Xandros offers free trial version of Linux OS

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 10 Jun 2004 at 12:53

Linux maker Xandros is offering a free-as-in-beer version of its operating system.

The Open Circulation Edition of Xandros will be free on the BitTorrent file sharing network or for a $10 admin and overhead charge direct from the company's servers. The file is a 513Mb download, so is probably not advisable on a dial-up connection.

The free version is based on the 2.4.26 Debian version of Linux. The aim is to give users a taster of the Linux desktop but is hobbled so that the CD burning program will only write at the drive's minimum speed. Similarly, the browser and email client software is the free ad-sponsored version from Opera. Neither do you get CodeWeavers CrossOver Office or Plugin that allows you to run Microsoft programs, and there is no installation support.

Otherwise, the desktop is the complete version of Xandros, for non-commercial use. Of course you can upgrade to the commercial Standard, Deluxe and Business editions versions of the software with prices starting at $39.

The Open Circulation Edition is available at the Xandros website.