Has anyone in here actually used Xandros?

[Entity]

I've read one review of it, and it sounded pretty good...I'm looking to hear more opinions, though. We currently use debian for servers and are investigating a linux desktop OS for users who want more power than Windows offers, but don't understand the linux world very well.

I'm currently investigating Redhat 8.0, but we're interested in staying with a debian base if possible.

Rob

 

[lowtech1]

I haven?t use Xandros nor Mandrake, but have played with Byzantine, Debian, ELX, Knoppix, RH, SCO, Slack, SUSE & Yoper Linux.

The most current desktop that I'm enjoying is Yoper, ELX, Knoppix, & RH. Yoper is my favorite for the intelligent desktop layout & ELX come in a close second. Knoppix is quick to install, but I found navigating through it (GUI) is just about as cluttered as RH.

For me file/printer sharing on a Linux/Unix/Windows Domain is most important, then terminal services (Linux client to Linux/Unix/Windows servers), that all 4 above distros passes.

Knoppix 3.1 is Debian base, quick install (the best hwdetection distro), take little resouces for a GUI distro & is much faster than RH 8.0.

IMHO, it might be a good idea to spend sometime with some of the popular distro & find what your need is.

 

[marat]

Originally posted by: Entity
I've read one review of it, and it sounded pretty good...I'm looking to hear more opinions, though. We currently use debian for servers and are investigating a linux desktop OS for users who want more power than Windows offers, but don't understand the linux world very well.

I'm currently investigating Redhat 8.0, but we're interested in staying with a debian base if possible.

Rob

I bought Xandros Desktop and all I can say it awesome. Nicely packaged, properly configured, no annoying bugs. If you want extra - Debian mirrors are there (just enable them - take # away). Has 2.4.19 kernel, NVIDIA drivers. You can run windows programs in it (you should be able to do most of the stuff in linux, but if you want to use MS Word or QuickTime - you have options). I think Xandros specifically aimes at corporate environment - mix of linux and windows boxes. Look at forums at http://forum.xandros.com/ and look at the responses people leave.

You should try all distros for yourself. Check http://www.distrowatch.com for reviews. I wouldn't recommend you to go with Redhat, as they are more like M$ of linux world.

 

[Zepper]

You can get a basic version of Xandros for only $40. Why not just try it out?
.bh.

 

[mcveigh]

I have tried lycoris, and was very impressed with it. it had a very "windows" feel to it, it even had a network neighborhood icon.

 

[marat]

Originally posted by: Zepper
You can get a basic version of Xandros for only $40. Why not just try it out?
.bh.

Basic version will not have CodeWeavers Crossover Office ($55 alone) and CrossOver Plugin, so he won't be able to run windows progs. Deluxe version is a very nice windows desktop replacement. Servers should never run windows in the first place.

 

[Entity]

Originally posted by: marat

Originally posted by: Zepper
You can get a basic version of Xandros for only $40. Why not just try it out?
.bh.

Basic version will not have CodeWeavers Crossover Office ($55 alone) and CrossOver Plugin, so he won't be able to run windows progs. Deluxe version is a very nice windows desktop replacement. Servers should never run windows in the first place.

We're not looking at it for servers. Our servers (like I said) are Debian, which I love in the server environment; however, we recently tried to get a user setup with Debian on a desktop (that's what she requested, so she could do more complex statistical modeling in S+), and it didn't work too well - she wasn' t really able to work too well with it. With that in mind, that's why we're investigating a desktop solution...perhaps somewhat between the somewhat-unfriendly debian world and the too-friendly, too-cluttered Redhat world (though 8.0 is a serious consideration).

Rob

 

[Zepper]

Xandros is Debian with a user-friendly front-end on it. As I mentioned, you can get the version w/o the windows compatibility add-ons for only $40.
.bh.