Ron Schenone

Freespire 2.0 Alpha Test Review: "This One Is Going To Be Good. Very Good."

Posted by on May 30, 2007 | 7 Comments

This one is going to be good. Very good. That was my first impression using the Alpha [test] version of Freespire 2.0. Most test versions of Linux distributions normally have some kinks or bugs that need to be worked out. This is not the case with Freespire 2.0. It just flat out works. I had no trouble installing the software and it auto detected all of my hardware without a hiccup. I was even able to get on the Internet through my wireless setup without even a whimper.

I have always been partial to Freespire for several reason. First I think that CNR – Click-n-Run – is a far superior product to install and uninstall programs. I also like Mozilla products and Freespire uses both Firefox and Thunderbird software. Both of the products have been tested and also fall into the category that they just work. Plus Freespire got my NVidia card setup with no user intervention. I am not a Linux geek and don’t want to know how to compile anything. :-)

The first thing one notices is that this is the first Freespire + Ubuntu collaboration of a Linux distribution. At the installation splash screen one is confronted by the Freespire logo and down in the lower right corner is “Debian Linux Core Powered by Ubuntu.” However, Freespire continues to use the KDE interface which I personally prefer.

What else is impressive about this latest version? On the desktop is a Network Share icon. I was able to open up my Windows boxes and transfer files without a hitch. I copied several folders of photos to play with and Freespire set them up for viewing in a Personal File cabinet located on the toolbar. Nice touch and simple to use. Oh, yes. I was able to print to my HP Laserjet via a print server in under one minute. If this got any easier I don’t think I could handle it. LOL

I believe that both the new Freespire and Ubuntu versions which will support CNR should be available for use around July or sooner. I personally look forward to trying both distros and so should you. This is going to be Linux made simple and having Freespire [Linspire] and Ubuntu working together should benefit us all.

Comments welcome.

[tags]freespire, ubuntu, linux, simple[/tags]

  • marc klink

    I’ve always been amazed by the default network connectivity of Linspire, especially since it isn’t really aimed at business. Perhaps Freespire [and Linspire] will quietly garner major mindshare while Mr Shuttleworth and Ubuntu lead the charge with advertising.

  • scott king

    I’m doing a one week test of PC Linux OS. Looks like this one is next in line.
    But I think I’ll miss Beryl :( .

  • http://www.ebookarama.co.uk Vince Andrews

    This sounds very impressive and i will look forward to updates on this issue.

    I am not a geek, but i like all of this talk about linux and i believe that as distros get more and more easier to install and use we will see more people willing to give linux a go on their machines.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hello Mark,
    Hopefully this will be the case.

    Hi Scott,
    PClinuxos is a good distro to start with.

    Heh Vince,
    I’ve mentioned this before, but I recommend using a old hard disk if available to use to test Linux on. Just a thought.

    Thanks everyone for your comments. Ron

  • Jeremy Meixner

    I have tried a few distros over the years. My old standby has been SUSE, openSUSE, of late. Just for the sake of education and experience, I decided to try a new distro that uses debian based package management. I am very impressed! I’m really for the movement, and distros like Ubuntu and Freespire have been some major selling points in my “crusade to convert”. The fact that they are teaming up can only mean better things to come. BTW, check out Dell’s 3 models that they are selling preloaded with Ubuntu, instead of windoze! I’ve had much the same flawless install and hardware detection/configuration in Ubuntu, that the author has had with Freespire, and that’s a bonus. When I’m installing linux on a friend’s computer, I don’t want them to see me having to mess around editing .conf files, and doing a bunch of things via command term just to make it work. Kudos to both Freespire and Ubuntu for their wonderful “Works Out-of-the-box” releases. I’m excited to see what comes next!

  • Andrew Askew

    Poor Opera… never gets love…

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1787055051 Tanner Chase Carter

    Best move Google could make. No company should have to support legacy browsers, the web needs to move forward and I’m very glad Google is jumping on board with that.