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Which Linux Desktop Packs The Most Punch?
crn.com ^ | 11:00 AM EST Wed. Nov. 22, 2006 | Frank J. Ohlhorst, CRN

Posted on 11/24/2006 12:31:10 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach

System builders considering a Linux desktop are faced with a dizzying array of choices. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of Linux distributions to choose from. Narrowing the field of contenders basically comes down to what works best for both the system builder and its customers.

Finding that fit often leads system builders to pursue a commercial distribution over an open-source one. Today's commercial desktop Linux distributions make a lot of sense for system builders, mostly because of three factors: recurring revenue, licensing and support.


With that in mind, the CRN Test Center set out to compare commercial versions of Linux that are aimed at the channel, specifically the custom-system channel. After considering several commercial distributions, the Test Center narrowed the field to three channel-friendly players: Linspire, San Diego; Novell, Waltham, Mass.; and Xandros, Ottawa, and their respective products: Linspire Five-0, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 (SLED 10) and Xandros Business Desktop Linux.

While comparing these three very different distributions proves to be difficult, all have one thing in common—a desire to be the Linux of choice on desktop computers, and that requires a commitment to system builders.

Comparing these products head to head requires breaking down the category into the areas that matter most to system builders. For our criteria, we focused on ease of installation, features, support, compatibility, value, user experience and channel programs.

(Excerpt) Read more at crn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: linux
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To: amigatec

Ubuntu Edgy 6.10 and Xandros 3.0.3 Business Edition here.


21 posted on 11/24/2006 11:11:35 PM PST by bigdcaldavis (Xandros : In a world without fences, who needs Gates?)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
I recently switched to Fedora and couldn't be happier. Not sure why they didn't evaluate it; maybe it's not quite beginner-friendly enough.

..the Test Center narrowed the field to three channel-friendly players: Linspire, San Diego; Novell, Waltham, Mass.; and Xandros, Ottawa, and their respective products: Linspire Five-0, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 (SLED 10) and Xandros Business Desktop Linux.
22 posted on 11/25/2006 5:10:44 AM PST by Ocracoke Island
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To: bigdcaldavis
I have a question: I'm running Ubuntu [Dapper, I think]. If I want to update to Edgy, do I need to do a clean install? Dapper works fine, I just don't know enough to be able to update Firefox and install the plugins for it. [I need some Linux lessons.]
23 posted on 11/25/2006 5:26:33 AM PST by Clara Lou
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To: Clara Lou

Isn't Firefox 2.0 available in Ubuntu Dapper's repositories? If so, just use Synaptic or run the following command in the console :

sudo apt-get install firefox

If that doesn't work, then do a clean install...Edgy comes with Firefox 2.0.

BTW, you can install Automatix which will allow you to install the beta version of Adobe Flash Player 9.0 on Ubuntu (plus you can install other things...although technically it would be illegal to install some things such as mp3 codecs and DVD codecs.


24 posted on 11/25/2006 8:58:21 AM PST by bigdcaldavis (Xandros : In a world without fences, who needs Gates?)
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To: Vinnie

I want one I can dual boot. At least until I decide whether to keep it or not.
Tried Knoppix off a CD and was underwhelmed. It wouldn't save any of my preferences.

-

I've got boxed versions of XP, Linspire and SUSE, and have been experimenting with various install options. SUSE sort of takes over the install process - once you're underway it identifies the Windows partition on your machine already, then asks for permission to shrink the Windows partition and set itself up on a new partition.

After install, the machine then boots with a SUSE screen, to a dual-boot prompt page, which defaults after 8 seconds to SUSE.

I had to set up two partitions ahead of time, in order to dual-boot to Linspire. It's set default to take over the hard drive - but you can select an option to install in a partition of your choice.

Of course, either of these results in a fully installed Linux on your machine, so it's not really optimal for (just) trying it out.

Linspire does allow you to run directly from the CD without installing. In fact, I was able to run my pc without any hard drive installed at all, just off the CD using Linspire, but that is very slow.

SUSE seems well thought out. During installation you need to choose between the KDE desktop (which is what Linspire uses), or GNOME.

KDE acts the most like Windows, and it's got the capability to hide all the desktop icons, which I like - haven't been able to figure how to do that with GNOME.

Linspire installs the OS to operate as the Administrator - a benefit or a bug, depending on your viewpoint. Windows does this too. It's possible to set up a non-root user, then arrange the boot options to boot directly to the non-admin user logon, which is I believe far more secure.

(same is possible with SUSE, but SUSE doesn't default to the admin user, which is probably a good thing)

YMMV.


25 posted on 11/25/2006 9:18:38 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network (Election 2006: For Republicans, the results were comprehensive.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Last I'd checked, the 8 GB flash card was pushing $800 in retail cost. Best Buy has (or perhaps had? as of Tuesday) 4 GB flash cards for $59.xx after rebate. There's a 4 GB thumb drive at Sam's Club for $89.xx, and both of these are tempting, because I have such a smallish hard drive on the old reliable here. I could back up the whole thing on a chip...


26 posted on 11/25/2006 9:48:01 AM PST by SunkenCiv (I last updated my profile on Thursday, November 16, 2006 https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

thanks for the info.
I was looking at a copy of Mandrake that fits on a CD but it's an ISO and the last times (plural) I tried to run an ISO my comp wouldn't.


27 posted on 11/25/2006 10:50:16 AM PST by Vinnie (You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Jihads You)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

If you want to run Linux at a respectable speed, then really you need to run it from either the hard drive or a USB flash drive...running a "live" CD is just too slow. Running Linspire installed on a hard drive is worlds faster than running Linspire from a CD...same with Ubuntu and its derivatives.


28 posted on 11/26/2006 3:05:45 PM PST by bigdcaldavis (Xandros : In a world without fences, who needs Gates?)
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To: SunkenCiv

Last weekend I think I saw a 16 Gig for under $200 at Fry's...


29 posted on 11/30/2006 11:30:17 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: Clara Lou
You can upgrade to Edgy without doing a clean install. I did it on my machine - worked fine.

Instructions:

If you want to upgrade from 6.06 LTS to 6.10, run the following command (either via ALT-F2 or a terminal):

gksu "update-manager -c"

The "-c" switch instructs Update Manager to look for upgrades at all. By default the 6.06 LTS release will not offer that automatically because of its long support cycle and high stability.

If you have a working network connection, it should then inform you about a new release and offer to upgrade your system.

As for Firefox - I use Swiftfox - you can download an Ubuntu version at www.getswiftfox.com.

Enjoy!

Regards, Ivan

30 posted on 11/30/2006 11:34:57 AM PST by MadIvan (I aim to misbehave.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
Ubuntu Edgy Eft (6.10) running on an HP Compaq nx7000 laptop:

Swiftfox browser, Fusion Alternative theme. Desktop (and system sounds) by Battlestar Galactica. :)

Regards, Ivan

31 posted on 11/30/2006 11:40:33 AM PST by MadIvan (I aim to misbehave.)
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To: MadIvan

I tried the command you provided, both in terminal and "run command." The message I got was this:
X Error: BadDevice, invalid or uninitialized input device 166
Major opcode: 144
Minor opcode: 3
Resource id: 0x0
Failed to open device


32 posted on 11/30/2006 3:12:46 PM PST by Clara Lou
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Wow, they go that big?


33 posted on 11/30/2006 10:26:53 PM PST by SunkenCiv (I last updated my profile on Thursday, November 16, 2006 https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv
Can't find a 16 gig but here is a 12 Gig:

PNY 12GB Maxfile USB Dr for $149....

34 posted on 11/30/2006 11:56:29 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: Clara Lou
Apparently this is a problem with some computers - in this instance, I recommend a clean install.

Regards, Ivan

35 posted on 11/30/2006 11:58:49 PM PST by MadIvan (I aim to misbehave.)
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