Simplicity might describe the newest version of LINSPIRE. Version 5.0 is a full featured Linux Distro without the learning curve.
If you are a command line only person, you might want to skip to the next article, because this is for the person that is trying Linux for the first time and for those that like a quick install, with lots of goodies and the ability to pick additional programs by simply clicking!
My first experience with Linspire was when they still had their old name. I found the distro interesting, but I had a little difficulty with some of the programs. Either I was launching them wrong or they were buggy. I used Linspire for a couple of months and moved on to another Debian based distro.
With the release of 5.0, my curiosity was peaked. After all, Linspire is preinstalled on some computers sold by Wal-Mart and I have friends that swear by the distro. This is the perfect time to revisit.
The first thing I noticed was the new splash screen and some variation on the install from the previous version. While the screens were different, the install was still one of the fastest I have done…11 minutes from start-to-finish. (When you review as many distros as we do, you really notice the time involved in the install!)
For those that have never used Linspire and are still using the other operating system (not referring to Unix) Michael Robertson and his staff have prepared an excellent audio tutorial that is launched when you first log in and can be revisited at any time.
Version 5.0 features the latest in Linux Kernels 2.6.10 and one of my favorites, the Reiser 4 File System. This is an option and an excellent one. While the default is Reiser 3, you can choose the Reiser 4 file system when doing your install in the advanced mode and right-clicking the partition you want to format and making your selection. In addition, Linspire offers OpenOffice 1.1.3, a full featured office system and support for 802.11g wireless. Further, there’s Gaim for instant messaging and a host of features too long to mention.
Knowing that I had experienced difficulty with the previous version, I was eager to tear into the programs. C-N-R (Click and Run) Linspire’s software warehouse worked without flaw. I added several programs I thought I would need including NVU (a web authoring and design program). All worked without a problem.
The Linspire Internet Suite is built around Mozilla 1.6 (slightly outdated) that includes the e-mail client and web page editor. They have included a calendar to compliment the suite and global spell checking function has been added which allows inline spell checking on web sites, e-mail and IM.
If you are a music lover, Linspire’s Lsongs opens the door to Music, whether it’s MP3 or Shoutcast and if you are interested in trying Voice-over-IP telephone service, SIPphone is included.
As I mentioned earlier, the list of programs available thru C-N-R and those in the basic package are too numerous to mention, but do give the user many options to customize to his or her personal needs.
How does it rate? I think the folks at Linspire have a winner. Their efforts to perfect a Linux Desktop show and while the system isn’t right for everyone, it is certainly a great alternative to Windows. The one thing some complain about is the $50 annual fee for use of the C-N-R Warehouse, however if you consider the cost verses the number of programs available, the fee is very minimal.
If you have comments or would like to discuss Linsspire, go to our FORUM page and set up a discussion.
