The Linspired choice: Phoenix introduces Linspire OS into retail market

With Linux increasingly favoured by businesses and many consumers as a preferred operating system, software republisher Phoenix Global Software is pleased to announce that it is introducing Linspire to the retail market.

Linspire v4.5 is a feature-packed Operating System (OS) based on Linux, and has been developed as a cost effective and convenient solution for the modern multimedia PC environment.

According to Phoenix CEO Simon Campbell-Young, research indicates strong growth for Linux in coming years. "While Linux is presently installed on an estimated 2% of the world`s servers, it is Gartner Research who predicts it to be the OS driving 15% of the machines by 2007. Linux is increasingly being adopted by large businesses and the public sector to replace commercial operating systems, clearly demonstrating the enormous potential that exists for Linux-based products," he says.

Linspire is a powerful contender for the home and office - it removes the complexity traditionally associated with Linux with innovations including its Click and Run (CNR) install interface, which gives the user practically instant access and installation of over 1800 software applications.

Additionally, it takes advantage of developments in the open source world such as the Mozilla Firefox browser and Thunderbird email application - both of which have been lauded as better than the leading proprietary offerings.

Additionally, the low-cost Linspire`s flexibility offers a compelling value proposition to either school, home or office users. "This flexibility is achieved with built-in features that create an easily accessible and practical user experience," he says.

In terms of Internet connectivity, the Linspire web suite is optimised for convenience and usability. The tabbed Firefox web browser includes an integrated search feature that allows the user to perform custom web searches, while the built-in instant messenger allows simultaneous connection to multiple IM accounts for AOL Instant Messenger, MSN, Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ and more.

"Additionally, in today`s often irritating online environment, Linspire automatically blocks pop ups and has an intuitive spam filtering mechanism that learns which e-mails you consider to be good, and which you consider to be bad - making your e-mail and Internet experience that much more simple and productive," explains Campbell-Young.

For the office user, Linspire comes with a full suite of productivity software, including a Microsoft Word-compatible (.doc) word processor, a Microsoft Excel-compatible (.xls) spreadsheet programme and Microsoft PowerPoint-compatible (.ppt) slide show software.

"If you use your PC for multimedia or entertainment applications, then Linspire allows you to listen to CDs and MP3s, or watch video files with built-in players. Similarly, Linspire offers the opportunity to watch DVDs through the Linspire DVD player either at home or on the move with a laptop. Gaming enthusiasts can also enjoy a whole host of games that come with the Linspire package, or they could easily download more from our custom website - www.linspire.com/warehouse," states Campbell-Young.

Campbell-Young describes how Linspire 4.5 takes only a few mouse clicks and less than 10 minutes to install on most computers. "The OS addresses one of the most common complaints with Linux-based products - that of ease of use. It has been designed to offer incredible user-friendliness with interactive multimedia tutorials to walk novice users through everything from navigating the desktop to setting up e-mail, wireless networking and more. Installing software is also easy with a built-in software browser, which lets you click and run software by downloading and installing any of the 1900+ programs from the online warehouse," he says.

Compatibility issues are easily resolved with Linspire`s advanced automatic hardware detection that installs the required drivers for the user. Additionally, Linspire is "Plug & Play" enabled, so USB or Firewire devices, such as scanners or digital cameras, will be quickly recognised and the necessary drivers loaded in just seconds. With regards to other peripherals, Linspire`s Printer Wizard will walk the user through adding a printer to the computer quickly and easily.

"In addition, Linspire`s Easy Networking lets you read, write, share and browse on a Microsoft Windows network just like you would on a Microsoft Windows computer, while its extensive hardware support includes expanded WiFi support for wireless Internet," adds Campbell-Young.

He believes the surge towards Linux is unstoppable. "The major factors driving the move to open source products include price, reliability and security. Worldwide, sentiment has turned from expensive and unreliable software to better and cheaper alternatives," he concludes.

System Requirements:

* PC with 800 MHz or higher processor**
* 128 MB of RAM (256 MB or higher recommended for best performance)**
* Hard drive**
* 1024 x 768 or higher resolution and monitor* (3-D graphics accelerator card for some games, screen savers, etc.)
* CD-ROM or DVD drive, Keyboard & Mouse
* Linspire-compatible sound card and speakers or headphones**
* Linspire-compatible 56 Kbps hardware modem, cable modem, or DSL modem**
* Ethernet card for Internet/LAN connectivity**