Does anybody know anything about Xandros, I am looking into it on request but I found this in the FAQ
Will the desktop be based on KDE or GNOME?
Xandros Desktop uses a Xandros enhanced version of KDE.
My question is have they actually modified KDE itself, or just reconfigured it and perhaps completely replaced some of the KDE applications. I can't find mention of the source being available anywhere so I am hoping the latter.
My question is have they actually modified KDE itself, or just reconfigured it and perhaps completely replaced some of the KDE applications. I can't find mention of the source being available anywhere so I am hoping the latter.
I don't think I can actually answer your question, but I have installed Xandros when a copy was given to our Director of ICT (at a school) at a trade show.
KDE is customized to look very much like that Redmond based Operating System with a start menu called the "launch" menu. If you choose the relevent theming, some effort has gone into making a Windows user feel at home. For example, Konquerer is made to look very much like Explorer right down the exact colour of gradient on the left hand side and My Music and My Pictures folders.
I've read the License agreement (much to the amusement of onlooking student friends) and it basically says some packages on the Xandros disc are under the GPL and others are not - some have licenses that restrict installation to only one machine. You're expected to examine each individual license in detail before installing on more than one box...
Not sure I answered your question, sorry.
-- Ben "tola" Francis | 00101010 tola ^/. http://hippygeek.co.uk | mailto:tola@imen.org.uk opinions expressed are of the voices in my head only
On Thursday 12 February 2004 16:57, Ben Francis wrote:
KDE is customized to look very much like that Redmond based Operating System with a start menu called the "launch" menu. If you choose the relevent theming, some effort has gone into making a Windows user feel at home. For example, Konquerer is made to look very much like Explorer right down the exact colour of gradient on the left hand side and My Music and My Pictures folders.
Thank's for the replies I was just checking really.
As to Xandros and the MS look and feel, how do the group feel about this. I for one think it is not the way forward.
1. In my opinion the user interface in MS Windows (particularly more recent versions) is quite broken, the only reason people fine it useable is that it is reasonably familiar. The trouble is that familiarity is not reason enough to emulate. What next a: c: and d: in Linux ?
2. By emulating the MS look and feel and being free, Linux ends up looking like a cheap Windows Clone. Madness I know but I have heard this from people when first exposed to Linux.
3. Just because they have the biggest market share, does not mean that MS have designed the optimum user interface. I can't think of anything worse than comming home from swearing at Windows machines all day to be faced with something that looks and works exactly the same.
4. No matter how hard you try you are never going to be able to completely emulate the Windows experience (Jokes about BSOD screensavers to be pasted in here) There will always be something that is different, because the underlying technology is quite different. If you can't make it "exactly" the same why not concentrate on making it better ?
Does it sound a bit like I have got it in for Xandros today, honestly I haven't, This applies to more distro's than just Xandros.
On Thu, Feb 12, 2004 at 07:49:10PM +0000, Wayne Stallwood wrote:
- In my opinion the user interface in MS Windows (particularly more recent
versions) is quite broken, the only reason people fine it useable is that it is reasonably familiar. The trouble is that familiarity is not reason enough to emulate. What next a: c: and d: in Linux ?
I agree, the MS UI is very sucky, you only have to take a look at the number of Mac fans to see that people don't like windows and find it inferior to Mac OS.
- By emulating the MS look and feel and being free, Linux ends up looking
like a cheap Windows Clone. Madness I know but I have heard this from people when first exposed to Linux.
Hmmm, some things share a look and feel, but then all WIMP enviroments have something in common. Personally I don't like things that are a windows workalike, but then I don't like using windows. Anyhow just because some of them look or feel like windows doesn't mean they all do.
- No matter how hard you try you are never going to be able to completely
emulate the Windows experience (Jokes about BSOD screensavers to be pasted in here) There will always be something that is different, because the underlying technology is quite different. If you can't make it "exactly" the same why not concentrate on making it better ?
Why emulate when you can improve?
Does it sound a bit like I have got it in for Xandros today, honestly I haven't, This applies to more distro's than just Xandros.
If a distro wants to be windows let them, the market will decide their fate, personally I believe in distros that include all the window manglers so you can decide your own fate, if a distro wants to customise just one option then let them, at worst it may attract users who want it to be the same, if the option of other choices is there then it isn't a big deal overall.
Adam
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adam＠thebowery.co.uk -
Ben Francis -
Wayne Stallwood