Michael’s Minutes: Better than a pair of old gym shoes

LindowsOS’ CEO Michael Robertson: “I just bought a new pair of basketball shoes, even though I liked my old
pair just fine. It wasn’t until I strapped on the new ones on that I
appreciated how improved they were. I had grown so accustomed to the old
pair that I hadn’t noticed the lack of cushion in the sole, the tendency for
the laces to come undone and the lack of traction from the worn
tread –making the old ‘comfortable’ shoes not such a perfect fit after all.”

I think that's the case with Microsoft products, while the familiarity feels
comfortable, sometimes there are deficiencies which take a competitor's heat
to fully illuminate. Our goal at Lindows.com is to bring choice to the
computer and improve on those deficiencies that so many people have resigned
themselves to accept or have simply forgotten about. I'm a former Microsoft
Windows 2000 user, but around the New Year, I switched over to LindowsOS. I
thought I'd share with you some of the benefits I've experienced which have
ultimately helped me save time and money.

1) LindowsOS Buyers Receive Permanent Access to software they purchase

In an attempt to cut costs, it's not uncommon for new computers nowadays to
ship with zero software CDs. This leaves the buyer without an operating
system software CD and if something goes wrong there is little recourse to
secure the software - short of begging the computer manufacturer. This is
exactly what happened with one of my computers and the computer manufacturer
said I'd have to buy an individual copy of the software from the store -
even though I had already paid for the software when I purchased the
computer. This isn't right, paying consumers shouldn't be treated so
shabbily. If you purchase a product it should come with either a physical
media or permanent digital access. I did ask one computer builder why they
didn't send out CDs to buyers, his response was that Microsoft requires a
mound of paperwork to send out a replacement CD, and therefore strongly
discourages any shipments to customers -despite the fact the customer has
already paid for the software.

Every purchaser of LindowsOS receives a copy in their my.lindows account so
they can access their software whenever it's needed. We even encourage users
to create a couple CDs to store at home or work, if that's what they'd like
to do.

To view screenshots of my.lindows, visit,
http://www.lindows.com/myapplications

2) LindowsOS Can Be Completely Digitally Downloaded Making it Cheaper and
More Immediate

Software should be the first product availing itself to Internet
delivery -it is a logical and practical way to deliver goods. But thanks to
Microsoft's resistance, it's easier to download music and movies than
downloading operating system software. While Microsoft undoubtedly feels
this serves their corporate profits, it hurts consumers who should be
benefiting from cost efficiencies and the immediacy of complete digital
delivery.

NOTE: They do ask Microsoft Windows XP users to download 75mbs or more of
fixes, but they won't allow them to download the *actual* software.

Buyers of LindowsOS can digitally download the entire operating system
(about 300MBs). This means they can purchase the software and be up and
running, 24-hours-a-day, without driving to computer stores for cardboard
boxes or waiting a few days for mail orders. Because we're dealing direct,
there is a significant cost savings passed onto customers as well. If
LindowsOS users experience a computing emergency (or other emergency, such
as theft or fire) they can download their software via Lindows.com.
LindowsOS users can also order a CD and have it shipped to them, if that's
what they desire. Lindows.com always makes sure customers have a digital
copy at their digital fingertips.

3) LindowsOS is More Stable with Fewer Time-Consuming Restarts and  Crashes

Now, I had always heard that Linux® was more stable than Microsoft products,
but I had to experience this for myself to become a believer. Because
LindowsOS makes it trivial for people to experience Linux, I was able to
witness this first hand when I converted from Microsoft Windows 2000 to
LindowsOS. Prior to the conversion, I'd experience crashes midway through a
day of computing. I'd open too many browser windows (which I'm prone to do)
or my email folders which were just too big. I'm really enjoying using my
system without the hang-ups requiring me to restart. I typically have more
than 30 browser windows going to different locations and LindowsOS never
stopped working.

I just finished an entire week of computing with LindowsOS without system
hangs requiring me to restart. At one time, I had more than 30 browser
windows going to different locations and LindowsOS never stopped working.
Nice!

4) Installing Software is Quicker and Easier

Another bothersome Microsoft Windows trait is the lengthy installation
process. Each time you want to add a piece of software, it's a marathon
experience of multiple restarts, installation screens, serial numbers,
activation codes, etc.  Yuck! At times, I'd spend the better part of an
afternoon just wrestling with a piece of software I wanted to try out.

For LindowsOS users, software installation is a one-click experience using
Click-N-Run (http://www.lindows.com/clicknrun).  Owners of LindowsOS simply
browse for a software title and a single mouse click downloads and installs
the software so it's ready to run --no restarts required! It's an elegant
and easy way to add software. We hope to have hundreds of high-quality
software titles in our Warehouse (http://www.lindows.com/warehouse) when the
next version of LindowsOS is released. Join the Insiders to be one of the
first to access next version of LindowsOS.

To see the Warehouse in action,  visit http://lindows.com/warehouse

5) LindowsOS Users Save Money and Time due to Friendlier Licensing Terms

Microsoft's licensing terms are getting progressively more costly for
computer owners. With the advent of activation codes, they are not only
costly but bothersome. If you have a laptop and a desktop, you'll need to
purchase two copies of Microsoft's software even if you're the only user of
those computers and won't be using them simultaneously. Keeping track of
lengthy serial numbers, which are required before software you've fully paid
for works, is an unreasonable intrusion on customers. It's an unfair and
illogical policy meant solely to benefit Microsoft with no regard for the
consumer.

LindowsOS and software in the Click-N-Run Warehouse is licensed under
friendly licensing terms that allow you to install the software on multiple
computers for your use. There are no serial numbers to keep track of and no
activation codes required to register the software. This will mean real
savings in lower cost and lower support hassles for anyone with more than
one computer in their home, school or place of business.

So, if your shoes are a bit old, then you should consider trying on the next
version of LindowsOS called SPX for size. Or you can sign-up as an Insider
(www.lindows.com/insider) and see how our most recent version called SP2
fits you. NOTE: As an Insider, you'll get future versions of LindowsOS as
well.

Michael Robertson

Lindows.com just launched http://support.lindows.com for Insiders and
Lindows.com visitors. Please feel free to visit http://support.lindows.com
to get the answers to your questions you may have about LindowsOS or
Lindows.com.

Bringing choice to your computer!

Lindows.com has released LindowsOS Sneak Preview 1 and 2 to a select group
of Insiders. The Sneak Previews are not fully completed products but
showcase many of the unique features such as a "Friendly-Install" alongside
an existing Microsoft Windows operating system, a streamlined installation
process which requires no computer knowledge and the ability to run popular
Windows-based programs. This will be followed by Version 1.0 which will go
on sale later this year. For more information see www.lindows.com/products

LindowsOS and Lindows.com are trademarks of Lindows.com, Inc. Linux® is a
registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Microsoft® Windows® operating system
is a registered trademark or service mark of the Microsoft Corporation.