Life without Windows or OS X

GNU/Linux is quite possibly the most important free software achievement since the original Space War, or, more recently, Emacs. It has developed into an operating system for business, education, and personal productivity. GNU/Linux is no longer only for UNIX wizards who sit for hours in front of a glowing console. Are you thinking about switching to Linux and want to learn how to use it? Have you been using GNU/Linux for some time and want to learn even more? This is the place for you.

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Killer App

Here today I'm going to chat about anti-choice PC users. No.. I'm not talking about Windows PC users. I'm speaking about the hardcore Linux crowed that pray to Linux and open source like its some kind of G-d. Linux isn't about fighting big bad Microsoft®, Linux is about freedom. Locking someone into open source is just as bad as locking someone into proprietary software.

People complain about monopolies like Microsoft limiting choice, and yet, it would appear that is what some wish to do with Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a complete Linux-based operating system, freely available with both community and professional support. It is suitable for both desktop and server use. It supports PC (Intel x86), 64-bit PC (AMD64) and PowerPC (Apple iBook and Powerbook, G4 and G5) architectures. I have had a very good experience with Ubuntu. They have a repository/multiverse, which is a good place to get updated software when you need it.

I see a chance to have “killer app” (application )in the Ubuntu repository. The killer app made by Linspire is known as CNR client (Click N Run) which offers Linspire users the ability for ease of installation. Its like having Downloads.com built into your operating system. For a newer computer user, this is a fantastic thing . Some hardcore Ubuntu users despise Linspire's CNR software service because it carries many programs that are open-source and thus freely downloadable elsewhere. While that is true I must point out that Linspire's CNR is selling convenient access and easy installation. Not all Linux users want to mess around with installing software the traditional “Linux way”. Some simply want a very fast and easy way to install their programs, and Linspire's CNR fits the bill nicely... for a small price.

They even have Click and Buy (CNB) products. These are commercial products that require a purchase. CNB products are available to you through the CNR Warehouse, even without a subscription, as long that version of the CNB product is available in the CNR Warehouse. CNR has many commercial games that work in Linux. It would be worth a lot for any gamer or geek to be able to buy those without having to go to some website or physical store. You *can't* buy commercial products like Photogenic , StarOffice 8, Cedega, CrossOver Office, or Moneydance in the Ubuntu repository. You have to visit some other online shopping website just to get the program and install it your self. I'm sure those who need propriarity software in Ubuntu would appreciate an easier way with the CNR client. CNR does much more than simply install these programs, it also adds them to the correct area of the Launch menu, adjusts file associations, puts the icons on the desktop or auto run directory if desired, and it manages your software library.

Many of these open source fanatics don't want CNR to be added to the repository because its closed source (non-free.) However there is in fact an entire Ubuntu repository/multiverse dedicated to non-free software, hmmmm. Funny huh? Could any one from this fanatical clan tell me why CNR has any less right to be in this “multiverse” than any of the other non-free applications. If they hate closed software so much then why use nVidia and ATI proprietary video drivers. Maybe they should never use Java or Macro media Flash. They should give up their MP3 songs.I know they wont give up on those proprietary apps.Their hypocrites.

As a Linux user I am a shame of what is happening. Windows VISTA is going to run many users away from MS. We need to show those people that Linux can be a valuable alternative to them on their computers. Everyone must have the option to use proprietary or open source software. Why should the close minded Ubuntu user force anyone to do anything. By doing so they eliminate “free”dom. Everyone deserves the right to choose what they want. We must under stand that: one's fight for freedom shouldn't come at the expense of another's right to choose. If we as Linux users have not learn that lesson, then we are no better than the Gates crowd and we're all doomed.



Kevin Carmony President&CEO of Linspire, Inc
From a Ubuntu Post:

“My poor fingers are so tired of typing the same thing over and over, but, here we go ONE MORE TIME...

CNR WILL NOT BE BUILT INTO UBUNTU!!! All we are asking is IF there was a program that YOU could download and install on Ubuntu AFTER you have installed it that would give you access to the CNR functionality, would you be interested in that.

NO ONE, Mark, myself, or ANYONE is suggesting that Ubuntu put proprietary code into the default, core distro!!! So, Ubuntu will remain 100% free. IF YOU choose to add something to it that is not, that is YOUR choice. Ubuntu will NOT be doing that! (My guess is that MOST Ubuntu users do this already. If you're using Java, Flash, mp3, etc., then you have already done this!)

Excuse the yelling, but I just wanted to make sure people heard me through the zillions of posts in this thread. =)”

Kevin

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