Freespire 2.0

[guitarmaniac]

Just looking at the newest release of Freespire, and I must say the screenshots are stunning.
I think I might start using it when I get my hands on a copy as I only really use my computer for web browsing, email, music and a bit of gaming and I have an XP partion for that last one.
I know Linspire isn't looked on too favorably here because of certain agreements with Micro$oft and its elitist attitude, but freespire is looking too good for me to resist!
I know its not for everyone, but what does everyone else think?

[jrusso2]

I think its not ready for prime time.

[~~Tito~~]

Just looking at the newest release of Freespire, and I must say the screenshots are stunning.
I think I might start using it when I get my hands on a copy as I only really use my computer for web browsing, email, music and a bit of gaming and I have an XP partion for that last one.
I know Linspire isn't looked on too favorably here because of certain agreements with Micro$oft and its elitist attitude, but freespire is looking too good for me to resist!
I know its not for everyone, but what does everyone else think?
My uncle used it and it has hundreds of bugs. So use Ubuntu for now until its ready for distribution it is like in alpha stage right now so that is bad for normal use just for testing.

[jrusso2]

Actually Freespire 2.0 is an official release as of two days ago. But it seems to have a lot of issues

[Epilonsama]

First off, freespire right now kinda suck, because its main selling point CNR doesn't even work it says wait till two weeks so I think they failed in delivering a distro when your main package system doesn't even work

[jrusso2]

First off, freespire right now kinda suck, because its main selling point CNR doesn't even work it says wait till two weeks so I think they failed in delivering a distro when your main package system doesn't even work


Good Question.

[neodarksaver]

but the apt manager still works. it's at least kubuntu plus all the driver supports, i love it.

[guitarmaniac]

but the apt manager still works. it's at least kubuntu plus all the driver supports, i love it.

That's exactly why I want to try it.
Wouldn't ever use CNR so no big loss, but I must say that's pretty bad if the one piece of software that makes *spire unique doesn't even work.

[Epilonsama]

After a few tries I was able to install something using CNR, and let me tell ya is not that good, is not really all that easy because it takes long to install something and you dont know when is gonna finish and updating takes a shitload of time.

[karellen]

I'm downloading it right now, I'm curios about it so I'll give it a try

[kotek_14]

I solved the Package management problem open Terminal type in "sudo apt-get update" then at the next prompt "sudo apt-get install synaptic" this adds Synaptic to your KDE menu. So far It seems to me that Freespire 2.0 is better than Kubuntu. I still have Ubuntu on another HDD so I felt Freespire was worth a try and so far so good. If you want to add the medibuntu repositories the go to the Medibuntu website and follow the instructions to add the "Feisty Fawn" repositories.

[Epilonsama]

So far It seems to me that Freespire 2.0 is better than Kubuntu.

Well kinda yeah but it doesnt come with amarok and its installer is to simple (in a bad way), right you cant change the mount points of your partitions.

[snakyjake]

I'd like to express my thoughts on the reasons why I decided to take a look at Freespire.

First, I have found my Ubuntu experience "messy". It has been hard to find the appropriate software to do what I expect. A good example is playing and ripping MP3's. Another is Adobe Flash. I also enjoy getting my Hotmail via Outlook. Thunderbird and Evolution is quite a mess for this. I miss applications like iTunes, and good apps like Outlook. I also like to manage my finances with Quicken, same with taxes. I've tried Wine, and I've tried others...it's messy. And yes, Linux must work with my iPod and my cellphone. If not, I'll use Windows or Apple. Right now it is cumbersome, and not as easy as the Windows software.

So I had to try Freespire. Freespire is for the desktop. Desktop user's have certain expectations, and a Linux distribution must meet those expectations in order to satisfy the intended audience. Many distributions are still falling short, and that's why Microsoft and Apple still have a huge lead.

For me, I want a distribution that can do what my Windows/Apple machine can do right out of the box. That's my first expectation.

Automatix makes this easier, but then again, Automatix wasn't there by default, and I had to learn about it by reading forums. It should have been part of the first installation.

My Kubuntu is messy. I have lots of different programs installed, mainly because I'm having difficulty finding a good program that can do what iTunes can do. Choice is good, but too many choices is confusing. I've been hoping that CNR will help provide the best choice that fits me.

I'd like to see magazine publications similar to PC World and PC Magazine. I enjoyed reading those magazines to learn about new software and hardware. I enjoyed reading the reviews, and it helped me decide which application to use. I don't see that as successful in the Linux world. In the meantime, I rely on something like CNR to give screenshots, descriptions, and reviews. Reminds me of download.com or other similar Windows sites.

Freespire still falls short. Linux has made some great progress, and I hope to see the Linux community do more.

This isn't a Linux vs. Windows message, but it is a Linux world vs. Windows world. It is less about the OS, and more about the applications and the experience. At least in the Desktop world.

[jrusso2]

I am not sure how Freespire can help you get you Hotmail with Outlook, or run iTunes or those other windows apps you mentioned. Its not better then Ubuntu in that regard.

The main strength of Freespire which is CNR, which makes applications easy to install when its working which it seems to not be at this time.

The other strength is the addition of legal codecs for some proprietary media types and the inclusion of the proprietary video drivers.

[Midwest-Linux]

Freespire is the first linux OS that does internet streaming out of the box. I didn't have to download codecs, I didn't have to pull my hair hair out trying to get MMX or Rhythum Player to work. I clicked on the audio link, up comes Real Player and there it was.

Sure I got audio to work in Ubuntu Feisty 7.04, but in one machine I had to install another sound card to get the audio. MMx and Rhytum never worked for streaming radio..the M Player did..only after downloading the G Stream codecs on all the machines.

So what do I think of Freespire 2.0 verses Ubuntu 7.04 ? I need more side by side comparison tests, but the main thing I needed was streaming audio..and Freespire 2.0 delivers! the computer is a Gateway E-1400 , 500 Mhz, 256 Ram , 10 gig.

The installation for Freespire 2.0 seemed quicker than installing Ubuntu 7.04, however that may be a unfair comparison as I only use the text based installer for 7.04 on all my installations. its straight forward and lets you keep track of where you are in the install.

I need to look further into Freespire 2.0....from my limited perspective...it looks promising. I clicked on the CNR and it didn't work...nothing happened...I saw some posts that it wasn't running properly...

In that respect Ubuntu wins hands down with its excellent Add/Remove programs. One thing I will add, I certaintly like Freespire's blue desktop much better than Feisty's desktop.

I see that however that Freespire 2.0 is based on Feisty, but with all the codecs one would need for basic apps already installed. So far I am impressed...

Don't take my word for it...give it a try yourself...this version of linux could possibly be the one to do it. Plus it is $100 less expensive than XP. Whatever you use..Feisty, Freespire or even DSL....Linux Rules!