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Finding that fit often leads system builders to pursue a commercial distribution over an open-source one. Today's commercial desktop Linux distributions make a lot of sense for system builders, mostly because of three factors: recurring revenue, licensing and support. With that in mind, the CRN Test Center set out to compare commercial versions of Linux that are aimed at the channel, specifically the custom-system channel. After considering several commercial distributions, the Test Center narrowed the field to three channel-friendly players: Linspire, San Diego; Novell, Waltham, Mass.; and Xandros, Ottawa, and their respective products: Linspire Five-0, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 (SLED 10) and Xandros Business Desktop Linux. While comparing these three very different distributions proves to be difficult, all have one thing in common—a desire to be the Linux of choice on desktop computers, and that requires a commitment to system builders. Comparing these products head to head requires breaking down the category into the areas that matter most to system builders. For our criteria, we focused on ease of installation, features, support, compatibility, value, user experience and channel programs. EASE OF INSTALLATION While each of the distributions offer simplified installation, they each take a different path to the installation process. We also considered that system builders have different needs than end users and are concerned most with installation shortcuts, such as imaging, scripting and mass deployment tools. Linspire dives head first into the system builder market by offering a system-builder-specific channel program. Part of that program consists of allowing system builders access to ISO-based distributions that are geared toward mass deployment of the Linspire OS via imaging technology. What's more, Linspire offers its Burn-It and Ship-It tools, which make it easy for system builders to test and prepare their desktop Linux computer systems for the marketplace. Ship-It restores the Linspire OS to a first-boot experience, allowing system builders to deliver a system that is ready for customers to customize.
SLED 10 has an additional advantage: In early November, Novell and Microsoft agreed to share some technology and development items, which should bring about more options for deploying SLED 10 on Windows-based networks. The installation wizard associated with Xandros is aimed at the end user. But the company does offer a special ISO build for system builders, which provides a special first-boot wizard. That feature allows users of OEM systems to configure their user settings when they receive the system. FEATURES Linspire, SLED 10 and Xandros are all chock-full of features, and many of those features are shared across the distributions, while some others are unique to the particular vendor. When it comes to a desktop Linux, two features reign supreme: connectivity and document processing. Linspire offers a plethora of bundled software, and if a user needs something not included out of the box, Linspire offers its Click'N'Run (CNR) service, which allows users to simply connect to an online store and purchase commercial software or download open- source software and then auto-install those applications. However, for most users, what's included should meet the majority of their needs. Linspire users will find tabbed Web browsing, Hot Words, in-line spell checking and pop-up ad blocking, along with support for QuickTime, Windows media, Flash and Java. The product also offers a complete office suite in the form of OpenOffice, which includes word processing, spreadsheet, drawing and slide presentation applications. OpenOffice also offers good compatibility with Microsoft Office.
SLED 10 offers many of the same features as Linspire, but the bundled applications with SLED 10 are more robust. For example, SLED 10's e-mail offering, Novell Evolution, offers compatibility with Microsoft Exchange, along with group scheduling and collaboration support. And Novell's OpenOffice includes additional compatibility features, such as support for Microsoft's macros in documents and spreadsheets. SLED 10 also includes GIMP image editor, a high-end graphics editing application that offers an experience similar to Photoshop. Users will also find several other features bundled with SLED 10, such as a desktop search engine, Citrix client and Linphone, a VoIP desktop client. Xandros' bundled Xandros Business Desktop offers many of the same features as its competitors, but with an interesting twist. Xandros includes CrossOver Office, an application that allows users to install a variety of Windows applications, such as Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes. Xandros also comes with StarOffice, the commercial version of OpenOffice, which includes additional support and compatibility features. What's more, Xandros' ability to mimic other operating systems (such as Windows and MAC) can be a valuable feature for those sites looking to transition from those platforms over to Linux. Another element worth noting is that Xandros bundles in a terminal services client that is compatible with systems running Microsoft Windows Terminal Server, which allows Xandros users to have access to legacy hosted applications. SUPPORT Support tends to be one of the hardest elements to judge when it comes to a software distribution. What's more, many system builders have different preferences when it comes to support. Some are perfectly happy with Web-based bulletin boards and online knowledge bases, while others prefer interaction with a support technician.
Both Xandros and Linspire have done an excellent job of building online support offerings. But over time, system builders will find that Linspire offers support that is a little better than what Xandros has to offer, mostly due to Linspire's active bulletin board system and comprehensive knowledge base. Xandros, though, is not far behind Linspire when it comes to technical support and offers much the same in support capabilities. Still, Novell takes the lead here basically because the company's existing support mechanism for its broad array of products made it easy for Novell to redeploy support for SLED 10. Both Xandros and Linspire have had to build their technical support offerings from scratch. |
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