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Xandros Releases Open Circulation Edition
jasonp writes "Xandros has just announced the release of an Open Circulation Edition of its famous Desktop OS. The Open Circulation Edition includes the Xandros File Manager, Opera for web browsing and email, and access to Xandros Networks. To accompany this exciting release, DesktopOS.com has published an exclusive interview (mirror) with a number of key Xandros executives." The license is a little off-putting, at least if you want to use the OS at work, but Xandros hopes people will find the OS attractive enough to pay for.
http://www.desktopos.com/printfeature.php?artid=22
http://www.desktopos.net/printfeature.php?artid=2 (mirror)
Looks like its very promising... I think I might like it :)
Hmmm.
As soon as I get my hands on a copy, I'll attempt to review it.
;-)
Actually, it looks like it's available via BitTorrent already. Start downloading people! I want more bandwidth.
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
...in case someone has not heard of Xandros before, it's basically another Linux distro. What makes it so special is that Xandros purchased the rights to Corel Linux and repackaged it as XandrOS Linux. The desktop is designed to be easy for new users, and even has WINE integrated so that Windows programs run without much fuss.
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
... a Compaq Presario with a P4, if I remember correctly. As a novice user, he was pleased. The Xandros interface, a modified flavor of KDE, is remarkably familiar looking from the Windows standpoint. It also uses the Plastik KDE theme as the default window decoration, which is pretty fancy. Though the interface is clean and consistent there are no breakthrough usability innovations that I can remember. I think the only hardware that gave him trouble was a PCMCIA WiFi adapter. Though wifi chipsets have consistently given Linux trouble because of closed-source drivers, it didn't help that this particular card was a Microsoft...
"The license is a little off-putting, at least if you want to use the OS at work..."
I should say so.
Section 1:
B. Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, Xandros hereby grants to You a non-exclusive license to use the Software Product:
for your personal, non-commercial use;
and for internal business purposes only and only if You are a Developer; where a "Developer" means a person who uses the Software Product in connection with the development of a software application or component.
Fedora Core 2 had that issue too, it's kernel based, nought to do with the distribution further than their choice of kernel version.
I personally have been using Xandros 2.0 on my laptop for about 6 month. All that they say is true, the 4 click install, moving the windows partition, Xandros Networks (which allows you to get the apps you want). -- the former is one of the best features - Being debian based it's ease of installation and ease of use, is usually my recomendation to new linux converts
A bunch of Tech Stuff
ftp://ftp2.xandros.com/src/
I've been using Xandros Deluxe for a while (with CrossOver office) and it's great, but a recent change to their "Xandros Networks" system (a front-end to apt, but with "channels") means that you cannot download the latest version of a package until it has aged a bit. As an example, you can use apt-get to install gimp1.2, but gimp2 requires a "Premium Membership", which doesn't come with even the paid for versions - you must purchase this separately for nearly $40.
I loved Xandros until this change. I don't mind paying for a distro, if it's good enough, but I don't appreciate them trying to gouge me with extra charges just to have the latest version of an open source program.
I also am annoyed that their new Open Circulation version limits cd writing speed to the minimum. That is a stupid restriction. What is the point?
Check out the GNU site where it explains it.
Once the software is purchased, then it can be distributed freely (with source included).
CD burning speed in Xandros File Manager is limited to the minimum burning speed of your CD burner. To get the maximum burning speed out of your hardware you can either become a Premium subscriber to Xandros Networks or Upgrade to the Standard, Deluxe or Business editions of the Xandros Desktop OS.
Quality.
(Alerted to by jdub's blog)
Malike Bamiyi wanted my assistance.
They only have to distribute the source to the people to whom they have distributed compiled binaries. Those people are then free to redistribute the binaries, and source in any GPL compatible license. If Xandros has only ever sold precompiled binaries (as opposed to offering free downloads of the ISO images, or free FTP installs, etc) then they only ever have to directly give the source to the people who paid for it.
I tried Xandros out. It can resize an NTFS partition and read from it, but not write to it.
It's not. I had no problems repartitioning using the Deluxe edition of Xandros, and I bet they didn't change anything for this version.
It doesn't hurt to be nice.
The bad: A subscription for software upgrades for paying customers is a BAD idea. I don't think getting CrossOver in paid bundle is all that big of a bonus. IE and media player don't run worth crap on CrossOver. I'd rather they dropped CrossOver and included the software subscription. Although it's great if you need to run any Office products on a Linux box.
The license does suck. Very unfortunate they chose to handicap what would otherwise be a good distro with that EULA.
If they don't drop the software upgrade subscription for paying useres I'm not going buy another copy. I'll find a distro with a more liberal license and broader support.
That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
Xandros is a great little os. I picked up a copy of their "preview release" last year a Linux world. It's nice. It's pretty solid, and it's debian based. Imagine what would happen if Lindows did everything they claim it does, and you would have something that looks and acts a lot like Xandros.
The thing I like about the system is that they do things with their interface that few other Linux disrtos do easily. Take user switching for example. In Xandros, it's pretty simple to do. It's certainly possible in other distros, but it's burried deep within the system most places.
The file manager is nice, but it's not very different than it was when they called it Corel Linux. They did make some serious tweaks to KDE to get their look and feel, but that's not really that unusual anymore either.
The autodetection of hardware is nice too, when it works. Theoretically, it is a true plug and play system. But in my experience with it, it had a couple of weak points. Luckily, their documentation is pretty solid, and addresses specific issues with their os.
If I had to grade it on a scale of 1 to 10, Caldera being 0 (had to get the sco jab in there somewhere), I would give it a 6. As a reference point, I would put mandrake and Fedora Core at a solid 5.
I've used Xandros 2.0 for about 4 months and love it. The install was easy although I didn't do the express/4 clicks as I wanted some control over partitions, etc. The only things that are "broke" out of the box are Real One Player (and their support site tells how to fix this with Realplayer 8) and the fact that it won't play dvds as shipped. You don't have to use opera and installing mozilla is very easy with the Xandros Networks. I highly recommend it for someone who wants a linux distro that works--vs one to be worked on.