Linux on Desktop is what Xandros trying to push when they took over the Corel Linux. Their effort in attracting Windows refugee with their version 1.0 was quite a success. Now Xandros released their updated version of Xandros OS Deluxe version 1.1. OSForge is reviewing this release.
Xandros 1.1 Review at OSForge
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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Why ?? I dont understand. Why would you want to buy this ?
If I wanted someone to move from Windows to Linux, I would install a multi-boot, and put a FULL Linux install on it. I would then give the person a indtroduction in Linux and show them how to do them things they normally do under Windows. I would let them decide for themselves which they prefer.
Just because they have included crossover and put a windows theme on kde, it does not make it any easier for people to move over.
Keep them using Linux apps for their work, change KDE all you want, but the important thing, is to make the transition to Linux without using Windows apps in an emulator. This only gives the impression that Linux is slow, because the person sees the apps they are used to under Windows running slowly under Linux.
This is a great distribution. Although I haven’t bought a copy myself, I have tried it out and believe me, if you’re a user, you want a basic desktop without all the bells, whistles and hassles then this is the one to go for.
One thing I would like to see, however, is a version which includes Linux 2.6 and KDE 3.2 maybe 1/2 next year. Maybe that is something to look forward to somewhere down the track.
Why would anyone do this distro. Lindows is almost half the price. Other’s are free, but with no support. I’ll stick with Lindows.
I’ve been playing around with the 1.0 version of Xandros and I’m quite impressed with how smooth it is to use. You don’t have to think about anything. Network drives are automatically found and available. Installing windows apps worked wonderfully. Surprisingly to me, Microsoft Word running on Xandros started quite quickly–something like 5 times faster than open office(.org) which is also available. That it automatically added windows apps to the “taskbar tray” just like when installed on windows was also cool. All in all, I expect my system to just work… Xandros does. Definitely recommended for Windows users that want or need to switch to Linux, but still need to run some windows apps.
The main annoying thing about Xandros 1.0 was that the XFM used the same configuration dialog as Konqueror, which looked very wrong since most of Konqueror’s dialog was dedicated to its web browsing functionality, and XFM barely resembles a web browser at all. I’d hope Xandros 1.1 used a saner dialog, but . . .
The installer *is* nice, though. It is trivial to get Xandros to install the kinds of packages (development, games, etc.) one wants without having to pick individual packages. They also made sure that the Crossover Plugin bundled with Xandros just worked, even fixing problems that were in the version of Crossover Plugin sold commercially at the time.
@Tim
Personnaly, I hate both office suites and that concept
in general (I’m a happy latex user:-), but I installed the OpenOffice 1.1rc for my mother, and it was quite stable, and sooo faster. It’s now usable.
I’m glad that this distro helps people to do the transition.
(because it’s a transition, nobody will use an emulator
more than 6 or 12 months )
One thing that you have to realize is that Photoshop is a must for anyone doing serious graphics work on their PCs. If adobe never ports it to Linux, then an emulator is the only way to go. When considering switching to Linux, I always consider how I am going to run Photoshop. The inclusion of CrossOver Office is a necessary move for any Linux distro that would like to succeed in the graphics workstation market.
You could say the same about many of Macromedia’s programs. Yes, there are alternatives to some of them, but when there are alternatives, they are just not as polished or stream-lined as many of Macromedia’s programs (try creating complex Flash based websites without Macromedia Flash).
P.S. The Gimp is simply not a viable alternative to Photoshop. It says so right on their website.
Just because they have included crossover and put a windows theme on kde, it does not make it any easier for people to move over.
After reading this line, I stop reading. Because apparently, you haven’t even try Xandros, no less even read up about it on their site. For example, how many distros have the Xandros File Manager (a very nifty file manager, BTW) – one. What about its configuration tools – the only distro I have seen better is LindowsOS, which in turn was based on Xandros. Stuff like that.
It is a whole lot more than a Windows theme and a bunch of software bundled together.
Uhm, no.
Xandros Desktop Deluxe: US$99.00
LindowsOS Retail: US$59.95
Before, you go “See I told you so!”, Xandros comes with CrossOver, Lindows comes with their old version of Wine. Xandros standard is US$20.00 less than LindowsOS retail, and the US$10.00 cheaper than if you wasted bandwidth downloading LindowsOS.
but I installed the OpenOffice 1.1rc for my mother, and it was quite stable, and sooo faster. It’s now usable.
Was planning to let this pass, but just 4 days ago I downloaded OpenOffice.org 1.1RC3. Far more stabler (doh!) as previous versions. Slightly faster too. But “sooo faster”? Unlikely, and I’m using Office XP a.k.a. “bloatware”.
It been 2 weeks ago since I tried OpenOffice.org on Linux, not so well either.
Come on KDE 2x, & why did theu give it the playschool look?
most of you “why bother with linux if it looks like windows” people don’t get it.
I work for a “Major” UK electricity company (actually Britain’s biggest) and every worker has a pc running WINDOWS 95 and netware.. yes you read right, windows 95. Xandros, Lycoris, XPDE, and lindows would be brilliant in situations like this. 1000+ windows users seemlessly migrated over without excessive retraining.
the Debians, suse, mandrake, redhats are fine for geeks and nerds, but the friendly usable distros have their place too.
it’s horses for courses.
(try creating complex Flash based websites without Macromedia Flash)
Nothing will drive me away from a web site faster than a
“complex Flash” layout.
>>>most of you “why bother with linux if it looks like windows” people don’t get it.
No they don’t get it, which is quite sad, really!
I’m doing my best to move away from Microsoft based OSes and would love to try Lindows, Xandros, ect in hopes of finding something that can do my everyday tasks in Windoze with a minimum of fuss. My plan is to find something braindead in simplicity (yet capable of alowing increasing flexibility) and gradually learn enough to become my own Linux Guru. I’ve already begun to faciliate this by moving from Office to Open OfficeAbiWord (mostly AbiWord, I like its speed) as well as a few other crossplatform apps that suit my purposes. Eventually I’ll have enough cash to try out Lindows and make the switch.
What all the people who grouse about ‘making Linux look like Windows’ don’t seem to get is that the only way to really switch is to have the users start off with something that works for them and gradually learn how to customize their system. Think about all the various shortcuts in windows! Who knew right from the start that you can change the resolution by right clicking on the desktop? Or that system properties could be accessed by right clicking ‘My Computer’? No one did–they learned to do it first by using the control panel and only gradually did we learn about other ways to do the same thing!