On Sun, Dec 26, 2004 at 10:46:12AM -0500, JohnOfArc wrote: > On Sat, 25 Dec 2004 00:01:12 -0500, stan wrote: > > > I bought a machine with Linspire preloaded on it today. Nice machien, and > > cheaper than I could build it. A bit short on RAM, and the CD is a reader > > only (no CD writer or DVD). But great value for the $299. > > > > Reading through the manual that comes with it, I find no information as to > > how to use the preloaded software, but quite a bit of nformation relative > > to wiping it and installing various flabors of M$ OS'es. > > > we may not like it, but the overwhelming majority of desktop users run MS, > and most folks probably have a few copies floating around >
True, but most of those copies, in my experience, are not legitimite purchased copies. Remeber the M% license forbids moving your copy from one machine to another. > > Here's my concern. It appears that the promary intent of this is not to > > encourage the new users that might buy this amchine to learn to use > > Linux, but instead a way to sell them a machine W/O the M% tax, and > > encourage them to load a pirated copy of a M$ OS on it. > > > if that was the motive, why go to the trouble of installing *anything*? By > your logic, all non-Windows-preinstalled boxes are similarly suspect. But > perhaps I don't have enough info: > > 1. is there a law in your jurisdiction requiring preinstallation of an OS? Don't know. > > 2. does Fry'$ have a policy prohibiting sale of bare-bones systems (no OS > included)? If yes, there's FreeDOS & Debian (probably Ubuntu <g>) Ti the best of my knowledge, the only way to buy an asembeled system from them WO Os would be to buy the components, and pay thier asembly fee. I don't beleove that they have any pre asembled OS less machines. if they do they are not displayed, or in the adds. > > 3. is there a proprietary feature of Lin$pire which lends itself to > pirating commercial software? No. > > 4. what was the Lin$pire tax, IOW, could you have purchased the same setup > for less sans Lin$pire (not necessarily at Fry'$)? (also see #2). If you > believe Lin$pire was "free", perhaps you should inform Lin$pire of your > suspicions True, I supsect installing it has a small but non zero cost. Althoguh I beleive that thier primary revenue stream derives from the Click and Run licenseing of add on programs. > > 5. <Perry Mason voice> is it not true, stan, that Lin$pire desktop > comes with "online help at you fingertips"?</Perry Mason voice> Truem and it rates a one line mention in tham manual. Which has several pages on wiping linspire, and installing various windoze versions. Each one of which also has an online help link. > > (hint- lower left of 1'st image) > > http://images.linspire.com/losshot-big.gif > > http://images.linspire.com/screenshots/ss_tutorial1_big.jpg > > 6. doesn't Fry'$ also sell commercial software? Why would it be in their > best self-interest to promote pirating? As long as it sells hardware I think they are happy. The people thta buy comercial software are not going to change their wasy. > > > This really seems like a bad light to cast the Linux comunity in, IMHO. > > > depends on the color of your glasses IMHO > > > What are otheres prespective on this? > > > huh? > > > > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > -- "They that would give up essential liberty for temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
