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[Updated June 14] -- Linspire Inc. has announced an agreement to license voice-enabled instant messaging, Windows Media 10 CODECs, and TrueType font technologies from Microsoft for its Linux distribution. Additionally, Microsoft will offer protection to Linspire customers against possible violations of Microsoft patents by Linux. Spread the word: digg this story In his June 14 weekly Linspire Letter, Linspire CEO Kevin Carmony stated, "This agreement will offer several advantages to Linspire Linux users not found anywhere else, such as Windows Media 10 support, genuine Microsoft TrueType fonts, Microsoft patent coverage, improved interoperability with Microsoft Windows computers, and so on." Linspire...

Apparently, lot of people are thrilled with the whole idea of Canonical and Linspire's technology partnership announced yesterday, citing source code consolidation, non-redundant development efforts, and just good karma about the whole deal. I, for one, am not one of those people. Initially, my big problem was worry for the Debian Project. Under the terms of the new partnership (which, for the purposes of this article I will deem "Linbutu" because I am getting lazy in my middle age), the Linspire and Freespire distributions will be based on Ubuntu, not Debian GNU/Linux. Ubuntu, in turn, gets supported access to Linspire's...

In a surprise move, Linspire is now offering its CNR ("Click 'N Run") software service at no charge to its Linspire and Freespire Linux distribution customers. In addition, the company will soon be open-sourcing the CNR Client. CNR, previously a fee-based service offered at annual subscription rates of $20 for basic and $50 for premium ("Gold") access to new programs, had been the San Diego-based company main source of income. Now, however, according to CEO Kevin Carmony, Linspire is doing well enough from selling its higher-end products and services that it can afford to offer its basic CNR service free...

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...

Hello. I was thinking about trying the Linspire OS.It looks pretty neat but I'm not willing to shell out the dough if fellow Freepers think it sucks.Let me know what you think.TIA

Linspire Announces 'Freespire' Version of Their Popular Linux Operating System Freespire Community Project to Offer Unique Mix of Both Proprietary and Open Source Options in Free Linux Operating System SAN DIEGO, April 24, 2006 - Linspire, developer of the popular commercial desktop Linux operating system of the same name, today announced plans for a no-cost version of their operating system called Freespire. Kevin Carmony, Linspire's President and CEO, unveiled the Freespire project in his keynote address this morning at the 4th Annual Desktop Linux Summit, running today and tomorrow in San Diego. In his remarks, Carmony explained how Freespire is...

Newly formed PC builder/reseller SeaScape LLC will introduce its first batch of pre-loaded Linux desktop computers within the next few weeks, company president James Rhodes told DesktopLinux.com on Friday. The systems will be based on Linspire's Linux desktop. The fledgling Albuquerque-based company, founded last month, partnered with Linspire to use Linspire Five-O in all eight SeaScape microATX models. Customers will be able to purchase customized computers through the company website based on their particular needs and requirements, Rhodes said. "Linspire Five-O is definitely the most user friendly Linux operating system to use on a daily basis," Rhodes said. "We feel...

ELKHART, Ind., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Linspire, Inc. and Wintergreen Systems announced today that Indiana high schools are currently testing desktop Linux machines in school systems across the state as part of a plan to provide every public high school student with a computer. If successful, the plan, called the Indiana Access Program, will provide each high school student in the state with an individual desktop Linux computer for instructional use in each classroom they visit during the day -- meaning a potential 300,000 Linux machines could be deployed over coming years. "Indiana schools aren't just talking about desktop Linux...

Hey mods if this isn't in the right place please move or delete. I don't write vanities much but since I'm asking for the broad knowledge of fellow FReepers maybe I'll be forgiven. I'm looking for a good starter Linux desktop OS for my wife's computer, I have an old Win2k box (P31G-512) that I can use but needs the OS re-installed after years of abuse by the kids. I can put put a clean Win2k back on but figured this is a good time to learn a bit about Linux, so I've been checking out some distros. I'm looking...

"Eweek has an article on how PhoneGaim integrates IM and phone into one program making it possible for AOL/ICQ, MSN and Yahoo users to call each other, landlines and cellphones. It talks about how it could be a Skype-killer since it's based on open standard SIP and comes with free PSTN calling (5 minutes per day), free voicemail via email, and even supports incoming phone calls from PSTN. It's out first for desktop Linux (maybe the start of a new trend?) but it's open source so expect a MSWin version shortly from Gaim team."

In a startling turn of events in a court far, far away (as far away as Microsoft found it necessary to go while shopping for a friendly judge), Microsoft's latest demands on Linspire, né LindowsOS, have not just been rejected by the judge, but the behemoth monopoly has been ordered to reimburse Linspire for its trouble. The sum of the penalty Microsoft must pay? A staggering 944 euros. For those of you who don't speak euro, 944 euros translates to $1,152.43 at the moment. It's unknown at press time if Microsoft will have to go to BayStar Capital, or the...