Keith19

Xandros. Build 2006-07-28-11.44. (Dec. 06) Downloaded as an ISO from the Internet, as a 30-day trial package. Installed OK, but could not find the USB mouse, so had to plug in a PS2 one, which it found OK on a reboot. Told it to install it's boot-loader into the MBR on hdb, which it did without problems. It booted OK from the already installed OSL Boot-loader. It found the Router and was out on the Internet within minutes of booting up, downloading updates, including Xandros SP1. There were loads of 'dpkg warning - unable to delete old file - xyz - directory not empty' etc., during installation of the updates, but the system rebooted and ran OK. Quite a fast system, easy to use, with a few annoyances, like a virus checker which is unhappy if it isn't allowed to do an hour or two of HDD checking every day, and a Firefox 'lite' browser tuned for Xandros, without a 'Options' menu item, where things like the default start page can be easily changed. After the 30-day trial period, the system has to be 'Activated' by paying around £50 for this Home Premium edition, otherwise the system and virus updates cease. The system is aimed at businesses primarily, I think, and offers a multitude of add-ons and options, for which even more money has to be produced. Quite a neat and slick system, but demanding in costs. The 'Activation' appears to be for only one year, after which you have to pay another year's activation subscription. Wiped this distro after the 30-day trial, after sending xandros an email explaining why. As a paid-for business distro, it's good if you can afford it. For the home user who doesn't want to pay out as much as a current Microsoft O/S, it's a loser. There's plenty of other good distros out there, for little cost or free.

Vincent_Vega

Good for someone who wants MS compatibility, probably in an office evironment. You can "Ignore" the features of the security suite that you don't want to be bothered with, such as daily system scans, which I have set to weekly.
However, for someone who wants the full functionality of linux - not the option of paying to belong to the Xandros Network - and who is willing to learn, Xandros is not the distro for you! Out of the box, even after paying $79 to own the Home Desktop Premium Edition, I still don't get CD Burning software!!
But it's good for other people in the house who are scared of Linux and want that MS feel.

mikeymouse

Of all the different linux systems i have tried Xandros is the only one that everything works. All the programs i require are there and i have never had a problem. If you want a Linux operating system that works Xandros is it.

masinick

Xandros, regardless if which version you choose to use, will always provide you with a very easy installation, good to excellent integration with Windows servers, a consistent interface and easy update mechanism.

The only area I question is both a strength and a weakness. The file manager, originally the Konqueror File and Web Browser, has been rewritten to have tighter Windows integration and consistency with the Xandros desktop. I have to question why this wasn't just taken from Konqueror and extended as needed, then given back to the Konqueror project. It seems to me that you can achieve very similar functionality using standard tools automatically configured.

That said, Xandros is a fine implementation and it gets the job done. For those coming from using Windows and not having previous UNIX or Linux desktop experience, this distribution is near perfect.

ps_sabu

Run away from it as fast as u can

Alex2008

Xandros Desktop Home Edition 4.0 isn't without its little problems here and there, but as far as desktop operating systems go, it's the most complete one I've ever used. Very little has to be done to modify it to do practically anything you need a desktop OS to do, and those few procedures that have to be done are quick and simple. Adding new software and updating the programs you already have is easy and accomplished through a single, simple management framework. The menus aren't clogged with superfluous options and multiple programs for common tasks, and in general everything is very easy to use if you're a Windows refugee. Current GNU/Linux or *BSD users probably won't have much of a reason to switch to Xandros, however.

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