ITDirector.com: The Lindows Alternative

Source: IT Director

"A quick look at the FAQ page on the Lindows.com website shows that the aim is to provide an Open Source alternative to Microsoft Windows that can be installed alongside the Windows implementation. This gives the user a choice of OS at boot time. It will then be possible to try out all of the Windows applications to make sure they work correctly before committing to the removal of Windows. For proven environments, there is also the option of a direct installation onto bare metal with no need for any Windows license.

This approach of proving the technology is going to be a major part of the effort. Current users of WINE solutions are saying that many Microsoft application features do not function quite in the way that users expect and there needs to be an ongoing feedback mechanism that allows Lindows.com to get its implementation right. To that end, there is an ‘Insiders’ programme for Lindows where you can get an early release of LindowsOS for $99 per year.

Here is where the first reality check is to be found. Since when did users pay $99 for a beta release of an Open Source product? This begs the question of how much we will have to pay for the finished article. LindowsOS is being aimed at small businesses so we must presume that the price will not go too high and that we will be able to download one copy and use it multiple times. What about home users? Will there be a viable option for them?"