linspire ok??

[johngwatkins]

I know nothing about Linux or Linspire. Can anyone tell me why I should not use either of these as an o.s. in a computer I bought for my back-up computer??

[pop pop]

I currently use Suse 10 version of Linux on a Linux-only box (I also have a dedicated XP Pro, XP Home, and W2K dual-boot with Mandrives Linux). I've also used Suse 9.0 Professional, Knoppix, Mepis, PCLinux, and I "tried" to use Linspire when there was a brief period where you could get it for free.

If you "know nothing" about Linux, the first thing I would recommend is that you learn a bit before jumping in the pond. I recommend that you do this two ways. First, there are MANY Linux websites that have good introductory material that'll help you understand how Linux is different from other OS's, in particular Windoze. You can start with this site: LinuxQuestions (wiki) (http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/Main_Page). From there you'll likely find more sites with good stuff, or you can just Google your way around.

The second step can be done in parallel with the first. I strongly recommend downloading a "LiveCD" version of Linux. That's one that run's directly off a CD or DVD after booting and you do not have to install it. More and more Linux distributions are doing this, it gives you the chance to get a feel for the OS and use it without committing yourself to a full install or a dual boot on your HDD. The distrubution I recommend for this is Knoppix 4.0. Now that's a DVD, not a CD so if you can't burn a DVD you'll have to go with an earlier version like 3.7, which is very good too. You can find information about all the distros and even find your way to the download paths (full and LiveCD) here: DistroWatch (http://distrowatch.com/).

Linspire

I never really used Linspire because their "free download" didn't work. If you believe all the press releases and marketing hype, it is supposed to be a nice distro that makes the migration from Windoze very easy because it attempts to be very Windoze-like. Doing updates in Linux can be quirky and Linspire (retail) attempts to remove that "speedbump" by using something called CNR, but I think it's a subscription service that you have to pay for. Bottom line here is I can't vouch for Linspire, I can only tell you what I'ved read.

Linux In General

I absolutely recommend you look at Linux. It's a fantastic alternative to Windoze for all the following reasons and more:

1) More secure
2) More stable
3) More powerful
4) Comes with tons of very good free applications
5) Supported by the OSS community, not just a monolithic monopoly
6) Almost all distros are FREE (no M$ tax)

There are many more reasons that Linux is worthy of consideration, but you get the picture. Now, all that being said here are the caveats. I provide the caveats because I've seen too many peple go in blind thinking it's going to be just like Windoze and as easy as falling off a log. It's not.

Do not expect everything to be similar to or as simple as in Windoze. It will be different in many areas and you will have to "work" at learning it, much as you have done over the years with Windoze. Updating can be quirky and at times a bit frustrating, partly because it's done much differently, but it does work and depending on the distro it can be pretty simple. Also note that updating to the latest "everything" from the basic OS files to all the applications is free, with Linspire/CNR again, I think they use a "subscription" business model. And that's fine if you want "paid" support. However, I would check the forums and see just how good their "paid" support is.

Driver support, installation and configuration can be tough. Many manufacturer's just don't provide drivers that support Linux. Generally this isn't a problem because the OSS community has already developed an open source driver that does the same thing. What this normally means is that you start an install, your Linux flavor detects your hardware, enables and configures the applicable drivers, and off you go. Sometimes it's not that easy and sometimes it's real hard work--particularly in the area of wireless LAN adapters.

Finally, applications...most modern Linux distros will come with more applications than you will ever use, it's a wonderful thing. You'll get a very good office suite, CD/DVD playing/burning apps, mucic apps, an assortment of browsers, web development apps, programming apps, games, various email and IM clients, and a whole lot more...and all free. They are not M$ Office 2003, Outlook, M$ Instant Messenger, Internet Exploder, WMP, or M$ Visual Studio. They don't try to be nor should they. They are very, very good open source applications that will free you from indentured service to Redmond. Some of them, you will find easy and intutive, and some you'll need to spend a little time learnng. Overall, if you do that, you'll look back and be richer for the experience...pun intended.

[pave_spectre]

something called CNR, but I think it's a subscription service that you have to pay for.

It is indeed subscription. You can usually buy two different versions of the distro, either with or without the subscription.
CNR apparently makes it a no brainer when it comes to installing software, so for the technically challenged is probably a good distro. When I had a copy of 1.0 Beta, I do remember it had a tendency to use the entire drive with no choice, but I believe it may now happily coexist with other OSs, just dont quote on that at the moment.