With the release of Linux-based Xandros Server 2.0 Standard Edition, well-known Linux desktop vendor Xandros offers compatibility and other services that may give Microsoft SharePoint Server some competition.
In the new server, due in April, Xandros will include O3Spaces Workplace 2.0 office collaboration software. With Workplace 2.0, users will be able to use OpenOffice.org, StarOffice and Microsoft Office to work on documents in commonly hosted Xandros workplaces. At the same time, Xandros claims, the system enables everyone involved in the project to track the work being done on it.
The O3Spaces Web-based workplace environment, which the company says is usable with any Web browser, enables users to access multiple workspaces. The group collaboration program also features search functions including full-text searches of ODF, PDF and Microsoft Office documents, Xandros officials say.
A Xandros spokesperson said that O3Spaces Workplace provides any office user with a professional out-of-the-box extension for team and project collaboration. Xandros claims that the O3Spaces-enhanced server is an affordable, platform-independent, and integrated collaboration alternative to the Microsoft Office SharePoint server.
“With support for both Microsoft Office and OpenDocument formats,” says Andreas Typaldos, Xandros CEO, “O3Spaces fills an essential need for todays mixed network environments looking to transition from proprietary to open solutions.” The O3Spaces plug-in for Xandros Server 2 is expected to be available from the Xandros Networks online update facility by the time the server is released.