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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
Four-click install with automatic disk partitioning
;))
lets just hope this isn't like with some 'earlier' SuSE Linux where it overwrites the whole harddisk (yeah windows is gone
Linux is like a Wigwam. No Windows no Gates but Apache inside
...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
I'm glad they told me it was famous... I didn't have any idea what it is!
Agile Artisans
... 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.
"We want the Open Circulation version of the Xandros desktop to replicate like a virus," said Dr. Frederick H. Berenstein, Xandros Chairman and CTO.
I really wish that analogy would just die. It connotes too many negative ideas.
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
Could someone explain to me how it is that Xandros has managed to not distribute their OS for free for so long? Don't they have to adhear to the GPL? Am I missing something?
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?
This looks to me like Windows '95, which is really Apple '86. Sorry, I don't mean to flame, but honestly - why would anyone want to pay for that when you can make your desktop look so much better with free, GPL'd products?
With a new release of mozilla out, why do they quietly choose a non free of browser software? I do emergency think this is emergency a sensible choice.
Read journal when you are not understand
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.
SuSE was not for me a problem. SuSE gave no trouble and had good better documentation to users who German speak ;). The mother tongue of SuSE is German, and yours just inferior implement.
Read journal when you are not understand
It seems that what they're pushing in this is that there's full NTFS support and so it's easy to do a dual-boot with XP without having to reformat all the windows stuff to FAT32. Other distributions (e.g. Red Hat's) refuse to include NTFS stuff because it's still unstable (especially writing), so have Xandros made some advances in this area or do they just discount the danger?
Did you ever stop to consider the ramifications for companies that don't try "to cash in" on a SUCCESSFUL (meaning monetary) strategy. They become a blip on the software industry radar, and then they die. Some Slashdotters may not like Microsoft Windows, but I don't think you can argue about the success of their product, so it would only make common sense for other companies looking to grab a chunk of the market to adapt to existing markets, which would mean reaching a certain level of "Windows-ness." I mean, if they announced their compatability with RedHat or Suse networks, would you be more impressed? RedHat and Suse aren't really breaking any new ground technologically, so what's the pull with those operating systems over Xandros? After using RedHat for several years, I have grown tired with some of their short comings. Xandros addresses these issues and more, so I made the switch and I haven't looked back.
I find this kind of unabashed shameless shilling totally disgusting. Slashdot should know better than to accept such submissions.
"The Open Circulation Edition installs an ad-sponsored version of the Opera web browser and e-mail client."
The Open Circulation Edition does not include CodeWeavers CrossOver Office or Plugin so you are not able to run any Windows compatible applications on Xandros Desktop. Upgrade to the Deluxe or Business editions if you need this functionality.
Somehow, I don't think popup ads, crappy CD, and the lack of compatibility with windows promised (unless you upgrade) in the first place burning are going to convince people to jump over to Linux. The idea of an extremely easy to use distro that is Windows compatible is a great idea, but this doesn't seem like the best way to gain support.
Where does it say in the GPL that I'm restricted in regards to where I can use GPL'ed code? Non-commercial use only?
I think that what you stated is the accepted rule in the US and Canada, but in the UK, an organisation is referred to as a plural noun.
I make a reasonable middle-class wage by going to work and not spamming blogs with scams.
No, unfortunately there are still no error codes. Like other Linuxes, when programs crash they disappear with any explanation or notice whatsoever.
And somehow I get the sense you'd prefer a dialog full of gibberish and codewords when you try to print something? UI accessibility and consistency are more important than candy.
they use a chipset that is well supported in linux. From what I've heard, the MS wifi card is actually easier to make work in some Linux distros than in most versions of Windows thanks to the lovely "stable" windows drivers and the all too familiar dll hell.
- Disclaimer: Information in this post deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
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
Your momma's so fat it took me 3 days to download her using internet2.
My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.
Yeah, I think there is way too much importance placed on desktop appearance over functionality here. I keep hearing anti-Windows people refer to Windows as "ugly". That strikes me along the same lines as comments about race/color and are irrelevent to ability to do the job. Please don't go off on the wrong tangent here about usability. That's a different topic than "ugliness", like colors and smooth edges, etc.
I have looked at Xandros because I don't have much experience with Linux yet, and it has some features in its proprietary file manager that other distos lack. I want Windows/SMB shares to be found automatically. I want them browsable and integrated with the file manager. I want the kind of right-click functionality that Windows has had forever, like mapping network drives and sharing folders. I am just not willing to pay for it before I get a chance to try it. This seems like a good chance to do that, which is why I'm interested.
We may experience some slight turbulence and then...explode. -Capt. Mal Reynolds
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.
You mean like you stopped thinking? You think somehow that the menus should be in the upper left? Makes no intuitive sense to me. Why is it on the mac that no matter where an app is on the screen its menus are at the top of the screen. Talk about stupid, yet mac users still blindly believe that that's easier.
Incidently, not all written languages are read top-left to bottom-right. I prefer my menu bar on the left edge of the screen where it takes up less real estate.
I'm debian user myself, and I tried pirated version of xandros on one system just to kill boredom once and I was surprised just how easy it was to install.
I had raw system, unpartitioned hd, sound card, tuner card, 2 network cards, realtek and some nvidia, cd-burner, matrox g450.
I threw the install cd in and booted, 5, that's FIVE mouse clicks, reboot and I had fully installed operating system including just about everything I needed for daily use.
Only thing missing was pre-tuned tv-channels, but that wasn't big problem.
I tested the system for about a week, and recommended it for couple of friends who bought it and liked it.
Myself being poor student, decided to format and go back to my vanilla debian use.
Seriously, if you need desktop linux for office, I recommend xandros.
It's good value for the money, and if you want the latest progs for home use, just throw in more apt sources and upgrade using unstable debian packages.
There are no atheists when recovering from tape backup.