On July 28 2003, Xandros released version 1.1 as a follow up to the initial release
1.0, it includes several enhancement prior to the previous release such as updated
version of CrossOffice which now supports Adobe Photoshop 7 and Office XP. More
on what has been improved below:
* Support for Microsoft Office XP and Adobe Photoshop 7.0
* Mozilla communications suite 1.3.1 with spell checking and spam filtering
* OpenOffice.org office suite 1.0.3
* Evolution groupware client 1.2.4
* Enhanced hardware detection
* Intel i830/845/855 graphics drivers
The package we recieved includes a printed user guide and a Technology Preview
CD (contains KDE3).
Installations:
Xandros did not do many changes on the installer, it still look the same as the
previous version, a five step easy installation. It gives you the options to do
Express Installation or Custom Installation (Allow package selections).
One great thing about Xandros is Windows partition resizing tools that comes
with the installer. I found this tool very useful when I want to install Xandros
into a single partition Windows drive.
On Administration password configuration, Xandros enforce the 6 character minimum
password for root access, and same goes for adding users.
Before the installer start formatting your drive or repartitioning it and install
the packages, it will show you the summary of the installation. After package
installation, a dialog box show up asking if I want to make a boot disk or reboot
now.
Using Xandros OS 1.1
The boot loader load up hiding the background process with it?s big Xandros logo.
I was prompt with login box to login. Afterwards first run Wizard shows up to
guide me on Mouse preference, Regional setting, Date & Time, Printer setting,
system behaviors, and finally Xandros registration.
Using KDE2.x, Xandros did not impress me on their interface; it looks old, out
dated style desktop. The menu is nicely organized and well grouped. If you are
previously a Windows user, you will not have problem being comfortable on Xandros
as everything is lay out as what you can call ?Windows? look-alike.
Xandros Network, is another tools that put Xandros as a great no-headache distro,
it works like Windows Update, allowing you to download and install Xandros updates
without much hassle.
I load up XFM (Xandros File Manager), it looks similar to Windows Explorer (very
similar in any case) and just like the previous version, it could see my windows
system on the network without much trouble with Samba configuration.
Running CrossOffice would be a plus for those who want to install Microsoft Office
XP such as MS Word. I installed Adobe Photoshop 7.0 with CrossOffice without a
problem putting a side small performance drag.
Conclusion:
Xandros have a great start with what they are doing to capture Windows refugee,
and it?s a good thing Xandros start off based on Debian.
However the outdated KDE was a big turn off, but one thing for sure, if you are
an average Linux user, you won?t like Xandros that much as it was not targeted
for the Tux geeks.
Regarding support, Xandros offer a decent support such as 30 days email support,
and a pretty active community support forums.
I would recommend Xandros to those who want to move away from Windows but still
needing the Microsoft Office application such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
It will be an easy move from Windows to the Linux world.
The price of Xandros Deluxe is $99.00 however you can get a tone down version
without CrossOffice for $39.95. I was surprised to see at Xandros store on the
upgrade price, Xandros 1.1 Upgrade will cost $99.00 too.
OSForge Rating :
Installation:? 
Pricing:? 
Usability:? 
Overall:? 
Visit http://www.xandros.com for more information.
There are more talkback posted on this article, 
