While people debate whether Linux is ready for desktop use, IDG reports
that Linux has surpassed MacOS in desktop system shipments. Linux has
clearly arrived on the desktop, whether the world is ready for it or
not.
While major Linux players such as Red Hat, Novell and Sun
offer business-oriented desktop versions of Linux, most of the recent
developments have come from a trio of smaller companies: Lycoris, Linspire and Xandros.
These companies focus on making a desktop version of Linux that is
nearly indistinguishable from Windows. These are all attempts to make
Linux systems look familiar to Windows users. Gone are traces of desktop
environments like GNOME or KDE. Instead, users see My Computer, Network
Neighborhood, and other Windows-like elements.
Many users run Linux mostly to get away from Windows, but these
companies want to make Linux as familiar as possible to mainstream
corporate computer users-that is, Windows users. To a large extent, this
strategy has worked, and these companies appear to be thriving. In
addition, a package called Crossover Office from CodeWeavers lets Linux users run many Windows applications, at
a slight extra cost. With all this, many users simply cannot tell the
difference. (Experienced computer users can usually spot variances from
Windows.)
Lycoris shows its multicolored flower logo and a professional look all
over its products and Web site. The look of Linux is very important to
Lycoris, which includes enhanced font-rendering in an effort to improve
a weak area of Linux. A special Desktop/LX Tablet Edition supports a
number of tablet PCs. And, a work in progress runs on AMR-based PDAs,
such as PocketPCs.
Lycoris Desktop/LX Personal costs $40 US, and the Desktop/LX PowerPak
costs $75. The PowerPak version includes Crossover Office from
CodeWeavers to run Windows applications. You can
also purchase cheap PCs preloaded with Desktop/LX from Walmart.com.
Linspire, which accepted a good bit of money from Microsoft to switch
its name from Lindows.com, has garnered a lot of publicity, something
founder Michael Robertson is used to-he also founded mp3.com.
The main focus of Linspire lies in its ability to easily update the
software. An online repository called Click-n-Run, or CNR, offers
software downloads for Linspire systems. You need a CNR membership, though,
running $4.95 a month or $49.95 a year. With most CNR applications, a
single click starts an automatic download and installation process. This
dramatically simplifies the experience faced by most users when they
update their Linux software.
The base Linspire software costs $49.95. For $299, you can get a
decently-configured PC running Linspire's desktop Linux distributions
from Sub300.com. The company also offers cheaper systems for libraries
and similar organizations.
Xandros built its Linux distribution from the well-received Corel Linux.
At one time, Corel made a big splash in the Linux market, porting
WordPerfect, Corel Paint, and other applications to Linux. When Corel
got out of the Linux market, Xandros took over the Linux distribution.
In recent months, Xandros has focused on larger businesses, creating the
Xandros Desktop Management Server to help deploy and manage desktop
computers for large organizations.
The low-end Xandros Desktop OS Standard Edition costs $49. The Business
Edition costs $129, but includes Crossover Office, the StarOffice office
suite, as well as the ability to authenticate against Windows primary
domain controllers or ActiveDirectory.
You can't really go wrong with any of these products; it's hard to argue
with a Linux distribution aimed at desktop usage for a relatively low
price.
