[PLUG] [LBF] What is LindowsOS?

["William H. Magill" <magill@mcgillsociety.org>]

I can't say that I ever heard of this OS before the WalMart ad.

Ok... buried in their FAQ I found...
	"LindowsOS is a Debian distribution of Linux and therefore
	can install Linux programs (i.e. .tar.gz files work the same
	as they would in other Linux distributions)."

From their Licensing page, it looks like it incorporates KDE and Wine.

However, it appears to be more Microsoft oriented than Linux oriented. 
It is available for a fee only (unless pre-installed), as on the 
WalMart system.

I get the impression that the only way in which Microsoft software runs 
is if one installs Lindows in "Freindly" mode... meaning, alongside a 
normal, working, Microsoft OS installation. Without a working Microsoft 
OS installed, one cannot run Microsoft oriented applications; and that 
to install those applications, one must boot into the Microsoft OS.

Is there any reason to believe that this derivative and especially it's 
Microsoft interface is either robust or well supported, especially 
since support is apparently only available through LindowsOS and not 
the normal Open Source channels?

It seems to be an interesting concept -- and a major step to convincing 
Windows desktop users to convert to a Linux desktop.

... even if it will apparently only ever run on Intel based hardware.


T.T.F.N.
William H. Magill
magill@mcgillsociety.org
magill@acm.org
magill@mac.com

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