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Xandros Desktop OS 3 Deluxe Edition Reviewed
JimLynch writes "The new Xandros is out and we've got a review up on ExtremeTech. With the exception of some burps with our wireless card, we had a great time with this distro. Highly recommended if you're in the market for a replacement for Windows."
Previous versions of Xandros (2.0 specifically) are extremely stable and solid for me. The forums were always helpful to a complete n00b, and I'm proud to say I've been Windows-free since I've installed Xandros 2.0.
in girum imus nocte et consumimur igni
1. Xandros Desktop OS Version 2.5 - Business Edition $ 118.00
2. Xandros Desktop OS version 2.5 Deluxe $ 87.00
3. Xandros Open Circulation Editon CD $ 4.99
4. Xandros Desktop version 2 - Standard Edition $ 36.00
5. Xandros Desktop OS Version 3 Deluxe - NNTP CD $ FREE
RTFA. The article mentions that the laptop they tested on previously had Ubuntu. The author is switiching back to Ubuntu because he couldn't get his wireless card to work properly under Xandros, but says that he'll switch back to Xandros as soon as it does. He cites the VPN client included with Xandros as the feature that seperates it from other distros (specifically Ubuntu).
Next problem?
We don't see the world as it is, we see it as we are.
-- Anais Nin
Oh, I see where you're reading that it's $199.98 (here)...but that is with the hardware as well...
Xandros, the leading developer of easy-to-use Linux solutions, today announced that Wal-Mart.com is carrying a fully loaded Linux desktop computer with the pre-installed Xandros Desktop Operating System (OS) for only $199.98. Built by Microtel and available at Wal-Mart's online store,* the new desktop PC offers a complete suite of pre-installed software for home, school, and small office desktop use. Blah, blah blah (blahs added)
The Xandros folks told me in email that they chopped GIMP off the main CD because of size constraints. It's still there but just on the applications CD. So no biggie but I just always think of GIMP as being a natural part of my Linux desktop.
Jim Lynch
Tech Analyst and Community Manager
Read the freaking article, ~200 bucks is for a complete machine loaded with Xandros Linux Wal-Mart.com is carrying a fully loaded Linux desktop computer with the pre-installed Xandros Desktop Operating System (OS) for only $199.98
Again, RTFA, man.
I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I can think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.
What many people who make similar comments to this don't realise that many computer users are hackers and use computers for their hobby and/or their job.
So the secretary that types up letters for her boss is equivalent to a hacker?
Would you also say that all of those folks that made AOL all that money fall into the category of "hackers"? Or would you say they're more likely just a bunch of ordinary folks that couldn't care less what was going on inside the computer, and just wanted to use it, like they use their most everything else in their lives - to just get something done with it, without having to become a guru?
The Windows-like ease-of-use of Xandros makes it a good choice for the non-geek crowd to get away from Windows, thus giving them a solid, stable, secure OS while keeping things simple enough for them to be able to actually get things done with the computer - word processing, web surfing, and all the rest.
--- Asking inconvenient questions for over 30 years...
>> How the hell can you simply program a few interfaces for things like VPN take 10's of thousands of hours of someone elses work and charge the same as the Evil Empire?
Easy: You want to earn your living selling Linux.
>> Ubuntu is comparable...
Nope. Ubuntu is Gnome-centric. Xandros is KDE-centric. The Xandros install is simpler than the Ubuntu install. The retail version of Xandros includes a professional manual that explains how to use all of the major applications it includes. Ubuntu has no manual. Xandros looks more polished and professional out of the box.
-- Slashdot: When Public Access TV Says "No"
The fact of the matter is Xandros is NOT a fully open source OS
You may have a valid point with XFM (Xandros File Manager) which was basically an in-house re-write of KDE's file manager. This may or may not be open source. That's really the only thing that they have "aquired" or built that is question.
The big proprietary part that you get with Xandros is Crossover Office. Note that they don't own this and haven't "aquired" it. They just license it to provide it in their distro. You could also license it directly from Codeweavers and run it on Red Hat, but Xandros (rightfully, based on their success) figures that they'll get more happy customers just including it than requiring that people buy, download, and install it separately. By putting it in by default they can advertise the "Ability To Run Windows Programs" that some people might want. If you don't, don't but the Deluxe Edition. If you remove Crossover Office, a-la the "Open Circulation Edition" you are left with an open source (or at least freely distributable in the case of XFM) distro.
"When ideology and theology couple, their offspring are not always bad but they are always blind." -- Bill Moyers