The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Xandros Major Keary |
Xandros is a commercial Linux distro that comes in three versions: standard (not distributed in Australia), deluxe, and business. Version 3.0 Deluxe sells for $139 and comes with a proper manual of over 350 pages. It is a very well integrated product that has been developed with two objectives in mind: ease of use, and to provide all the networking tools that may be required by a business (small or large) that has legacy Windows-based systems. Like most distros, it has all the tools required by developers.
The latest release of the business version is due shortly; it comes with StarOffice and includes Windows PDC authentication and Windows Active Server Authentication.
The Deluxe version is on two CDs, one of which is set up for installation of the operating system and contains the most-used applications that include OpenOffice, CrossOver Office, Internet applications (browser, e-mail, news-groups, VoIP), a full range of multimedia applications, a firewall, virtual private network client, image editing, screen capture, and built-in CD/DVD creation/burning.
The application disk contains an extensive collection of programs covering development tools (programming languages such as C and C++), Perl, Python, GIMP (a powerful image editing program in the style of Photoshop), spell checker dictionaries for a number of languages, and even a screen ruler that enables the user to measure objects on the screen. (See Figures 1 and 2)
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CrossOver Office
A commercial package based on WINE, CrossOver enables many
Microsoft Windows applications to be run without the presence of Windows.
Using CrossOver is explained in the manual. It is a simple operation and the
screen will display a list of Windows-based applications that have been proved
to install on Xandros. They include several Microsoft applications: Project
2000/2002 XP, Word 2000/2002 XP, Excel 2000/2002 XP, PowerPoint 2000/2002 XP,
Outlook 2000, Access 2000, Visio 2000, IE 5.5/6, Word/PowerPoint/Excel 97-2000
viewers, and Windows Media Player 6.4; Adobe's Photoshop 6/7, Illustrator, and
Acrobat Reader 5;
Macromedia's Flash 7, Flash MX, Dreamweaver MX, and Authorware Player; Quicken
2002 and
QuickBooks; and Lotus Notes 6.5+/R5.
There will be many more than the CodeWeavers' official list; it is a matter of
try-it-and-see. I found that NoteTab Pro, an exceptionally useful text editor,
moved house without complaint, but HP scanner software for the 4400c series
failed.
The Desktop
The Xandros desktop can be made to look like Microsoft Windows or a Mac with
their respective options. For example, using a Windows-like display enables the
user to have big or little icons, show details, look like a Web page, and so on.
When displaying details there is extra information - permission settings -
presented in the UNIX style.
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Windows Connectivity
If a Xandros machine is connected to a Windows network it can operate with the
other computers and printers, sharing their directories and files within the
limits imposed by permissions. The manual has a chapter, Windows and Linux
networking, that contains detailed information on topics such as joining a
Windows 2000 or 2003 domain and sharing desktop control with a remote user.
In my opinion Xandros - especially the business edition - is an ideal distro for
situations where a business wants to migrate from Windows to Linux. It is well
designed to cope with both operating systems on a network, can be used to set up
a server, and can be installed over a network.
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Two applications, Citrix Linux ICA client and Novell Evolution, are significant
resources for Win/Lin operations. The latter integrates Windows, UNIX, and Linux
scheduling, e-mail, contacts etc.
Xandros also supports wireless cards running Windows drivers.
CD/DVD
Built in to the desktop is a facility to create and burn CDs and DVDs without
the need for additional software - a convenient, time-saving feature. It is part
of the multimedia tool set and handles music and data, copying CDs/DVDs, and
creating CDs/DVDs.
I have run a couple of copy and CD compilation operations and found the system
easy to use and problem-free.
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The Learning Curve
Some effort is needed to become a proficient Linux user, particularly for those
who have never used non-Windows operating systems such as CP/M, DOS, and UNIX
(before the Web went graphical, Internet connections used a command-line UNIX
shell). Being able to configure the Xandros desktop to look like Windows helps,
but one still has to learn where things are; C:, D:, .... are not there, but with a
little perseverance the Linux novice will develop a familiarity with the way it
is organised. Xandros is particularly good in its clear labelling of CD/DVD
drives.
One approach - which I use - is to install a removable hard disk cradle. The
cable that normally connects a primary hard disk to the motherboard is plugged
into the cradle. Users can have multiple trays, each with its own hard disk; the
trays can be swapped over so that either an all-Windows disk or an all-Linux
disk is "in play".
A common slave HD can be used to hold common data or as a means for moving files
between the two systems. It is an arrangement that helps one to develop skills
and introduce - and learn - new applications while maintaining productivity on
the old system.
It is, of course, possible to have a dual boot system with both operating
systems on the same hard disk.
Reprinted from the May 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
