switching to Linux. The only thing the people at Ubuntu should do is include a couple web plugins (e.g. Flash, Adove Reader, etc...), and maybe TRY for a Graphical installer (it would seem more comforting to people switching).

Well.. so I went to the great Linspire forums as the author suggested. What I saw there were alot of people with alot of problems and questions. So much for the out-of-the-box experience you pay for. What exactly DO you pay for? For having the same problems as in any other distro? For having to go to support forums?

I thought you pay for two things: individual customer support and out-of-the-box operation. But when I read stuff like "how do I get WPA with ipw2200?" I am forced to believe Linspire is wasted money when you can get distros like Ubuntu for free (shipped to your house!). They have great support forums, too (in multiple languages) and they too (!!!) provide commercial individual customer support if you want/need it. I have witnessed several computer beginners and windows2linux-switchers getting along very good with ubuntu without even needing support. So I really question your argumentation on why you chose Linspire.

I disagree wholeheartedly that Linspire is a good choice for the home user windows convert. With open source coming on strong in the windows world, if one has to pay as much for linux as they do for windows and still have to deal with the various linux quirks, they might as well stick with windows. I don't mind the pay and commercial version models some distros have adopted but a pay only model absolutely throws out and distro for home use in my mind. And from what I can see it doesn't seem like hw detection, and the installer are any better than, for instance, that of Mandriva, or a number of other free distros.

Especially since hw detection/support isn't as good in linux as it is in windows, I don't advocate paying for a distro for personal use. Well, I do advocate buying your first distro just for the manuals... something about holding a book in the hand that appeals to me. But I wouldn't ever condone supporting a company t using the 'pay only' model of distrubiting linux. Especially for the personal user. Unless you are paying for customer quality support.

When it comes to commercial use, I feel there is something to paying for support and SLAs, etc.

But I'm a fair guy. I'm going to set up an experiment in which I have a newbie install them both. I'll take it easy on linspire and have them install it AFTER installing another distro. Keep a log, etc.

But for now, this looks too much like what I fear most will happen as linux grows... companies will remove the 'free beer' freedom. I still see a court somewhere ruling on something that makes free beer linux illegal.

We already have 'never ending' copyrights in the USA. Thanks for that!

"So I got an encyclopedia of dogs and--I'm not making this up--wrote down a list of all the qualities I wanted in a dog: good around kids, intelligent, easily trained, happy living indoors, moderate exercise needs, non-allergenic fur, medium size, calm disposition and so on."

A Dalmatian neither has "moderate exercise needs" nor is of "medium size". I fear you chose the wrong dog.

I can't comment about Linspire, never used it (Ubuntu would be my choice). But my experience with dogs (including Dalmatians) is great. Perhaps you based your research on the wrong dog encyclopedia. There are good ones and bad ones.

/carsten.

There must be something wrong in your methods. Dalmatians are not good around kids, not easily trained, ...

Maybe you have made same kind of mistakes with Linux distros?

My reply to the post has elicited some sharp responses.
In my opinion, the title of the post was fundamentally wrong- How to choose a distro because for a newbie this would be totally confusing. Had the post read- "The benefits of using Linspire"- perhaps I may not have even commented upon in the first case.

Suse remains a top notch distro. In case some readers didnt know about it, it is free for the evaluation version- one pays only for the printed manuals and telephone support. At least that happens in India. Moreover, Suse has become free from the latest version 10. I believe, bulk of their earnings come from the Enterprise segment. Still, Suse is best for the newbie for desktops. It installs itself like a charm and ships with enough packages so that one doesnt have the hassle of downloading the rpms. Ditto for Ubuntu- the excellent debian based distro. Fact is that they are ploughing back the developments in the community. Linspire fails to do so. Needless to say, Ubuntu is shipping its product FREE of cost to ANYONE, ANYWHERE in the world.

Arguably, they have this CNR thingy made easy for those users who are new to Linux. The question is, to whom Linux is targetting at? A simple dumb moron who "hits at the blue button" to access Internet? He wouldnt have the initiative to shift to Linux in the fist case. Before "accusing me", define the clientiele first.

The problem is that Mr Peter, without looking at the pros and cons of the various distros dismisses them in few sentences. Then he goes on to extol the virtues of Linspire. To add salt to the wounds, he dismisses the Open Source movement as "elitists". Why so? The GNU/Linux explicitly states that any modification made to the software should be ploughed back for other users. For example, I came across "Phone Gaim"- Gaim is an Open Source application; Phone Gaim, only for Linspire users, is a "closed application" without any benefit to users of other distros.

What attracted to me Linux apart from the relative ease of use and security? It was the ideology of greater common good- Free as in free beer! As of today, I have no idea as to what motivates so many programmers to make software for free, distribute it and make the source code available. Don't dismiss the proponents as "elitists".

Arguably, as I mentioned before, if this is a "promotion" for Linspire, who have funded something for "noble causes",well it read like a press release from a self indulgent CEO. Tux Magazine could well desist from these stunts including likes of Mr Peter-in the spirit of objective reporting, competitive interests should be declared. Has Linspire paid anything for this post? I would definitely like to know.

Finally, to an extent I d agree that Linux need not be a "techological accomplishment". Well, I am a practising doctor and no where related to computers. Yet, over the past 10 months I have been with linux. I know not about the terminal screen and I dont need to know. Ergo,one does has to make SOME effort to unlearn Windows and learn Linux. It maybe duanting to know about the file structure or new names of KDE- but hey- one has to invest some time to learn a new skill.

I purchased a Linspire computer made by Systemax from TigerDirect.com for my mother. I have been VERY impressed. It was under $300, yet it did everything she needed to do, and quite securely I might add, as Linspire DOES in fact make it VERY easy to NOT run as root. During the install, I simply used the option to set up users. Done.

My favorite part is Linspire comes with everything pre-installed and ready to run, right out of the box, without installing a lot of plug ins, etc. mp3, java, flash, quick time, real, even windows media is supported. (Each of these links played without a hitch: http://linspire.com/filetypes Try that with other distros.) You can even add legal and licensed DVD playback for under $10 with one click, using their click and run service.

Granted Linspire takes the thrill of building the Linux puzzle away, but that's not what my mother wanted a computer for.

Art

Excellent read!
Only thing that you left out is that Mepis too is as good as Linspire.
It too has great media support and Waren tries to keep things simple for users.
I use both Linspire,Mepis,and XP exclusively.
Also a mass supporter and friend of Micheal Robertson. He really likes my fan blog.
Anyway,I resent when the so-called elitist bring up things about Linspire.
Ben,you made a good point.
CNR isn't free because housed in the repositories are titles that are non-free.
And you paying not for the software but updates,ISO updates,and more. It's a bargin still!
I only buy CNR when I discover that killer app on CNB(Click N Buy).
I use Synaptic for much else or KLIK.
But CNB has things that no other distro has. Windows software that was ported,Cedega,ect.
I don't mind paying.
I've bought nearly $50 worth of great items.
Still,I have small issues with Linspire at times.
The XPish kicker and icons which do not change if you download new ones.
I love to theme things.
And Linspire kinda nicks that feauture for me.
I love to dress KDE up in Mac OSX's skin or use Plastik.
At times use XFCE or IceWm.
Also,I'd love a speacial XFCE version that mimicks OSX.
Same features but new feel.
I'm always dualbooting Linspire and Mepis. I think both could learn from the other as they are very similar.
For now,my "perfect dog" is pretty much Mepis.
It does tricks,it keeps up with me,it's friendly.
But Linspire has a home here too. It doesn't do all the same tricks,or keeps me on my toes persay,but I still love it!

www.bloging4linspire.com the Xanga Linspire blog!

Mr Peter, I am glad that you started off with the analogy of choosing a right breed
for the dog. However, you cannot extrapolate the same thing to Linux at all.

I d appreciate your opinion- though this was an unbashed promotion of Linspire.
True, I cannot but agree with Stallman that its something downright commercial
enterprise that has spoilt its name. The biggest problem with Linspire is, that its
run as root distro- arguably biggest compromise on the security.

Eye candy can be good enough- how can they charge for the "CNR" repositiories?
As for the rpm based distros, you just bid Suse goodbye for no fault of its own! Suse remremains one of the best distor around- now that its for free. By the way, you can easily download the multimedia packages, the first time you load up and boot up the
distro via Yast update.

Not an elitist myself- my Suse plays everything right out of the box- any damned
Windows proprietary codecs....one has to search online and install.

Ubuntu remains strongly focussed on the desktop. In case you didnt know, you could
Purchase the customer service for a price. In the spirit of freedom, the customer forums are as good as paid support. Type in any damned query and you would have your answer.

Ultimately, Linux isnt as moronish as Windows. Tux Magazine shouldnt have allowed this post for Linspire. Thats going against their own preety standards.