PCLinuxOS is without a doubt one of the cleaner and easier to use Linux Distributions available today. Based on Mandrake, with development led by Texstar, it continues to be a Live CD distribution that often finds it’s way as a permanent solution for many desktop workstations. The latest release is looked at by a GUILinux Team Member. Read the full review Here.
A quick Review of PCLinuxOS
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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Not bad for what it is, a quick run down of PCLOS.
Of interest to the writer is the capability provide within PCLinuxOS to utilize downloadable compressed image files which enable applications from other distributions to be run in PCLinux.
The klik system provides a source for such compressed files (.cmg, r/o) which is a Knoppix derived system normally based on debian which can be installed within PCLinuxOS to enhance the already provided applications.
It is possible with the klik system to create .cmg(compressed image) files for windows applications and probably also MacOS.
Other Linux apps are amenable from all LinuxOS’s as well.
The compression in .cmg is 50% and remains compressed until run(on the fly).
The result is greater use of applications available across the OS spectrum.
Each .cmg is independent of others and can be deleted at will, shared with peers and re-installed at will.
Sorry you missed the “good stuff” on the PCLinux forum.
http://shots.osdir.com/slideshows/slideshow.php?release=196&slide=3
As PCLinuxOS is a derivation of Mandrake, I’d be interested in knowing what enhancements/features it includes that would induce a user to choose it over the original Mandrake or Mandrake Move. Mandrake itself began life as a version of RedHat that included KDE. I guess what I’d like to know is what need this distro fills that isn’t being filled by it’s parent. Unfortunately this review didn’t offer much insight into why someone would want to use this distro over the original.
Quite a bit really . . . if you are familiar with Texstar and his work that’s usually enough for an answer right there. If not . . . It’s a live cd, using apt-get instead of urpmi, the packages are generally more up to date, the packages are generally more stable, it installs from a single CD, Nvidia and ATI drivers are detected and installed, developers are very accessible . . on and on.
I am typing this on a Mandrake machine right now, but there are plenty of reasons one would pick PLCOS over Mandrake . . . as there are also reasons to do the opposite. It’s really a matter of taste IMO.
There is not much more really , everything can be found in Mandrake , the package are just re-packaged by Texstar and one of is volunteer instead of someone at Mandrakesoft or one of there volunteer …
Many package are usualy missing from PclinuxOS or not out at the same time mandrake as them , its understandable when you see that Texstar is unprofessionnal and is just doing it for fun. Texstar is faster to release is KDE version but is slower with all the rest, when he as them , which is often not the case.
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mandrake
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=pclinuxos
Apt-get is a disadvantage over urpmi , not only is the tool inferior its not even used in connection with Debian and its source.
It install from one CD because its a live cd and that Texstar is unprofessionnal and dont offer another version for those who dont have an internet connection.
Nvidia and Ati driver are included this means that often more then not they dont use the latest version.Mandrake also as them but for there paying clients and they are more up to date. And Mandrake aslo as some for the other Graphic chipset and cards.
There is one developper Texstar , the rest are contributor.Texstar is really accessible , but thats due to its nuber of user which is pretty low , the rest of the contributor are nice if you agree with them and dont ask too much precise question or for anything that they dont agree with.
PcLinuxOS is not more stable then Mandrake , neither are its package , as most often there not they are exactly the same.
In fact PcLinuxOS is a really nice KDE liveCD based of MandrakeLinux from a fun Guy .MandrakeSoft is an Internationnal company providing many GNU/Linux product including the #1 distribution MandrakeLinux and one LiveCD among there numerous product. with a paid staff of 75 and around 30k volunteer worldwide.
One would pick PClinuxOS for only two reason , they dont like Mandrake for some reason , most often then not they are ridiculous and false , and to give back and help Texstar.
LOL, it would appear as though we have a Mandrake Employee in our midst.
We’ll take these one at a time.
“the package are just re-packaged by Texstar and one of is volunteer instead of someone at Mandrakesoft or one of there volunteer … ”
Yes, and what would be the reason for re-packaging? Yep, generally because there is something wrong with the first package. Texstar has a long history of Making Mandrake run better.
“Many package are usualy missing from PclinuxOS or not out at the same time mandrake as them , its understandable when you see that Texstar is unprofessionnal and is just doing it for fun. Texstar is faster to release is KDE version but is slower with all the rest, when he as them , which is often not the case”
Completly untrue. Mandrake like many large distributions has a standard release cycle. This means once a package is included in a distribution, it doesn’t get updated or bumped a new version unless it’s due to security. PCLinux is able to and does keep adding and upgrading packages as they appear.
“Apt-get is a disadvantage over urpmi , not only is the tool inferior its not even used in connection with Debian and its source. ”
I actually agree with the first part of this, I think URPMI is the best package installer hands down and wish Texstar would have left it in. The whole thing about Debian . . . you’re kidding right? That statement could only be called FUD. since when is any one package limited to only one distribution? Apt-get has been used for RPM’s for years, and it does the same for RPM’s as it does for Debs. Get over it.
“It install from one CD because its a live cd and that Texstar is unprofessionnal and dont offer another version for those who dont have an internet connection.”
Come on, even Mandrake is limited to what they have on their CD’s if you don’t have an internet connection. That comment boarders on the absurd.
“Nvidia and Ati driver are included this means that often more then not they dont use the latest version.Mandrake also as them but for there paying clients and they are more up to date. And Mandrake aslo as some for the other Graphic chipset and cards.”
Another completly false and FUD based statement. Mandrake sticks with the drivers from the release cycle. Texstart is not limited in this way.
“There is one developper Texstar , the rest are contributor.Texstar is really accessible , but thats due to its nuber of user which is pretty low , the rest of the contributor are nice if you agree with them and dont ask too much precise question or for anything that they dont agree with.”
More FUD
“PcLinuxOS is not more stable then Mandrake , neither are its package , as most often there not they are exactly the same.”
Again, historically, Texstar has a long track record of fixing and repairing the “little issues” with Mandrake.
“In fact PcLinuxOS is a really nice KDE liveCD based of MandrakeLinux from a fun Guy .MandrakeSoft is an Internationnal company providing many GNU/Linux product including the #1 distribution MandrakeLinux and one LiveCD among there numerous product. with a paid staff of 75 and around 30k volunteer worldwide.”
Can’t disagree with any of that. I Like Mandrakesoft the company very much, and I generally like their products.
“One would pick PClinuxOS for only two reason , they dont like Mandrake for some reason , most often then not they are ridiculous and false , and to give back and help Texstar.”
Oh come on now, there are many reason people like or dislike a distribution, that doesn’t make their reasons ridiculous OR false, it’s a matter of taste.
One last comment about what you’ve said here. In my veiw none of it has been helpful to Mandrake. While a times your verbage seems to take the high road, you dip down to the low road quite often. Quite a few times you have mentioned that Texstar is “unprofessionnal”, to what end? Linus was “unprofessionnal” for years. Are you saying the distribution has to be put out by a large coporation to have value? If so you are in the wrong business, as the majority of packages inside of every distribution are created my “unprofessionnals”.
Also, as I have said, I use Mandrake . . . it’s a matter of taste, but I don’t have any trouble seeing where others might see a value in PCLOS, and I don’t feel the need to bash it or Texstar.
I like PCLOS because of the multimedia support out of the box. It plays almost every media file without having to add packages or dick around with settings/setting things up. Makes for a good desktop distro.
I prefer apt-get/synaptic. Synaptic provides a single user interface to add/remove and update your system handling rpm dependencies. apt-get/synaptic helps keep users from borking their systems and reduces software support questions. Users cant force rpms onto their system without dependencies met. apt-get/synaptic will notify you that you have broken packages on your system.
I actually like synaptic quite a bit, a very powerful GUI tool. Apt-get is a very powerful tool also.
IMO, from the cli URPMI is the most powerful package manager available, but not from the gui, which actually seems to cripple urpmi.
I have had apt-get get confused with large updates before, and bork systems. You would be able to find plenty of this kind of example, although it is much better than the standard rpm stuff.
What I really like about urpmi is the fact that it download and then installs, either one package at a time, or one group of packages at a time, based on dependencies. So if you are doing a large upgrade, it will download and install everything up to the point of error, then will clearly tell you what the error is. You just won’t get caught with a half installed system, because it tales it as groups rather than a whole. Apt-get does the entire download and then tries the entire install, it is still possible to get caught with dependency issues.
Garret
I’ve been using PCLinuxOS for over a month now on a daily basis and I’m completely satisfied. Excellent multi-media support. This distro is staying on my machine. I’m wondering if ANONYMOUS above (with all the negative comments) has actually used this os. Doesn’t sound like it to me.
“Texstar has a long history of Making Mandrake run better.”
No, he doesn’t, he has a long history of making dodgy newer-version packages that break it. I’ve been unofficially supporting MDK users in various places for a while now, and I lose count of the number of times problems have been caused by bad Texstar packages. I’ll tell you this – when he decided to go off and do his own thing, everyone who helps people out with MDK breathed a sigh of relief.
“Completly untrue. Mandrake like many large distributions has a standard release cycle. This means once a package is included in a distribution, it doesn’t get updated or bumped a new version unless it’s due to security. PCLinux is able to and does keep adding and upgrading packages as they appear.”
MDK does this too. In Cooker. The development distribution. Every time something new comes out, it’s in Cooker soon, usually the same or the next day. Ever tried running Cooker? Ever experienced the wonderful stability and predictability of that kind of system? I do run Cooker, because I like to test the distro, and I’m happy to live with the problems it produces. It’s not an experience for everyone, though, and it’s what PCLinuxOS thinks is fine for everyone all of the time…
oh, and on urpmi – yes, rpmdrake hides a lot of what urpmi can do (and I mean a *lot*, urpmi does much more than most people know – tried the parallel functionality? in 10.2, check out the new support for variables in the URL to the package repository…). This is intentional, it’s a design decision – the idea is that urpmi is the power tool and rpmdrake is kept very simple and usable for novices. MDKsoft figures that if you’re advanced enough to be using urpmi’s expert features, you can do it from a console, and it’s not a good idea to confuse novices by putting all that functionality into rpmdrake.
“No, he doesn’t, he has a long history of making dodgy newer-version packages that break it.”
I’ll agree to disagree
“I’ve been unofficially supporting MDK users in various places for a while now”
Great, I hope you’re getting paid. 🙂 BTW, I officially support Mandrake users . . . and yes, getting paid to do so :-).
“and I lose count of the number of times problems have been caused by bad Texstar packages. I’ll tell you this – when he decided to go off and do his own thing, everyone who helps people out with MDK breathed a sigh of relief. ”
Err, not everybody, I have asked everybody here at the shop (15) and none can remember being asked about it.
“Completly untrue. Mandrake like many large . . . ”
Thanks, very aware of cooker, currently running it on three machines, and since you don’t seems to be familier with PCLOS let me say that it is not even close to being the same as far as unstable goes. Easy for me to say as I DO have extensive with both distributions.
And thanks I understand the reasons for rpmdrake, I just feel some of the true power of URPMI should be more accessable from the GUI.
Again, let me say I USE MANDRAKE, so I am in no way bashing Mandrake. As a matter of fact, we have better than 70 machines at the shop (workstations and Servers), they are running Mandrake, debian, and a couple of BSD’s. Point is, I’m not a PCLOS fan boy, but I am somebody who see’s value in PCLOS, as do the ever growing number of PCLOS users.
As far as Texstar goes, I consider him one of the true valuable assets of the FOSS community, as I know many others do. It’s interesting how he can have such a positive reputation for so many people (again, everybody here at least respects him and his efforts), and you tell me he is basically a pariah in the Mandrake community.
Anyway, as it often does, it would seem that this little back and forth is turning ugly and into personel attacks, so I will disagree with you sir, wish you the best of luck and be on my way.
Garret
He was invited to build packages for mandrakeclub before he launched pclos. Guess they didnt suck then but they do now huh?
PCLinuxOS = MDK ++
+ more recent packages that are as or more stable
than MDK releases – and definitely far more stable than cooker
+ apt-get/synaptic – much faster and easier to use than urpmi
All these personal attacks on Texstar – did someone forget to take their happy drugs?
I like MDK – and Texstar and team – yes, there is a team – provides a polish that they don’t, and alot of extra goodies they prefer to charge for.
I must say as a novice to Linux and having tried most distro’s (commercial ones like Mandrake as well) this PCLOS is the first distro that installed great the first time, detected all my hardware without problems, upgrades almost flawlessly, where everything (well almost everything anyway) works out of the box and has the best multimedia setup I’ve encountered so far. I am running it for almost 2 months now and I havent run into any major issues that couldn’t be fixed. Their community is really great and help is gladly offered by people familiar with the distro or Linux in general. Even a friend of mine who has used many distro’s in the past has crossed completely over to PCLOS without any regrets whatsoever. I used Mandrake in the past and I must say I did like it but still after a while it made me switch back to M$ Windows. Now that I’m running PCLOS I can do almost anything that I did on my Windows machine so there really is no reason anymore for me to go back and I don’t even have to install CrossOver Office (like I had to in Mandrake) to view quicktime trailers online (that was just one example). And the best of it all is that through hard work and 100 % dedication this is a strong distro that keeps getting better all the time. And if Windows users would just have the balls to try this wonderful distro I am sure they will love it and leave windows for what it is.
I started using Mandrake around its earliest releases and Texstar was pretty much the only reason I stuck with Mandrake as long as I did. It always seemed that Mandrake left something out or something broken. And, Texstar’s packages helped smooth over those rough spots. I don’t ever recall Texstar’s packages breaking anything I had installed.
While I wish Mandrake well, I’m glad Texstar left to create his own distribution. It seems free of so many of the little aggravations I always seemed to find in Mandrake. PCLinuxOS is now among my favorite distributions and works “out of the box” much better than nearly every other distribution I’ve tried. If you doubt me, check it out for yourself. I’m confident most people who try it will find out why it’s quickly gained so many fans.
Is it perfect? No. Is it one of the most satisfying Linux experiences available today? It most certainly is.
No , I dont work for Mandrake.
The reason for repackaging is simple The Mandrake Brand dont look too good on PClinuxOS , there is nothing wrong with the Mandrake package. Texstar might decide to add something recent to a package which is not included in Mandrake at the time he get is copy.
Your assuming that the Mandrake Community dont offer any upgrades before the official release. not only is there a ftp repository for that (contrib) , the are also many contributor doing just that.
No I am not kidding , Texstar apt-get dont connect directly to a Debian repository or the Debian core ( which is an advantage of a Debian Based distribution ) , Ubuntu , Mepis , libranet as an example , it connect to Texstar rpm repository , Not only did you not understand my comment your ranting on your own misunderstanding , Package and repository are two different thing , certain package which are proprietary are tied with only one distribution , and you dont know that? Luckily most software are released under the GNU/GPL and everyone enjoy them regardless of there contribution.
Whats absurd is your comment , First of all again you dont understand the comment made an you go ranting on your own absurdity, first of all Mandrake is a internationnal Commercial distribution, and one of the top at it too , will come back to this on why it make a difference. Secondly Mandrake come with 4 CD as base , PclinuxOS just 1 , you whant the rest or other software you have to download it , **there are no other option**. If there is please show it . With Mandrake I can have 200 different CD to my door in 24 hour and not the same one and not from the same source.
An internationnal commercial distribution as official and unoffical reseller , it as official and un-offical support and it as offical service and un offical services. And its distributed in 60 languages Things that PcLinuxOS dont have due to its small size , small income and small support base.
Actually Its the opposite Texstar stick with “what works” until he is ready to release is next version of “what works” , Mandrake as NVIDIA AND ATI support and some others.
Please Feel free to name me one other developper ? Sal is a contributor , R.P.M.Koendering is a contributor , etc … They are NOT developper.
historically, Texstar has a long track record of “packaging” other people updated software for Mandrake. Is he more reponsive then the Mandrake community ? no , he is more responsive then MandrakeSoft , yes.
“Oh come on now, there are many reason people like or dislike a distribution, that doesn’t make their reasons ridiculous OR false, it’s a matter of taste.”
Yes ok , I should not generalize from the norm and majority I am sure there are one or two people who’s reason are a mather of taste. I am thinking of the majority and more vocal ones.
“In my veiw none of it has been helpful to Mandrake.”
I am not discussing Mandrake its a PcLinuxOS thread.
“Quite a few times you have mentioned that Texstar is “unprofessionnal”,”
Yes , because its the case. You should know your the one who add to rebuild there news website , if I am not mistaken.
“Linus was “unprofessionnal” for years.”
No , Linus whas unpaid for years but his work and is method where highly professionnal.
” Are you saying the distribution has to be put out by a large coporation to have value?”
No , I can just look at Knoppix , Mepis , etc to see what profesionnalism means.
” If so you are in the wrong business,”
No , I just dont over embelish the work of some people because of there great past contribution. I also have 400 other distribution to compare of and many other Mandrake Based project.
” as the majority of packages inside of every distribution are created my “unprofessionnals”.”
Thats where you would be wrong some of the free contributor have more ethics and professionalism then those who are paid to work at certain distributions, this include some MandrakeSoft Employee.
“Also, as I have said, I use Mandrake . . .”
http://www.ruffdogs.com/ I know who you are. and I know what you do. Been following your work for years , usually a great fan of your work, even this one.
” it’s a matter of taste,”
Actually you would be wrong its a mather of technology and Knowledge and preference. Most of the people compalin of the out of the box experience and assume that Mandrake dont offer certain thing like you do.
” but I don’t have any trouble seeing where others might see a value in PCLOS,”
Beside Textstar there are none.
” and I don’t feel the need to bash it or Texstar.”
Pointing out flaws and what is missing is not bashing , mentionning things as they are is not bashing.
I am not judging Texstar as a man , he is a great guy , I am not judging PclinuxOS as an OS that work for some people. I compare both to whats available in the very big GNU/Linux community and a bit more vs Mandrake because its whats being discussed.
Trust me when I say this MandrakeSoft is a big pain in the ass. But its the Mandrake Community who is building MandrakeLinux. And some of us also contribute directly to PclinuxOS.
Well sir, I may has misunderstood some of the basis for what you have said and I apologize is so, but I still strongly disagree.
I believe as with many things, time will tell. Best of luck to you.
Garret