I just learned about the existence of RoboLinux from an Elektor email...

Mickster

but research seems to suggest that it's a scam. Anyone have experience/opinion?

RickB

Don't think its a real scam, but the way the web site presents it, makes it look suspicious. Nothing unusual about the concept however, it's common to install virtual box on linux and run a copy of xp for your existing windows software. There are other details such as;

You don't need to worry about viruses or malware infecting Windows & its data because the Robolinux Stealth VM System Software keeps a protected clone of Windows and mirrors your data in a secure Linux partition you can restore within a few minutes in just two clicks.

that are done in any generic install of xp in a vm.

This is the direction I am going with all new hardware, Ubuntu, virtual box,and my existing xp pro. No more $ to u$oft.

Mickster

I kinda sorta do the same thing as this VM (regarding virus immunity) with my existing Windows by using Reboot Restore. Nothing can get on my drive while this is switched on.

Surely there must be some penalty to pay when there are two OS's running (?)

RickB

With 4 cores at 3 GHz and vm hardware in the cores, the perceived overhead is minimal according to those using it. For me, with a single core, 1.8 GHz and 1 GB of ram, I expect a radical speed up with the new hardware.

Mickster

Interesting...I happen to have a virgin system here....might just give it a whirl....I love the UI that they demo in the vid.

Mike Green

Do keep in mind that a virtual machine running a vulnerable OS can get viruses and other malware just like real hardware. Sure you can erase and reinitialize the virtual hard disk very quickly, but you still have to reinstall anything of yours and that takes time. If you keep intermediate copies that have been scanned already for viruses and other malware, this reinitialization process can go quickly, but it's still a pain and not a lot different from having "real hardware".

Peter KG6LSE

Mike . I have 3 VMs on right now . I have never Ever had to re install my Software . I just make a copy of the VDI file after I have set up all the needed programs I like and remove any I dont . and heck My desktop background ...
Think of it this way . I am LIke dell and I bake and roll my own install of a OS . and casue a VMs HW is static you can make it Once and its gonna run fine on any VM host that can * fake * 2 GB ram and a single core of CPU ..


as fast as I can drag a VDI off a 8 GB SD card in to the Dir of where I keep my VMs on my main HDD I can get a OS to its base state . programs included .

alphazonics

No scam. Beautiful distro. Have tried all of the distros recently mentioned on Distrowatch and this is the most versatile and user-friendly with excellent support. Donations are peanuts compared with the superior support that you get in return. As an experienced fan of linux, I am so impressed with the quality. And, as an extra, the graphics are just amazing.

By the way, have you tried XP lately? The virtual version is a delight on Robolinux and is free from all of the usual annoyances that haunt Windows Internet Explorer.

Heater.

From the RoboLinux home page: "100% Debian based"

Sounds great. As long as they have not taken Debian an broken it like Ubuntu does. Sounds like it's worth a try.

RickB

As long as they have not taken Debian an broken it like Ubuntu does.

Which aspect of Ubuntu are you referring to, the unity interface/desktop?

Heater.

RickB,

Which aspect of Ubuntu are you referring to, the unity interface/desktop?

All of it.

Well no. It's just that I have often had trouble building software on Ubuntu because of the way they break dependent packages. I've had whatever I type into a window not going into window because it does not get focus some how. I've had my graphics go all rainbow coloured at random because, well who knows why.

Life is to short for all that so I just use Debian now.