OSNews

First of all, I would like to thank Phil for writing a review of Xandros from the point of someone completely (or almost completely) new to Linux. I think these first impressions of new users are important.

I am typing this post from a Xandros machine, and I have had several experiences with it, and Linux in general, that contradict Phil's. Also, I would like to point out a couple of inaccuracies. I am doing so only for accuracy sake. I do not mean to be a jerk.

-- I had been burned two times previously trying to install other Linux distributions. Their tech support was non-existent.

The company may have offered little or no tech support, and if company backed tech support is the point of the statement, then I have no complaint. However, I don't think this causes one to be burned. I personally learned how to use Linux through Yahoo and Google and jumping in with both feet. I have never read a manual or book and I have never called tech support. I don't think a lack of information or company backed tech support can be an excuse for not running Linux successfully since information is quite abundant on the Internet (since most people dual boot Linux to start, getting on the Internet should not be a problem either).

-- Xandros picked up and correctly configured all of my hardware, including my wheel-mouse. All except my sound card, that is.

I have tested Xandros on three different machines. A Dell C800 Laptop, a dual Athlon MP machine and a single Athlon XP machine; all with different hardware. All of my hardware was autdetected correctly with the exception of the ATI all-in-wonder Radeon 7500 and Sony Multiscan E400 monitor combination. With that video card in the machine, Xandros cannot autodetect my monitor correctly. However, I think this is ATI's fault because even under Windows this card often causes the machine to boot up into stupid, I-can't-find-my-butt-with-both-hands 60Hz video mode. With my other video cards, my monitor was autodetected correctly. I think sometimes the OS is not to blame as much as crappy hardware.

-- but no sounds that you can configure. You just have to go with the defaults.

This is incorrect. All you have to do is start Control Center, click on Sounds, then System Notifications, then KDE System Notifications. You can change these sounds (along with many others) right there.

-- Windows Interoperability

I don't think the author did justice to the large amount of work Xandros has put into their distro to make Windows interoperability as seemless as possible. This may be due to his lack of familiarity with Linux in general. I have to say that Xandros has done the best job at integrating Linux and Windows of any distro I have personally tried.

-- A lot of the familiar keyboard shortcuts I like to use don't work in Xandros, either.

This is not a problem. Linux generally has different shortcut keys, but you can easily change these shortcuts to your hearts content by launching Control Panel and clicking on General Settings and then clicking on Shortcut Keys.

-- Burning CD's was a disappointment as well.

I personally wouldn't call XCDRoast a primitive CD Burning utility. It is my tool of choice. I find it quite flexible and robust.

-- Has Linux reached the point where it can replace Windows in the office or home? No, not yet. But this distribution shows that it's getting closer to being a reality.

Actually, this depends on who you are. I run Linux exclusively and have done so for several years. My wife isn't ready to make the switch yet, so her machine runs Windows. I think it has more to do with your flexibility than anything else. Are you the type that doesn't mind a different approach to solve the same problem? Or are you the kind that will complain because Linux isn't exactly like Windows? The question of Linux being ready for the desktop is a unique one for each individual.

-- Available Software

The article hints that there isn't much software available for Xandros. This is a misconception (which the author did admit to) and is not correct. Xandros, being built upon Debian, has full access to all the Debian archives. Better yet, it is based on Debian's stable branch instead of testing or unstable (as some other Debian based distros like Libranet are). Therefore, it is a very solid distribution as well.

-- Xandros Bug

Xandros isn't perfect. But it is quite good. One of the flaws I have seen is if you enable full Debian archive support for Apt, then the Xandros Networks tool fails to load if you launch it from its icon on the Launch menu. However, there is a workaround. If you type "http://localhost:8080" in Mozilla's Address bar, Xandros Networks works just fine.

I am a long time Linux user and mainly use Debian, but I think Xandros is a very good distribution. I hope Xandros does well.