Is Linspire really as easy to use?

[TechHead87]

I've been thinking about trying out Linspire. Is it really as easy to use as it advertises?

 

[drag]

Should be OK.

I've never used it, but the primary reason you'd want to use it is that you get support options and they have a bunch of propriatory software that is aviable by their subscription service that you won't find on other Linux distros. (such as the ability to playback wmv files without legally gray codecs.)

Stuff like that.

Most people would end up prefering things like Ubuntu and such though. I think that it's probably worth checking out.. just make sure that you setup a non-root user. Also make sure that you get the latest version, if you see lindows in a store or whatnot it could be pretty old.

 

[nweaver]

I hate linspire, it's got some major issues imho. First of all, it drops you into your GUI as root with no warnings...

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Not sure. Never used it. But there are plenty of easy Linux Desktops that are free and maybe even better. Ubuntu is easy to use, but it takes some configuring to get it setup with mp3 codecs and everything. There's great community support though. SimplyMepis is probably the easiest distro I've ever tried. It automatically detects and sets up tons of hardware. Kanotix has been just as easy too. I would recommend you try Ubuntu, SimplyMepis, and Kanotix before buying Linspire. The great thing is that they're all livecds so you can boot up the cd, test out the distro, and if everything works well install to the hard drive.

Another distro you might consider is Suse 101. Its my personal distro of choice. Sorry if you didn't want other recommendations, its just that it costs money for Linspire and there's no need to pay money for a distro if there are free ones that are just as easy, if not easier.

 

[Brazen]

I tried it out and did not like it at all. I can't remember why exactly (it's been too long) but these days, I only consider Redhat derivatives or Debian derivatives (ie, Fedora or Ubuntu, respectively).

 

[Niv KA]

Originally posted by: Brazen
I tried it out and did not like it at all. I can't remember why exactly (it's been too long) but these days, I only consider Redhat derivatives or Debian derivatives (ie, Fedora or Ubuntu, respectively).

I am not 100% sure but I remeber reading that Linspire is a Debian derivative

Not sure though

------------------
Niv K Aharonovich

 

[daniel49]

you tried pclinux os its free and I bet you will find it as easy as linspire.

 

[Nothinman]

I am not 100% sure but I remeber reading that Linspire is a Debian derivative

Yes it is, but I wouldn't trust it.

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: Niv KA

Originally posted by: Brazen
I tried it out and did not like it at all. I can't remember why exactly (it's been too long) but these days, I only consider Redhat derivatives or Debian derivatives (ie, Fedora or Ubuntu, respectively).

I am not 100% sure but I remeber reading that Linspire is a Debian derivative

Not sure though

------------------
Niv K Aharonovich

Well, ok, you are right, my statement was inacurate. I meant, basically either CentOS, Fedora, Debian, or *buntu.

 

[valar]

Originally posted by: nweaver
I hate linspire, it's got some major issues imho. First of all, it drops you into your GUI as root with no warnings...

As I understand it, this behaviour was changed a couple of years back to the more common log you in as a non-root user by default after a whole bunch of people (myself included) made posts like the above whenever an article came out on slashdot/newsforge/wherever mentioning lindows/linspire. Having said that, like most of the people commenting on this thread, I've never actually used it, so I can't say for certain either way.

 

[creedog]

They are coming out with Freespire, a free open source version of linspire. Should be out soon

 

[Hyperblaze]

Originally posted by: Brazen
I tried it out and did not like it at all. I can't remember why exactly (it's been too long) but these days, I only consider Redhat derivatives or Debian derivatives (ie, Fedora or Ubuntu, respectively).

you are limiting yourself quite a bit like that.

Then again, all depends what your needs are.

It doesn't hurt to go out of your comfort zone and try new archiectures.

<--- Gentoo Lover.

 

[bongsteen]

not bad as far as im using it with 2.53ghz celeron on a 478matx. good for browsing the net and i am quite diggin into linux. need to learn as an alternative. so far so good with broadband connection.