* Linspire Five-0 boasts more than 1,200 improvements
Linspire, the Linux desktop vendor and minor Microsoft blighter (formerly known as Lindows), released the latest version of its operating system last week with several tweaks and new features aimed mostly at home users.
Linspire Five-0 – kidding aside, that’s the official name – boasts more than 1,200 improvements over the company’s previous Linux product, with updated security and stability features and an improved interface. The product is a complete Linux distribution based on the 2.6 kernel, and includes the KDE 3.3 desktop environment, as well as the OpenOffice.org productivity suite, Konqueror Web browser and instant messaging client.
New built-ins for the desktop operating system include BitTorrent for Linux – a tool for downloading large files quickly – as well as Real Player 10 for Linux, and an AOL dialer application. Other home-computing tools include an MP3 player, photo managing software and an array of games.
Networking additions include an integrated VPN client and firewall, as well as the ability to create profiles for Wi-Fi connectivity, when the software is loaded on a mobile computer or laptop. Linspire Five-0 also supports the Linspire VirusSafe service, which uses VexiraTM Anti-virus technology to keep PC anti-virus software updated with virus definitions and signatures.
Most interesting about the operating system is a software feature/service called Click and Run (CNR), which allows users to access a library of more than 2,000 Linux-compatible applications that can be quickly installed on a Linspire Five-0 desktop system. Such applications include additional music players, IM clients, photo editing and file share applications, and other programs.
Linspire Five-0 is available now and starts at $50.
