| Linspire preps impending software updates |
Jul. 18, 2007
It's a bit later than Linspire had planned, but the company's CEO Kevin Carmony told DesktopLinux that the new commercial version of its Linux distribution, Linspire 6.0, along with the free version, Freespire 2.0, and its revised CNR (click-and-run) software update system, should be out before August.
"The plan [is] to have all three out by the end of the month," said Carmony.
The next edition of Freespire 2.0 will be built on Ubuntu 7.04. Previously, Linspire has been based on Debian. The next generation of Freespire will also incorporate the KDE 3.5.6, the new CNR and the latest third-party proprietary software, drivers and codices for better hardware and multimedia support.
Freespire remains the only Linux distribution to completely embrace proprietary software and drivers. Other distributions, such as the Ubuntu-based Mint, also now include some proprietary browser plug-ins, media codices and support for DVD playback for a Windows-user friendly, out-of-the-box experience. Freespire includes support for MP3, Windows Media, QuickTime, Java, Flash, Real, ATI drivers, NVIDIA drivers, proprietary Wi-Fi device drivers, modem drivers and fonts.
Linspire will also offer a free software version of Freespire that doesn't include these proprietary components.
Linspire 6.0, the commercial Linux distribution based on Freespire, is due out at the same time. Linspire comes with support, hardware certification and tutorials. It is designed for Linspire's OEM and retail channel partners, not end users.
Both Linspire and Freespire will use the Linux 2.6.20 kernel. For applications, they will include Adobe Flash Player 9, OpenOffice.org 2.2, Firefox 2.0x and Thunderbird 2.0x.
Both versions will also include the Microsoft-sponsored Open XML translator. Linspire recently joined the collation of Linux companies and Microsoft, which have been working on this project. The Open XML translator enables bidirectional compatibility, so that files saved in the Microsoft-created Open XML format can be opened by OpenOffice.org users, and files created by OpenOffice can be saved in Open XML format.
The revamped CNR system is designed to work with multiple Linux systems. The new CNR will offer Debian, Fedora, OpenSUSE and Ubuntu users single-click installation of both open-source and proprietary software. This new, free service is meant to make it easy for users to both find and install desktop Linux applications.
Ubuntu will be the first Linux distribution, after the Linspire/Freespire family, to have CNR support. Linspire and Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, joined together in February to add CNR to Ubuntu. At the time, Ubuntu founder and Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth explained: "For some time, we've been planning enhancements to Ubuntu's commercial software management, and it was only natural to take advantage of Linspire's new open CNR technology rather than [duplicate] that work."
Linspire will try to make it simple to find programs by providing a directory of Linux desktop software. To make it more than just a simple listing of programs, the company will also be "wiki-izing" the CNR so that users can see screenshots, user reviews, support information, descriptions, developer info and release notes. Each product will also have its own mini-forum or wiki page.
--Steven J. Vaughan Nichols
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