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I have been testing numerous linux versions over the past year. The goal was to find the version that I wanted to stick with for the long haul. The decision has been made. Tonight I ordered Xandros Home Edition Premium from Newegg. The final cost, including shipping was $59.63.
I would rather spend money on Linux than on Vista.
What were the key selection criteria for you? What other linux distros did you short list?
Keep us updated on your discoveries :D
Yes I'd also like to know why Xandros was the one ?
An efc review would be nice :D
I had to feel comfortable with the Distro. After trying many other distros, I kept coming back to XandrOS because I didn't have to research everything that I wanted to do and I didn't have to learn how to do everything by command line.
I have been using the Open Circulation of XandrOS v. 3.0 (free download) for about 6 months. It is fully functional. It will accomplish most computer tasks. This version contains Cross Over which allows you to use many Windows programs. I haven't tried Cross Over because it is my goal to quit being dependent on Microsoft software to do anything.
The current version is 4.0.
http://www.xandros.com/images/common/desktop_matrix.jpg
Notice that security suite, anti-virus, and firewall are included in the premium edition. Also note the additional application cd. These applications can be installed on your desktop using XandrOS Networks. XandrOS Networks is a module that provides easy installation of many applications. No command line needed.
Link to XandrOS products. Purchase of the XandrOS Home Premium Edition is $79.00 at the official site. It is available for less from vendors. Be careful. XandrOS v. 4.0 requires an activation code. Some of the super cheap prices that can be found on the net probably don't include the activation code. Make sure that you buy a full retail package.
Other distrobutions that I have tried:
Fedora
Suse
Ubuntu
Kubuntu
Gentoo
Santa Fe
Simply/Misep
Linspire
Freespire
Mandriva
and several live versions
Good luck with it Buddy and keep us informed of the progress.
I'm with EFC when I was trying out a few I liked xandros the best. had the feel of win2k if you want to compare it to a windows platform. it was very easy to use. and like EFC said you didnt have to prowl the web to figure out how to install a driver.
I like Xandros, its nice and easy.
The nice thing about Linux is all the choice between distro's, you're bound to find one that suits your needs & taste.
My tops are:
1. PClinuxOS
2. LinuxMint
3. SuSe
4. Xandros
Good luck efc and happy trails :D
Received the new OS package yesterday. I made a clean install last night. There is a difference between the Open Circulation (OC) version that I have been using since early last summer and the Premium package that I just purchased. For instance, with the OC version, you had to find and install the w32codec for Xine to play wmv files. With the premium version, everything worked right out of the box.
In fact, everything worked so well that I have shifted to the linux computer as my primary machine. There is only one thing that I cannot shift over. That is the operation of the VoSKY call center, which controls my telephones within SKYPE. There is no linux driver package available for VoSKY.
My Konica-Minolta 1350W laser printer installed easier in Xandros Premium ver than it does in xp. Winthin xp you have to install drivers from the mfg cd. In Xandros Premium I simply chose my printer from a menu and then identified the port.
I am more than pleased with the investment.
Good job efc,and thanks for the troubleshooting.$56 is pretty cheap for all that stability and compatability.I am running PCLinux and like it so far.I can't get Firefox to play streaming real content.However,Opera plays it as well as Conquerer.After Vista's evaluation expires I may slap Xandros premium in it's place.:D
That's great input guys, i think we'll slowly gain more experience and knowledge with the different distro's - especially to try and debunk the myth of bad driver support and bad UI etc...
Is it safe to assume that most hardware 1-2yrs old is well supported in linux?
I think that Compliments for this go more to the printer vendor than the distro, simply because they took the time to make their drivers available, which is what more vendors need to do.Quote:
Originally Posted by efc
Cash, I am running both Suse 10 and Ubuntu 5 (sunthin ;)) on an Abit BH-6 MB, PIII 550 w\512 ram. Both support all the HW in the system.Quote:
Originally Posted by cash_site
I'm also running the same Suse 10 on my workstation and it supports the dual Xeon procs, SCSI RAID plus both IDE and SATA hard drives (yes I'm using all 3 in it!) and everything natively. Gotta love flexibility in an OS... :cool:
That is a good point but I have had to jump through hoops to make that printer work with other distros. Maybe it should be "hats off" to the printer mfg and to Xandros.Quote:
Originally Posted by rik
Vista Evaluation over today and hello Xandros.Going to Newegg now to purchase.Sounded like a sweet deal efc.My main concerns are my Canon S750 printer which I really don't want to upgrade and my HP 4300c scanner.I use both alot with XP and PC Linux.I like the out of the box ease of playing wmv with Xandros premium.Can't wait to install.Happy Linux.:D
Doesn't PCLOS play wmv ?Quote:
I like the out of the box ease of playing wmv with Xandros premium.Can't wait to install.Happy Linux.
Thanks Rik for the info... I've got a couple of comps lying around too, might give it a go. :D
Well, I installed Xandros over a Vista evaluation and only have one problem.The problem is that the install left remnants of windows vista,such as the boot menu and windows program files.How can I get windows off the boot menu?:D
Edit the bootloader, you should be able to do that in Xandros.
I don't understand what/how windows files got left behind ???
I know I chose to write over windows and not to have them coexist.Even if I choose to boot to Vista it just hangs on the start progress screen.:confused: :DQuote:
Originally Posted by FastGame
Can't delete the entry via the control center FG,there is no editing of command lines like other linux's,or am I missing something?
When you start the installation process, there is a step that allows you to co-exist with Windows or other OS, and it allows you to pick the partition that it occupies. There is also a choice to delete existing OS and reformat the drive before installation.
Since you apparently wanted to reformat, I would reinstall. It only takes about 20 minutes and you should have a much more stable setup. If you want to try to correct bootloader first, do the following:
- choose Launch>Control Center>System Administration>Boot Manager.
- You will now click on the Administrator button and login as Administrator.
- Now you can choose the Default OS.
yep, i agree to just reformat that partition and do the linux installation again :) Windows is notorious for leaving remanents behind... I remember doing a reinstallation of XP and then the bootmenu appeared with 2 versions?! lol...
Boot & Nuke :D
I may use a disk wipe solution first,then fdisk and format from a win98 boot floppy.Right now I'm enjoying the out of the box and everything works including an easy setup security suite.This is a keeper for sure.:cool: :DQuote:
Originally Posted by cash_site
That's good to hear Zipp, can u post any of your fav screen shots?
I haven't tried Xandros, but I like Suse Yast, easier configuration GUI I had used. I had installed about 10 or so Red Hat Enterprise (v4) and the setup is easy, but after setting it up the software instalation doesn't work (I had called Red Hat to complain about it, and they did not wanted to recognize it)
I have to use Red Hat for work (boss wanted it)
I have Suse in a Vmware on my laptop as well as Ubuntu. I like the package software for Ubuntu though )and the clean interface. And I love the size of dsl. There is a linux distro for each need.
I will stay in XP for a while because .....I play lots of games. But at work I was using more and more Linux (syslog servers, monitoring server, and I was about to install a snort too)
It is starting to gain ground on me. Today I finished studying for Linux +, and now I will start LPCI Junior Level.