Linpus Linux in simple mode. |
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| Company / developer | Linpus Technologies |
|---|---|
| OS family | Unix-like |
| Source model | Mix of free and open source software and proprietary software |
| Kernel type | Linux |
| License | Mixed GNU GPL with Shareware, Nagware |
| Official website | www.linpus.com |
Linpus Linux is a Fedora-based operating system created by the Taiwanese firm Linpus Technologies Inc.[1] Linpus was designed specifically to fully support the Asian market, with full Unicode support for the Chinese and Japanese languages. A special version, Linpus Lite, was written to run on devices with lower-cost hardware such as netbooks. It has both an icon and tab-based "Simple mode", designed for new users; and, a conventional style "PC mode" for those wanting a more Microsoft Windows-like interface. It is targeted at handheld devices with smaller screens, and supports resolutions as low as VGA (640×480).[2]
The Acer Aspire One and Norhtec Gecko[3][4] netbooks come with Linpus Lite Linux pre-installed, there is also a version of the Acer Revo 3610 and 3700 with Linpus Linux pre-installed.
A version for normal desktop computers and servers is also available, as well as a Multimedia version called Linpus Media Center. The Media Center version offers an "Upgrade pack" to purchase patent licenses from MPEG-LA for DVD, MP3, WMV and a few other codecs.
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The Linpus system contains not only the free and open source operating system, but also Acer-specific "shareware" - users classify this as "nagware," because it asks you to register on Acer's website and purchase a full version. The fact that the Acer distribution contains this software that is not available in source code prevents the system from being considered a fully free/open operating system.
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