Microsoft Signs Deal With Linspire


Microsoft logo Linspire logo
In less than 2 weeks, Microsoft signed another Linux deal. This time, it’s with Linux desktop distributor Linspire Inc. In the report by BusinessWeek, Microsoft will license instant messaging and digital media technology to Linspire. Because of this, Linspire users will be able to voice-chat with Windows Live Messenger buddies, watch Windows Media video and audio files on open-source media players, and view and create documents using familiar typefaces. Linspire also agreed to set its default Web search engine to MSN Live Search.

Listed below are the other terms of the deal, according to the report:

  • Linspire will work with Microsoft on technology to translate between two different types of documents: Microsoft-developed OpenXML format and the Open Document Format.
  • Protect Linspire users against legal action by Microsoft, which claims open-source software violates more than 200 of its patents.

Linspire is Easy to Use

I have used Linspire before (back in 2002) and judging by the way it operated, I will have to say that it acted like Windows. Back in the day when Linux driver support was still limited, it amazed me that Linspire already supported drivers like those hard-to-find Winmodem drivers. When one-click packages were quite difficult to figure out in other Linux distributions, Linspire already has a huge database of packages that supports its proprietary Click n’ Run technology, which is similar to RPM’s and DEB’s. CNR allowed Linspire users to install packages with one click. Like the Microsoft Installer (MSI) and the Windows executable, Linspire’s CNR also includes the dependencies needed to install a particular application. Dependencies are like DLL’s in Windows. In other words, Linspire was a viable alternative to Microsoft Windows. If I remembered correctly, Linspire Five-O cost US $99 before while Windows XP was in the US $299 bracket.

It seems that Microsoft-Linux deals are becoming a trend. What sort of protection does the new GPLv3 guarantee to Linux distributors that many seem hesitant to acknowledge it?

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This entry was posted on Thursday, June 14th, 2007 at 21:51 and is filed under Software. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

3 Responses to “Microsoft Signs Deal With Linspire”

  1. Syaf The Geek Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 22:33

    I’ve heard that Linspire is the most unpopular type of Linux Distros. Why would Microsoft wants to buy it after they claim Open Source infringed their patent? WTF? This is insane. If they really hate Open Source then just say it. Man, M$ is like Darth Vader nowadays heheh.

  2. Gabriel Says:
    June 14th, 2007 at 22:43

    Haha! M$ didn’t actually buy Linspire. It just made a deal.

    It’s kind of a Star Wars spin off, where Luke Skywalker made a deal with Darth Vader and so no one died. Hehe.

    Microsoft is so into open source now. Maybe this is their way of joining the club. Haha!

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    May 5th, 2009 at 17:48

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