Re: {advocay] Linspire machine
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
> 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?
2. does Fry'$ have a policy prohibiting sale of bare-bones systems (no OS
included)? If yes, there's FreeDOS & Debian (probably Ubuntu <g>)
3. is there a proprietary feature of Lin$pire which lends itself to
pirating commercial software?
4. what was the Lin$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
5. <Perry Mason voice> is it not true, stan, that Lin$pire desktop
comes with "online help at you fingertips"?</Perry Mason voice>
(hint- lower left of 1'st image)
http://images.linspire.com/losshot-big.gif
http://images.linspire.com/screenshots/ss_tutorial1_big.jpg
6. doesn't Fry'$ also sell commercial software? Why would it be in their
best self-interest to promote pirating?
> 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?
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