Michael Robertson wrote:
I've seen several questions about MP3beamer (http://www.mp3beamer.com) on the list I thought I'd address.Anyone else notice this is the same guy who brought us Lindows. Which he is now repackaging as Linspire, and because he cannot seem to sell a free OS, he is now trying to sell other free software.
Q: Is MP3beamer just re-badged slimserver?
A: MP3beamer is a suite of products. The server component of MP3beamer does share some code with slimserver but it is a different product with some unique features. Some of the unique features are ability to stream songs with remote iTunes listeners, auto-rip CDs, one click installation and setup, control application, UPnP support, and remote syncing. You'll find screenshots of most of these at: http://mp3beamer.com/screenshots.html
There are actually several pieces of software which make up the MP3beamer experience. MP3beamer comes with Linspire, an ultra-easy desktop Linux operating system which makes it easy to setup and maintain a MP3beamer machine. Linspire installs in about 5-10 minutes and makes MP3beamer installation a very quick process via CNR (click-n-run). See: http://www.linspire.com/cnr Also included is Lsongs, an easy to use music manager for Linux which has been tuned for automatic ripping and seamless interaction with MP3beamer. MP3beamer Sync is a super-useful utility which allows a remote user to sync their song collection from MP3beamer to a remote machine for offline playback.
Q: Is MP3beamer GPL?
A: Parts of MP3beamer are GPL. Parts are based on Slimserver. There are some parts which are not GPL, specifically code licensed from a 3rd party which we do not have the rights to GPL.
Q: Is the source code provided for MP3beamer?
A: Yes, for those parts which are GPLed. MP3beamer was constructed with some assistance from Linspire engineers. You can read about Linspire's support for open source initiatives here: http://info.linspire.com/opensource/
Q: Do you charge $79 for the software? Is that permissible under the GPL?
A: Yes, it is permissible to sell software under the GPL. Read here for more information:
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#DoesTheGPLAllowMoney
MP3tunes sells MP3beamer hardware for $399 and is a full PC, but it's about 1/3rd the size of a desktop machine which makes it a good size for a music appliance. It runs Linspire and includes access to all the software for MP3beamer. If customers wants to install on their own machine, they can purchase the MP3beamer suite of software for $79. This includes Linspire which is $59 program plus MP3beamer server software, Lsongs and MP3beamer Sync so I think it's a good value. There are definitely things that MP3beamer can do which slimserver cannot which if those features and one click install have value to people makes it a good price. If those features don't have value and people don't mind setting up their own machines, then it's not a good value.
Q: Will MP3beamer work with Squeezebox? A: Yes.
Q: Why isn't the Squeezebox listed on the MP3beamer site as a recommended hardware device?
A: There are several reasons.
1) We're targeting MP3beamer as a mass market product. This means we emphasize easy of use and low-cost. While definitely not as expandable, there are some devices like the Linksys and SMC units which are less then half the price of Squeezebox unit ($125 vs $279) which is critical to reach the mass market with the music appliance concept. And some units like Linksys even have speakers which make them standalone boom boxes which is ideal for our target market.
2) We have yet to put up a the complete list of devices. A more comprehensive list of devices will go on the MP3beamer web site this week with another dozen or so hardware units which should work with MP3beamer.
3) I like Squeezebox. In fact, I bought 8 over Christmas time and gave to my executive team as gifts. I called up Slimdevices asking if we could work with them on MP3beamer project. My multiple calls and emails were finally returned after 3 weeks, but unfortunately it was an absolutely awful meeting and I don't use those words lightly. I laid out plans for our product. I was very abruptly told that Slimdevices had no interest in working with us. They said they were working on other things for next few months which they could not tell me about and they had no time for us. When I asked if we could get demo units to showcase with MP3beamer at the Desktop Summit trade show (see: http://desktopsummit.com), I was told 'No'. I asked for marketing literature I could hand out I was also rebuffed. Then I called a couple other companies and got a much warmer response and they gladly sent us units to demo and literature to pass out. Still at the conference I brought in my own personal unit so there would be at least one Squeezebox on display at the show.
I have a history of rooting for and supporting the underdogs against big competitors. But in this situation for the reasons cited above, I decided to focus our attention on Linksys and SMC units which is probably the best decision given our target market and the events outlined above.
-- MR
Michael Robertson
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Read the latest Michael's Minute here <http://www.lindows.com/mm>
CEO, Linspire Inc <http://www.linspire.com> - World's Most Affordable Choice
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See the thing with OSS is that if you are going to repackage it and sell it atleast make an effort to to give credit where credit is due. And most important GIVE back to the OSS movement. Take RedHat for instance they sell repackage linux but they have also provided back to the OSS community by bug fixes/ patches, and hell the whole RPM system. I have not seen any thing that Lindows has done for Linux.
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