5 stars (Not only of a very high quality, but save $$$ on licenses) - I agree 100% with the previous reviewers in the fact that OpenOffice, Firefox, and the other main packages are rich in features and of a very good quality. Even if Microsoft stuff would be free of charge, I'd prefer these packages 10 to 1 over Microsoft, precisely because of quality. Now, the main point I want to make is, that if you have more than one computer, let's say three as I have at home, savings will add up very quickly. For example, just talking about MS Office: each license for each computer is $400+. To be perfectly legal you should buy 3 licenses x $400 = $1,200 (or more). With Open Office you won't spend more for one, than you'll spend for 3, or 20, because it's open source. Under the General Public License, you could install it on an unlimited number of computers, and remain perfectly legal. So, the only Microsoft product my wife and daughter are running on their respective computers, due to compatibility issues with the local school district, is Windows 98SE, but everything else is open source, including Open Office, Firefox, and Thunderbird. Of course, all machines are dual boot with Linux Open Suse 10.0, which in my case is the one that I use almost exclusively. BTW, just if you're considering getting rid of Microsoft products altogether, you can get Linspire 5.0, Suse 10.0, or any other major Linux distro, and you'll be amazed that all of these applications and much, much more, come included. You'll be a happy camper in a world of freedom! 5 stars (Good but save your money) - Okay maybe if your connection is slow or you don't have access to broadband you can buy this CD,but if not why bother? OpenOffice.org is freely available online as is Firefox. I use and love both so don't get me wrong here,but the price is a little too much but then again it goes to the developers. Ooo is a great alternative to Microsoft Office and even Star Office. It does everything the same f... Linspire Inc :: linspire :: oooff :: windows-mac :: linspire :: inc :: software :: linux :: linspireoooff-(windows-mac) 05 november :: 20 :: Linspire Oooff- (Windows-Mac)
3 stars (Imprisoned Linux: Good for $ Novice, Not So Much For Everyone Else) - Quick Summary: Linspire is a linux based OS that provides an easy means of converting from a Windows platform. Installing and getting application software is made easy through a database named CNR (Click-N-Run) and installing those programs is streamlined. It is great for people unfamiliar with Linux but may not be the best distro for people looking to become knowledgable in Linux. There are other Linux OS's that are free of charge, more open (less restraints) and have a number of forums for support. Linspire charges you for software that may be free! outside of Linspire's Click-N-Pay system. Linspire comments out or limits package repositories - which is essentially trying to make you use their way of doing things - and make an educated decision before purchase. If you want the easiest possible transition from Windows to Linux and don't mind the restraints - go Linspire. More Details: PRO's: If you're a beginner to Linux - don't know much about Operating Systems - and don't plan on learning a whole lot about them - then Linspire is probably your best choice. It offers the stability and security of a Linux system with the familiar Windows atmosphere. Install is easy and getting around will be as well. You can find a lot of software in their Click-N-Run database and program install is painless. If your familiar with Linux or OS's - or you are willing to learn and you will work around the restraints in Linspire - then go for it! BUT... CON's: If you want to learn Linux, tweak the system and enjoy the freedom that is open source OS - then you should check out Ubuntu or SUSE. Both of those are free for download and install (SUSE will even mail you an install CD!). Linspire charges ~$50 for their OS and they keep on charging for all kinds of things. The aformentioned CNR (Click-N-Run) has a lot of the programs which you pay for that are free otherwise! So you pay for a Linux OS (rather tha... Linspire Inc :: linspire :: five :: 0 :: linspire :: inc :: software :: linux :: linspirefive 0 04 march :: 2005 :: Linspire Five 0
4 stars (Do not but this product from Amazon or anyone else except Linspire!) - The product is great and loads in about 20 min. (except for the CNR activation). It is simpler to use than the latest versions of Windows. If you buy this product from Linspire, it seems that the activation of CNR is automatic. If you buy it from anyone else you will think you are trying to activate a MICROSOFT PRODUCT OR WORSE. Then after I jumped through all of the hoops, I get this email from the Linspire Team: "It's been several days since you've signed up, and we've noticed that you haven't yet purchased the CNR Service." A good product - just don't buy it from here! 3 stars (3 stars because it has bash, the rest I don't like) - As far as linux goes I would not recommend this distro. reason 1- It is to dumbed down to be all that good,It is harder to work with then suse or mandrake. reason 2- It was ok for them to call themselves lindows to upset microsoft but now they are mad because a distro out there is called freespire. come on people get a life, that is what linux has been about sharing the code for the better of everyone. reason 3- They charge for what most other distros offer for free to me they are too close to microsoft. now for the positive notes. 1 bash is still the login shell and that alone offers a lot of power. 2 kde is still a great desktop to work with. 3 the most important thing it is still linux so that is still better than M$ or apple. But if you are really looking for a easy to use linux distro without all the hassel, of cost get mandriva or suse, even debian and it's many followers is a better chioce. As for linspire I am glade they are trying to make an easy to use desktop to challange Microcrap,but they are going about it the wrong way. 2 stars (Why are you paying for free software??) - Linspire had a great idea: to bring Linux to the masses who are tired of the OS from Redmond. Great...that'll work. But the way in which Linspire has tried to achieve this... Linspire Inc :: linspire :: five :: 0 :: cnr :: edition :: linspire :: inc :: software :: linux :: linspirefive 0cnredition 15 february :: 20 :: Linspire Five 0 CNR Edition
