Part 1 - Part 2:

When I first set out to write this review for Xandros version 3, I was going to take the usual approach with the install screen shots: some typical commentary of how this does this and that does that. Instead, I figured you might be more interested in hearing what this OS can do for you and if this is something that would meet your needs and the needs of your clients. To me, this seems more beneficial than another nitpick session. While I want to share what this OS has to offer, I think that it is important to look at this from a real world point of view.

What’s new in version 3
I think a good place to start off with is a look at what Xandros version 3 has to offer its users. Two of the most notable changes on the ‘nuts & bolts’ side would be Linux 2.6.9, KDE 3.3 and the fact that it is Synchronized with Debian 3.1 (Sarge).

On the side of things that you will be working with every day, the changes include some great software additions. The inclusion of RealPlayer 10, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Mozilla 1.7, Macromedia Flash 7, JVM 1.42_05 and even an updated Samba really make this version of Xandros shine.

Other cool features that impressed me personally include: the ability to easily encrypt your home folder, the addition of a strong software firewall, Xandros Networks Panel Applet (works much like the Windows Update alert tool), and finally, we’ve got a DVD burning utility that really works.

You should be aware that there are a few other areas that were not listed here such as improved USB support and more Wi-Fi compatibility. These are things that I felt are cool and all, but not important enough to really dive right into being that this is not something that is really globally supported.

When devices work, life is good
Now even to this day, some hardware is just not going to work with any Linux distribution right out of the box. Having said this, I’ve got to tell you that this version of Xandros is so close to getting totally right that it is almost freaky.

Let’s take my printer, for instance. It is a real pile. Because I hate to flame the manufacturer, I am going to refrain from saying the exact brand, but let’s just say it is a pretty big piece. At any rate, in Windows I would have to go scouring through the manufacturer’s Web site in order to obtain the proper drivers in order to get it to work. Even then, I’d have to navigate the list of crap just to find it. Long story short: it is a real pain in the butt.

With Xandros version 3, the printer install process is the simplest I have ever seen on ANY OS (assuming it is not PnP, of course). Even before I go to choose the model, it already knows the brand and gives me a quick list of the potential models to choose from. Better yet, network printer setup is just as easy. No CDs, no bull. I was very happy with the way Xandros makes this so easy to set up.

In Windows, you go to plug in a USB thumb drive only to have to sit there and wait while it installs. Not bad, but I think it could be faster. After trying the same USB thumb drive (most models are fine) out on my news Xandros desktop, it was detected instantly with NO INSTALLATION TIME! Yes folks, the drive was ready to go from the Home folder right off the bat.

Now as some of you might remember, I like to use Adobe Photoshop to tinker with my latest doodles and in some cases, photo editing. Being I do this with the need for some sort of detail, I like to use my Wacom tablet. Now I have read with other Linux distributions that some people have had to configure this to get it to work right. However, when I used it in X3, it was working perfectly. Keep in mind that I did not try the eraser portion by simply flipping the pen. For me, this is not often an issue anyway. But the actual interface portion of it was working, as it should right out of the box, no problems in sight whatsoever.

Now, moving on to other personal devices. My Palm was detected quickly and easily thanks to the Palm Pilot tool. No software to install; configuration is now handled in part to a simple to understand wizard. Best of all, there is none of that XP horror of discovering that you tried to install the device BEFORE the software. Those of you with Palm devices that have made this mistake in Windows XP know exactly what I am talking about.

Working with scanners in Xandros used to be a pain. Now, thanks to some improved scanner support, this is no longer the case. Thanks to the wonders of SANE (no, not insane) we have been able to have just about any scanner you can think of work just fine with the Xandros OS. The scanner software built into Xandros is based on Kooka. Easy to use, you might just find yourself going ‘Kooka’ over this software as I did!

While on the subject of digital imagery, let’s jump right into digital cameras, shall we? I borrowed my sister-in-law’s Kodak CX7300. Right out of the box, the software from Xandros known as Digicam did not seem to want to detect it. So, being the tenacious type of geek that I am, I head over to Xandros Networks to download an alternative from an unsupported Debian site. I ended up with gtcam and added the camera database along with it. Now, with Windows you will often find that you are a slave to that CD that comes with your camera. With the gtcam database of over 400 different camera models to choose from, you are going to be hard pressed to find many cameras that don’t work with it.

As for DVD burning, I did not have this installed on a PC with a DVD burner. However, I will say that CD burning remains a perfect pleasure with an interface that rivals that of XP’s built-in burning software.

OK, by now a number of you are likely wondering when I will be getting the Wi-Fi portion of this review. Well, I found that I had mixed success with this. If you are someone who uses a typical Netgear Wi-Fi card or something of the like, you will likely have some configuration to do. Having said that, I will show you both a ‘try at your risk’ option as well as a sure bet to getting your wireless to work with this distribution coming up on Thursday.

On a final note from the hardware front, my modem built into my notebook computer was detected and worked perfectly without any real configuration at all. (Keep in mind, this is a Smart Link modem. It came with the notebook and I have had great success with it in Linux in general. As always, you are always going to be better off with a serial modem as it has been proven to have a greater rate of success than those that are internal.

A potential substitute for Windows that can be submitted to your clients
So, is this an OS that would be of real use for your clients who are tired of coming to you with the latest round of Spyware installed on their PCs? In a short answer, yes. Just as long as they understand that their ability to buy software and use it like they would on Windows might not be as easy as it once was.

One possibility is to use this as an opportunity to introduce the home user to the world of Open Source software especially designed for Linux users. Software like Kontact (which has Kmail integrated into it) is quite frankly a HUGE step over what I have seen with Outlook and is a good starting point to show your clients that Open Source Linux designed software is often times superior to the stuff they are getting in the store anyway.

While they may not yet be ready to move onto Linux completely yet, you can be sure that if you set them up with a dual boot machine, they will likely spend more time exploring this amazing OS than they will trying to figure out why their Windows programs have decided to lock-up again!

For those clients of yours who are in the office environment, this OS is perfect. Simple, stable, and with no security concerns. From the included firewall to the feeling of security that Linux viruses are just not a problem as of right now, your clients can have the affordability and ease of use in an OS that they deserve.

From printers and scanners to VPN support (Deluxe edition), I am blown away at how perfect this is for the office! User permissions are also not being skimped on here, either. You are in complete control here, folks. Schedule tasks, disable and restrict user usability with unbelievable ease and control!

As a matter of fact, I am taking a Xandros machine over to a client’s business to replace an existing Windows machine. It is used for typical Excel functions and using the Internet to look up books and authors. It is left on most of the time and gives me a chance to see it in action from the standpoint of the typical user’s point of view. I am excited because I can save myself a lot of time with having no concern of frequent virus and spyware scares to contend with on a daily basis. It will be a real treat to bring you the developing details as they develop. (But that is a review for a later date.)

In conclusion - for now, anyway
I will be completing part 2 of this review and will have it posted for you on Thurs. It will discuss both what Xandros has done right and where they need to look at some improvement. Most important of all though, I will disclose some solutions for those readers out there that are struggling with watching DVDs and having it crash, getting your Wi-Fi to work out of the box, back-up solutions, getting programs to autostart, plus a whole lot more. Be here Thursday, you will not want to miss it!