Nero updates Linux disc-burning software

Nero released version 2 of a Linux edition of its software for burning CDs and DVDs this week, adding features that let users copy DVD videos and record dual-layer DVDs. The software is free to those who already have purchased the Windows version of the product. Nero introduced its first Linux version in March 2005.

"Right now with Linux, we've done some basic work to show we can do it," said Craig Campbell, technical director of the software, adding that the company hopes the product will generate more interest in a Linux version. The Windows version has several features the Linux version lacks, including the ability to author DVDs and create sound tracks, but the company plans to bolster the Linux version depending on demand, he said.

The product offering is highly unattractive.

This offering from Ahead is useless. People living on GNU/Linux will not pay full bore for the useless Windows version (doesn't run on GNU/Linux) to get an incomplete, unsupported GNU/Linux package.

People willing to invest $60 into the Windows version will most likely not be too interested in a GNU/Linux version. They are completely in their comfort zone on Windows. NeroLinux is nice as a toy extra to them. Just as GNU/Linux is a nice toy extra to these people.

Demand for the GNU/Linux version can only be measured accurately when Ahead decides to put out a separate and supported GNU/Linux version.

Hitching their software-experiment supportless to a Windows License, will not give an answer on demand for the GNU/Linux version.

What it will answer though, is how many registered Windows users will click to download this package. But downloading a "for free" package is not very indicative of its usage.

If Ahead is serious about NeroLinux, they should get a separate, supported, for pay version out the door. Cut the for free version from the Windows License. This way you can be certain that the people, shelling out hard cash for the package, have a genuine interest in it.

[unoengborg]

Too late

There allready are many good burn tools for Linux, e.g. K3b comes to mind, so it will be very hard to market a new product and it will get worse.

Given that Qt (the toolkit used to build K3b) will be free on windows as of version 4.0 we can expect that and many other programs to be ported from Linux to windows. If that happens it could put Nero in a very difficult position. By releasing a Linux version Nero may try to decrease the awareness among users that there are other alternatives.

[Rick S.]

Yes: K3B is BETTER, and a 'Windows License' to use on Linux is NUTS!!!

Why would I license "Windows Software" ??? I don't have Windows! If Nero offered those things K3B doesn't do (i.e., the authoring tools), then maybe I'd be interested. But paying a big Windows license fee for more-or-less duplicate K3B functionality with a *LESS* attractive GUI, a *LESS* capable configurator, and *LESS* support isn't smart. -------- -------- --------
This inspired me to finally send small contributions to Sebastian and Christian at h++p://k3b.plainblack.com/donations . I'm paying far less and getting so much more, and helping them share their Software with the whole world.