Lindows?

[dishawjp]

Hi All,

I've seen a lot of bitching on this site about Lindows, but ran across this article.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,746194,00.asp

I'm pretty neutral in this debate.  I've seen Lindows, but never really used it.  I've read a bit about it and seen that it is moving quite a few people away from Microsoft and towards a form of Linux.

It's not for me and probably not for most of the members of this forum, but I kind of like the idea of an (Linux) OS that windroids can learn to use and for those of them with any brains, maybe it could be a stepping stone to a more traditional Linux.

Just a thought.

Jim

[Refalm]

I think Lindows OS is the crappiest Linux distribution ever. And it has nothing to do with a distribution war, because this particular distribution is destroying everything a common distribution stands for.

For example, you actually have to pay to get a stupid download program, which will enable you to download programs that are Free.

They also integrate Netscape in Lindows OS, and have tons of AOL commercials.

Also, I heard a rumour about that Lindows OS is always in "root" mode.

[choasforages]

lindows os is a sack of shit. too bad itll catch on with the sheeple

[Doctor V]

Hey its better than windows

maybe

a little

[SpeeDFreaK]

I dunno...

The click and run thing seems like a good idea for people who aren't very computer friendly (someone who's too lazy to double-click the rpm file). Maybe if the money was going toward the development of some good apps and wine enhancement, maybe I would be cool with paying for it. But just to rehost free programs and make people pay for access to it and the operating system (of which I have seen no source...maybe it's time to release the legal hounds) is BS.

[Calum]

it seems that the only main difference between lindows OS and red hat linux (which comes with wine preinstalled, even though you need to set it to default for .exe files yourself) is that one of them can be had for free and one of them costs money.

I haven't used lindows OS, but i have a problem believing it is anything like as stable, secure or even easy to use as red hat linux, from the reports i have heard.

Red hat linux and mandrake linux even cost substantially less than lindows OS when bought with manuals and support (as opposed to lindows OS which sells you a beta version in order to absolve itself of any data loss or instability you might have), and i honestly cannot see what would justify spending the higher price.

The main argument being put forward right now is that it's more like windows for those people who are too stupid to figure out how to use a new windowing system (are these the same people who wouldn't learn how to use a macintosh?), and what with all the beta software involved i am certain that lindows OS can compete with windows XP on its two main product features, instability and insecurity.

[Kintaro]

Sorry you microsoft lovers but how many of you have used it? From what i have seen so far it is quite good. And it can run Windows programs productivly. Its not Microsoft, so who cares, OS-X is propartary and stuff, i guess its SHIT as well. Gee so is Solaris, many BSD's, ect.

Jebus, how much sand is in your vagina.

[Kintaro]

Oh and the Lindows CEO is funding the XBox Linux project!

[Kintaro]

quote:Originally posted by 73h 31337357 h4x02:
I think Lindows OS is the crappiest Linux distribution ever. And it has nothing to do with a distribution war, because this particular distribution is destroying everything a common distribution stands for.

difference is what makes one stand out from the crowd.
 

quote:

For example, you actually have to pay to get a stupid download program, which will enable you to download programs that are Free.

they did a lot of work you lazy sack.
 

quote:


They also integrate Netscape in Lindows OS, and have tons of AOL commercials.

Meh, they can be removed.
 

quote:


Also, I heard a rumour about that Lindows OS is always in "root" mode.

You didnt even read the article, in 3.0 they changed this. Made it more stable... Read the review. That goes to every lazy sack here, so thats everyone, except for me, because i am god.

READ IT.

[voidmain]

I'm not reading it. I just hate Robertson and believe him to be a BillyWannaB. In fact I may soon be switching to Debian (or at least using it on a few of my home machines).

[ January 10, 2003: Message edited by: void main ]

[Kintaro]

Meh. Red-Hat 8.1 will have more software andless bugs.

When debian is more usable (friendly) i might use it on my home machines. I might put slackware on my server.

[Calum]

what a dicksplash you're being in this article, X11! maybe you should get a job at Lindows Inc (or whatever the fuck they're called). Maybe your job title could be 'Steve-Jobs-in-training' or something.

What is all that bullshit you spouted anyway? all my comments about how red hat and mandrake already fill ALL the criteria that lindows strives for still stand. fuck's sake, what do you mean you can remove netscape? who cares? you can uninstall IE with 98lite as well, but why fucking bother when you can just remove windows with the install media for red hat, mandrake, debian, slackware, freebsd, openbsd, netbsd, and so on and so forth.

[voidmain]

Really Debian is probably the easiest distro out there (if you are not a Linux n00b). I did run it on a few servers in the past but I currently do not have it running on anything. It's far better than Slackware if you ask me simply because it has the best package management system of all time.

[dishawjp]

Ok,

I was afraid that I might start a mess like this.  What I was trying to point out was that Lindows *might* be a way for *some* people, not members of this list, to get away from Microsoft.

Yes, Lindows does cost more, but as the article stated, the "Click and Run" feature is not necessary since they didn't disable the apt-get function. Lindows is based on Debian.

The "run as root" issue has been addressed.

It's supposed to be easy for newbies to install and run, and they're getting a lot of copies of Lindows Linux into the hands of computer users.  Probably just about all of them former Windows users. I see that as a good thing.  Sort of a "first step" sort of a thing.  I doubt that many Lindows users will stick with that OS long term.  It seems to be a kind of Linux with training wheels to me.

As these users begin to lose their fear of Linux, they may be willing to look at the more "standard" distributions.

I'm still relatively new to Linux.  The difficulties of setting up a Linux box and learning to install and configure it properly are probably fresher in my mind than for most of you who have been using Linux for so much longer. If it hadn't been for all the help and support I received here, I might have given up.  Probably not, but it sure as hell would have been a lot tougher for me.  And I have a background in multiple OS's including Unix and am quite happy working from a command line. Think about some sorry-assed Windows "point and clicker" who just wants to get out from under Microsoft but can't hack direct migration to a "real" Linux.

I use Red Hat and really like it and have no intention of switching to Lindows or any other distribution in the forseeable future.  I just thought that it might be good to keep an open mind about Lindows since we may well be seeing people coming to this forum looking for help in their migration away from M$.

I really didn't mean to start a war OR suggest that any current members of this forum would be any more interested in running Lindows themselves than I am.

Jim

[Calum]

i was that point and clicker and i have been using linux for only a few months longer than you have. to boot i have no background in computers.

i started with red hat (7.0) it was a little difficult, so i tried mandrake 8.2. Simple, easy, there is no need for a newbie to use lindows OS. they can use red hat (version 8.0 of which is as easy as mandrake 8.2 was) or mandrake (9.0 is much the same as 8.2).

If they have to pay 100 bucks for it they are MUCH more likely to stay with it than if they got it for free. i resent any attempt of this sort to try and make people feel like they must use some software or other in order to 'get their money's worth'. It is unethical.

I reiterate. I was that point and clicker, and i do not see, and i bet i would not have seen, any reason for lindows OS to exist if it is not Free and Open Source.