desktoplinux.com — Linspire Inc. tomorrow will announce an agreement to license instant messaging and digital media technology from Microsoft for use in its Linspire Linux distribution. Additionally, the deal includes protection for Linspire customers against possible violations of Microsoft patents by Linux, and other cooperative measures.
Jun 14, 2007 View in Crawl 4
phinnfortJun 14, 2007
This account has been closed by the user
longfireJun 14, 2007
Yup, even though it was before the Microsoft/Linspire deal who knows what will happen. I just wonder if that puts Ubuntu in a position for a future suit. I have my fingers crossed it doesn't come to that.
gmorganJun 15, 2007
Canonical's business plan is built around community. Even if you don't trust Shuttleworth you can trust that he has no choice in the matter.
Closed AccountJun 15, 2007
Microsoft's checklist...[x] SuSE (failing, easy target)[x] Xandros (failing, easy target)[x] Linspire/Freespire (failing, easy target)[ ] Mandriva (failing, easy target)[ ] Redhat/Fedora (they have money, might be a hard one to crack, concentrate on patent lawsuits)[ ] Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu (they have community, might be a hard one to crack, concentrate on patent lawsuits)[ ] Slackware (who cares, only hardcore nerds use this, ignore for now)[ ] Gentoo (who cares, only hardcore nerds use this, ignore for now)[ ] Debian (they have militant community, might be impossible to crack, ignore for now)
generalloyJun 15, 2007
Well, they're moving in that direction with the 3 dollar Windows for developing countries (albeit with harsh OEM restrictions, eg., must be sold w/ hardware).BTW if you look at the Comes v Microsoft exhibits there's a document from around 2002 where Gates says they may have to make Windows free, as in beer most likely.