Attached Link: http://info.linspire.com/freespire/index.html

Free is good, but what is it?

It's a version of Linux that they say is free, but you have to create an account there, whatever that involves, then get it via BitTorrent, once they turn their server back on. Sounds a little suspicious to me, since you have to turn over your data to them, then wait an unknown amount of time before you can download anything. But if BitTorrent is the primary method of warez distribution now, I have to wonder why they are doing it like that.

They ask nothing more from you than your email and name...heck, I never even gave a last name. And it 'is' free until Sept 6th. And Mateo, Torrents are not just used for warez...their servers were being overloaded and it messed up the redeeming of the 'get it free' coupon..so they made a torrent file to DL. Its not suspicious at all. And they have the FTP option so.....~shrug~ Me thinks Mateo, that you are paranoid ;) :P ------------ From site: NOTE: Due to the popularity of this offer, our servers are being slammed! The strain is resulting in occasional failures to properly redeem the "freespire" coupon in our shopping cart. Downloading the software once you've redeemed can be accomplished using BitTorrent (which speeds up the more people download) or Linspire's FTP servers, so that is actually going well. ;-) The good news is that the offer will continue through the Labor Day holiday (Sept 6), so please be patient and continue trying over the next few days (best times are between 11pm and 5am PST). Thanks for understanding and for trying Linspire! ----------------------------------------------------------- The only time one has to wait to start DL'ing, is if you go the direct DL route...and at the time, I saw 503 people in que...so I went the .torrent route...granted, its slower...but at least one can start DL'ing right away instead of waiting. If you go have a look, you will see its interface is pretty close to MS in its user friendliness..not a bad OS afaic for a spare puter or lappy.

"Select the ISO you want to download from our servers or via BitTorrent (Linspire Five-0)" BitTorrent is only one of the two download methods. And, the fact that now BitTorrent is used to share illegal warez, don't means that its only purpose is nefarious.

if you don't want the wait and registration. Xandros is a near clone of linspire. right down to kde based gui setup. ( logos are different ) linspire was first released as "Lindows" http://distrowatch.com/ for most distros. another, very similar to linspire and xandros is vector. though vector is still a bit buggy, requiring editing the x config at console to get right resolution, and not liking some root passwords.

"But if BitTorrent is the primary method of warez distribution now," And for project Guttenberg too!

Well, if this is actually a copy of Linspire Five-0, then linspire.com is currently selling this software (their software in fact) for $49.95 for the digital download, and $59.95 for the boxed version so I guess you need to make up your own mind(s) as to the legality of the offer.

It is linspire offering the software for free, as a marketing gimmick. So it appears legit, as you still have to go through their digital checkout.

Yes Slinger, it sells regularly for $49.95 digital DL..but there in the instructions, on their site, it tells you to click on the 'coupon' and it automatically deducts the full price and you get the DL for free. You also have to register for a free account..

Why are some of you worried this is some kind of scam or warez? Did you go to the site and 'read' what is going on?? Jeeze Louise sigh

Message edited on: 09/05/2005 22:43

why would I want linux when all the digital art apps are windows or mac?

Well I got it becaue it's free, and when I gan get hold of a used computer, I will install it on thta so I can experimernt and play around with it, but still use Windows as my main OS.

not hardly: 2200+ graphics and miultimedia apps for linux. http://www.linuxlinks.com/Software/Graphics/ http://www.linuxlinks.com/Software/Multimedia/ most free, just like the os itself is. so go ahead, throw money down the drain sticking with a lower quality product. and lose system resources to services that aren't needed on a professional quality os.

Oooooooo freebie links! :D Thanks Jaq :)

hey, I got tons of links to free linux apps, for all application types.

linuxlinks.com is a great resource though.
mobygames has a listing of mainstream games that run native in linux.
http://www.mobygames.com/browse/games/linux/

freshmeat and sourceforge are both chock full of the universe of software available for linux.
( not just the world of software for windows / mac )

Message edited on: 09/08/2005 09:54

Message edited on: 09/09/2005 16:11

since mac osx is based on a linux distro, your comment doesn't make any sence. mac osx is linux. just a corrupted version, removing the power of linux.

Small correction.
MacOS is based on BSD not Linux.

WOW!! a pretty, Colorful, somewhat bubbly interface shell covering a rock solid protected, memory unix variant core!! Thanks, but I already have that in MAC OSX :-) along with support for all of the software that I NEED to use: Cinema4D ,Carrara Pro4 ,Final Cut pro,Adobe After Effects pro, Maxon Bodypaint 3D Discreet combustion. Adobe Photoshop/Indesign/illustrator CS. DAZ mimic (and on my old PC Box) universal texture converter not to even mention Poser6 with wardrobe wizard etc. but have fun after all its a freebie Cheers

Contrary to popular belief not all Linux distributions are free. But unlike Windows you don't pay for the right to use the OS, you pay for support. Microsoft is certainly feeling the sting of Linux. But not as bad as all those overpriced proprietary Unixes (HP-UX, AIX) on overpriced hardware. A cluster of medium to high end PCs running Linux easily outperforms high-end Unix boxes that cost ten to fifty times as much. I don't think Linux will replace Windows as the PC desktop OS of choice. But I do think Linux will force MS to stay alert and improve - and that is a good thing. Same goes for MacOS. On the other hand, revolutions in the computer world can go very fast. When WordPerfect blundered, it took MS less than a year to almost completely take over the PC word processor market. Netscape used to be the dominant Web browser, now it's IE. If MS is not very careful, they could lose their position on the market pretty quick.

" Small correction. MacOS is based on BSD not Linux." ahh, the lesser hardware support open source os. bsd has worse hardware support than linux. ( and the worst installer ) makes perfect sence, use the kernel with least hardware support to run your overpriced proprietary hardware.

Apple had to use BSD to be able to keep their modifications proprietory.