Lindows.com Inc. announced on Thursday the availability of LindowsCD, a program designed to give users the power of Linux through a LindowsOS CD-ROM.
The CD-ROM can work on most computers with no installation or set-up required, the company said in a statement, adding that the LindowsCD is a specialized version of the new LindowsOS 4.0.
Running the newest version of LindowsOS is done in two steps: inserting the CD and restarting the computer. Included on the CD are the following features: hardware detection, plug and play support; and multimedia support for MP3, Real Audio, Real Video and Flash, said the San Diego, Calif.- based company.
As well as the LindowsOS operating system, each CD-ROM also contains a line of software including a complete Microsoft-compatible Office suite, meaning that Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel files can be opened without additional software.
“There’s enormous interest in Linux, but computer users don’t always have a spare computer to try it out. Now with LindowsCD any user can insert the disc, restart their computer and they’re running Linux,” said Michael Robertson, Lindows.com’s CEO, in a statement. “When they’re done, they simply remove the CD, restart their computer, and will find it in its original state.”
Lindows.com is targeting users that want to experiment with Linux as well as educational institutions and training laboratories where Linux is needed only part of the time. The LindowsOS was designed to compete with Microsoft’s popular Windows operating system (OS).
The LindowsOS CD-ROM is available now for US$29.95.
Additional information about LindowsOS 4.0 can be found online at www.lindows.com/40.