January 4th, 2005
Businesses move into Linspire's desktop Linux crosshairs
In response to my recent column on why the future of desktop computing is less about what operating system or applications you’ll be running and more about what $50 per year gets you (in other words it’s not about desktop Linux any more than it’s about desktop Solaris or Windows), Linspire (was Lindows) CEO Michael Robertson initiated a dialogue that turned into an e-mail interview:
Robertson: While Sun and Novell get the press because they are big companies, there are no stores I know of where you can walk in and buy a preinstalled Linux computer for their products. Ease of use really does matter to both consumers and businesses. It’s impossible to use most Linux versions without resorting to the command line. Not so with Linspire. Everything is one-click easy. Even installing the latest software from Skype to Firefox is just a one-click process using Click and Run (CNR). Installing and updating software is probably the most difficult task under Linux and we’ve made it better then even Microsoft Windows.
ZDNet: What is the big advantage of Linspire over Novell Linux Desktop (NLD)? Also, Sun’s Java Desktop System (JDS) is available on a Wal-Mart-based system.
Robertson: We have an enormous ease-of-use advantage. For those that actually use desktop Linux on a day-to-day machine, the difference is striking. Unfortunately, most reporters just regurgitate a press release rather then do any real life usage. JDS is a repackage of SuSe. [Editor's Note: JDS uses the kernel from Novell's SuSE Linux as well as some of its accoutrements. Sun would probably regard "repackage of SuSE" as an oversimplification of what JDS is.]
One simple but telling exercise which illustrates the dramatic difference between Linux operating systems is to install one and then click on all the common filetypes that people encounter with their computer, like Quicktime, Real, PDF, XLS, etc. We have a nice list at: http://www.linspire.com/filetypes. In most Linux versions, these will not work; but everything works as expected with Linspire. Even things like in-line Windows Media work on Linspire and no other Linux.
When people plug in that USB drive, printer, camera, etc. – all those things work in Linspire. Here’s a good chart comparing some basic features of popular Linux versions: http://www.tryoutlinux.com/best.html
Linspire had the first Linux desktop for sale at Walmart.com. And two weeks ago we announced the first desktop Linux laptop at Walmart.com. We have 300+ OEMs. We have regional computer companies like Microcenter, Frys, and PC Club who are selling computers preinstalled with desktop Linux. As far as I know, we’re the only Linux company with offline distribution. We think this is critically important to reach mainstream users to get into stores.
ZDNet: NLD and JDS are more about alternatives for businesses who need centralized management and a simple cost model. What about centrally managing Linspire-based systems?
Robertson: We haven’t announced our network administration product yet. But we’ve done more than 3 million remote installs and updates on hundreds of thousands of machines. So we’ve very good at remote management and have more experience with it than anyone. This is what CNR is all about. With a single mouse click, we can install/update any number of software programs.
ZDNet: What will be the cost of Linspire to businesses?
Robertson: We have yet to announce our business programs. We have two large deployments that are using Linspire, but we haven’t announced them. We’d like to get deeply ingrained before talking about it publicly so a certain company doesn’t try to dislodge us.
While everyone is watching for when desktop Linux cracks big enterprise, our belief is that they’ll be the last domino to fall. Big companies are the last to adopt virtually all trends. They wait until smaller guys have proven it out, which is why we’re focusing on small-medium businesses. We have an incredible map which shows where new Linspire users are "lighting up" around the globe at: http://www.lraiser.com
As for pricing, we charge OEMs $5-10 per copy to pre-install Linspire on computers they sell. To users, we sell the CNR service for $50 per year or $4.95 per month, which gives them one-click installation to more then 1,500 programs (See: http://www.linspire.com/warehouse) and access to new versions of the operating system or software. CNR is not required for critical bug fixes or security updates to the operating system or applications. Once the programs are installed, they can continue to use them even if their CNR service expires. You should really try CNR. It’s how computers should work. Just point at what you want and click the mouse and it’s installed and ready to go. We also sell a retail product if people are not buying a computer with Linspire pre-installed. That’s $89 and includes the operating system and one year of CNR service. But, the goal is that $50 per year is all the user should have to pay for software for their computer.
ZDNet: Where is your list of officially supported hardware?
Robertson: We have an on-line compatibility database. This is actual data from users.
ZDNet: What if Microsoft gets an injunction against Red Hat for distributing its intellectual property in OpenOffice? Wouldn’t this put all other distributors on notice?
Robertson: If Microsoft wants to play in the court system, we are prepared. I have extensive experience in courts thanks to my time with MP3.com and the media companies. From a legal standpoint, Microsoft would be hard pressed to enforce patents claims around the office suite or their OS given the fact that they have twice been convicted for anti-trust. I honestly don’t think they will go down this path.
