Switching From Windows to Linux Can Take Time

I remember when I made the decision to switch from Windows XP to using Linux. It was not an instant changeover. I had used Linux in the past briefly, when it still did not support most hardware like soundcards and modems, and had stayed with Windows for a long time. But I then bought a second-hand computer and decided to give Linux another try, as there were times when Windows was becoming frustrating to use.

I installed Xandros 3 OCE on it and enjoyed using it. I still ran my Windows XP PC and was comparing the two. Eventually Windows XP got so bad, although a reinstall of it would probably have helped, but I got fed up with having to reinstall Windows yet again (at least once a year for several years).

So I decided to give up Windows XP as my main OS and go for Linux. I bought Xandros 4 Home Premium (no longer available) for less than £100 (considerably cheaper than an XP licence), and installed that and enjoyed it, until the hard drive it was installed on decided to die.

I then wanted to try something else. I discovered Linux Format via the Internet and decided to subscribe (I never bought a copy in a shop) and read about Ubuntu and other distros. Eventually I chose Ubuntu and have been happy with that ever since. I have recently bought an Asus Eee PC 901 with Xandros and enjoy that too.

The point is, I changed over gradually. I think we need to get Windows users to try out Linux first. Live CDs are great in helping do this, as they make no changes to a computer, and thus the Windows user can try out Linux without fear of messing up Windows.

A gradual changeover is the least painful way, and either people who start to use Linux will either like it right away, or have reservations by eventually get fed up with Windows and go for Linux, or be won over by its ease of use (as is the case with some distros) or other plus points.

For me, the real advantages over Windows include:
- no licence fee (for most distros)
- regular free updates
- the latest cutting edge technology (e.g. Compiz)
- free open source software which does not have built-in spyware (Windows has its Genuine [dis-]Advantage Tool which is spyware)
- very unlikely to get a virus or spyware installed in Linux, so much safer to use
- not likely to need to reinstall the OS every 6 months due to OS getting bloated and slowing down as Windows gets.

To a certain extent I think Linux is already there as being better than Windows. But Microsoft has a bigger marketing budget and powerful infuences over the PC industry which pushes Linux out.

Xandros

I am still using Xandros Linux 4 on my PC for my main operating system, it is still a good system and works well.
However, as it has a cost, this will put off some people from using it. Personally, I believe that the Home edition should be free and the Professional edition (and other business software they make) paid for. Xandros will never be popular amongst home users until that happens.
Earlier in 2007 Xandros released a free version called Xandros 4 Open Circulation Edition. They did this with previous versions, a version that did not have all the full features, but was free to download, usually via bit torrent, and fully working and functional, which then gives people an idea of what Xandros is like and how good it is.
But if you look today for the Xandros 4 OCE via bit torrent, you get nothing. Xandros ceased that free edition earlier this year. However, I found it hosted on a Xandros fan site at http://bryantrv.com/misc/, from which you can download the ISO file, to burn to a blank DVD.
Linux is so popular because so much of the software is free. It is the best way to compete with Microsoft. But maybe that is why Xandros stopped the free version, as they did a deal with Microsoft earlier in the year. The MS deal may produce some benefits for Xandros users, but stopping the free version means that the user base can only ever grow slowly (which Microsoft would want). So is the MS deal really in the best interests of Xandros?