Linspire. Why isn't it free?

[warrion_2000]

I was checking out linspire but I saw that there is no way to download an installation cd. I can't understand why. Doesn't there HAVE to be a an option which allows people to download the OS without support and certain packages?

Thanks.

[Cabhan]

In compliance with the applicable OSLAs, the source code for the open source portions of the Linspire operating system are available for download here.

Open source source code for individual products found in the Warehouse can be found by clicking the Specifications link on the page for the product (example).

Alternatively, you may obtain CD(s) with the source code of the open source programs we distribute by emailing your name and address along with the names of the products for which you are seeking source code to sourcecode@linspireinc.com. As a condition to sending you the CD(s), we may charge you our costs for providing you with the CD(s).

From http://www.linspire.com/lindows_products_license.php

[neanderthal // anarchism]

stomp corporate linux!

[Curlydave]

There's nothing wrong with charging for it if they want. It's completely A-OK under the GPL.

[techieMoe]

Linspire is well within their rights to charge for their flavor of Linux. The biggest thing they have that is completely theirs is the CNR Warehouse program, which was developed (AFAIK) completely in-house by Linspire and is not GPL-licensed software. They charge for that service and often give away the OS itself.

[winter]

Plus its not OS they charge for its the software and libraries such as mp3 suport, DVD(css and mpeg royalties) support which tend to cost. Also finace to maintain any other services that they may offer.

[Cabhan]

The GPL does not say you must distribute a program for free. Rather, it says that if you distribute a product under the GPL, you must make its source code available to those who receive the product.

So basically, if you buy a Linspire CD, you are entitled to receive the source code of Linspire. CNR, if it's not under the GPL, is not bound by this restriction.

1. You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Program's source code as you receive it, in any medium, provided that you conspicuously and appropriately publish on each copy an appropriate copyright notice and disclaimer of warranty; keep intact all the notices that refer to this License and to the absence of any warranty; and give any other recipients of the Program a copy of this License along with the Program.

You may charge a fee for the physical act of transferring a copy, and you may at your option offer warranty protection in exchange for a fee.

[ladymecha]

well I do like Linspire to some point, its the click and run software they have that makes people mad...
a yearly subscrption fee to download software that you can get for free...
I am neutral on the matter of course, I really dont find $19.95/yr. or $49.95/yr. a lot of money...
then on the other end you have the free software advocates who dont like spending one cent on software, me I am in the middle... I dont mind if I do have to pay for software, its pricing that really makes me concider the alternatives...
$600 for adobe photoshop vs $0 for the gimp... though admittedly I still like photoshop a tad better then the gimp.... not saying it sucks or anything, I just think the gimp needs a bit more before I use it for my primary photo editor.
its pricing that makes me cringe 0.o

[deek]

Yeah, I guess this is one of my pet peeves. Open source software does not equate to free software. As someone already put it, open source simply means you have to release the source with the software, not that you can't charge for it.

I guess it just bugs me how a lot of people think they are entitled to everything for free and if it is not free, then it sucks or shouldn't be used. Granted, I really do hope that at some future point in this world, we get away from being a money-based society and just do things for the betterment of technology or just a general well-being, but that time has not come yet...

The whole purpose of companies is to make money for their stockholders. So, if they have a product, a smart company will do what it can to generate revenue from that said product. What open source allows, is for everyone to share in the source and freely develop upon it...that is the cool aspect to it, IMHO. The fact that most of this software is also free, is simply a by product. And is likely more due to people being apprehensive with the open source model than anything else...

At least that is my take...

[anomie]

Open source software does not equate to free software.

That's the bottom line. Remember the whole free as in speech / not beer thing?