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Xandros 1.0
Mr. Smoove writes "Despite the quick-off-the-mark review from Newsforge this morning, the Xandros 1.0 desktop is finally here! No free download so you'll have to shell out US$99 for it but you do get an enhanced (?) version of KDE 2.2 and built-in Cross-Over Plugin and Office! Finally a decent challenger to Lycoris and also what Lindows should have been..." There's also an interview with a Xandros executive.
Its not that unproven.
Seriously, Xandros is just the new version of Corel's Linux. Corel also has part ownership in Xandros.
Its definately not the OS you stick on your webserver... its not meant to be. Its a desktop distro that is supposedly very good at what it does. I sure wouldn't pay that kind of money for it, but for those who are interested in Linux but don't know where to begin, it might be a good thing.
I know a few people who really honestly loved Corel's distro and can't seem to get their minds around any of the others, so for them its probably a no-brainer.
Try this:
Let me tell you: Internet Explorer 5.5 runs beautifully in Xandros. I've used Crossover to install Explorer on Mandrake and SuSE, with only partial success. But everything about Explorer is right this time: the fonts, the javascript, the layouts, the speed -- everything.
Unless you think the reviewer is lying, this may indicate that this particular distribution did it right with the MS compatibility. This is a big deal, if you like to use the MS stuff.
The reason Linux has the market on servers and covers less than 1% of the dektop market is because consumers are computer illiterate. (Which is not their fault)
The only way for Linux to have a shot at becoming a major OS and compete with Microsoft is if it can become dummy-proof and easy to use for the average PC owner.
Xandros may not be that solution, but it's a step in the right directin to bridge the gap between linux and user-friendly needs.
yes, I do. and the rollout from windows NT 4.0 to redhat 7.3 worked great... yes we had the whiners and moaners for the first 2-3 days... but you NEED management to back you on big things like this... to allow you to tell users to "shut the hell up and think for once in your life!" and to allow you to ignore them when they piss and moan about not being able to install gator or elf bowling.. (Gawd i LOVE linux on the corperate desktop!) in 3 days they start shutting up... in 12 days they start asking if Open Office is available for them to use at home and they jump up and down and almost piss themselves with joy when you hand them a copy.
Supporting users is easy in the switch from win** to linux, IF your management has the balls to do it and your IT depratment is willing to stand behind their decisions.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.