Xandros extends Linux OS to business segment

Chicago (IL) - Xandros, best known for its Linux distribution tailored for consumer desktop PCs, has made its move into the corporate market. The "Business Desktop and Operating System" is the first distribution to offer seamless compatibility with Windows Active Directory servers and Primary Domain Controllers.

Xandros’ origin is Corel Linux OS which Xandros’ founding organization Linux Global Partners acquired from Corel in a license deal in August 2001. Back then, the company speculated that Linux could become a leading supplier of desktop systems worldwide within five years. Today, Xandros is not really closer to that goal, but already has introduced its second generation Linux distribution which receives favorable reviews and tries to take its share of the Windows market : The primary target remains the Windows user which want a Linux based OS, but wants to keep running applications such as Microsoft Office.

"If Microsoft sells a Ford Taurus, we do not want to cell a Citroen - but also a Ford Taurus in higher quality. Our philosophy is to sell into a Windows world," said Dr. Frederick H. Berenstein, Chief Technology Office and Chairman of Xandros. Compared to other Linux distributions, Berenstein pointed out the ease of use of the operating system. The installation procedure for example could be completed with just four mouse clicks. The user interface is so close to Windows functionality, that some users do note even recognize a change from Windows, according to Berenstein.

The newly announced Business Desktop and Operating System includes Sun’s StarOffice 7 and, according to Xandros, integrates into Windows server environments. For example Xandros users are able to share and access files across networks. The software is offered for $129.