If you want to get your Linux with an easy to use installation, and interface controls that even a young child can operate, along with a variety of operating system options similar to the choices you have when buying a Windows OS, then Xandros may be the system for you.
Xandros has a few major differences from the majority of other Linux distributions you can get for your computer at present. Different can be good, but not always.
Difference one: You are going to have to pay if you want to use it.
To get your hands on Xandros you will be paying a fee for the operating system. While paying for software is not completely unheard of in the land of Linux, most only charge for server editions if they choose to charge for anything at all. Charging for a home based system puts Xandros squarely into the minority of Linux systems.
Difference two: The system is not distributed under the GNU licensing.
These licenses, sometimes called open source licensing, allows users to modify their system's kernel (the heart of the operating system) at will, in order to change a feature or fix a problem that they find in the system. This licence also encourages them to share any improvements with the community. T
Thanks to an agreement that the people at Xandros signed with Microsoft they can no longer sell their product under the open source license. The agreement in question came about because Microsoft was threatening to sue the makers of Linux based operating systems for patent violations but the folks at Microsoft would not disclose the patents that they claimed had been violated. Xandros made the deal to basically stay out of court. They are not alone in knuckling under, Novell made a similar agreement.
Difference 3: There are 3 different versions of the system for you to purchase.
There are 3 versions of Xandros for the home user. You can get the “Home” version, the “Home Premium” version and the “Desktop Pro” version. Each Xandros version comes with a slightly different set of software applications for you to play with, but under the skin they are essentially the same.
In case you were wondering, your Xandros Operating System will arrive on a CD with most of these versions so that you can do a pick and choose of the ones that you want. The home version comes with a pre-installed “30 day trial” of Open Office. Though how you give a 30 day trial of a free piece of software is a little bit confusing to say the least.
In the end Xandros may be one of the least Linux-like systems that you can get for your computer. From purchasing one of several home editions to buy, to not being able to change your system kernel and redistribute it, and getting trial software, this is probably one of most Windows like experiences on Linux. Which is not really a good thing.
While Xandros may be a strong option for business users who need a licensing agreement that is a bit more restrictive, or a home user who won’t be doing much more then web surfing, but if you need anything else it is probably not the system for you.