Xandros Recommenadtion
 

I posted this as a reply on the Ubuntu site, then I found that there hadn't been any real discussion about this since 2006. I obviously think that this is really a worthwhile distribution, especially for new users. I hope that being made aware of it is helpful. --- I'm not sure why more people don't use Xandros. I evaluated many distributions for my employer and found most of them could not handle the Windows network that we're using. I also applied the evaluation at home where, unfortunately, I'm still on dialup. Almost all distributions had problems with dialup modems, especially PCI and Winmodems. All of these difficulties were present in Ubuntu. Xandros did not have any problem in either area, and was really user friendly via GUI. I think this interface is necessary for everyday users that are not involved in, or literate in computer software. That applies to most of our employees, and most of the people using computers today.

Some reasons it is quiet
 

There are a number of reasons that Xandros does not receive more attention. One of the first reasons is that Xandros is not updated very often. Most hobbyists and the kind of people looking for alternatives look for something fresh and new, often fancy. Xandros is a small company with a small budget and modest resources. They get in the news every now and then by making some splash about Windows or Windows interoperability, which Xandros handles exceptionally well. Xandros got a bit of press when they were one of the companies that "paid the Microsoft tax" and got some of Microsoft's proprietary technology.

That's one of the reasons that the purists avoid Xandros - because it is a blend of proprietary and free software, and that turns them off. Pragmatists, however, will realize that if they want an alternative, but they really are most familiar with Windows, then Xandros is one of the best stepping stones into another world, the world of free and open software.

Xandros, with Xandros Networks, as some of the smoothest integration with Windows Shares of any system I have encountered. Xandros also has products which enable excellent integration between Microsoft Exchange and Xandros' mail services, so that you can easily exchange Outlook Mail and Calendars with Xandros.

Recently Xandros has gotten into a couple of relationships where you can get an inexpensive computer preloaded with Xandros. While Xandros is already one of the easiest of all systems of any type to install, not having to install it at all is even easier. Now with some of those EEE systems, powered by Xandros, you have a drop in replacement for Windows.

Now anyone who is completely honest will realize that no migration, however straightforward, is ever an automatic thing. I am sure that even with Xandros, questions and concerns arise. As someone who knows how to install, configure, and use systems of many different types, ranging from real time software to mainframe systems, I can install and use either Windows or Linux systems, but I strongly prefer Linux systems. For me, I do not need the simplicity of Xandros, but I do find it easy to use and useful. For the beginner or someone coming straight out of a Windows background, I think that Xandros is an excellent choice. Just remember that it really isn't Windows. Some people get tripped up because they are expecting an identical experience.

When you buy a Honda or a Toyota, it is definitely different than a Chevrolet or Ford. All four of them are cars, but each is distinct in appearance. They all get you from one place to another, but the dashboards have different controls, though they all have a steering wheel, brakes, and gas pedal.

Xandros looks a lot like Windows visually, but it is like moving to a Honda from a Ford. It is different, reliable like the Honda, but more like a Kia or Hyundai in price.