AOL users offered Linux link-up

Controversial open source firm Linspire has developed internet dialler software that for the first time provides desktop Linux users with support for AOL's dial-up ISP service.

Linspire claims that its AOL Dialer (sic) beta software is designed to enable desktop Linux users to easily configure their computers to use AOL dial-up connections.

Citing recent estimates suggesting there are some 90 million unique users of AOL, Linspire said its dialler software would open up Linux to an important new audience.

"We've expressed to AOL that America Online dial-up support is the number one request we get from users and original equipment manufacturers, but they have yet to release anything," said Michael Robertson, chief executive officer of Linspire, in a statement.

"We decided to build an open source dialler on our own, so the massive AOL customer base can now use a low-cost Linux computer with their AOL accounts."

Since each subscriber account may represent up to seven screen names (email addresses), access via AOL is now possible for families using Linux computers, Robertson added.

Available free to all Linspire users, the AOL Dialer for Linux beta version is available here.