Linspire debuts Linspire 5.0

Linspire today released the latest version of its Linux-based desktop operating system, Linspire 5.0. The company says the new OS, which has been in development for a year, boasts 1,200 improvements across every core application.

The system includes OpenOffice.org; Web browser, e-mail and instant messaging clients; multimedia viewers; photo and music managers and calendaring tools. The company has given the graphical interface a complete overhaul and says it has improved support for laptop installations. It also stressed better support for schools and businesses running the platform.

A review of the beta version over at OSNews, is largely positive, but a few niggles caught the reviewer's attention. For instance, the out-of-the-box version does not include a DVD player (this must be downloaded at additional cost), and the reviewer couldn't get Linspire 5.0 to play sound on either of his test systems.

Linspire says that the sound issue, along with a host of other kinks, has been rectified since the review. It also points out that additional cost of the DVD playback software is just $9.95 for European users.

The new Linspire 5 operating system is available immediately via download here and will be available in more than 1,000 retail outlets later this month. RRP is €69.95 and includes a year's subscription to Linspire's Click 'n Run software warehouse. ®

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