Linspire the US based Linux distributor is being bought out by Xandros (default Linux version on Eee PC's), the Canadian desktop Linux vendor.
In an announcement that was sent out today to Linspire stockholders, CEO Larry Kettler wrote that the stockholders had decided to sell all of Linspire’s assets. This deal specifically includes Linspire, Freespire, and the company’s distribution agnostic CNR (Click ‘N Run) desktop installation platform, according to Practical Technology.
Xandros, with its distribution’s tracing its roots back to 1999’s Corel Linux, can claim to be the oldest desktop Linux distributor. More to the point, with its deal with Asus to pre-install Xandros Linux on Asus’ amazingly popular Linux-powered Eee computer line, Xandros has become a very popular Linux distribution. Sources at Xandros have also told Practical Technology that while the company is not making money hand over fist it has been realizing “a very nice revenue stream from its Asus systems.
Neither company, at this time, has confirmed either the deal or the amount that exchanged hands to make it happen. According to a source close to the acquisition, the approximately $1-million loan that Linspire had made to Xandros several years ago did not play a role in this transaction. That loan, the source said, had been settled for pennies on the dollar.
As this story was published by Practical Technology, neither Xandros nor Linspire had any official comments on the deal. A Xandros representative, however, did confirm that the deal was happening.
