Linspire Releases Freespire 1.0 Desktop Linux OS

Aviransplace ^ | 2006-08-09 | Linspire

[N3WBI3]

Linspire, Inc. released Freespire 1.0, a free, Debian-based desktop Linux operating system that optionally combines open source software with legally-licensed proprietary drivers, codecs and applications in its core distribution. Freespire licenses and makes available 3rd-party software where there are not yet viable open source alternatives.

Linspire announced the Freespire community project at the Desktop Linux Summit on April 24th, 2006 with a projected release date for Freespire 1.0 of September 1st. Released almost a month ahead of schedule, Freespire 1.0 offers users the ability to choose what software they want installed on their computer, with no limitations or restrictions placed on that choice. By including 3rd-party proprietary drivers, codecs and applications software, Freespire is able to provide better out-of-the-box hardware, file type and multimedia support, such as MP3, Windows Media, Real, QuickTime, Java, Flash, ATI, nVidia, fonts, WiFi, and modems. Freespire also provides one-click access to legally licensed DVD playback software, games, Sun’s StarOffice, Win4Lin, CodeWeaver’s Crossover Office, TransGaming’s Cedega, and dozens of other commercial products.

Also available is the Freespire 1.0 OSS Edition, a special version of Freespire that does not include any proprietary software. This version can be used by those who wish to build upon Freespire, without any of the 3rd-party licensed components included in the cord OS.

Immediately available for free download through the Freespire.org web site, Freespire is a community-driven, Debian-based Linux distribution that is designed to be powerful enough for sophisticated Linux users and developers, yet easy enough for someone new to Linux.

[N3WBI3]

OSS PING

If you are interested in the OSS ping list please mail me

[JamesP81]

TransGaming’s Cedega,

This is a really cool toy, right here. If they ever perfect it, I may go to Linux permanently. Although, I think I'll have to have a 64-bit version: 32-bit linux has problems on my AMD 64 proc, especially when it comes to video drivers.

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

This is a really cool toy, right here. If they ever perfect it, I may go to Linux permanently. Although, I think I'll have to have a 64-bit version: 32-bit linux has problems on my AMD 64 proc, especially when it comes to video drivers.

Have you installed all of the 32-bit libraries? This can cause some problems if not. A majour problem with any 64-bit OS at present is that Macromedia hasn't gotten around to creating a 64-bit version of Flash. They don't anticipate doing so in the near future (which might doom Macromedia). On my AMD-64 system, i've had to use Opera 9.01 (compiled at 32-bits) in order to view flash websites (running SuSE Professional 9.2).

[ShadowAce]

Hurry! Quickly discuss...

OK. What's the purpose of Freespire, given that the purpose of Linspire is to provide windows-type drivers/functionality using proprietary code under Linux? Once those drivers/code are removed, what does Freespire have to offer that is different from all the other distros?

[bigdcaldavis]

Actually, there are two versions of Freespire. The regular version of Freespire has the proprietary drivers/software/codecs. The fully open-source Freespire (Freespire OSS) does not include any proprietary drivers/codecs/software.

For example : Regular Freespire includes the Java Runtime Environment...Freespire OSS does not.

[MikefromOhio]

INB4GE