Enterprise open source Toolkit

Linspire launches 'mass-market' desktop

Published: 17 Mar 2005 15:00 GMT

Linux provider Linspire on Wednesday launched version five of its Linux desktop system, which it claims offers much improved usability through a new graphical interface.

Michael Robertson, chief executive of Linspire, said the changes to the user interface make the desktop suitable for people without any technical knowledge.

"For more than a year, we've analysed and studied the user experience to create a Linux product suitable for the mass market," said Robertson in a statement. "Linspire Five-0 is so easy to use, it finally makes Linux practical for anyone — from a Fortune 500 executive to a kid researching a school essay."

Other features in Linspire Five-0 include improved laptop support, with compatibility for Intel's Centrino and AMD's PowerNow offerings and a Wi-Fi Access Point Locater.

Linspire hit the news last year when it agreed a $20m (£11.14m) legal settlement with Microsoft to change its name from Lindows. It completed its name change in November and has since been known as Linspire.