Selling Linux Is Not Evil - Just Need To Follow The GPL

When the creator of this Linux distro based on Ubuntu first asked me to review his work, I found myself wondering about the future of the idea. Despite the anger and flaming that took place on the link above, the fact is that the creator is actually a really nice guy. A bit wishful in his expectations for the success of his distro, but a really nice guy nonetheless.

So while I never had time to review his distro as I had hoped, I can at least help to dispel some hot air put forth on the previously mentioned article. Yes, in the comments section of the article, the creator of this distro did misunderstand the GPL. He also later on, corrected his misunderstanding after I set him straight. I believe that iMagicOS is now providing access to altered code by request as required by the GPL. If not, well that is another matter entirely.

Finally, the above article attacks iMagicOS for having the audacity to sell a desktop Linux distro. Yeah, sort of like we see with SLED from Novell or Xandros, among others. Look, while I am not likely to rush out and pay a sum of cash for a Linspire like distribution myself, if these guys can do it while making 100% sure they are standing by the GPL license which DOES NOT forbid selling Linux distros. I am hopeful that Carlos reads this, remembers our conversation and works to heed my advice on following the GPL as we discussed. All of this said, if he is able to customize a distro to meet the individual needs of of specific hardware on a per order basis, while also providing a friendly UI - awesome, best of luck.

As for the previously linked article, the only thing it really ever hit on the head was concern over the license agreement. Again, I am assuming this has been updated to reflect the law with regard to the original license superseding theirs - the GPL.