Date: Sun, 8 Jul 2007 21:51:05 -0500
From: "Jeanette Isabelle" <jeanetteisabelle-at-gmail.com>
To: "Elfen Magix" <elfen_magix-at-yahoo.com>
Subject: Fwd: LL: Is Linux Splitting into Two Factions?



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kevin Carmony <noreply-at-lists.linspire.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:51:22 UT
Subject: LL: Is Linux Splitting into Two Factions?
To: JeanetteIsabelle-at-gmail.com

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src="http://media.linspire.com/images/LL/kc.jpg" align="left"> Digg it! Is Linux Splitting into Two Factions? by Kevin Carmony June 27th, 2007 With the recent news of several Linux vendors entering into partnership agreements with Microsoft (Novell, Linspire, Xandros), there has been target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> much debate recently about two factions of Linux forming. Saying that Linux is going to be torn in two, makes for good press and lively debates, but this is certainly nothing new for Linux. There are far more material splits today in the Linux world, such as Debian vs RPM, KDE vs GNOME, Distro A vs Distro B, and so on. These divisions are quite material, and dilute significant energy and efforts across competing standards. However, we accept this as the price we pay for freedom of choice. face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> I personally prefer Debian over RPM, KDE over GNOME, and, of course, I prefer Linspire over other distributions; but, this doesn't mean I think those who prefer RPM, GNOME, and other distributions should stop what they are doing and focus all their energy on Debian, KDE and Linspire. Each is free to choose what works best for them. As long as there are enough people interested in a particular approach, it's likely that approach will continue and be available to those who choose it. This is why there are hundreds of different Linux distributions today. The argument that Linux will be torn apart by yet another set of choices doesn't square with history. If it did, Linux would have ceased to be long ago, given the multitude of choices and competing approaches it already offers. Since target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">our announcement about working with Microsoft to build a better Linux, I have watched the reactions with interest. I've been sitting silently on the sidelines as others have been sharing their views, but I feel the need to set the record straight on some items and provide a first hand view. What Linspire announced two weeks ago was: 1) nothing new, and 2) very simple. Nothing New Linspire has been entering into partnership agreements with commercial software companies for years. We don't believe that you bring more choice by limiting choice. I want to be able to pick and choose which software, drivers and codecs are right for me, be they open source, commercial, Linux, Windows, Mac, etc. Very Simple Linspire's strategy has been a very simple one...build a Linux distribution with more capabilities for desktop computing than any other distro. We do that by starting with what we feel is the best foundation that open source Linux has to offer for desktop computing (Debian-based Ubuntu) and building critical bits and pieces that provide more functionality and a better user experience, such as: Using KDE (adds ease of use with a more comfortable look and feel for most of today's computer users familiar with Windows) Modifying Applications (to add features and increase ease of use) Adding CNR (a one-click easy way to install, manage and update thousands of applications, both open source and commercial) Adding Proprietary Codecs (so you can play MP3 files, watch DVDs, play Windows Media movie trailers, etc.) Adding Proprietary Software (include or provide access to software like Win4Lin, Java, Flash, Parallels, commercial games, etc.) Adding Proprietary Drivers (for better 3D graphic card support, better WiFi support, etc.) The Moral High Ground Lastly...some distributions have come out, claiming to be taking the "morale high ground" by refusing to give into "Microsoft threats," while openly promoting the means of circumventing proprietary software on their web sites, amounting to nothing more than high-brow software piracy. Some are claiming anti-Microsoft sentiment in regards to our recent announcement, but I don't see them licensing or respecting the IP from many others, not just Microsoft. That's not how I define the "moral high ground." Clearly these distributions must have demand for these proprietary technologies, because several tools exist which are promoted on their sites to provide illegal copies of software, drivers and codecs. They offer disclaimers about the laws in certain countries, yet they must know that many of their customers are using the information from within those countires. This portrays more of an attitude of how to "get around" the law, rather than trying to live within it. For me, the true high ground is what Linspire has been doing from the beginning, by respecting the law and openly licensing proprietary software so that we can legally re-distribute that software to the end user if they so choose. For Linux to be taken seriously by the mainstream distribution channels and enterprise customers, it needs to respect the IP of others. I'm quite sure Linspire has done more than just about any other Linux distributor to license patents, copyrights and trademarks so we can bring the best of open source and proprietary offerings to our customers. I believe this practice will mean something as Linux moves beyond the early adopters to mainstream channels. I want our users to have confidence when they use Linspire Linux, knowing that it has crossed the t's and dotted the i's, and is a fully legal and supported product. Microsoft is just one of the dozens of companies we have entered into agreements with to deliver on that promise. I'm fine with others who may disagree with Linspire's decision to enter into such licensing deals, but I do take issue with anyone spinning it that Linspire is somehow not taking the high ground. - Kevin To discuss this topic with others, click here! align="left"> The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Linspire, Inc. Want to become a Featured Partner? Learn more Please visit support.linspire.com for answers to questions you may have about Linspire. About Linspire Linspire, Inc. (www.linspire.com) was founded in 2001 to bring choice into the operating system market. The company's flagship product, the Linspire operating system, is an affordable, easy-to-use Linux-based operating system for home, school, and business users. Linspire pioneered CNR Technology, which allows Linspire users to download and install thousands of software programs with just one mouse click. The more than 20,000 software titles available in the CNR Warehouse (www.linspire.com/cnrservice) include full office and productivity suites, games, multimedia players, photo management software, accounting tools, and more. We are located at 5960 Cornerstone Court West, Suite 200. San Diego, CA 92121 Linspire, CNR and the CNR Warehouse are trademarks of Linspire, Inc. All other company and product names may be the trademarks of their respective owners. ©2007. All rights reserved. style="width: 61px;"> Please do not reply to this email. To contact Linspire, please visit support.linspire.com. If you do not wish to receive further communications you may change your mailing list options by going to www.linspire.com/update. This email was sent to <>. Please be sure to use this email address when updating your mailing list options. 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