Before you answer this question, think about what irritated you the most about the distribution that you are using. Could it be something as simple as not having a plug-in for your Web browser? Could it be you are not comfortable with the command line—that just the thought of typing something as harmless as “1s” is scarier than watching a film by M. Night Shyamalan? If you answered YES to any, you are going to love something called BizDesktop from Everyone’s Linux, or ELX. What you shed is having to use the command prompt and a pile of 700-page manuals. You just need to get your Ethernet card to work properly: This is really desktop Linux at its finest.

How did I learn to love ELX? I came across ELX BizDesktop when I was looking for a distribution that was lightweight, easy to install, easy to upgrade, and most importantly, not requiring hours or the need to use a TI84 to partition my hard drive. I was beginning to wonder if this was at all possible.

Oh, sure, there are some obscure distributions with everything you need on one CD. I have found, though, that the tradeoff is their lack of all but basic functionality after you complete the install. You can still spend a week achieving an environment that you can work with, downloading plug-ins and other eye candy. What I was next to discover was the real jewel of a desktop OS from ELX. It happened because I stumbled over the ELX site in cyberspace. http://www.elxlinux.com/

I was anxious to install BizDesktop as soon as the package came in the mail. I deliberately used a lower-end computer, equipped with a Celeron 600MHz processor, 128MB RAM, Sound Blaster 16 sound card, S3 PCI video card, 8GB hard drive, a Memorex CD-RW, and a 3Com NIC. Nothing fancy: a machine that outlived its Windows usefulness, and equipped with parts you can easily pick up in any office supply store. I had previously used this machine to test another distribution, so I knew it was an adequate Linux box.

Installation attempt

I started the process by removing all partitions from the hard drive and rebooting my system with the install CD in the CD drive. So far, so good. I had to answer a few questions, much the same as you would when you install Windows on a new computer. I was delighted to find the hardware I had chosen was supported right out of the box. Thirty three minutes later, it was finished and ready to reboot. (This is always the part in the process I fear the most, because there is always something that goes wrong with a new install.)  I watched the reboot closely as the system came to life with the ELX splash screen and a prompt to login. I had already created the “root” user, so I entered that user name and password. What came up next was a desktop that was not at all intimidating or overwhelming.

I remember thinking this desktop would be exactly what I wanted in a desktop. The icons were labeled and named very similar to a Windows 98 or 2000 machine, with clear and pleasing graphics.

Would surprises never cease? I immediately opened the Web browser and saw that I was able to go immediately to my Web page. My network settings were set up for me during the install, when I responded that I was using DHCP on the network. My next attempt was to test the install on some common Web sites. To my added astonishment, none required me to install a plug-in.

OpenOffice and Network Neighborhood

Satisfied with the install, I added a new user, gave it a password, logged out of the “root” account, and then into my “normal” user account. This had the same look and feel, so I poked around the menu, looked at the desktop as a Windows user would, and found if you right-click on the desktop you have the ability to change the screen resolution! I was hooked.

Digging deeper into ELX, I found Open Office already installed and ready to use. I was also able to browse the “ Network Neighborhood,” burn a CD, listen to MP3s, and play my favorite Third Day CD without installing additional programs. I haven’t installed Microsoft Office to see if the Windows Emulator (WINE) works, but I have seen on the ELX user community site that it works without a hitch.

The USB utility worked with my pen drive. I was able to transfer files from my Linux machine to my Windows machine.

Best thing in life, but not free

The distribution is not free. BizDesktop 4.0 will set you back $26 plus shipping and handling. The 85-page manual isn’t exactly your all-encompassing roadmap of the OS. While the manual does answer some basic questions, expect nothing in-depth.

On the brighter side, The ELX “Community Support” bulletin board seems to be picking up momentum. Since the distribution is RPM Package Manager (RPM) based, there should be enough new and updated software within the Linux community to make the switch both worthwhile and long-lasting.