This is not the FAR standard edition that was posted in some deals a few days ago, and it is not the freely downloadable open circulation edition. Please see the differences here.
Why would you buy this edition, even for just $17? Because it includes Codeweavers CrossOver Office (see this list of included apps). From this list, it appears that an older edition (4.1) of CrossOver Office is included (same for the apps), but once you install it, you get to download updates which bring you up to the newer versions. I confirmed this from their email support:
Hello,
Thank you for contacting Xandros.
Although our V3 Deluxe Edition includes CrossOver 4.1, you would receive a free upgrade to CrossOver 5.0 if you purchase your V3 Deluxe now. Just email us back after you make your purchase and we will provide you the free upgrade.
I will forward your second question to our support team and they will be happy to assist you.
Thanks, Peea
CrossOver Office 5 was recently released and sells for $40. It includes the ability to run Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint 2003 and many other Windows applications. That alone makes it a worthwhile purchase.
Pros:
CrossOver Office 5 for compatibility with many Windows applications without the need to have a copy of Windows, enables you to playback WMV/WMA using Windows Media Player.
Easy graphical installation and configuration; autodetects most hardware including many wireless cards.
Printed user guide and 60 day email installation support included.
Cons:
Doesn't run (Windows) games.
Many wireless cards still do not work.
DVD playback is not fully supported under Linux. You need to install a patch whose legality can be questioned.
64 bit edition not yet available (and may not be available for a while).
I'm a new Xandros OCE user and there is some effort needed to set up the OS with some of your hardware.
I tried three wireless network usb adapters before I found one that worked with Xandros. On the good side, I have an HP 2550L Laserjet hooked up to a wireless print server and Xandros had no problem sending print jobs using linux's generic printer driver. Now I have no problems using the internet, e-mail, and working with MS Office files.
You can find answers to some problems on the Xandros forums, although solutions are still somewhat cryptic to beginners.
BTW, to play WMV files, you need to install a plugin. I followed the advice of this thread:
Can someone compare Xandros to a popular linux distro like Kubuntu (what I run) or Ubuntu, etc?
Thanks.
enmane
Senior Member
posted: Mar. 3, 2006 @ 12:02a
Xandros Deluxe include Codeweaver's Crossover Office which allows you to install some MS apps like the MS Office Suite. The difference between Xandros and most other linux OSes are the following.. 1) really simple interface 2) their own filemanager which IMHO rocks! This is one of the biggest advantages of Xandros over others. It is a fantastic file manager that lets you burn to CDs/DVDs and it's all integrated into the FM. 3) slow development cycles but solid products. 4) VERY easy to migrate from windows to Xandros - easy for the noobs or those that just don't want to hack
I've used them and beta tested for them but these days I run PCLINUXOS as it has enough development that allows me to hack when I want to and it has a lot of the multimedia stuff built in along with Synaptic for RPMs.
My main beef with products like Xandros is that it goes against my goal of moving away from windows: it just moves to another non-free OS.
Is Xandros GPL'ed?
Thanks for the description. I have been very agrivated in the past with linux distros because they make so many things user involved. I had tried fedora, mandrake, DSL, and finally gentoo...and then I came accross Suse10...which is pretty good...installs quickly and no nonsense. Yast is very nice, but having to find sources for it is a pain and kind of not mentioned very much.
I was pretty happy with that until I found ubuntu...or more accurately the KDE version of ubuntu, kubuntu.
This one is a keeper. Best linux distro I've ever used. Adept, the package manager is almost perfect...no yast configuration.
jitinarora
Broke Member
posted: Mar. 3, 2006 @ 3:12p
Some observations from personal experience:
The totally free distros (Ubuntu, Fedora Core, Gentoo) failed to install at all on my laptop.
The non-free distros (SUSE, Mandriva, Linspire, Xandros), including their freely downloadable versions, installed and worked smoothly.
Wireless cards are a known source of difficulty. Most are not supported including the chipset in my laptop. You can use ndiswrapper+driver supplied for Windows. I was too lazy to bother.
On SUSE Linux 10, I downloaded and installed Wine + Winetools. Subsequently, I was able to install Internet Explorer 6 w/SP1 (thats the latest version), Windows Media Player 6.x and an official pack of codecs for WMP. Playing any kind of WMV/WMA was a piece of cake. You don't even need CrossOver Office upto this point.
You can download and install vlc or better still mplayer and lib-decss. After that you can play virtually any media format, including commercial DVDs. I didn't like the video output from these so I went the Wine+WMP route instead.
For more discussions on the OS or on Linux, I suggest you look at this thread.
enmane
Senior Member
posted: Mar. 4, 2006 @ 12:07a
AFAIK, Xandrose's FileManager is the only thing that they really protect. They even have a free download version that you can download to try.
Again, I'd highly recommend that everyone try PCLOS. It's a weird fit in the sense that it isn't as good as Ubuntu (but still much better than most) on the hardware side but does kick its but when it comes to the GUI and it is MUCH better than a lot of other liveCDs out there. It also has a package manager and great forums. Give it a shot.
shutrbug
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Mar. 4, 2006 @ 10:38a
I'd switch to Linux if I could run Photoshop. GIMP with 8 bit color just doesn't hack it.
I have Xandros and it's the best Linux yet. (previously used Suse, Ubuntu, Kbuntu, Knoppix, and Mepis)
However some hardware is next to impossible to get to work such as PCI modems.
Linux is getting better but it's still not ready for "prime time" for an average home PC.
enmane
Senior Member
posted: Mar. 5, 2006 @ 12:29a
henny said: I have Xandros and it's the best Linux yet. (previously used Suse, Ubuntu, Kbuntu, Knoppix, and Mepis)
However some hardware is next to impossible to get to work such as PCI modems.
Linux is getting better but it's still not ready for "prime time" for an average home PC.
Really? I have NO problems with any PCI Hardware modem nor should you - eBay for $20 or less. If you want to go with a software modem then you can pick one up on eBay for about $10 and the Lucent Modems (many kernels already have these modules and they just need to be loaded) AND many Intel modems work also. Of course the Conexant ones also work but you have to pay for a proprietary driver. That leaves ESS, Motorola (works depending on model) and PCTel modems which IMHO shouldn't be used as a modem - period.
I like the lucent ones for inexpensive and full-featrured (I can even fax w/the lucent using efax)
shutrbug said: I'd switch to Linux if I could run Photoshop. GIMP with 8 bit color just doesn't hack it.
This is a common sentiment.... I don't know enough about photoshop to miss anything when using the GIMP. Is it just mainly the re-learning curve that bothers?
Really? I have NO problems with any PCI Hardware modem nor should you - eBay for $20 or less. If you want to go with a software modem then you can pick one up on eBay for about $10 and the Lucent Modems (many kernels already have these modules and they just need to be loaded) AND many Intel modems work also. Of course the Conexant ones also work but you have to pay for a proprietary driver. That leaves ESS, Motorola (works depending on model) and PCTel modems which IMHO shouldn't be used as a modem - period.
I like the lucent ones for inexpensive and full-featrured (I can even fax w/the lucent using efax)
Thanks...Good info. I just picked up a connexant modem FAR at Staples to try with linux a week or two back. I'll look at options for the driver issue.
Whats the license situation with Xandros? If I buy one copy can I use it for multiple machines? Sorry for all the replies. =)
Thanks for posting this deal.
enmane
Senior Member
posted: Mar. 6, 2006 @ 11:32p
I no longer have my box set but if memory serves me correct they allow you to use it on 3 or 5 pcs. Something liberal like that.
glenatuf, that link to the conexant modem driver is worth using to see if it will work but is SERIOUSLY CRIPPLED! Yes, linuxant is the same company that charges for the conexant modem drivers and I guess they work fantastic BUT you have to pay for them...
from their site...
We strongly recommend that all users upgrade to the latest version. Linux 2.2 kernels are no longer supported. Please switch to 2.4 or later.
Because the scope of this project has grown beyond the capacity of a single volunteer and legal issues prevent us from using a classic open-source development model, the modem drivers are now available in two editions: # a free version (limited to 14.4Kbps data), available at no cost. Please use it to test if your hardware is compatible. # a full version (with 56K and FAX), available for a modest price.
Proceeds will be used to further improve the drivers. Getting the full version is the best way to encourage us and ensure that this project continues.
If you are wondering why a Linux driver isn't already included in the price you paid for your modem, or disagree with the practice of selling Linux software, please read this explanation.
I guess it is $15-$20 (I don't recall) but for that much I can get a whole new modem (even hardware) so why buy it. Anyhow, for some people this works but here's where I got PISSED at Linuxant.
A while back they were doing beta testing (for years) on their drivers and a whole slew of us worked with them, reported bugs, and fixed things. Then they went closed source and we're all out of luck. It was just not as honorable as they should have handled it. That being said, I'll spend my $$ on Lucent ones (if cheap) or get a real hardware modem.
jitinarora
Broke Member
posted: Mar. 8, 2006 @ 3:45p
enmane said: I no longer have my box set but if memory serves me correct they allow you to use it on 3 or 5 pcs. Something liberal like that. . . .
Update: I installed it and emailed them asking for an update to CrossOver Office. They sent me a coupon code to be used on Xandros Networks. (You can only access Xandros Networks from their Xandros Networks application in their OS.) The code actually worked on the professional edition which is worth even more ($70) and gave me a 100% discount on the "purchase". (You do have to enter your credit card number though.) I was able to download and install CrossOver Office 5 Professional. The Xandros Networks application actually downloads and installs it for you without asking you where to save it and then deletes it after the install. On my computer I noticed that it was a .deb file that was being saved in /tmp/XandrosFM/.xyz/ where xyz is some funny combination of letters and digits. It seems that this a version of CrossOver Office that is customised to run on Xandros because it did not ask me for a serial and some of its windows have the Xandros logo embedded in them.
Edit: I am not posting the code here because I suspect it is a one time code.
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