“This computer could turn out to be a very big deal. Not so much because it’s the first under-$200 new PC to hit the marketplace or because it runs a version of Linux which can run some Windows programs; but because the idea had been embraced by the No 1 online service.” Read the article at MSNBC. OSNews recently carried out an in-depth review of the LindowsOS system.
The World’s First AOL Computer?
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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The article came from MSNBC, an rival of CNN – owned by AOL, whom MSNBC is owned by Microsoft, an arch rival of AOL and Linux….
Besides, AOL has nothing to do with the computer. It bundles Netscape by default – big deal. Any other Linux company and computer company can do that. AOL has nothing to do with that computer.
When most Linux companies bundled Netscape 4.x, nobody said they had deals with AOL, now did they?
AOL 7.0 is not bundled with the machine. *sigh*
They’re now working on getting Office XP to install.
It would be illegal for them to tout such capablities, and would be illegal for you to use it on Lindows.
Especially with the option for running Windows programs like Microsoft Office.
I heard the WINE in lindows 2.0 changed little from 1.1. Most of my apps I use DON’T work on it, they may get past the installation point, but that’s it. Plus, MS Office 2000 can be run on normal snapshots of WINE as good as in Lindows, maybe better, and if you are looking to get Office on Linux, you are better off with Cross Over Office.
It isn’t safe to say that it runs Windows software just because one app worked, albeit a bit unsuccessfully.
Besides, this guy thinks that Lindows no longer toutes Windows compatiblity because of the case between Microsoft and Lindows. Baloney.
…was pretty much what I thought of as soon as I heard about these machines…
http://www.lindows.com/lindows_products_categories.php?category=70
We are talking in regards of the article. The author calls it an AOL PC just because it loads Netscape by default. AOL 7.0 is not loaded on Microtel machines at all.
And the link you gave us points to a beta. Not a stable version.
there’s a beta version of AOL just for Lindows. AOL is sneekin’ up on MS. Latest developments in WINE have Office, Quicken, and other big name software running on windows–enough for the adverage user to call it usefull. after all of the vast asiles of software in the stores, only about 20-50 programs make up the vast majority of non-game sales. Who buys the “cheap junk” software anyway? As long as the biggest titles (Office, Quicken, Pseudo-Pro stuff) works in Wine Linux can take off. Now just get the Public to belive it and some Tux stickers on some boxes and we’ll be OK.
I’ve check out the screenshots Lindows made available on their page and look… so… Windowzy…
AOL for Lindows is a native version or it’s running via Wine?
Where does it say that it is illegal to say that Micrsoft Office XP will run on another platform? Where does it say that it is illegal to run MS Office XP on a platform other then MS Windows? I know that it says so in their EULA, which could be quickly blown away in court, with the proper lawyers.
However, I am finding it rather hard to locate any laws that state you are unable to do the two above things. Is that located in the Constitution of the United States or was this added as a last minute addition to the US Patriot Act? Maybe it is in a local ordinance? I just can’t find any laws that state this is illegal.
Of course, you are talking contract law. Contract law is a very odd thing, it can change with a passing breeze. Depending upon the judge that oversees a case, a contract can be deemed invalid or valid.
Also, regarding AOL and Lindows… AOL does have an agreement with Lindows… This OS is now the closest thing to an official “AOLinux” that exists. Did you carefully read the article? On Lindows “Click-N-Run” site, they have a Beta client for AOL 7.0. AOL has provided additional code to the Netscape version that is included with the Lindows running PC that provides additional features to the end-users.
I’m surprised AOL hasn’t come out with AOL brand computer like the one Wal-Mart sells. Most people just want to use AOL for email and web-surfing so why not slap together a cheap-o Linux box that basically does nothing but AOL internet service and some word processing? People talk about Linux taking on Windows, I think it should be AOL backed linux taking on Windows.
..is what you call “looking forward”: it’s presenting something that exists in a certain form today and softly hints at what is coming in the not-too-distant future.
There was big talk of AOL and Netscape competing on a platform basis with MS a while back. That talk is very scaled back now, but this bundle hints at a possible fulfillment of that promise, f-i-n-a-l-l-y.
Think about it — AOL could start to include an insert with their AOL disc mailers offering a complete machine, with monitor, plus AOL software pre-installed for $250 delivered. You don’t think, with 10s of millions of discs delivered a year, that wouldn’t drum up a ton of business?
What about this machine with the DSL card installed inside? $300, delivered. AOL could even pay the Covad people to get the machine up and running.
DSL is too expensive, too hard for many consumers.
This isn’t a “net appliance”. It’s a full-blown computer. Many people might say it’s underpowered, but it’s more powerful than probably 75% of the computers in use today. It’s got a higher clock rate than all three of my machines (700MHz Dell, 700MHz Compaq laptop, 550MHz AMD Linux white box). I paid, cash $6000 for all three machines about 2 years ago.
No way! People at MS-Something just dont get it!
Agreed. Even the Duron at 700 Mhz might be faster than the C3 at 800 Mhz, easily.
continues to make waves.
Check here how crappy the C3 is on floating point.
http://www17.tomshardware.com/cpu/02q2/020605/c3-06.html
Robert, the EULA forbids running Office XP on machines not running Windows 98 and above. Whether this can be found legal or not is a different story. Because Lindows can’t afford to go into a lawsuite to challege the EULA in court, cause that could pull them into bankruptcy.