Steve's review of Xandros Desktop Standard 2.0

I expect this review will ultimately be lengthy, for which I apologize. The reason for this is simply my enthusiasm over X2. I had read several reviews and loads of posts in forums prior to ordering the Standard Edition, but really wasn't prepared for what was to come. First, some boring details about me and the PC I installed X2 on. I have several years of PC experience, but limited Linux savvy. Like many others, I had tried dozens of other distros, but never landed one I was comfortable with. That has certainly changed with X2. As for the hardware, it's as follows:

GigaByte GA-6VXE7+ MoBo with VIA 693A AGPset
Pentium III 1.1GHz proc
256MB PC-133
9.1GB ATA66 7200RPM IBM Hard Drive
Mitsumi 48x CD
CDWRITER IDE52x24x52 Burner
Mitsumi 1.44
Intel Ethernet PRO 100 NIC
Avance Logic ALS4000 Sound Card
Creative CT6981 Video (TNT2 64 Chip)
Samtron 77V 17" Monitor

The mandatory warning - BACK UP YOUR DATA! I actually moved 100% of my data to another PC on the network just prior to installing. Turns out there was no need, but you never know. Now, on with the install,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

X2 Standard Edition doesn't include a true user's manual. It does have a nine page "Getting Started Guide" which contains enough details for most half way computer literate folks to successfully install X2. I read the guide briefly and jumped in.

Since the PC I was installing on had Win98SE installed, I elected the option to replace a Windows OS with Xandros OS. I had really intended to wipe the partition and install from CD, but figured I'd try the replace option for grins and giggles. My 9.1GB drive is partitioned 3GB and 6GB(or close).

I started the actual install at 5:22pm from within Windows. There was a message to reboot the PC and make sure the BIOS was set to boot from CD. There were some simple prompts to begin the install then I was given the option of Express or Custom. I chose Custom. The next choice I had to make was the type of Desktop install, Minimum, Standard, Complete, or Custom. I decided to do a Complete install just to see what's available in X2. My next decision regarded disk/partition options. I chose to let Xandros take over an entire partition and then selected my primary. Xandros allocated swap file size and remaining partition size - Kool!

I run static IPs on my network, so checked that option, set my IP, Gateway, and DNS numbers. The final steps prior to installing were to set an Administrator(root) password and add a user. Once done, the actual installation began at 5:27pm. Really - that quick, and I was taking some notes while I was doing this.

X2 did the install thing, popped up a big warning about removing the CD and rebooting, and at 5:45pm, I was looking at my desktop. That's 23 minutes from start of install to ready to work - SUPER KOOL!

The first thing X2 presented me with was the 'First Run Wizard'. Kind of a nice little wizard to setup such things as mouse control, regional settings, date and time, etc. I went straight to XFM (file manager) to find my Windows PCs on the network and try and install a printer. By 5:56pm I had 4 Windows shares mounted, the Epson C60 installed, and a test page printed.

As amazingly quick and simple as the install was, where X2 really shines is in usability, especially for new Linux users. While there are several reviews and posts in forums complaining that X2 lacks real power and control ability by the user, as a relative newbie to Linux I found X2 to be extremely friendly and comfortable.

The first place you will probably want to head is into Xandros Networks. XN is the Xandros package management system. XN is a dream for those of us not entirely familiar with package installation and 'dependencies'. It's appearance is very 'Explorer' like. There are two panes in view. The left contains 'directories' of 'Shop', 'New Applications', 'Application Updates', and 'Installed Applications'. Make sure and visit the Application Updates as soon as possible. Xandros will locate and present all updates that apply to your system configuration. It's highly recommend to install them all. Shop contains packages that are commercially available or are free to registered users. To register simply select the Register link and follow the prompts. New Applications and Installed Applications are just what you'd expect. Of note here is the fact that Xandros Networks default is for only standard, approved Xandros apps. For more options and more apps, select Settings, then select Expert View. Next, select Edit, then Set Application Sources... In the popup window, place a check in Debian Unsupported Site. Remember that these are UNSUPPORTED. If you choose to use these apps, I recommend you follow the instructions for pinning located at http://forums.xandros.com/viewtopic.php?t=4939&highlight=pinning

Following the procedure described will at least help prevent major damage to your system.

Another of the real pleasant surprises in store is Xandros File Manager (XFM). There is a real similarity to Windows Explorer. Another of the ways Xandros makes transitioning to Linux easier. I was immediately able to see and browse shared drives and directories on the Windows PCs on my home network. Layout and naming conventions within XFM are not strange, unfamiliar terms for even halfway experienced Windows users. An absolutely terrific feature of XFM is the ability to burn CDs from within. It's even possible to burn using drag and drop. Another cool feature is the built in image viewer. Simply click on an image and it's displayed in the right pane. Buttons on the bar allow viewing next and previous images, zooming, rotating, and even viewing a sideshow.

Right click menus in X2 are only slightly different that what I am accustomed to. Most notable is the right click menu for the desktop. You're able to 'Create New' and 'Arrange Icons' in a manner that you're used to. The desktop 'Properties' provides a configuration window that is far more powerful than the standard Windows config. I spent considerable time changing backgrounds, windows decorations, and widget styles. I finally found a combination that was appealing to me.

X2 applications include OpenOffice, Mozilla Web and Mail browsers, a wide variety of media players, graphics applications and some pretty addicting games. It took me about 3 minutes to get hooked on Miniature Golf 1.1. You real die hard gamers needn't rush to leave Half-Life. We're not talking the same caliber game here.

OpenOffice is an excellent free replacement for MS Office. It includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation app. It easily opens .doc and .xls documents. I prepared this review using the word processor. While some may differ, I see it as kind of a cross between MS Word and Abiword.

I suppose I need to summarize and give my opinion. X2 is, without a doubt, the easiest installing Linux distro I have ever tried. Further, it has so far been the easiest to configure and setup. There's a solid feel to everything I've done so far.

As for problems, yes I had one little glitch that took a couple hours to resolve. It involved connecting to the Internet via a Windows 98 gateway.