Xandros - the illusion of being a great distro...
Posts: 46
I was considering Xandros, but after a bit of research found it isn't quite as rosy and sweet-smelling as they claim. I found an interesting comment somewhere, part of which goes like this:
If you do anything more than what comes bundled with Xandros OS, be prepared to have to tinker, tweak, search, install, and edit in a completely different environment than you were used to in Windows. Xandros is not the "easy" switch they make it out to be. It, like most all Linux distros has issues and limitations that many current Windows users will find infuriating or annoying.
Do your homework before you switch, or even decide to spend time trying Xandros out on a seperate computer. Don't try dual booting unless you know how to fix problems.Tech support, sales support, and in general contacting Xandros is a slow and usually aggravating process. They hardly ever respond, and when they do it's usually with no useful information. The Xandros support forum has some very helpful members, as does linuxforums.org make sure to get familiar with them.
Xandros does not have a phone number to call.
Interesting huh? I'm curious to hear what other people have to say about Xandros. I know the writer seems to have the "it just works-itis" a bit, but still a revealing comment about the distro.
Dominic 
Xandros and stuff
Posts: 3
Those comments are a rarity and usually accompany either bleeding-edge or nearly-dead system installs. So, normally (and for me from version 2 to 4.1) Xandros installs in about 5 mouse clicks and 20 or 30 minutes.
The support is very slow, but usually very thorough. But, if you piss (right or wrong) off a Xandros employee on their support forums they will deactivate your account and get personal about it. Some users who have pissed off a Xandros Employees on the forums were later ignored by Xandros support for months. The support forums, however are friendly and full of good help.
Now, however, their ideals take a shot to the heart with this "Support MS Patent FUD Covenant" thing.
I'm totally psyched that I found Mepis! It is a stunning and instantly-usable distro, and is one of the three Debian-sprung distros out there that actually get video card _and_ monitor _and_ resolution exactly right, and on two installs in a row. Kubuntu was a sad 1024x768 no matter what.
Feel free to ask me for any experience or comparisons as I move from Xandros to Mepis.
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Best regards,
Wally
Mepis 6.5 -- No more Xandros, no more Macpherson
Linux registered user #339199
http://counter.li.org
Old Post
Posts: 5513
Hi Wally.
I know that Xandros is in the news at the moment, but you have responded to a nine-month-old post.
Thanks for sticking with Mepis though. I hope you can continue to help when folks have problems
Jon
No computer is magic, no operating system is magic, no website is magic. They all require human interaction, thought, and responsibility to work.
Fence post
Posts: 3
Howdy John,
Heck, I used Xandros for a few years with no problems, so nine months is nothing. 
I hope to help where I can.
Wally
Linux registered user #339199
http://counter.li.org
Xandros is where l came into
Posts: 1175
Xandros is where l came into linux 3 years ago and l spent more time reinstalling it then l did using it. If it was the only distro that was available in linux l probably would have returned to windose. On the forum the solution to the problem was usually a reinstall and email support was useless. I would have to agree with what was written in your post. If Mepis isn't your cup of tea l would certainly recommend PCLinux or Kanotix before ever waiting your time and money on Xandros. I bought a years subscription to Mepis which was to me a good investment whereas what l spent on Xandros was lesson learned ... steer clear.
Wayne