2003 was a great year for choice on the Desktop. People have started to demand choice, and businesses around the world are responding to that demand. Since so much occurred over the course of this year, I wanted to give you a brief recap of some of the major milestones of 2003.

2003

		January National retailer, Fry's Electronics, begins carrying LindowsOS software on their store shelves.
		February Get a Lindows Mobile PC The first-ever Desktop Linux Summit takes place, hundreds of people come from multiple continents to get a glimpse of where Desktop Linux is heading. What they see are new innovations like SurfSafe, the first operating system-level web content filtering to protect families from objectionable content on the web. They also see the unveiling of the Lindows Mobile PC, a 2.9 lb laptop running Linux, that costs under $800. Then, only days later, Walmart.com starts carrying LindowsOS as their first standalone desktop operating system for PCs, not made by Microsoft.
		March The Brick begins carrying LindowsOS-powered computers in all of their stores across Canada.
		April The $100 a year Bronze Builder program launches. With absolutely no per-unit fees for LindowsOS, computer builders are, for the first time, able to offer a fully-functional computer with operating system at the same price as an identical computer with no operating system -- meaning substantial value and savings for consumers everywhere.
		May Lindows.com announces a partnership with the publicly traded, leading Japanese company, EDGE, to bring LindowsOS to Japan.
		June LindowsOS 4.0 is released. With rave reviews from practically every publication that evaluates it, LindowsOS 4.0 takes a clear leadership role in Desktop Linux.
		July LindowsCD ships, offering consumers the easiest way to try out Linux, by running completely from the CD-ROM, so you never have to alter your hard drive. The Lindows DVD Player is released, and makes playing commercial DVDs on Linux a reality.
		August Get a KooBox KooBox delivers the first all-inclusive Linux computer solution, with flat-panel LCD monitor, starting at just $449.The Consultants program is launched to ensure that people all over the world can get help with deploying Linux on the desktop.
		September PC Club announces its support for Linux on the desktop, by offering LindowsOS and LindowsOS computers in all of their stores nationwide. MSfreePC.com encourages choice by allowing consumers to quickly settle their part of Microsoft's $1.1 billion antitrust settlement, and offering qualifying consumers the opportunity to get LindowsOS software and/or LindowsOS WebStations at no out-of-pocket cost. Then Seagate, the world's largest hard drive manufacturer, transforms the computer industry by offering hard drives with LindowsOS pre-loaded.
		October A Spanish-language version of LindowsOS ships, providing an affordable desktop solution to 332 million Spanish speakers worldwide. Sun Microsystems makes their leading alternative office suite even better when they release StarOffice 7, available in the CNR Warehouse. ProSourcePC starts offering LindowsOS desktops from $329 and laptops from $849.
		November Lindows.com, in conjunction with government programs in Canada aimed at providing Canadians with affordable and easy-to-use computing solutions, announces the beginning of a 30,000 LindowsOS PC deployment. Obviously concerned by the popularity of LindowsOS across the globe, Microsoft starts threatening LindowsOS resellers in countries like the Netherlands, Sweden and France.
		December LindowsOS 4.5 launches with substantial improvements, like free worldwide calling and support for popular laptop hardware. In response to Microsoft's international bullying, ChoicePC.com launches, aimed at ensuring computer choice worldwide.

Clearly 2003 was a phenomenal year for Desktop Linux, and for computer choice. Of course none of the successes we've had would have been possible without our faithful community of supporters worldwide. The users on the Lindows.com forums are always eager to help newcomers, and the forums have amassed more than 153,000 posts! We now have over 500 consultants in more than 30 countries, ensuring that practically anyone, anywhere, can get answers to their questions and help in deploying LindowsOS. There are more people using LindowsOS and more places to buy LindowsOS software than ever before, and thanks to the support of consumers across the globe, 2004 promises to be an even more amazing year for Lindows.com and for choice on the desktop.

~ Michael

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