The Hindu : New Linux PCs coming

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 22, 2002

National

National

New Linux PCs coming

By Anand Parthasarathy

Bangalore Sept. 21. The Sun Microsystems will shortly launch a desktop computer based on `open' software standards. The machine will run Sun's "StarOffice" suite of applications as well as the acclaimed "Mozilla" web browser.

It will be powered by a low-cost Intel chip, but software costs will be cut to a third by ditching the industry standard Windows environment in favour of the free-to-use Linux Operating System.

A "JavaSmart" card will make it easy to logon and off as well as for retaining personal settings.

The Sun PC expected to become available worldwide, including India, in early 2003, targets the millions of users worldwide who find today's Wintel — Windows software and Intel chip — powered machines an `overkill' for most lay applications.

In a departure from current marketing methods, the Linux PC is also likely to be offered at a monthly rental of about $ 50 equivalent.

In another development last week, "Lindows'' the maverick personal computer operating system released a new Version 2.0 which delivered much less than promised.

Earlier, touted as software that could run ``Windows'' applications without having to invest in the pricey Microsoft product, the new version is replete with good looks and easy interfaces to printers and other peripherals — but somewhere in the small print, the San Diego-based developer has quietly jettisoned, earlier claims that it would run all Windows and Linux applications, interchangeably.

Now, it clarifies that it will only serve as a "bridge'' to some popular Windows applications such as the MS Office. Instead, Lindows will concentrate on providing a less painful migration path to those who want to say: "Goodbye Windows, Hello Linux!''.

In what was perceived as a David-versus-Goliath encounter, Lindows took on Microsoft with its audacious claim that it could run all Windows applications as well as Linux tools.

The software giant took Lindows to court earlier this year seeking a restraint on the similar-sounding name — a fusion of Linux and Windows — but no gag was issued by the court which is still hearing the case.

Since then, Lindows chalked up a success when the U.S.-based supermarket chain Walmart, marketed a line of bargain basement PCs running Lindows and costing less than $ 200 ( monitor excluded). However, the number of PC makers who have offered pre-installed Lindows has not grown significantly since then.

Today's Lindows 2.0 can be downloaded in evaluation versions from the company's website (www.lindows.com/signup) — but this is not planned as a free product.

The commercial version will however bundle free of charge, a copy of StarOffice 6.0, the new Office suite from Sun Microsystems, that was launched in India a few weeks ago as a priced product costing around Rs. 3000.

So far no Indian PC maker has announced a machine with Lindows under the hood — but the Lindows-StarOffice combo might now persuade them to test the waters here with a model or two running the first general release Lindows 3.0 which has been promised for later this year.

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