09.11.08
ASUS: Want GNU/Linux (Express Gate)? Buy Windows.
ASUSTeK did not exactly fulfill those expectations from "Express Gate" after getting “closely tied up with Microsoft,” to borrow the company's very own words. We previously explained how Microsoft was fighting boot-level GNU/Linux. It has been a couple of months since we last wrote about it and a reader of this Web site reports based on the experiences of one shop.
“Has anyone seen Asus’ ‘Express Gate’,” he asked, later adding that “You have to have Windows to install it.”
Further he said: “If you want that ‘instant on’ option, there is only an XP or Vista installer. Nothing else. So, you can’t install this Splashtop, GNU/Linux based environment without Microsoft Windows installed. [...] there are only XP and Vista installers.
“Our company has started offering systems with the new Asus mobo’s with Express Gate. Auus has provided no way of installing it without Windows already installed. [...] It’s on the Asus utilities disk. You can’t install it without Windows installed first because Asus only provides a Windows installer.”
As pointed out before, ASUS had promised ‘Express Gate’ on all motherboard. Could that “closely tied up with Microsoft” thing have already changed the company’s strategy? █
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.
pcole said,
September 11, 2008 at 4:31 pm
So, MS can’t even keep their noses out of that either. You need a binary blob to install Linux.
“Asus only provides a Windows installer”, that’s a lame excuse to include an OS nobody wants so revenue is generated for microsoft (MS-TAX) on a product which it doesn’t even manufacture.
ASUSTeK = Show me the money MS, I don’t care how “whoreish” I look.
DOUGman said,
September 11, 2008 at 5:35 pm
I wish MS would just go piss off… now this is starting to get out of hand.
D.
Victor Soliz said,
September 11, 2008 at 9:59 pm
And you would think the whole point of that idea was not to need an OS to be installed in hard drive in order to use the computer…
This is an awesome way to totally nullify and make irrelevant what would have been a great idea… way to go…
Robert said,
September 11, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Don’t this just beat all. more evidence of Microsofts anti-competitive behavior towards Linux through secret contracts with OEM’s like Asustech.
this article needs to be included in the Groklaw newspicks.
F**king Microsoft.
gedece said,
September 12, 2008 at 5:54 pm
How special can a installer be that they forgot most windows installers work under wine? and if that’s the case you can install it from Linux
John Edwards said,
September 12, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Free software that requires a nonfree installer? I don’t think the GPL allows that. You’re not allowed to distribute GPLv2 code if you require, for example, a proprietary toolchain to build it. The GPLv3 probably prohibits an installer like this.
Of course, if the installer is actually Free, it can be made to run on Linux.
Thomas Shanks said,
November 11, 2008 at 3:35 am
The ExpressGate Installer is made of Microsoft Installer (.msi).
Asus should be ashamed. There is no justifiable reason for not creating a DOS or other CD-executable installer for this. They deserve a class-action lawsuit for deceptive advertising and a GPL violation suit.
-tas
Roy Schestowitz said,
November 11, 2008 at 5:27 am
I very much doubt that they still violate the GPL (they are committed to obey after getting caught and ridiculed), but it’s unfortunate that they send the message: “you need to buy Windows in order to install Linux.” It’s disrespectful to the developers whose code they make money from.