If you look through the investment document the primary compelling things that benefitted MSFT from the deal were:
1: Corel waiving any claims to sue MSFT from previous business practices (a cheap buyout given legal costs and potential settlements)
2: Corel forced to focus on "creativity applications" (MSFT never cared about.not for BSD, come on!. that clause was all about abandoning their Linux effort (now championed by Xandros))
MSFT never invested because they thought Corel was going to be successful, or they liked the product line, or because they needed help porting.not. It was 85% due to legal feers (and propping up a competitor during anti-trust negotiations) and 15% clubbing Corel's very successful Linux initiative over the head.
They actually registered the stock for sale quite a while ago (probably as a threat in some negotiations we know nothing about).
My guess is that MSFT had threatened Corel long enough, Corel finally quit being the marionette, and MSFT tried to recoup what cash they could.
Just try Xandros please. For $99 it runs MSFT apps (or $39 without that). In either case, you'll find it a breeze to install and use. A refreshing easy to use breeze at that.
Your points are well taken. I think that if you look at SuSe, it has a very broad area of contribution to Linux in general. Xandros has a smaller much more focused development staff that has focused on incremental improvements and QA on existing packages (taking them the last 5%). The result is (according to the techical reviewers) the best best implementation of Linux on the desktop bar none.
If you haven't tried Xandros, I highly recommend giving it a whirl. You can get a version for $99 or just $39 (without CrossOver). I trust you'll find it a very enjoyable experience.
You obviously work at a company where everyone is still driving black Model T Ford's because it is the standard.
Seriously though, most corporations (greater than a couple hundred people) have many many different computer configurations of hardware with very different ages. Xandros hardware detection is attractive to them, but only represents a small part of the (significant) advantage over Red Hat. I mentioned it as it was more on topic for this thread.
Red Hat Linux is anything but focused on the corporate desktop. If it was they would have made it easy to use and fixed things like the screen resolution controls. We had a Red Hat driven laptop that we had to reinstall Xandros on because we could change the screen setting to drive a overhead projector.
If you want to go off-topic on the thread and talk about Red Hat as a desktop alternative, there are many many more reasons why it fails: lack of compatibility with MS applications (vs Xandros running MS Office, photoshop, etc), lack of compatibility with Windows networks (yes Samba is great for pHd's but the rest of us need Xandros), lack of easy to use control panel features, lack of a good method to update packages (don't even try to argue RPM is a good system vs Xandros apt based technology). All these are nightmares for implementation and daily use and only help to fuel Microsoft's claims that the cost of Linux use are so high.
Furthermore, the Xandros - Red Hat and the gap is widening. Seriously, unless you just want to damage the Linux desktop movement, I stronlgy suggest that you try Xandros. You can get a copy for just $99 (or $49 without CrossOver) It's a great value and you might really like it...
why is it always the KDE guys who do most of the bitching?
If you look at the history of the movements, it is actually the Gnome people that got into the game late to create a direct opposition to KDE. Gnome was created to be an opposition to KDE. KDE was created to provide a desktop with great usability, solid features, etc. Why are there so many articles about why GNOME sucks?
If you actually go through and read the articles, you'll see why. Gnome got into the game late, is unstable, is pretty at the expense of being usable by mainstream users, etc. etc. etc. Read the articles, Gnome doesn't suck, but KDE is clearly superior.
The KDE project, having been spared this attention, still has an individual character, and still takes things very personally.
You obviously seem to be operating off a biased perception about this.
A) KDE is clearly the leader on the desktop with 75% of the worldwide market (to Gnomes 20%)
B) KDE has significantly more corporate, government traction and with the exception of (obviously biased Ximian) is the desktop of choice by the desktop focused distributions: Xandros, Lycoris, etc.
C) It has always been the Gnome gang that has gone on mercenary flaming raids in futile attempts to smear the KDE development.
I honestly don't think most of the people in the KDE camp care that much about inaccuracies like the one in your article, but for those not familiar with history, you should get your facts straight.
It's natural (and often efficient) to build off of components. It just seems that Gnome does this to an excessive degree that creates a dense web of interdependencies.
This potentially more rapid coding approach acheives speed with a loss of stability.
Gnomes component based bonobo (monkey) technolgy is all great. You have the core components and you can use them for so many different things. Everything plugs into everything else
The problem is that when one little monkey has an infectious problem, BANG! Everything plugged into it blows up.
7. The biggest problem I personally see today with all the X11 DEs when compared to OSX, BeOS, OS/2 and Windows, is the pretty much non-existant integration to the underlying system.
An amazing solution to this problem can be found in the Xandros distribution. The engineers took stock KDE, put it through a QA cycle with fixes and enhancements, then spent a lot of time going through and integrating it to the underlying OS. The result is that, in combination with Xandros' broad hardware detection, you can insert a flash memory stick into the USB and, bam!, it appears in the file manager.
It's truly pretty incredible and you really cannot see it implemented anywere but in Xandros (ok and XP, MacOSX, etc). Furthermore, the configuration tools all neatly handle the different users setting, super user vs regular user permissions, etc.
This is a fundamental shortcoming of KDE and Gnome, but not necessarily one that should go away. This tight integration requires an extensive amount of work. Furthermore, much of the work would have to be redone for each distribution. As a result, the Gnome programmers don't have the time to make this integration for each distribution and they shouldn't.
This is one reason why Red Hat's desktop will never be a good option in corporations. Red Hat is a server company that nominally offers a desktop solution, but they do not even begin to understand these issues.
I hate to say it, but these recommendations are pretty weak.
Unless the user wants to spend half their waking days learning (or dealing with) the intricacies and bugs of bad desktop systems, definitely go Xandros.
For starters, Xandros is Debian based which does give the advantages that you mention in regards to stability and ease of upgrade. However, much more significantly Xandros takes care of all the manual work that you would need to put in (unless you want to go under the hood which it will let you do). Reasons to go Xandros:
1) Install. Hands down the best. Again read the reviews, but it has phenomenal hardware detection, handles all the partioning (including NTFS), allows for customization if you want it, and has a huge success rate.
2) Refinement. The engineers at Xandros touched pretty much every package on the system, fixing bugs in the open source versions of KDE and all the apps they package so that everything pretty much works like it should. They also did tight integration between the kernel, debian, and the desktop so that when you do something like stick in a usb flash memory, it pops right up in the file manager.
3) Compatibility. If you want to browse or run on windows networks, Xandros auto-configures samba for you (in case you haven't gotten that Phd yet). The delux version ($99) also comes with Code Weavers CrossOver so that you can run MS Office (still the best unfortunately), Lotus, and soon Photoshop.
4) Leadership. Not only is xandros the best desktop now, but they are working on very cool stuff and will likely extend their lead. I would strong recommend going with the technology leader here rather than dealing with enduring pain and lack of functionality.
Check out the reviews (posted at www.xandros.com) or do a search on any review done on it. It is the hands down winner. Make life easy for yourself...
Back in 1992 I could play Civilization on a friends computer in his room so long that I would still be there when he woke up in the morning. Do not even need to mention those who would watch the game for hours in a trance.
Years later, I could play a slightly updated version all weekend long, blowing off friends, dates, and food. This would typically only end by an uninstall followed by smashing the CD . Freedom
Now, I somehow manage to stay away from the (roughly identical) decendants of Civilization, but who knows how many poor soles are still slaving away laboriously...
Xandros has everythting that you are looking for and more. Go to their home page to check out many of the reviews, but it is wisely regarded as, not only the best Linux desktop, but also as viable alternative to Windows.
What's more, you can try it out for only 39 bucks. I actually recommend going for the full version. Though a bit more money, it has more features such as NTFS partitioning and the ability to run Microsoft Office.
If you really "buy it in a heartbeat", don't wait, it's here...
XANDROS XANDROS XANDROS
on
Corporate KDE
·
· Score: 1
Hello? All this talk about KDE KDE KDE, and people seem to be missing the most obvious, commercially supported version of KDE that is already sitting on top of the most robust distro: Debian.
Not only does Xandros perform need quality control for all the kde apps (so that they work really really well in addition to looking cool), but it also provides corporate support and is amassing a set of corporate and OEM customers. The only thing Xandros lacks is an annoying loudmouth flamer like Robertson to lose credibility for the Linux desktop during its rise.
Any discussion of Corporate KDE without Xandros is missing something...
Looking at what everyone is saying here. The solution is screaming XANDROS. It comes with a sleek set of options, but the ones most people need. And, *surprise surprise* THEY WORK. This is unfortunately a novel concept in desktop Linux, but true nontheless.
Furthermore, Xandros offers easy to install (one click) additional packages through their Xandros Networks. Finally, Xandros offers the spit and polish that makes the Linux desktop a solution that is easy to transition to for 'normal' (ick Windoze) users.
And pacemakers are *hugely* popular in Iraq. With healthcare spending exceeding $10k USD per citizen per year, Iraqis enjoy the most technologically advanced treatments in the world.
One major advantage wouldn't be so much to deflect a projectile, but rather disrupt anything electronically driven. Intelligent, long range missiles would likely drop. Furthermore, bombs that require electronics to be detonated would become worthless. Read: nuclear bombs.
Go ahead and let the missile go through the building, just don't let it melt the city.
We have been working on institutions in India and they are heavily leaning towards adopting Linux. Microsoft sales teams have been bending over backwards to prevent them from taking the plunge. The recent donations of funds as well as the offer to share the code all amount to last ditch attempts to keep Linux out.
These are all for good reason. Not only will one massive lost market initate several others, but India also represents a leading software high-tech zone that Microsoft does not want to lose. Think of the number of Linux programmers that would be learning to work on a real platform in five year if the government does not 'sell out' to this US monopoly.
I can't disclose really any more than this, but expect more concessions from the Redmond Giant before all is said and done. Hopefully India's Linux initiatives have not been just to facilitate dealing with M$.
Microsoft's dike is springing many holes. Thiy might fill this one, but products like the one below will be taking serious bites out of MSFT in the coming months...
If the company in question is running Xandros Desktop that comes with CrossOver, would there be an advantages to opting for CrossOver Server as well? BTW, not to be redundant to an above comment, but CrossOver on Xandros rocks.
The best installer in all of Linux is in fact from the Debian based Xandros. It has the best hardware detection and has multiple paths for both advanced and novice users.
Unfortunately, it is currently not GPL so cannot be part of the standard Debian at the moment. Anyone who wants to try a great Debian installer should try it out.
Evolution has been successful because it is the only standalone mail client (I prefer Mozilla Mail myself though it doesn't have the organizaional tools)
If Evolution were available on Windows, I don't think many people would use it.
They've made a number of wierd design decisions and the folks at Ximian don't seem to have been able to get the quality to a level were it would be usable for corporate environment. At this point it shouldn't be crashing and difficult to use, but it is.
Look out for the commercial version of Debian coming out by the Xandros guys, creators of Corel Linux. It not only combines the best of Debian and some other distros, but also delivers a package that is usable by 'normal' people (not like me on Slashdot Saturday, 11PM). Great technology combined with real usability and support.
Slashdot Mirror
$800 and it doesn't have apt-get. Broken RPMs? I'm sticking with Debian.
1: Corel waiving any claims to sue MSFT from previous business practices (a cheap buyout given legal costs and potential settlements)
2: Corel forced to focus on "creativity applications" (MSFT never cared about .not for BSD, come on!. that clause was all about abandoning their Linux effort (now championed by Xandros))
MSFT never invested because they thought Corel was going to be successful, or they liked the product line, or because they needed help porting .not. It was 85% due to legal feers (and propping up a competitor during anti-trust negotiations) and 15% clubbing Corel's very successful Linux initiative over the head.
They actually registered the stock for sale quite a while ago (probably as a threat in some negotiations we know nothing about).
My guess is that MSFT had threatened Corel long enough, Corel finally quit being the marionette, and MSFT tried to recoup what cash they could.
Just try Xandros please. For $99 it runs MSFT apps (or $39 without that). In either case, you'll find it a breeze to install and use. A refreshing easy to use breeze at that.
If you haven't tried Xandros, I highly recommend giving it a whirl. You can get a version for $99 or just $39 (without CrossOver). I trust you'll find it a very enjoyable experience.
Seriously though, most corporations (greater than a couple hundred people) have many many different computer configurations of hardware with very different ages. Xandros hardware detection is attractive to them, but only represents a small part of the (significant) advantage over Red Hat. I mentioned it as it was more on topic for this thread.
Red Hat Linux is anything but focused on the corporate desktop. If it was they would have made it easy to use and fixed things like the screen resolution controls. We had a Red Hat driven laptop that we had to reinstall Xandros on because we could change the screen setting to drive a overhead projector.
If you want to go off-topic on the thread and talk about Red Hat as a desktop alternative, there are many many more reasons why it fails: lack of compatibility with MS applications (vs Xandros running MS Office, photoshop, etc), lack of compatibility with Windows networks (yes Samba is great for pHd's but the rest of us need Xandros), lack of easy to use control panel features, lack of a good method to update packages (don't even try to argue RPM is a good system vs Xandros apt based technology). All these are nightmares for implementation and daily use and only help to fuel Microsoft's claims that the cost of Linux use are so high.
Furthermore, the Xandros - Red Hat and the gap is widening. Seriously, unless you just want to damage the Linux desktop movement, I stronlgy suggest that you try Xandros. You can get a copy for just $99 (or $49 without CrossOver) It's a great value and you might really like it...
If you look at the history of the movements, it is actually the Gnome people that got into the game late to create a direct opposition to KDE. Gnome was created to be an opposition to KDE. KDE was created to provide a desktop with great usability, solid features, etc.
Why are there so many articles about why GNOME sucks?
If you actually go through and read the articles, you'll see why. Gnome got into the game late, is unstable, is pretty at the expense of being usable by mainstream users, etc. etc. etc. Read the articles, Gnome doesn't suck, but KDE is clearly superior.
The KDE project, having been spared this attention, still has an individual character, and still takes things very personally.
You obviously seem to be operating off a biased perception about this.
A) KDE is clearly the leader on the desktop with 75% of the worldwide market (to Gnomes 20%)
B) KDE has significantly more corporate, government traction and with the exception of (obviously biased Ximian) is the desktop of choice by the desktop focused distributions: Xandros, Lycoris, etc.
C) It has always been the Gnome gang that has gone on mercenary flaming raids in futile attempts to smear the KDE development.
I honestly don't think most of the people in the KDE camp care that much about inaccuracies like the one in your article, but for those not familiar with history, you should get your facts straight.
This potentially more rapid coding approach acheives speed with a loss of stability.
The problem is that when one little monkey has an infectious problem, BANG! Everything plugged into it blows up.
An amazing solution to this problem can be found in the Xandros distribution. The engineers took stock KDE, put it through a QA cycle with fixes and enhancements, then spent a lot of time going through and integrating it to the underlying OS. The result is that, in combination with Xandros' broad hardware detection, you can insert a flash memory stick into the USB and, bam!, it appears in the file manager.
It's truly pretty incredible and you really cannot see it implemented anywere but in Xandros (ok and XP, MacOSX, etc). Furthermore, the configuration tools all neatly handle the different users setting, super user vs regular user permissions, etc.
This is a fundamental shortcoming of KDE and Gnome, but not necessarily one that should go away. This tight integration requires an extensive amount of work. Furthermore, much of the work would have to be redone for each distribution. As a result, the Gnome programmers don't have the time to make this integration for each distribution and they shouldn't.
This is one reason why Red Hat's desktop will never be a good option in corporations. Red Hat is a server company that nominally offers a desktop solution, but they do not even begin to understand these issues.
Unless the user wants to spend half their waking days learning (or dealing with) the intricacies and bugs of bad desktop systems, definitely go Xandros.
For starters, Xandros is Debian based which does give the advantages that you mention in regards to stability and ease of upgrade. However, much more significantly Xandros takes care of all the manual work that you would need to put in (unless you want to go under the hood which it will let you do). Reasons to go Xandros:
1) Install. Hands down the best. Again read the reviews, but it has phenomenal hardware detection, handles all the partioning (including NTFS), allows for customization if you want it, and has a huge success rate.
2) Refinement. The engineers at Xandros touched pretty much every package on the system, fixing bugs in the open source versions of KDE and all the apps they package so that everything pretty much works like it should. They also did tight integration between the kernel, debian, and the desktop so that when you do something like stick in a usb flash memory, it pops right up in the file manager.
3) Compatibility. If you want to browse or run on windows networks, Xandros auto-configures samba for you (in case you haven't gotten that Phd yet). The delux version ($99) also comes with Code Weavers CrossOver so that you can run MS Office (still the best unfortunately), Lotus, and soon Photoshop.
4) Leadership. Not only is xandros the best desktop now, but they are working on very cool stuff and will likely extend their lead. I would strong recommend going with the technology leader here rather than dealing with enduring pain and lack of functionality.
Check out the reviews (posted at www.xandros.com) or do a search on any review done on it. It is the hands down winner. Make life easy for yourself...
Years later, I could play a slightly updated version all weekend long, blowing off friends, dates, and food. This would typically only end by an uninstall followed by smashing the CD . Freedom
Now, I somehow manage to stay away from the (roughly identical) decendants of Civilization, but who knows how many poor soles are still slaving away laboriously...
What's more, you can try it out for only 39 bucks. I actually recommend going for the full version. Though a bit more money, it has more features such as NTFS partitioning and the ability to run Microsoft Office.
If you really "buy it in a heartbeat", don't wait, it's here...
Not only does Xandros perform need quality control for all the kde apps (so that they work really really well in addition to looking cool), but it also provides corporate support and is amassing a set of corporate and OEM customers. The only thing Xandros lacks is an annoying loudmouth flamer like Robertson to lose credibility for the Linux desktop during its rise.
Any discussion of Corporate KDE without Xandros is missing something...
Furthermore, Xandros offers easy to install (one click) additional packages through their Xandros Networks. Finally, Xandros offers the spit and polish that makes the Linux desktop a solution that is easy to transition to for 'normal' (ick Windoze) users.
Go ahead and let the missile go through the building, just don't let it melt the city.
These are all for good reason. Not only will one massive lost market initate several others, but India also represents a leading software high-tech zone that Microsoft does not want to lose. Think of the number of Linux programmers that would be learning to work on a real platform in five year if the government does not 'sell out' to this US monopoly.
I can't disclose really any more than this, but expect more concessions from the Redmond Giant before all is said and done. Hopefully India's Linux initiatives have not been just to facilitate dealing with M$.
Microsoft's dike is springing many holes. Thiy might fill this one, but products like the one below will be taking serious bites out of MSFT in the coming months...
http://www.distrowatch.com/review-xandros.php
If the company in question is running Xandros Desktop that comes with CrossOver, would there be an advantages to opting for CrossOver Server as well?
BTW, not to be redundant to an above comment, but CrossOver on Xandros rocks.
Forgot to mention, LUGs get discount code dcce72d486f2 for 45% off the purchase price in the store...
Unfortunately, it is currently not GPL so cannot be part of the standard Debian at the moment. Anyone who wants to try a great Debian installer should try it out.
If Evolution were available on Windows, I don't think many people would use it.
They've made a number of wierd design decisions and the folks at Ximian don't seem to have been able to get the quality to a level were it would be usable for corporate environment. At this point it shouldn't be crashing and difficult to use, but it is.
Look out for the commercial version of Debian coming out by the Xandros guys, creators of Corel Linux. It not only combines the best of Debian and some other distros, but also delivers a package that is usable by 'normal' people (not like me on Slashdot Saturday, 11PM). Great technology combined with real usability and support.
Profitable yes, but through networking. Not in anyway related to the desktop.
I don't get it. Do you have the problem with LGP or Xandros?
Do you also have a problem with Linas and the Gnu-Cash project.
Should I throw away Gnome because they took LGP Money?
Or Linux for that matter?
Money is green.
The Corel developers won 'Best New Software' in 2000 for their 2.0 release.
The 1999 winner was Linux.
The Corel developers are now at Xandros. Obviously a highly talented team.