OSNews

Has is really been a year? How the time flew by... In July 2003 I took a gamble that's paid off like I never imagined it would. In early 2003, I came across Lycoris and Desktop/LX.

Not the product, but their web site and community forum; appropriately named, "The Greenhouse." My initial thoughts were that this was a potential Linux platform to keep my eye on. Though I didn't purchase their OS, it did catch my eye. The company's Greenhouse Forum also looked to have one of the most active user-bases I'd ever come across.

After checking out the company for a period of time, I downloaded the free ISO of Update 2 in July 2003. After burning the CD and installing it on my system, I was very impressed. Here was a Desktop Linux OS that went well beyond the normal jargon that everyone claims of their products. Sure, there were a few minor limitations in Update 2, but the OS was exceptionally stable, well designed and it worked very smoothly.

I was impressed enough to order Desktop/LX. After receiving it a couple of days later, I immersed myself into Desktop/LX and found that this amazingly simple OS was also powerful and feature-filled. It became quite obvious that while being simple to use, it wasn't stripped-down or crippled in any way. This OS was just as powerful, even more so in my opinion, than other distributions.

The Greenhouse Forum turns out to be the shining star for Desktop/LX users. This had to be one of the best experiences I've been involved with. Visitors will quickly notice that there is usually a high level of activity. New forum threads will be opened requesting help with a particular issue, and in a few minutes time, one of the many regulars will have answered the question. In fact, it isn't uncommon for someone to ask a question and return later that day to see two or three replies. This is a fantastic group of people and all are willing to help or respond in the various topics.

The Lycoris Chat Room is another bright star. There are quite a few who are noted as being part of the 'regular' cast of characters. Many not only discuss Desktop/LX, but have built true relationships. On one evening this past winter, my wife came into my office and I was in the Lycris Chat Room. She noticed the chat window and asked in an accusatory tone, "Are you in a 'Chat Room'..?" When I said yes, she asked what I we were talking about. I answered, "Sexy stuff." She just about bowled me over to get to the screen. On it, she saw all sorts of scripting and coding going on. When she asked what in the world all that 'stuff' was, I explained that there were five of us chatting and we just finished helping someone fix a particular problem he was having with his system. We did it on-line and in real time. I even told her what country everyone was from. I then said to my wife, "Now that's sexy!" She shook her head and while walking off, I heard her mumble something about nerds and geeks (can you believe it?). But since that day, she never worries if she notices me in a chat room.

In September 2003, my daughter asked me to put Desktop/LX on her computer. She was 9 years old and she knew I'd been having a lot of fun with Desktop/LX and now she wanted to give it a try. Prior to loading it onto the system she shares with her brother, I let her jump on my system for a few sessions. She loved it, and was soon whipping around the apps & menus like she'd been doing so all her life. Needless to say, I purchased another license from Lycoris and loaded Desktop/LX on the kids' machine. They both really enjoy the ease of use and have no trouble getting it to play games, navigate the 'net (under strict parental supervision, only) or fooling around.

User friendly? Absolutely! If children 5 an 9 years old enjoy what Desktop/LX has to offer, that speaks for itself.

1. "Lycoris, Page 1/2"
2. "Lycoris, Page 2/2"