OK. Here It Is: Xandros Pro 4
Xandros continues on its’ quest to be the easiest transitional linux for Windows users wanting to make the move to linux. Xandros slogan is “Power Without Complexity” and they are getting near the mark with this release. Installation continues to be remarkably simple and requires minimal input from the user — you won’t find any linux speak or arcana here. Xandros will probe your machine and set up the needed drivers and install the OS while you have a cup of coffee or your favorite adult beverage. Total install time on Premium Pro was about 50 minutes including the downloading and installation of a few programs over the Xandros network. As with most current linux distributions a minimal, but complete, set of programs is installed along with the OS. Others can be easily installed using Xandros Network or the included Applications CD.
A word or two about the Xandros Network. After the install of the OS is complete there will be an icon for Xandros Network on the desktop. Click on it and you will be whisked to the Networks site. Programs are easily installed and one big and, to my mind, important feature of the network is the ease with which you can uninstall programs. One click and Xandros does the rest. The network is frequently updated as is your entire system.
Several things deserve special mention.
If you buy the boxed version you will get a copy of the 400+ plus page Xandros manual along with the Install and Applications CD’s and a quick start manual. The main manual has quite obviously been written with the newcomer in mind and it is very well done indeed. Instructions for various operations are clear, succinct and easy to follow. Step by step hand holding is standard and, to quote Martha, this is a good thing, particularly considering Xandros target audience. So much of “helpful” linux instruction seems to be written by grammarically and spelling challenged 10th graders hurrying through a class assignment. Instructions are often incomplete and obscure. Not this manual. You’ll be able to use it even if you have never run a linux distribution before and you will find yourself walked step by step through almost any challenge.
Security Suite
The Xandros Security Suite is well done and, as is typically Xandros, easy to grasp and use. Included are the Xandros AntiVirus, Firewall Wizard, Firewall Control, the System Files Protector, and Xandros Networks. I’m not quite clear on the reason for the inclusion of the AntiVirus section unless it is to comfort Windows converts who quake and pale at the possibility of a virus. So far the virus problem is virtually non-existent in linux. That could change, of course, but given the relatively small numbers of linux users and the many points of attack in Windows I don’t think it will be anytime soon.
Xandros File Manager
Xandros File Manager bears a strong resemblance to the Konqueror browser which is more or less standard in linux distributions. None the less it is an easy way to access web sites, networks and the files and folders on your machine or shared on your network.
Music Manager aka Amarok
My favorite audio player is Amarok and Xandros has incorporated it but changed its’ name to Music Manager. The user interface and all the functions appear to be the same as Amarok.
Laptop Use
One of the machines I routinely use for testing linux distributions is an HP Pavilion ze4904us. Xandros installed smoothly and runs on this machine but it is sluggish. I can’t recommend it for laptops, at least not for this one.
Conclusion
This is an excellent, perhaps the best, entry point for moving from Windows to linux. With its’ ease of use and thorough manual the transition will be a pleasant experience not an epic journey in frustration unless you attempt to put it on a 64 bit machine. Xandros is a 32 bit OS and if you try to install it on a 64 bit system it will spit the CD back at you and suggest you remove the CD and restart.
This version of Xandros will set you back $100 and it’s worth the price.
Comments (2) to “OK. Here It Is: Xandros Pro 4”
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KnightRid wrote:
$100!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will stick with windows for that price :p
Oh my lord. I thought Linux was a cheaper/free alternative..lol
I was looking forward to this post too, so I could then do some more research on my own and decide wether to hand out the money..WOW….not going to happen this year
I paid $49 for Windows XP Home upgrade, so I wont pay more for Linux.
WOW
Mike
Maybe I will see if they have a free version and the downloadable manual…
Posted on 04-Feb-07 at 8:16 am | Permalink
Oldster wrote:
Xandros is one of the few “for pay” versions of linux. This is a business edition but it certainly would do nicely for a home desktop. As far as I know there is no free version.
Posted on 04-Feb-07 at 11:43 am | Permalink