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Xandros Releases Open Circulation Edition

Posted by timothy on from the free-as-in-beer-nuts dept.

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.

15 of 193 comments (clear)

  1. Faster Loads by Mz6 · · Score: 5, Informative
    For MUCH faster loading use the print article feature. It even includes the pictures!

    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 :)

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    Hmmm.
  2. Who's got a BitTorrent? by AKAImBatman · · Score: 4, Informative

    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. ;-)

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    Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
  3. BTW... by AKAImBatman · · Score: 5, Informative

    ...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.

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    Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
    1. Re:BTW... by benmhall · · Score: 4, Informative

      Actually, they got the whole Corel Linux team. Corel more or less spun them off.

      Also, the free version doesn't have the integrated WINE (which was just a bundled CodeWeaver's CX Office/plugin.) The free version seems to just be the standard version with the CD burning crippled.

      Another key feature of Xandros is the integrated file manager that has the hands down best samba integration that I've seen in a file manager. Sharing a directory is as easy as right-clicking and selecting Share.

      Finally, their Xandros Networks app is a brilliantly executed front-end to apt. Everyone always says that Xandros is best suited to new users. Sure, new users will like it, but I think this pigeonhole's Xandros more than it ought to be.

  4. my friend used this on a laptop... by wooby · · Score: 5, Informative

    ... 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...

  5. License by Grant_Watson · · Score: 4, Informative

    "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.

  6. Don't you mean 'earlier' 2.6 kernel? by Moth7 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Fedora Core 2 had that issue too, it's kernel based, nought to do with the distribution further than their choice of kernel version.

  7. User of Xandros.. by StacyWebb · · Score: 5, Informative

    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

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    A bunch of Tech Stuff
  8. Yes you are missign something by Burz · · Score: 5, Informative

    ftp://ftp2.xandros.com/src/

    1. Re:Yes you are missign something by Burz · · Score: 3, Informative

      Impossible. This address only includes the free components.

      You would be missing:

      * Commercial hardware drivers (video card, etc.)

      * Xandros File Manager (Konqueror still reeks for network file sharing).

      * Acrobat, RealPlayer, Flash

      * Crossover Office

      * Enhanced SMB support including intelligent caching of passwords

      * Control panel modules for setting screen res, etc.

      * Xandros' GUI for CUPS (printing)

      * Xandros Networks software managerment (a friendly layer over APT).

      In short, you'll have Debian (which itself is a very nice system ...for power users who don't need printing or integrated access to networked file shares).

  9. Great distro, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    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?

    1. Re:Great distro, but... by deadmongrel · · Score: 3, Informative

      the one thing that's good about XandrOS is that its debian based. So Basically you can use testing repositories to install most of the open source "premium subscription" software. I am actually running gdm and gnome on a XandrOS desktop. Just google around before you install something other than from xandros network.

  10. CD burning by labratuk · · Score: 3, Informative

    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)

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    Malike Bamiyi wanted my assistance.
  11. Re:XP dual-install seems like selling point by greenskyx · · Score: 3, Informative

    I tried Xandros out. It can resize an NTFS partition and read from it, but not write to it.

  12. Great operating system by sammy_cda · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.