Industry experts have said the Lindows operating system
could become a viable open source alternative to Windows on the
desktop, writes Karl Cushing.
Lindows.com has taken an operating system that is relatively hard
to use - the Debian version of Linux - and given it a user-friendly
graphical interface. It is compatible with some Windows
applications, including the 2000 editions of Excel, Word and
Powerpoint, and a subscription-based service allows users to
download and install open source software products such as Sun's
Staroffice 6.0.
Its makers claim LindowsOS delivers the power, stability and
cost-savings of Linux with the ease of Windows.
Graham Taylor, director of open source promotion body OpenForum
Europe, said Lindows' increasing acceptance in the consumer space
and improved availability will "create a groundswell that will
percolate through to business strategy".
However, Taylor's welcome for LindowsOS is tempered by caution. "I
would like a bit more evidence and a better understanding on
interoperability and integration issues - especially with Microsoft
products," he said.
Dan Kusnetzky, system software analyst at IDC, said organisations
relying on Windows applications need to be aware of the difference
between making an application run in a foreign environment and
supporting it.
"If the organisation feels confident enough in its capabilities for
supporting Microsoft applications on Linux, it might be worthwhile
considering Linux and, thus, Lindows," Kusnetzky said.
LindowsOS began life bundled with low-cost computers sold through
US retail outlets such as Wal-Mart, and it has only recently become
available as a separate product.
Lindows.com is now targeting the lucrative US education sector,
where its licensing programme allows schools to install the
operating system on an unlimited number of computers for just $500
a year.
However, there are hurdles to overcome before Lindows conquers the
world. Lindows.com is facing a lawsuit Microsoft has filed against
it in the US alleging an infringement of its Windows
trademark.
As well as the court case with Microsoft, scheduled for April,
Lindows has caused splits within the open source community. Several
key participants pulled out of the Lindows-sponsored Desktop Linux
Summit this month, accusing the firm of trying to monopolise the
event. Lindows.com has also been left out of new Linux promotion
body the Desktop Linux Consortium, whose members include
Mandrakesoft, SuSE and Lycoris.
Eddie Bleasdale, director at consultancy group Netproject, said
Lindows is "a perfectly good operating system". However, he said IT
bosses should not just be looking at the operating system, they
should be looking at their architecture as well. "IT directors and
IT managers who are not looking at Linux on the desktop are not
doing their job properly," he said.
Lindows' progress
July 2001 Lindows.com set up in San
Diego
Jan 2003 Lindows Media Centre software
launched to compete directly with Microsoft's Media Centre XP
Feb 2003 Walmart.com begins selling LindowsOS
3.0 Membership Edition, with a one-year membership to the
Lindows.com software Warehouse, for $98.72 (£60). It can also be
ordered from the UK
April 2003 Microsoft and Lindows go to court
to decide if the use of the Lindows name infringes on the Windows
trademark.