Linspire is the ugliest
OfflineMany signed GNU/Linux related deals with MS lately, but I feel none were as vocal and as sharp as Linspire, because of Kevin Carmony and his precious Linspire Letters.
First there was some GPLv3 FUD, then they sign the deal, then promise it's just for delivering "better Linux" (of course, better in that it is as tainted with proprietary software as it can be) and then reiterating that, spread a bit more FUD by implying that "Linux" is splitting into two factions which is of course by no means their own fault (among others who signed themselves to the MS's side) because all they are doing is respecting Microsoft's IP and trying to make a better Linux, something others aren't willing to do.
There is quite a bitter feeling in me right now when I remember that I briefly agreed to the World Domination plot which in fact mentioned Linspire as potentially playing an integral part. It may have made some sense within a certain context, but I think it should be quite clear by now that this context is long gone now. Where is ESR now? What does he have to say? I mean, he IS after all Microsoft's worst nightmare. He said it himself. I hope he feels all warm and fuzzy now there on the Freespire board, just waiting for the new proprietary juices to come from Linspire, now sealed and approved by Microsoft, the proprietary kings themselves.
I think this has a larger lesson. You give in a little and you'll end up giving in too much. Linspire nor ESR were never all too worried about proliferation of proprietary software, and hence proprietary interests that come with it, in Free Software - so in restrospective, is it really any wonder that we see Linspire, and in relation to it ESR, where it is today?
WD201 is dead. The only ones coming close to the right balance right now, ironically, seems to be Ubuntu. But they do not really adopt the strategy of plugging all holes with proprietary software (like Linspire). Even if we don't agree with ANY proprietary software compromising, Ubuntu seems to strike a certain balance, making it easy to remove any non-free components if we so wish and even opting to create a completely free version (GNUbuntu).
Still, I am posed to watch them closely, as they are still pending implementation of Linspires tainted CNR.com in next Ubuntu.
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It's kind of cleansing, MS are testing distributors for us and identifying sell-out mentalities. I think the same thing will happen in the application space once they've finished with the os space. Now we know who's genuinely in support of free software values and who has been playing games but really just in it for cash regardless of ethics. Now we know the Judas distros, and soon we'll know the Judas apps.
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As far as I can see, to people who already run GNU/Linux Linspire means nothing to them save some thought in the back of the mind that it is a very Windows-esque distribution. Linspire target the very Windows-comfortable market who may worry about the MS FUD. In the end we have 'lost' someone who wasn't really a friend, only someone who was out there for a quick buck, we already knew that Linspire didn't care about freedom etc. thus all the act does is to solidify our previous beliefs. Admittedly every extra signatory to MS's patent deals leads to an undermining of those who don't (e.g. Red Hat); but Linspire is a minority distribution on a minority OS, thus I don't think what they do matters in the long run as they are such small players in this world (though I might be wrong on that).
But as you say Libervisco, WD201 if not dies, is dealt a big blow by this deal which further shows that all people like ESR are after are money and 'fame' not the important issues of freedom.
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