Ubuntu's Win Is Linspire's Loss?

Here’s a strange story from the folks at CRN — the old reseller publication from CMP Publications. They mention that demand is soft for the latest Linspire release. Hmmm. I have to admit I’ve never even tried Linspire. And I bet most mainstream Windows folks have never even heard of it. The article speaks broadly about Linux not doing very well on the desktop. And it barely mentions Ubuntu.

I’ve got to wonder: Why didn’t CRN mention that the buzz for Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon is overwhelming, and more PC companies are taking a close look at Ubuntu? Maybe demand for Linspire is weak because most desktop Linux enthusiasts are gearing up for Ubuntu 7.10.

I’m not predicting that Ubuntu 7.10 will topple Windows. But a year from now, I bet you at least one more major PC supplier — Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo or Acer — makes a vocal commitment to pre-loading Ubuntu on desktops due to its growing popularity. I doubt we’ll ever say the same about Linspire — though it does leverage Ubuntu’s code base. Here’s CRN’s perspective on soft Linspire sales.