Lindows.com: Our sneak preview is no longer vaporware

Not too many months ago, I sat around the “lucky table” my
father-in-law
gave me from his successful business days and hatched the plan for
Lindows.com. I felt the world was out of balance with one
dominating
operating system that was leading to expensive pricing, unfriendly
licensing
and depriving people access to lower cost computing. Microsoft has
destroyed
countless big and small companies who have embarked on similar
missions, but
I was in a fortunate situation to invest some resources and bring
together a
team whose mission was to bring choice back to computer users.”Naturally, as the plans of Lindows.com became public, we were
labeled
“vaporware,” a designation reserved for products that people talk
about yet
don’t exist. I like skepticism. It’s a healthy trait that will
serve you
well throughout life. And the fact was, LindowsOS “WAS” vaporware.
All of
that changed last week with the release of our Sneak Preview.

We’re not ready for public reviews, but a small group of our
Insiders (
www.lindows.com/signup ) who have agreed to test early versions of
our
product on non-critical computers gained access to an early, very
rough
version of our technology. (Similar to a “sneak preview” of a
movie, it’s
not the complete product, but you can get a feel for the end
product.) For
some Insiders, Sneak Preview didn’t work at all and we’re working
with them
to make sure it does work in the future. The world is a big place
and only
with the help of our Insiders will we be able to create a solid
product.

For the many that were able to use LindowsOS, we believe there are
some
compelling features to note, even in this early version.

1) Easy installation – read what one Insider wrote:

————————————————————-
From: Paul M.
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2002 5:09 PM
To: michaelr@lindows.com

Subject: Re: Lindows.com Insiders – Thank you for your patience

No need to reply, I just wanted you to know that the Lindows
install went
very smoothly. My grandma would have been able to do it (g).

GREAT JOB!
————————————————————-

Paul’s comments above sum it up. For Microsoft® Windows® users, we
have a
specially tuned option called a “Friendly Install” which lets you
experiment
with LindowsOS on the same machine you currently run older
Microsoft
operating systems and switch back and forth. Go here for a
screenshot. (
http://net2.com/lindows/dualboot.htm ) For those interested in
learning
about Linux® or seeing how their computer performs under a modern,
stable
operating system, there’s no easier or risk-free approach. No
complex
formatting, partitioning or other steps are required, because just
restarting your computer lets you still run the old operating
system. It’s a
great way for first-timers to experience Linux. Microsoft Windows
98 users
can simply double-click a file, click a couple of OK buttons, and
10 minutes
later they’re running LindowsOS alongside their existing operating
system.
Other versions of Microsoft Windows will install in a similar
fashion, but
will require starting the computer with LindowsOS in the CDROM
drive. (The
Sneak Preview version is not designed for Microsoft® Office XP®.)

If you have a computer without an operating system or one you
don’t mind
erasing, you can install LindowsOS as the only operating system
and it’s
just as easy….a couple of clicks and 10 minutes later you’re
ready to go.

2) Migration of important data

For those users doing a “friendly install”, LindowsOS makes
available data
from the Microsoft world accessible. On the desktop is “My
Documents” and “C
Drive” which give complete access to the files and folders
previously on the
machine via LindowsOS. In addition, essential elements like
bookmarks, icons
and email are moved and converted so their desktop is exactly like
they want
it, all automatically.

3) Run Windows-based business programs – Read what another Insider
wrote:

———————–
From: Ranger D.

Subject: Re: Windows Compatibility Feedback Form

I am running Office 2000 Premium. Outlook 2000 doesn’t work well
yet
[paraphrased], but other office apps work great. I love the work
you guys
are doing. Keep it up.
———————–

Running Windows-based programs is one of the most challenging
features to
build for LindowsOS, but one of the most exciting because its
users can
safeguard their investment and knowledge with their existing
Windows-based
programs. For those doing a “friendly install” (see #1) there will
be an
item in the “Launch” menu called “Windows Programs.” Go here to
view a
screenshot of the launch menu ( http://net2.com/lindows/launch.htm
) From
here you can attempt to launch programs you have installed prior
to using
LindowsOS. If you’re doing an install which erases your entire
hard disk,
then you will need to install your Windows based programs before
trying them
out.

Some programs will work well and others will not work at all.
Since we’re
focusing our efforts on productivity applications, those
applications are
most likely going to work at this early stage. So try Microsoft
Office 2000
programs, Lotus Notes® and other business tools to check out this
feature.

More exciting features are slated for the future as we move closer
to
version 1.0, which will we begin selling later this year.
LindowsOS is not
ready for use as your everyday desktop but hopefully Sneak Preview
demonstrates that we’ve shaken the vaporware label and you will
consider us
in your plans for the future. Thanks for your patience and support
as we
work to bring choice back to your computer.

Michael Robertson
CEO of Lindows.com
michaelr@lindows.com

Bringing choice to you computer!