Lindows...

[Chipp Walters]

Xavier,

> After talking to our guru, Lindows just happens to be a paying version of
> a reduced debian distro.

Lindows is indeed based on Debian, as they say on their website, but have
you ever tried installing Debian? It's not for amateurs! BTW, as I mentioned
in my article, Linux hardcore slashdot types don't like Lindows, because it
IS so simple and not completely free. Took me a long time to figure it out
for myself, as I originally believed them. You should really take the time
and try this distro before forming an opinion on it.

> The author may have been involved in a scam web site earlier
> too... Sounds
> like another Bill Gates
> wannabe to me...

I assume by 'author' you are referring to Michael Robertson, CEO of Lindows.
Among other things, he is a well-respected CEO with numerous successes
running other companies, including the founding of MP3.com. You probably
should check your facts before spreading FUD.

>
> Well marketed though. For those interested there is more on www.cnet.com.
> In brief, they
> say you have little control over the installation. But it's easy to
> install. Has KDE is in but no Gnome.

For those of you who don't know, KDE is a windowing interface, just like
Gnome. Many prefer KDE over Gnome because it is more Windows like. In either
case, both are nice interfaces. I have used both and much prefer KDE. It
looks better, and being a designer, looks are important to me.

>
> Getting non click'n'run apps may be a problem zone. And the Click'n'run
> will make the OS much
> more expensive in the long run. There's no office suite which is avlb in
> other distros and if you dont
> have an ADSL, it gets costlier.

You can use apt-get (free) to download and install debian packages if you
don't want to use Click-N-Run. There are even Lindow fan sites with
instructions and downloads. I prefer the Click-N-Run approach because it is
SOOO easy.

As a Click-N-Run member, you can also have Lindows send you the programs on
CD as well (called Lindows Plus). This is handy if you don't have a fast
connection.

No office suite? I imagine you're referring to the base install doesn't have
an office suite. Of course both Star Office and Open Office are available
via Click-N-Run or apt-get. In fact, the LindowsCD comes with OpenOffice. I
much prefer this model as I want as streamlined an OS as possible. The base
install is like MS, browser and email is all you get. But, installing your
favorite Office Suite is a simple download away. Also, Click-N-Run makes it
easy to UNINSTALL apps as well (sometimes very difficult for Linux).

>
> Most innapropriate is the fact that you have to pay for any other
> program.

This is not true. If you subscribe to Click-N-Run ($49), you get access to
over 1800 programs to download, of which over 95% of them are free.
According to the GNU license, you can charge for distribution of GNU
software, which is what Lindows does...just like Red Hat, Suse and others do
today.

> Which is good
> for us revolution developpers but as a user, is not a good feature. Very
> limiting.

'Very limiting???' How so?

>
> Compatibility with other rpms may also be another wall...

My understanding is that RPMs are for distributing apps mainly for Red Hat.
Debian (and thus Lindows) doesn't use them.

Xavier, I would suggest you spend some time researching Lindows and decide
for yourself, instead of asking your favorite Linux guy. While I originally
had many of the same concerns as you, once I started learning more on my
own, I found that Lindows is perfect for what I want to do. And their
software distribution is most incredible, and solves a lot of problems for
small developers.

best,

Chipp