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Maybe a different choice of distributions, with more enterprise centric goals would be a better fit. I know that Xandros has some really interesting centralized management tools for deployments that go in side-by-side with windows boxes. Check out their Xandros Desktop Management Server http://www.xandros.com/products/business/xdms/xdms _intro.html It seems like they're really aimed at the market in question.

Libranet is a great distro for the non geek to get up and running with a debian box.

So is Xandros. And although the previous edition costed around $40, it was still less than half the price of the last edition of Libranet, which if I'm not mistaken, is $90. But now the Xandros OCE is free: OCE = Open Circulation Edition. The business edition is for exactly that, businesses, and just a lot of extra megs on the hard disk for a home user (unless you really, really prefer Sun's Star Office over OpenOffice. org).

Dont' get me wrong, I tried Libranet and it was damn good. But Xandros is just as good and also has excellent compatibility with debian software, without costing nearly a hundred dollars. And support on Libranet wasn't too great when I tried it; I just wound up referred to their forums. Big deal, Xandros has a forum too, and the people there are both nice and helpful. For that much money I'd expect it to have soemthing over a free edition of Linux, but it doesn't. Now I'm not a free software zealot saying all distroes should be free, but $90? Sorry to sound insulting (I actually am sorry) because Libranet was pretty good, but it wasn't better than Xandros and I can't see paying that much when there's an alternative that's just as good and free. If it weren't for ignorance about Xandros I don't think Libranet would have gotten as far as it did.

http://www.addonshop.com/
http://www.emperorlinux.com/
http://www.ibexpc.com/
http://www.linare.com/
http://www.linspire.com/
http://www.linuxcertified.com/
http://www.microtelpc.com/
http://www.outpost.com/
http://shoprcubed.com/
http://www.sub300.com/
http://www.systemax.com/divisions.htm
http://www.walmart.com/
http://www.xandros.com/

http://tuxmobil.org/reseller.html
http://www.us.debian.org/distrib/pre-installed
http://www.linux.org/vendor/system/index.html

http://tuxmobil.org/ (general information)

No OS

(Sabio made by Quanta, like Dell-latitudes)
http://www.avadirect.com/
http://www.asimobile.com/
http://www.powernotebooks.com/

And if you are the bookish type, here's something to keep you company as you take your first simple steps outside of your playpen.

Ubuntu isn't the most user-friendly Linux, because its still a work in progress. For years publications like PC Magazine and PC World have been giving that honor to Xandros (and Linspire at times). And I think they're right. It's also closely Debian-derrived and usable with the "Debian universe", and the Deluxe version lets you run a list of supported Windows apps via Crossover Office (a nice cushion-- I run DVD Shrink with it). You can get nice Linux-native stuff like Skype preconfigured with it. Hardware detection has always been its strength and I'd say today its definately in the top 3 in this respect. The Xandros File Manager is very Explorer-like and stable, with some bennies like CD-ripping and DVD burning.

Xandros Open Circulation edition is available via Bittorrent.

As powerful GUI environments go, Xandros was the first to autoconfigure USB devices, the first to logon to Windows Domains (and even create them!), the first with VPN and encrypted home folders, the first with anything approaching a usable printer setup, and many other boring-yet-crucial features that wouldn't give the average Slashdot Linux enthusiast much of a thrill.

If you want an almost more-Windows-than-Windows environment, get the new SUSE v10 and install it with KDE. The Control Center dialogs are less elegant than Xandros, and even Windows XP, in that they have GOBS of powerful options dialogs. But they are still dialogs and "friendly" to a non-Unixy power-user. IMO it is a little weak on hardware detection and there's no APT. Their target is Windows power users and admins, so the slickness doesn't mean they'll knock off the rough edges to the extent Xandros does.

Linspire itself is rather unorthodox: It defaults to root auto-logins (bad) and its package-naming will present more difficulties when you want to grab stuff from Debian. You also have to pay for access to much of the software repository, so its no coincidence that they've marginalized its compatability with Debian's.

K/Ubuntu is very nice. What it can do, it does well after a couple iterations. And system configuration is at least elegant and approachable. But even by their own admission it needs about another year.

http://www.addonshop.com/
http://www.sub300.com/
http://www.linare.com/
http://www.linspire.com/
http://www.linuxcertified.com/
http://www.microtelpc.com/
http://www.outpost.com/
http://shoprcubed.com/
http://www.systemax.com/divisions.htm
http://www.walmart.com/
http://www.xandros.com/
http://tuxmobil.org/
http://www.us.debian.org/distrib/pre-installed
http://www.linux.org/vendor/system/index.html

Two things are being done. First, the FBI is nailing inept perpetrators as they can. This is like trying to cure a flea infestation by pinching the fleas off your friend's back. The second, more effective thing is the replacement of Windoze. Without Windoze, there will be no botnet. If you are new here, I suggest you get one of the following to improve your computing experience and help stamp out the weakness that will destroy the net:

• Mepis, auto configures and runs live off CD. If you like it, the "install me" button does it's business in 20 minutes.
• Xandros, what's left of Correl Linux, even easier for Windoze refugees with as much of the look and feel as possible.
• Fedora, Red Hat's free software offering.
• Debian Proper, harder than the others to set up but of much higher quality and easier to maintain.

With so many choices, there will never be Windoze type problems on free software. The exploits will not carry into more than 10% of the install base at a time. Go get some and take a bite out of crime.

it has been done, a dozen of times
what these Linux distros really lacks is publicitity and marketting .. ie an excellent P.R Machine.
Microsoft can afford that, Apple too, contributors already spend much of their free time helping, they dont have the cash also.

So in short what Linux distros need are millionaire patron.
Ubuntu is an example of how much patronage matters.

Many tried in varies way - maybe you could try your version?

Linspire's approach is of Click to Install, run everything as root, offer interesting goodies such as iTunes, etc

Xandros which tries to appeal to the business man, hides even the terminal, if you are a techie, it is a difficult distro to work with. But non-techies find it a marvel.

Beatrix is probably the closest you've envisage, with but essential apps and very light and fast.

Puppy Linux approach is have it micro light weight in Ram, they don't strip the techie-stuff but add lots of tutorials, wizards and follow-throughs. I have to admit I liked it, its good for old machines too.

Yoper's approach is to get you up and ready where one-CD installs everything you might need and more - very fast. The community is very helpful and friendly. The idea is that the distro should be as multi-media ready as possible on things like plugin (which are short of impossible for a newcome to install).
Wonderful idea, but we need more help with that, like all free-distros specially - we need helpers, contributors, coders, packagers.

In the Linux community, the will is there, just the challenge and obstacle is very big. Drivers and hardwares primarily set for Windows machine and nothing else .. etc

What we all need is patronage, sponsorship.

What we need is what Apple, Microsoft + etc has:
money-money-money (even if its to pay for hosting our servers).

Remember the saying: easier-said-than-done

So I would urge anyone that is really concerned to join a distro that matches your ideals and instead of criticizing offer help - there are many ways of doing that, learning being one.

If the idea of coding is really off-putting I found reading this pretty interesting and applicable to any open source project:

Q: Are there non-coding ways to help?

well, I googled a few resources.
here's one...
here's another
It seems that I need to download extra programs, which is insane.
Thx for the encouragement anyways :)

umm, Xandros 3.0 Open Circulation Edition has been available for several months now. http://www.xandros.com/about/downloads.html

Granted they want 10 usd for the http download to cover bandwidth costs, but the bittorrent is free.

Open circulation edition is stripped down in the fact that cd/dvd burning is limited to 2x. Otherwise it has all the goodness of the best linux desktop ever! (yes I'm a fanboy of Xandros.. no, I don't work there.)

Umm... Is Ubuntu supported? I'm not trolling, I seriously don't know. I'm thinking that Novell may be considering themselves "only" because it's a distro with support behind it, sort of deprecating every distro put together by... um... non-professionals. Not that I support the differentiation, I'm just guessing at what they mean.

Of course, that leaves one open to wonder about Xandros. I've never used it, but it's reputed to be a very easy to use and approachable desktop OS and it's supported.

What really gripes me is that just this morning I ordered a SUSE 9.3 DVD from budgetlinuxcds.com. If I'd waited a month or so, I could have had the first openSUSE distro instead. $10 down the tubes, I guess.

Who's distro runs the default user as root, lied about using some new technology to run all Windows software nativly, and ran the worst ad campain that consisted of pissing MS off whenever possible. They give Linux a bad name. Want something windows like with Wine compatibility? Try Xandros. They are also pushing for centralized management areas. Something that, I believe, only Sun and MS are doing, with MS the only real complete set of tools.

Who's distro runs the default user as root, lied about using some new technology to run all Windows software nativly, and ran the worst ad campain that consisted of pissing MS off whenever possible. They give Linux a bad name. Want something windows like with Wine compatibility? Try Xandros. They are also pushing for centralized management areas. Something that, I believe, only Sun and MS are doing, with MS the only real complete set of tools.

Um...the license you're referring to is the license for the Open Circulation edition, which is the free one.

The license for the Business edition the article was referring to can be found here: http://www.xandros.com/products/business/desktop/d sk_bus_license.html

The two are different. In fact, the first section states:

" A. Xandros Desktop ("Software Product") is a modular operating system made up of individual software components that were created by various individuals and entities ("Software Programs"). The End User may install the Software Product on unlimited home computers of his or hers for non-commercial use and one commercial use computer."

And, the fact is that Xandros does have proprietary elements. Yes, it is more expensive than downloading a copy of, say, Ubuntu. However, you also get StarOffice instead of OpenOffice, and Crossover Office, a specially customized version of KDE, and a detailed printed manual, so I can't help feeling as though the money is well spent.

Sigh... no I haven't READ the Xandros EULA.... until now... and apperently you haven't either.

Feel free to use it all you want for personal use but for commercial use, to use that fine-tuned distro, you DO need to be a programer otherwise you're in breach of the EULA. (Part 1,b,ii)

I don't want to get in a pissing match here. All I was saying that it's a very expensive distro. How can it be more cost affective than any other distro using Crossover? It certainly can't be according to Part 5 Section F of the EULA...

(f) not deploy the Software Product in a commercial, industrial or educational environment except under a separate license agreement with Xandros

That license is going to cost money.... too much IMHO when you can get some other stable Linux distro for nothing and use Crossover for half the price.

Sigh... no I haven't READ the Xandros EULA.... until now... and apperently you haven't either.

Feel free to use it all you want for personal use but for commercial use, to use that fine-tuned distro, you DO need to be a programer otherwise you're in breach of the EULA. (Part 1,b,ii)

I don't want to get in a pissing match here. All I was saying that it's a very expensive distro. How can it be more cost affective than any other distro using Crossover? It certainly can't be according to Part 5 Section F of the EULA...

(f) not deploy the Software Product in a commercial, industrial or educational environment except under a separate license agreement with Xandros

That license is going to cost money.... too much IMHO when you can get some other stable Linux distro for nothing and use Crossover for half the price.

Sigh... no I haven't READ the Xandros EULA.... until now... and apperently you haven't either.

Feel free to use it all you want for personal use but for commercial use, to use that fine-tuned distro, you DO need to be a programer otherwise you're in breach of the EULA. (Part 1,b,ii)

I don't want to get in a pissing match here. All I was saying that it's a very expensive distro. How can it be more cost affective than any other distro using Crossover? It certainly can't be according to Part 5 Section F of the EULA...

(f) not deploy the Software Product in a commercial, industrial or educational environment except under a separate license agreement with Xandros

That license is going to cost money.... too much IMHO when you can get some other stable Linux distro for nothing and use Crossover for half the price.

For all the zealots who say that Xandros has a free Open Circulation edition, look at this comparison

http://www.xandros.com/products/desktop_matrix.htm l

Do you see where it says CD burning is limited to 4X speed? Do you also see where their CD/DVD burning utility doesn't offer DVD burning capability for free edition?

Their CD burning tool is nothing but K3B rebranded. So, they take a free OSS application, SCREW it & CRIPPLE it & even then the /. zealots don't say a WORD against it.

Great.

There's no shortage of other crippled features in the free version either, such as a maximum of 4x for burning CDs.

On their downloads page, there is a link for the Open Circulation edition. Completely gratis if you use bittorrent. I'm considering trying it here at work.

For users with no Linux experience, Red Hat is a no go. It'just doesn't have the usability that typical end-users have come to expect. NLD is somewhat better but still doesn't go far enough in creating a desktop environment that operates consistently with user expectations. Also, and perhaps more importantly, if you're expecting to introduce Linux desktops into a mixed environment with Windows desktops and Windows servers, you want to make sure Samba integration is properly done. If you use a Windows PDC or Active Directory server to control access to network resources, then you're in for a lot of extra configuration work. Xandros is a much better solution. They focus on usability which makes it easy for Windows users to switch and they include PDC and ADS authentication out of the box in their business edition. Lesser additions also make peer to peer windows networking (think Win 98 type sharing) trivial. Xandros is the only choice for a Linux desktop for non Linux savvy end-users.

All the little consumer desktops seem to be merging with Mandriva so this is just one more shake out of the desktop space.

See my review here:

http://forums.xandros.com/viewtopic.php?t=16248&hi ghlight=

I remember using Xandros to resize a FAT32 partition, and I know Knoppix can resize partitions with qtparted, but I haven't used it.

FYI, the Corel Linux Distribution based on Debian was spun off (or acquired) by Xandros.

And Xandros is far from having "come and gone". AFAIC they've got one of the best distributions going for the desktop, workstation, and server.

I think they've done the best in creating a Linux distribution with the user friendliness that most would claim does not exist in any Linux distro.

Xandros seems to be largely overlooked by the /. community.

Linux = harder to set up, free, Free.

Check out XandrOS. It is dead easy to install, maintain and configure. I'm serious, it's probably easier to install than Windows because all applications (mail, browser, IM, video, audio, drivers) are installed by default (not much 'choice' in the selection but they're all adiquate). All non-free drivers (nVidia, ATI) work out of the box. It costs a little bit, but that also comes with Support, and CrossOver Office for running various applications (like MSOffice, if they dislike OpenOffice.) For updating, they double-click on 'XandrOS Networks', enter in a password and then it asks if they wish to patch their box. It's KDE hacked to look like but not rip off Windows. I put it on my Fathers computer (a 54-year old man who wants it to "just work") a while back, and he told me he prefers it over Windows now. Score one for FOSS.

Next down is Ubuntu, which has a nifty "Click here to install updates!" button and a default install would do most every average user for installation.

Of course, you could just be cruel and force them to do an installation of Slack/Gentoo/Debian, or hell, even FreeBSD, and make them hate computers for the rest of time so they don't ever have to be stressed by the futile machines ever again!

I spent an hour today at lunch trying to remove spyware from my 13yo cousins computer.

With the reboots, multiple programs (lavasoft and spybot) updated, still couldn't get rid of pop-up windows. This computer hasn't been online yet a week. :(

Don't worry, I have a plan.

BitTorrent search however proves with first tests [that it is] as...Google...fast.

So fast that the browser times out on a search for "mozilla". Hopefully they'll get those kinks worked out soon. :-/

Bandwidth generously provided by Hot or Not

That explains everything. ;-)

Will he get sued?

I still think that anyone trying to sue Bittorrent or a generic search engine would have a hard time of it. Bittorrent has so many legal uses that it just isn't funny. Here's some example of legal torrents:

Privateer Remake
OpenOffice
Star Trek: New Voyages (legal fan made)
FreeBSD
Star Wars: Revelations (legal fan made)
Xandros Free Edition
Mozilla Firefox
Doom 3 Demo
America's Army (now for Linux and OSX)

I could go on, but I think you get the point.

Because unfortunatelly and for the embarrasment of the Linux community. Suse is hardly seen as a distro with good customer support.

However many Linux users are more than willing to spend their free time to help you out migrate.

First thing buy a few cheap Live-CDs to find out which distro picks up the wifi.
Check the wifi itself is OK.

There one of many online shops that sells cheap Linux CDs - like OSDisc.com
They cost about few dollars each.
Make sure you include a few classic Live CDs such as:

* Knoppix
* Kanotix
* Slax
* Mandriva - old name Mandrake (know to be good at hardware detection)

Check out forums:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/

Check out a Linux User group near you:
http://www.linux.org/groups/

If you end up liking Mandriva, their support is better and for a small subscription fee you can join their "Club" to get help.

Commercial distros such as Xandros specially and Linspire are known to have very excellent customer support. But I've never had direct experience this is what I keep hearing.

For Debian systems Libranet is known to have very good customer support also.

If all this is confusing, just make a list of what you need and I will try my best to help you out.

THat's not even close to what Opera's default banner looks like.

Take a look at this.

Even that is about as 'obnoxious' as that gets. The Google ads are more subtle. Also, they do NOT blink, flash, make noise, or do anything else. They're quite literally Google text ads.

The problem that I at least have is that there are too many Debian-based distros to choose from

AFAIK, Ubuntu is the only major one that contributes heavily back into Debian proper and has a community development model. The others are either largely one man shows or commercial distributions with proprietary tools that they keep to themselves.

I'd love it if just one Debian derivative would come out way ahead of the others in terms of popularity, to the level of Fedora, Suse, Mandrake, or Gentoo; then I could feel confident that it will stick around and stay up to date for the long haul.

If you look at the last month on DistroWatch, one seems to be pulling far ahead of the others, even above the distros you mentioned.

I've had the best luck so far with Fedora, but I hate the fact that a full system upgrade is due twice a year.

With Ubuntu, there are two releases a year, but all you have to do is replace the name of the release in your repositories and "apt-get dist-upgrade".

As for Debian itself, well I used to use it (on a Sparc 10), but to have an up-to-date desktop I had to run "unstable", and occasionally things (like DNS - that was fun) would break for awhile.

Ubuntu also has an unofficial sparc port.

MEPIS, Ubuntu, Xandros? All three are based on Debian and a bit easier to use.

knoppix tracker

Fedora tracker

xandros tracker

http://www.legaltorrents.com/
http://www.xandros.com/products/home/desktopoc/dsk _oc_download.html
http://distribution.openoffice.org/p2p/bittorrent/ download.html
http://www.ferrago.com/
http://syd2.ausgamers.com:6969/
http://www.filerush.com/
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/faq/blizzarddo wnloader.html
http://www.slackware.com/torrents/

Who is the one living in the bubble here? Personally, I love being able to download popular files quickly. I guess you'd prefer to pay fileplanet for the privilege, hmm?

When you see more and more companies using BitTorrent to distribute eval versions of their software or other bandwidth hungry files, it will be hard to irradicate. I just downloaded the Xandros' Linux Desktop distribution (the free version) and it was a torrent download. Doesn't look like it's going away any time soon.

Fair warning, I do work for Xandros.

1-> There are always printers that dont work, but our printer configuration wizard is very good and easy to use. See screenshot at osdir.com

2-> Partitioning : Again, see Screenshots at osdir.com

3-> Mice usually work without issue, when they dont its usually caused by the USB hardware not being detected properly, or requiring a different ACPI setting to be enabled.

4-> We dont resize x on the fly, but we do test the settings you've selected & ask you to confirm them before they are written.

5-> Our login manager only allows kde logins, this can be changed by installing gdm, kdm or xdm from the debian mirror.

6-> With Xandros Networks applications are easy to remove, again more screenshots :D

7-> Not sure what you mean regarding the device applet.

8-> Best tool for the job is our motto. you wont find needlessly duplicated applications.

9-> FileManager More Screenshots

get the open ciruclation edition free here : xandros-301-ocd-installation.zip.torrent

Xandros does a lot of what you say. The pay "business edition" supports Domain Controller login. I'm not enough of a Windows Weenie to know if that is that same as AD or not.

There is a free version available via bittorrent here: http://www.xandros.com/torrent/xandros-301-ocd-ins tallation.zip.torrent

The free version does not do all that the business version does, and the business version does not do everything that you wished for, but it is moving in the right direction.

Oi, try using the a tag:
Xandros Business Products

I wonder how many people in this thread have looked at Xandros Linux. If anything is ready for the desktop, it's that.

It's beyond ready for the desktop. It makes the desktop easy, it makes it run well, and it makes it look good.

Linux is ready for the desktop and has been for some time. You just gotta choose the right distribution.

Why not spend the money on a license of Xandros. I've heard it is one of the easiest distributions to use yet.
Xandros Desktop OS Version 3 Deluxe Edition

Locking down the systems is essential in a school environment and maintaining the system from a centralized system (although admin tasks can be done by an authorized user on any station) makes life a whole lot easier.

Locking down the systems is essential in a school environment and maintaining the system from a centralized system (although admin tasks can be done by an authorized user on any station) makes life a whole lot easier.

Is it just me or do you think they are going to be the big Linux desktop of the future? I mean Redhat does have the name that everyone knows as linux. However Novell has slowly been buying all the cool linux desktop stuff. They bought Xandros and Suse and those are two huge players in the Linux Desktop market.

I guess you never used Xandros Desktop OS Version 2.5 Business Edition? It has Windows 2000 Active Directory server and Windows NT PDC authentication out-of-the-box. It is a piece of cake to setup. And no, I do not work for Xandros.

to connect a Linux box to an AD is a total pain in the arse

They reviewed Xandros 2.5 even though 3.0 has been out for over a month.

Difficult to view digital photos? You plug the flash card in the reader and drag and drop in Xandros File Manager, which provides little preview thumbnail images, and double clicking the file produces a larger version. There's a dedicated digital photo manager (or three) if you want a dedicated application.

Difficult to burn DVDs? If they had reviewed 3.0, they'd have seen it's drag and drop from the Xandros File Manager, just like burning a CD.

Internet Explorer? You've got to be kidding me. Just because you can run IE (like all big MS aps and most Windows programs) using the included CrossOver (commercial version of Wine), does not mean you should use IE. Mozilla is the default installed browser. FireFox is available from Xandros Networks if you'd prefer it and will ship as the default on future versions of Xandros.

My own personal recommendation? If you're sick of Windows BS and want a secure OS that's still easy to use, try Xandros. It's great, and it's getting a lot better. It's THE Linux OS for Windows refugees.

You'll love being able to go to Xandros Networks and install a lot of different software with a couple of mouse clicks. None of the hassles, EULAs and rebooting of Windows. And the package manager automatically tracks all library dependancies. When you uninstall an application, it won't ask you if another program is using a DLL. There's no registry to corrupt either, so there's no Registry Rot. Your Xandros system will remain fast and stable.

In a world where hardware and software is created to work with Windows, Microsoft has a huge advantage. They are the de facto standard. Xandros manages to be easier to use on this unfair playing field, which indicates exactly how much these guys have the Right Stuff. Do yourself and the world a favor and buy a copy of Xandros and let's get away from Windows spam spewing zombies and spyware.

A bit over a year ago, he told me he was mad because, heh heh, he now had to save a DOC file from his email, run Word, and open the DOC file manually. I asked why. He said the latest version of Exchange prevented him from executing DOC files from within Outlook because it was too much of a security risk. I suggested that it was probably just a change in the default settings, and given his paranoid email scanning for malware, he could probably re-enable DOC file launches in Outlook. He said he spent almost a day trying and managed to eventually learn that there was no Exchange option that allowed Word execution from double clicking a DOC file in Outlook. This didn't sound right, but he's fairly technical, and he insisted it was an Exchange security issue. If so, it sure sounds like a stupid security decision was made a long time ago when Microsoft decided they wanted code to automatically execute, ostensibly for user convenience, and that ultimately lead to a lot less security and a lot less convenience.

I had to laugh. His company shells out a lot for MS licenses every year, plus a lot more money and aggravation for antivirus and anti-spyware software, and he still can't double click a DOC file to view it and my company can using Linux.

MS wins on usability? I'm not seeing it.

And you only need to read the weekly news releases of major Microsoft security problems, as well as the thriving market for Windows antivirus software, to know that Windows isn't winning on security.

The fact is, the tide has turned, and Windows is now on its way out. It's still early, but I don't see any possible reversal in the process. It's too much to expect them to go quietly, so we have all this whining and FUD. Good riddance. It can't happen fast enough for me. I'm tired of people I know getting me to support their Windows PCs. I'm very close to offering support only for Linux. My last freebie service call was to resolve an issue with Windows registration preventing operation of a legitimate system. I won't miss that. And I won't miss all the spam from the zombied Windows machines (currently about 80% of all US spam).

If you're on the fence, and looking for a good desktop Linux alternative to Windows, check out Xandros 3.0. It's easy to use and very powerful. It does Windows networking so well that Windows machines can't tell the difference. It has remote administration so you can lock down corporate PCs and remotely push updates any time you like. It has lots of nice convenience features like drag and drop CD and DVD burning. It's very stable. Other than the lack of virus issues, most corporate users probably wouldn't know it isn't XP. It's worth evaluating if you're looking for an alternative. I've been using Xandros for over two years and it's very good and just keeps getting better.

WinX it's not, but Linux is pretty much already there.
http://www.xandros.com/images/screenshots/v3/deskt op_original.png

...and uses a VPN that runs on linux

Xandros Linux 3.0 handles VPN very well. Easy to set up, easy to use, and rock solid.

Xandros has many high end features that make it more than competitive with Windows XP. For example, Xandros 3.0 has drag and drop CD and DVD burning. Do any other distros have that in their default installation? And the deluxe versions of Xandros ship with CrossOver, so many legacy Windows programs can be run until suitable native Linux versions are produced.

parent should have said more ... I like Linux, but, I don't USE it, I play with it.

Not even close. I've been running my small business with Xandros Linux for over two years. I was more productive in year one than I ever was with previous versions of Windows. I just installed Xandros 3.0, and it just keeps getting better.

The Linux learning curve and occasional issues are less hassle than maintaining Windows anti-virus software and still getting the occasional brand new virus. This happened to an IT friend at work (several hundred employees). Or maintaining anti-spyware software and still having all the jacking around to the registry result in an unstable system every 6-12 months, requiring a fresh installation of Windows and all applications. If your OS is secure, you don't need a bunch of crappy bandaid solutions layered on top.

The fact is, there are excellent versions of Linux available right now that are beating Windows in stability, security AND usability, which is quite feat considering hardware and software is Windows compatible by definition. Make your life easier and check for Linux compatibiliy before buying new hardware. When I do that, it's usually easier and faster to install new hardware on Linux. No plug-n-pray, no reboot.

Most PC users only want a browser, email, and maybe word processing and spreadsheet. Most are VERY happy with Mozilla and OpenOffice.

The only issue I've had in using Linux in a very PC-intensive engineering business is QuickBooks. It runs well under CrossOver (Windows emulation), but the user interface is a bit ugly. A native Linux version or better CrossOver support for QuickBooks would be nice.

About the only PC users who can't use Linux are serious gamers. I think they should be playing dedicated game consoles instead of Windows games, but they're free to do what they want. However, we'll all be a lot better off when people stop using Windows and we can finally get away from the nonstop Outlook worms and spam spewed from zombied Windows machines. Owned Windows boxes send over 80% of all spam.

Xandros is based on Debian, but it's very easy to use. You should try it. I couldn't believe how much better it felt to use open source applications. Xandros Networks is an online repository of popular open source software, and most RPM and DEB packages can also be installed. No crappy licensing agreements, copy protection, registration hassles, EULAs, or product key codes. Pretty much, click the install button and a minute later you're running the new application. It's much easier than Windows software installation, and removing software is MUCH MUCH easier than Windows. The Xandros package manager tracks all library dependencies. Compare that with Windows, where uninstalling works right about 30% of the time, and usually leaves a lot of crap in the registry. Besides, how should I know if another application might be using a shared DLL? Can't Windows keep track of that?

Bottom line: If you can't install one of the new GUI Linux desktop operating systems, you should give up on reading Slashdot and go back to something better suited to your skilzs.