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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.

20 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 :)

    --
    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. ;-)

    1. Re:Who's got a BitTorrent? by jdray · · Score: 4, Funny
      Start downloading people!

      You can download people now? Dang, this technology thing is getting complex. Why, back in my day, all you could download was programs. And we didn't have no broadband, we used modems. And they were slow. 1200 baud. Betcha don't even know what a "baud" is, do you boy? And this "save to hard disk" business? Modernist luxury! We used floppies, and we were happy about it. They were 140K on a side, and you had to hack them to make 'em two sided. If you had two floppy drives, you were cool. And RAM! Don't get me started...

      --
      The Spoon
      Updated 6/28/2011
    2. Re:Who's got a BitTorrent? by neosake · · Score: 4, Funny

      Wait 'till you see the chicks i'm downloading right now...

      Oh wait.

      --
      "When a ball dreams, it dreams it's a frisbee"
  3. Four-click install with automatic disk partitionin by Tolar · · Score: 4, Funny

    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
  4. 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.

    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.

  5. Famous? by jarich · · Score: 5, Funny
    famous Desktop OS.

    I'm glad they told me it was famous... I didn't have any idea what it is!

  6. 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...

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. Yes you are missign something by Burz · · Score: 5, Informative

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

  10. 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?

  11. Why would they wish the opera? by Milo+of+Kroton · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

  12. Re:Four-click install with automatic disk partitio by Milo+of+Kroton · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

  13. Re:Bleh... by arnold4president · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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.

  14. Some quotes from the Xondros's Page by TonyMeatballs · · Score: 4, Insightful
    "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"

    "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.

  15. Re:Correction by legojenn · · Score: 4, Insightful
    'Xandros' is a singular noun. While there may be many people in the company, the company itself is a singular noun, therefore 'has' is appropriate.

    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.
  16. 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.

  17. xandros rocks! by Keruo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.