"A quick look at the FAQ page on the Lindows.com
website shows that the aim is to provide an Open Source alternative
to Microsoft Windows that can be installed alongside the Windows
implementation. This gives the user a choice of OS at boot time. It
will then be possible to try out all of the Windows applications to
make sure they work correctly before committing to the removal of
Windows. For proven environments, there is also the option of a
direct installation onto bare metal with no need for any Windows
license.
This approach of proving the technology is going to be a major
part of the effort. Current users of WINE solutions are saying that
many Microsoft application features do not function quite in the
way that users expect and there needs to be an ongoing feedback
mechanism that allows Lindows.com to get its implementation right.
To that end, there is an 'Insiders' programme for Lindows where you
can get an early release of LindowsOS for $99 per year.
Here is where the first reality check is to be found. Since when
did users pay $99 for a beta release of an Open Source product?
This begs the question of how much we will have to pay for the
finished article. LindowsOS is being aimed at small businesses so
we must presume that the price will not go too high and that we
will be able to download one copy and use it multiple times. What
about home users? Will there be a viable option for them?"
