Weekly news wrap-up: New options for Linux desktop users, Exchange replacers

Linux users, especially ones using the Open Source operating system on the desktop, have several new options. Red Hat 8.0 and Mandrake 9.0 have both come out recently, and the first reviews of both Linux distributions are trickling in.

Robin “Roblimo” Miller checks out the download version of Mandrake 9.0 and finds it pretty and smooth to install. But it also has some little frustrations that he hopes will be fixed in the boxed CD version.

Linux Orbit also found some annoyances in the new Mandrake version.

Reviews of Red Hat 8.0, with its controversial Bluecurve desktop theme, have been a bit mixed as well. OSNews
suggests Red Hat’s expertise on servers isn’t matched by its desktop offering yet. A second OSNews commentary says Red Hat 8.0 is frustrating for new users.

OSNews seems to have a multiple personality thing going on, though, because a third reviewer calls Red Hat 8.0 “nothing short of stunning.”

If you’re looking to use Linux more on the backend than as a desktop OS, Robin also reports on efforts by a company called Stalker Software to market a “Microsoft Exchange killer.” Stalker’s product isn’t the only one, but it looks promising.

Lindows vs. AOL

Desktop centered Lindows 2.0 also came out recently, and reviews are still coming in. Extreme Tech gives it a thumbs up, saying the install went very smoothly. eWeek.com also gives Lindows a generally positive review, saying it integrates Wine better than other Linux distributions.

All was not happy in Lindows land this week, however. AOL told the company to retract its claims of creating an “AOL Computer.” Lindows came back and said employees there really have collaborated with AOL. I guess the ball is back in AOL’s court.

Odds ‘n’ ends