[ale] Linspire Announces 'Freespire' Version of Their Popular Linux Operating System

[Van Loggins]

Linspire Announces 'Freespire' Version of Their Popular Linux Operating System

Freespire Community Project to Offer Unique Mix of Both Proprietary
and Open Source Options in Free Linux Operating System


SAN DIEGO, April 24, 2006 - Linspire, developer of the popular
commercial desktop Linux operating system of the same name, today
announced plans for a no-cost version of their operating system called
Freespire. Kevin Carmony, Linspire's President and CEO, unveiled the
Freespire project in his keynote address this morning at the 4th
Annual Desktop Linux Summit, running today and tomorrow in San Diego.
In his remarks, Carmony explained how Freespire is a community driven
and developed project, but unique for open source Linux distributions
in that it will allow users the choice to download a version that is
100% open-source or one that includes proprietary software.

Freespire is venturing into new territory by offering a free community
Linux operating system that includes the option for legally licensed
proprietary software pieces in the core distribution. The Freespire
community project and Web site are now live at www.freespire.org, with
the first beta release of the operating system to be made available
for download in August. The release will mark the first time Linspire
is making such a free version of their Linux operating system
available to the public. For more details on the Freespire project or
to sign up for the Freespire community mailing list, visit
www.freespire.org.