Linspire Offers Cash Incentive for Pre-installing Linux on Desktop Computers
SAN DIEGO, September 14th, 2006 - Linspire, Inc., developer of the commercial desktop Linux operating system of the same name and Freespire, the free community desktop Linux operating system, launched a revamped partner program today that pays system builders a percentage on all commercial Linux software and services purchased by users of either Linspire and Freespire pre-installed desktop and laptop computers using CNR (Click N' Run) technology. Offering 18 months of Revenue Share per computer, the new program also features an automated, real-time, revenue share system that reports computer Light-up data, CNR Registration User percentage, and average revenue per-user generated through CNR.
"Linspire has been very successful in selling products and services to desktop Linux users via our CNR technology," said Kevin Carmony, CEO of Linspire." We are excited to now share this successful model with our valued system builder partners. Providing post-sale revenue will further entice PC suppliers around the world to pre-install Linux on desktop and laptop computers, critical for Linux's success."
Free to join, the Builder Program linspire.com/builder has no annual fees or volume commitments, and offers system builders the option to build pre-installed computer systems with both the commercial Linspire and community-driven Freespire desktop Linux operating systems. By logging into a personalized portal, system builders can see real-time data when their computer systems are turned on and connected to the Internet for the first time, as well as conversion data for purchases and their share of the revenue from each purchase. Checks are then automatically mailed on a quarterly basis to participating system builders. System builders can utilize this data to help them monitor their success in the program, and make adjustments to marketing messaging, initial out-of-box experience, support, and so on.
"Having served the desktop Linux channel for over four years now, we continually listen to our partners." said Larry Kettler, Vice President, Worldwide Sales & Marketing of Linspire. "They wanted us to eliminate all barriers to enter the desktop Linux market for system builders of all sizes and help them generate more profit per computer shipped out the door...this new program does both."
In addition to the new Builder Program, a new, easy-to-use, Linspire channel web portal was launched at partners.linspire.com which provides marketing, sales, and support resources and tools for Resellers and software Publishers as well. The revamped Linspire Reseller Program makes it easier for computer and software resellers to effectively sell desktop Linux software and solutions. As with the Builder Program, the Reseller Program is free to join, and members can purchase products directly from Linspire or Ingram Micro. The program also includes more sales materials and sales training resources that will help resellers better promote and understand the value proposition for Linspire and desktop Linux.
About Linspire, Inc.
Linspire, Inc. (www.linspire.com) was founded in 2001 to bring choice into the operating system market. The company's flagship product, the Linspire operating system, is an affordable, easy-to-use Linux-based operating system for home, school, and business users. Linspire pioneered CNR ("Click 'N Run") Technology, which allows Linspire users access to thousands of software programs, each of which can be downloaded and installed with just one mouse click. The thousands of software titles available in the CNR Warehouse (linspire.com/cnr) include full office and productivity suites, games, multimedia players, photo management software, accounting tools, and more.
About Freespire
Freespire (freespire.org) is a community-driven, Linux-based operating system that combines the best that free, open source software has to offer (community driven, freely distributed, open source code, etc.), but also provides users the choice of including proprietary codecs, drivers and applications as they see fit. With Freespire, the choice is yours as to what software is installed on your computer, with no limitations or restrictions placed on that choice. How you choose to maximize the performance of your computer is entirely up to you.
About CNR ("Click 'N Run")
CNR, with access to over 20,000 Linux software applications, makes it extremely easy for non-technical users to install, uninstall, update and manage Linux software on their desktop or laptop computers (http://wiki.freespire.org/index.php/CNR_Warehouse). With the CNR Service you can freely install thousands of Linux software titles direct from the CNR Warehouse (http://linspire.com/warehouse), all with just a single mouse click. Users also get a powerful way to manage their entire software library, with advanced features, such as customizable "aisles" where you can install entire groups of software with a single click.
For more information and interview requests:
Linspire, Inc.
858-587-6700, ext. 283
858-587-8095 Fax
pr@linspireinc.com
