Lycoris FAQs

What are the system requirements for Desktop/LX?

Desktop/LX requires a Pentium® or compatible processor, 64 Megabytes of RAM, and 1000 Megabytes of unpartitioned hard disk space. We suggest a 500MHz processor, 128M of RAM, and a 4M video card.

Can I install one copy of Desktop/LX on all the computers in my home?

Absolutely! Desktop/LX has a special license which allows for unlimited installations for non-commercial use. Please note that while Desktop/LX can be installed on many computers, the Product ID you receive with a purchased copy of Desktop/LX only works with one computer at a time. To receive Technical Support or access IrisTM from multiple computers from a single purchased Desktop/LX CD-ROM, you need to purchase additional Product IDs from the Lycoris Store.

What is a Lycoris Product ID and what does it mean?

A Product ID is your way of knowing that you received a genuine Lycoris product. It also entitles you to 60 days of technical support which is included with each Product ID. A Lycoris Product ID also allows you to access additional services like the IrisTM Software Gallery.

Can I use IrisTM or get technical support from all the computers in my home?

Each Desktop/LX computer that you wish to access additional services like technical support and the IrisTM Software Gallery must have a unique Product ID from Lycoris. Two computers cannot use the same Product ID to access these services. If you purchased one copy of Desktop/LX and want to access services from more than one computer, you can easily purchase additional Product IDs from the Lycoris Store.

Are there any yearly fees for Iris?

Absolutely not! We are proud that unlimited access to IrisTM comes with each Product ID and allows one computer to download software for as long as Lycoris supports the version of Desktop/LX on that computer.

Will Desktop/LX run my Windows® applications?

It's always better, faster and more stable to run applications that are 'native' to the operating system. Windows® applications will never run as well under any other OS as they do under Windows®. If you are annoyed by the inflexibility or constant upgrade cycle of those applications then the only way out is to replace them with the Desktop/LX alternative. Desktop/LX does include WINE, the Open Source Windows® emulator which can be used to run some Windows applications.

How do I replace my Windows® programs?

Many times you can find the Desktop/LX alternative program and use the 'files' from your old Windows® applications. For example, for Microsoft® Word files Desktop/LX ships with a light office suite, Koffice, that has decent support of Office 97 documents. Lycoris is preparing to release it's full office suite, the ProductivityPak in about a month. The ProductivityPak will have even better Office document compatibilty and allow you to replace your office programs. You can open Word and Excel files and save them as the open format ProductivityPak files and you will be free from the other office suite.

What if I have no choice but to use Windows® programs?

If you must use some Windows® applications like those mentioned above, you can keep Windows® on the computer and run either Desktop/LX or Windows® and choose at boot time. That's known as 'Dual Booting'. Or you can run an emulator environment like Win4Lin or VMWare. Those allow you to run a 'Windows' session inside Desktop/LX for Windows® programs if you like.

Most of your investment will be preserved in the fact that you can begin to migrate away from those expensive Windows® applications by using your 'files' in Desktop/LX. The only way to move away from Windows® is to move away from those applications.