Xandros Releases Version 3

An anonymous reader writes "Looks like Xandros has decided its consumer product line can ride a little closer to the bleeding edge. They've just announced the release of version 3 of their consumer desktop products. It's a 2.6.9 kernel, x.org 6.7, KDE 3.3, CrossOver 4.1 (deluxe only) and synced up with the latest Debian Sarge. They've added in a firewall wizard, encrypted home folders and a PPTP VPN and other new stuff. Only the Deluxe and Standard versions are available. Business edition is due next year and I couldn't find a date for release of their Open Circulation edition. With Xandros's reputation for making desktop Linux easy, this should move a few more people one step closer to a Win-free world."

Comments

interesting

[rylin]

Hmm, this actually seems like an interesting package.
While I definitely applaud the fact that home-directories are encrypted (anyone know what software is used for this?), I'd also like to hope the manual explains *why* this is a good thing.
Can't wait for a review :)

Re:interesting

[rylin]

I'm not sure "better" is the word you're looking for.
Though it seems it's geared more towards people/companies wanting to migrate from a Windows environment.
(see this page)

Deluxe version is $89.95, standard is $49.95.

Re:interesting

[Anonymous Coward]

This page gives a bit of a clue to the "what good is it" question.

"Keeping your system safe from intrusion from the internet is the job of the firewall but if there is risk of people physically accessing your system, then the encrypted home directory will appeal to you. You can easily encrypt your home directory so that none of its data can be read without entering the appropriate password."

Re:interesting

[Anonymous Coward]

$89 For the deluxe edition which includes CodeWeavers CrossOver which allows you to run some Windows applications such as Microsoft Office. There is also a standard edition for $49 which doesn't include codeweavers.

Xandros came out of the Corel Linux project and their main focus is on making it easy for Windows users to migrate so they spend a lot of time on ease of use. It's the easiest Linux to install and the whole interface is really well refined.

Win-free?

[Anonymous Coward]

That's "Windows-free world" thankyouverymuch. Linux isn't just for losers!

unwise to have OCE out of sync?

[Khyron]

Am I the only one who finds it extremely unwise that they've made a major release without synchronizing their freely distributable version?

If anything, wouldn't one want to update the distributable version first, then the commercial version - so that people can check out the improvements and thus be incented to buy?

Re:unwise to have OCE out of sync?

[clickster]

No. They want you to be an early-adopter and buy the paid version to quench your curiosity. Also, the free version doesn't have any of the features of either paid version. It's a cut down version (though a good one). On a side note, I've been using Xandros off and on for quite a while and I must say it is one of the best "migration" distro for weening Windows users onto Linux. With earlier versions, you could simply plug in your favorite Debian repository and you'd have access to any programs they weren't offering. They wouldn't guarantee they would work, but I don't recall ever having problems. This is the kind of thing you put your parents/grandparents on. They will be pretty familiar with it since it's so similar to Windows and you won't have to go over every Saturday to remove spyware and viruses. On another side note, there is a project called XPde (XP Destkop Environment) that is working on copying the EXACT look and feel of Windows. I believe Barnix Linux is the first distro to actually use XPde. It's worth looking into. Here are some screenshots of it.

Re:unwise to have OCE out of sync?

[chrwei]

the free version doesn't have any of the features of either paid version

the only differences between OCE and standard for V2 are that OCE has an ad supported Opera browser as the default, Mozilla could still be install and set default from Xandros Networks, and the integrated cd burning in their file manager was speed limited to 1x or 2x (I don't recall) but cdrdao and cdrecord, which most other burning programs use, are not limited at all. So, yes it's cut down, but -2 features is a lot different that -all features.

Xandros was a migration distro for me too, but from Mandrake to Debain. Started with V1 and beta tested V2, before the new Sarge installer was "done". Having a working Debain based system helped me learn the "debian way" and thus rid myself of the once-a-year-clean-reinstall that Mandrake requires when you install more than just what comes on the CD and want to upgrade, and the every changing urpmi sources nightmare. ftp.us.debian.org rocks any urpmi mirror that ever existed.

I'm just about to install Xandros 2.0

[Anonymous Coward]

Deluxe Edition. I bought it ages ago but haven't used it for a long time, I'm now going to install it on a box for my parents. My main problem was that you were extremely restricted, you couldn't upgrade KDE by yourself, for example, without breaking something, you couldn't upgrade the kernal, without breaking something. They were simply too restrictive, dictating everything, if you want a desktop that you'll never upgrade, then it's great, if you want to wait a year for upgrades AND pay for them after having already PAID for Xandros itself, then go ahead, otherwise, Ubuntu is your friend.

Just in Time for Christmas!

[Principal Skinner]

For a week or two, I'd been wondering what Linux distro to put on that spare partition on my folks' computer when I go home for the holidays.

Question is, will I order the CD's in time? And, once I'm gone, will my parents *ever* boot up into that Free OS (never mind, already know the answer to that one).

One of the Best Distros for Home Users IMHO

[webzombie]

I've tried many of the recent distros and Xandros is by far the best Linux distro for home users.

This product has worked virtually flawlessly since I installed it a few months ago.

Yes, upgrading things like KDE and other core elements can be a problem but I doubt many regular home users will really care about really bleeding edge updates like that.

I do agree that the applications available to the user through the Xandros Networks downloading app are limited but most of the apps required by the home user are available.

I still think that ALL Linux distros MUST resolve the issues surrounding application installs and the libraries, etc, etc, before home users will truly see Linux as an alternative.

I for one would like to see a system that ensures whatever I install won't muck up my OS and that if need be can be easily and permanently removed without disasterous consequences... Windows can already do that for me so it won't be much of an improvement. (:-

WbZmb

Re:One of the Best Distros for Home Users IMHO

[Moby Cock]

I installed the Open Circulation version in an attept to resurect an old P2 300MHz laptop and it was interesting. The install went well, there was a small problem with the PCMCIA NIC card (what else is new) but I found it to be impossibly slow. Xandros really needs some serious memory and processor horsepower to run well. This, I think is a knock, since many Linux converters are trying it out on old computers that they can afford to have screwed up. There new computer runs XP and needs to be up all the time.

Xandros is great for new users, if they have hardware to run it.

no main page ?

[matt-larose]

lol. i wonder why this didnt get on the main slashdot page... :(

vs. Ubuntu?

[Doc Ruby]

I'd love to see a review of Xandros vs. Ubuntu: both are tracking Debian Sarge, but releasing more often. Which distro ties off the Sarge loose ends better? Which plays better with other SW, like using binary .debs from the same repositories as everyone else using a Debian sources.list? Which is harder to get normal people to pronounce correctly?