just a quick question.

is lindows truly a linux distro? i mean, there's no free version (as far as i can see, that is) and i have yet to see any other desktop environment besides the default one. to me it just doesn't seem linux-esque. is it even under the GPL?

Yes, Lindows is a Linux distribution.

Being GPLed doesn't require that they provide free downloads (though they have at various times done so). What it does require is that anyone they destribute Lindows to who asks them for the source code for GPLed software they use (original or modified) must be provided with said source code.

They are also not the only distribution that does not provide a free download version. Xandros (no free version) and Libranet (can only download an older version) being the best examples. Kind of ironic that all three are based on Debian.

Can anyone who they distribute it to give it out for free download?

They sure can, as far as I understand the GPL

No, because Lindows includes non-free software that you are not licenced to destribute as they are not GLPed. Click-and-Run is the main part which is not GPLed.

You are however completely free to distribute any and all of the GPLed software that comes with Lindows as you see fit.

This is much the same as SuSE and their Yast software (which is why there are no free SuSE isos).

i wouldent recomemd lindows, as i hear its security istent realy much better then windows, simply as the tell people to do things that slower the security (sure, you can do whatever you want like in windows, but its a big risk)