Why Is PCLinuxOS 2007 Better Than Ubuntu ?

(Ubuntu feisty vs PCLinuxOS 2007)

Hello guys...

I am one of Linux enthusiast like you people, and have used almost all major Linux distros in past.

Currently I triple boot Windows XP/ Ubuntu Feisty /PCLinuxOS 2007.

I am very impressed with PCLOS 2k7, even more than i was with Ubuntu. So i though why not write something which may help other people....

So here it goes as if why PCLOS 2k7 is better than Ubuntu :

{All things written below are completely my own views, based on my experiences with Linux and Windows, during past years and are no way related to PCLinuxOS OS or Ubuntu developers, or any other person or company mentioned below.}

1. First reason, PCLOS is based on KDE, while Ubuntu is based on GNOME.

And the hard truth is that KDE is definitely better than GNOME. ( I know die hard GNOME users must be frowning). Well, I have points to prove :

(i). KDE gives so much power and options to user to configure their system and desktop, while GNOME in their goal of striving hard for simplicity (unnecessarily and sometimes more than required) cripples normal user (sometime even Linux geeks) in terms of above said parameters. KDE Control center gives far more options than GNOME.

Even Mr. Linus Trovald supports this fact in public and encourages users to use KDE( google it to read Linus's comments.)

(ii). KDE developers are far more active than GNOME people.

This is evident by the fact that KDE is going to release its 4th version (which is a major release, a complete overhaul,i mean everything has been reviewed), while GNOME has no plans of releasing even 3rd version.

(iii). Lots of day to day used apps, like media player, torrent client, file manager, are far superior in KDE. To name a few, Amarok vs. Rhythymbox, Ktorrent vs (hey GNOME doesn't even has a torrent client), Konqueror vs Nautilus, Gaim/Pidgin vs Kopete.... Almost everywhere KDE apps surpass over GNOME apps.

(iv). Now explanations to some of facts for which KD is criticized by GNOME users mostly :

a. KDE is more like Windows.

Well first of all its not true. Because Windows itself copies all things from Mac, but you can't do anything about that, because Mac people are almost always first to bring innovation in GUI. And if Mac people were first to develop the GUI [Graphic User Interface] (rather they also bought it from Xerox company in 80's). So everything traces back to roots and looks similar. And GNOME doesn't look like Windows because GNOME in first place doesn't give many options in GUI. You know, GNOME's philosophy is simplicity.

So better allegation would be that KDE is more like Mac. But believe me fellas, KDE people bring the best of all, along with their own innovations.

b. KDE is slower than GNOME.

Again same explanation, if you need power to configure, you need to have tools to do that. And it needs, both memory and processing. And i use both GNOME and KDE, i don't see or feel much difference.

2. PCLOS has far more stability than Ubuntu. Reasons for that :

(i). PCLOS repository has softwares which have been tested by PCLOS developers completely, while Ubuntu has so many repositories available today, (though it is good in a sense that Ubuntu has max. no of softwares available), that there are very high chances that some program or library dependency from unofficial repository may cause trouble to your system. (OK, this is not for geeks..... BUT this is hell lot of problem for newbies, and mid-experienced users....)

(ii). PCLOS is .rpm based which is better and more efficient packaging model for Linux binaries, than .deb, used by Ubuntu.

[Lot of people may not agree with this. So i want to clear that this is what i have learned from my personal experience, and research on Internet. So your thoughts are equally respected on this.]

3. PCLOS comes pre-installed with most of commonly used multimedia formats(except real player, quick time, and mpg), while Ubuntu doesn't.

This point gives PCLOS a great push ahead of Ubuntu. Its too convenient in conditions like:

(i). Newbies who when using Linux for first time, just get shot when they see that their brand new Linux OS is not playing their favorite songs(mp3).

(ii). Now you will say, person above may simply double click the song, and Ubuntu will automatically install required binaries. True. But, just Imagine someone in developing nation, where Internet penetration is not good or not even available. How do you provide required binaries, as there are always dependencies involved in any Linux binary installation ? Will those people ever replace their perfectly running PIRATED Windows XP in such scenario ? Well, the answer is, NEVER.....

[I could never understand why doesn't Ubuntu pre-installs required multimedia formats. Legal Issues ? Well, i think , they are already getting into legal issues by providing it in repositories. so why not on CD ? May be some complex legal stuff..... if anyone kind enough to explain to me...]

5. PCLOS control center is a big and easy tool to configure system with just few clicks, while

there is not anything analogous in Ubuntu.

6. Some things which i personally experienced with my own system:

(i). PCLOS automatically detected that i needed a software to correct my screen resolution, while Ubuntu didn't.

(ii). PCLOS automatically configured my laptop touchpad correcly, while in Ubuntu, i had to edit x org file to get it working good. For newbies out there, its a nightmare to even find that file without any help from forums or people.

(iii). PCLOS detected my wireless card while Ubuntu didn't.

(iv). On PCLOS, i could run 3d desktops (beryl and compiz) right after install while in Ubuntu i had to install these things from repositories.

(v). On PCLOS i can run even 2 or 3 videos with 3d desktop enabled, while in Ubuntu, whenever i even clicked a video file to play, it would simply exit without anything playing. ( I have a little old laptop with no separate graphic card)

This thing made me a fan of PCLOS. I thought while using Ubuntu that i will never be able to use 3d desktop on permanent basis but with PCLOS i am a complete 3d convert.

[For newbies : 3d desktop on Linux are freaking awesome. Windows vista with its too much hyped "Live Thumbnails in Taskbar" and "Aero Flip Through Windows" should be ashamed. I mean guys, it nothing in front of Linux 3d desktops. And Microsoft spends 5 BILLION DOLLARS on research (did u read that !).

Do check out some videos on you tube. Vista users will feet like scratching their brand new Vista DVD by their own hand after seeing these videos..... So be cautious, Vista victims.......]

(v). I couldn't get flash videos playback with sound on Ubuntu, even after installing same codecs as on PCLOS, and doing all possible tweaks. PCLOS played it like a charm right after install......

(vi). With PCLOS i could select what things not to install (like i kinda don't like open office) during installation by simply uninstalling that software from synaptic, while i couldn't achieve same thing in Ubuntu.

7. What Surprises Me Really As if why Ubuntu hasn't been able to do same things despite the facts that ;

(i). Ubuntu is supported and developed by multimillionaire Mark Shuttleworth and his company Canonical, while PCLOS is developed by some great Linux geek fellas(Texter and ripper gang as they call themselves). I mean where is all that money being spent.

I respect Mark Shuttleworth a lot and am a regular reader of his blog. It seems he needs to audit his company great time.

(ii). Some big computer manufacturer like Dell (and recently Lenovo) and are supporting Ubuntu.

8. Why Has Then Ubuntu Become So Much Popular than Other Linux Distros like OpenSUSE, Mandriva. Well i see few reasons which led to that ;

(i). Mark Shuttleworth decision of sending out free Ubuntu Cd's without any cost in any part of World. This had a huge impact, because it led to wide adoption of Ubuntu in developing nations where people have Internet access but not of broadband like people in developed nations. People out there on their dial up connections could simply request Ubuntu installation Cd's on Ubuntu websites, and get them at their home for free.

(ii). Even today, Ubuntu is definitely second best to PCLOS as:

(a). single CD operating system unlike OpenSUSE or Red hat.

(b). Big community support which has developed over time due to Ubuntu's wide reach attributed to point 8(ii). And MIND YOU....... there is no doubt that Ubuntu's community support is definitely largest and best......you post a query at ubuntuforums.org, and you get the response within minutes......

(iii). And above all, PCLOS hadn't arrived before 2003.................

Hope this article will help newbies to make a right decisions by choosing PCLinuxOS 2007 as their first distro, and already Linux convert to switch or at least give a try to PCLOS 2k7 ( did someone said "distro hoping")......

Interesting read. I'll give PCLOS a try.

What I'd like you to explain is in how far you think that RPM is more efficient than DEB. I've used both only superficially and I haven't really found that much differences.

First, hats off to you for making your first post one of substance...

A few comments:
Not exactly correct...They each use those DMs by default. You can install KDE, Gnome, or others on either distro.

I doubt that. The repositories are not relevant because--in both systems--you can chooses which ones are enabled. Ubuntu derives form Debian, which is arguably the MOST stable of all.

Disagree--at one point I recommended Synaptic / .deb because it outperformed everything else. I've never seen any evidence of substantive differences in the package formats. (To be sure, Synaptic and .rpm does work very well in PCLOS)

Good point.

4. ??

I agree that PCLOS is well-organized, but all the basic controls are there in all mainline distros. Also, some of what you are seeing might be KDE vs Gnome.

Ubuntu and PCLOS are marketed an promoted very differently. Mark Shuttleworth is very visible and "Texstar" (AFAIK) is only a screen name. The differences between the strategy and business models spawns all manner of design decisions---including Ubuntu's absurd concept of "no root user".

PCLOS is indeed among the very best...I just switched from Mepis "temporarily" because I lost printing on Mepis and was busy to troubleshoot it. The change may wind up being permanent.

Just have to have a good laugh on that point alone.

Not everyone likes the use of packages that are considered "non-free" being preinstalled. Even if they aren't preinstalled the multimedia codecs and such take 2 minutes to install.

Pretty much everything else is a matter of perspective and choice.

While PCLOS is a very nice distro and I personally can't stand *buntu, the few times I ran PCLOS and tried updating the kernel I ended up with a trashed system.

It did save me for a couple of months as a livecd when my HD died.

PCLOS is a nice place for people new to linux to start, Texstar and gang do a great job.

No distro is really better than any other distro, it is a matter of choice which is what Linux is all about. Pick what works for you. Nothing has worked better or been more stable for me than Debian.

Just have to have a good laugh on that point alone.

Not everyone likes the use of packages that are considered "non-free" being preinstalled. Even if they aren't preinstalled the multimedia codecs and such take 2 minutes to install.

Pretty much everything else is a matter of perspective and choice.

While PCLOS is a very nice distro and I personally can't stand *buntu, the few times I ran PCLOS and tried updating the kernel I ended up with a trashed system.

It did save me for a couple of months as a livecd when my HD died.

PCLOS is a nice place for people new to linux to start, Texstar and gang do a great job.

No distro is really better than any other distro, it is a matter of choice which is what Linux is all about. Pick what works for you. Nothing has worked better or been more stable for me than Debian.

After using Linux almost from the beginning, and having gone trough loads of distributions (big and small), I think I can say this is (like you mentioned) a personal point of view, and not necessarily something you should make a thread of. This is because different people have different weight points they want or don't want in a distribution, and therefore this your "X is better than Y" posting applies fully to you yourself. It's use is minimal (of course you can read it trough time and again), but it will get people standing on their feet, start another useless 10000+ post argue thread and may give a wrong image about either one of these two distributions mentioned for a newcomer that has not tried either one of them (and that's not helpful for anyone).

Instead of comparing distributions by personal likings, do something more useful.

good that people are laughing......

about .rpm vs .deb, i had already said lotta people will have different school of thoughts, and all are respected.

about installing codecs in 2 mins, u dint notice the very important context of developing nations where internet connectivity is hell of an issue. how do you provide any Linux binary with related dependencies there ? Its no Windows, where u can give a single .exe installation. Then how are you gonna enable wide spread adoption of Linux across the world. you know how MS makes people use it softwares. Just make it available so wide spread spl. in developing nations now, that a "chain reaction phenomenon" gets started.

This is why Ubuntu had succeeded. made it available to world, via free cds.

This awesome decision of Mark Shuttleworth changed Linux's fate within 3-4 years.

[QUOTE=cyneuron;2856358]Why Is PCLinuxOS 2007 Better Than Ubuntu ?

(Ubuntu feisty vs PCLinuxOS 2007)


It does not matter that PCLOS is better. More important is the market recognition. When Dell adopted Ubuntu it made it generated interest and popularity. If you want PCLOS to become a popular OS you must approach Dell competitors, like HP. If they will adopt it the rest is history.

Until it happens I shall stick with Ubuntu and I shall recommend it to non sophisticated Linux users

Hats off to you - three major flamebaits in one thread without any reasoning besides of that you say so.

Best beginner distros:

t2
lunar
gobolinux

Why - because I say so

Hahaha made my day

If you like PCLOS, thats fine, use it. Nobody will break your legs if you don't use Ubuntu. That said, most of your reasoning is laughable.

IGF

Let me pick this apart for a little bit:

But making thing overly complicated isn't the best way either. The way gnome and kde do things does not cripple the user.
That was simply his opinion and that doesn't make him right, nor does it make gnome fanatics right either. You use what is best for you.
Gnome's and KDE's releases are not in sync. I can assure you, both sides are working hard on their projects.
Again, this a matter of personal opinion. If you like KDE apps, then fine use them, but that doesn't make your opinion better than anything else.
No, a lot of the PCLOS packages have been taken directly from Mandriva. The PCLOS devs do a lot of work on things like the kernel, but about 80% of the work is from Mandriva.

Ubuntu is a stable platform and during those 6 months, all the work from the Debian devs in Unstable is put together into one non-moving platform. I've never had a dependency issue, EVER, on Ubuntu or Debian.
I find the opposite true. Not only do debs install faster, but front-end of dpkg is apt-get, which is very effective at resolving dependencies. I can't say the same for yum.
This is not Ubuntu's fault. It's for legal issues and PCLOS may have to remove those as well.
Not so anymore. Whenever Ubuntu doesn't understand a file format, a popup appears asking you to install the necessary packages and then it works!
If their internet connection is limited, then how do they get PCLOS in the first place....

Ubuntu has ShipIt, so now people don't have to tie up their dial-up connection for days downloading 690MB of data.
Correction. They can't include it in US repositories. It can be fetched elsewhere. You still have the legal issue regardless of what distro you use.
This, I agree with you 100%. Ubuntu desperately needs something like this.
This issue has been resolved.

While it's good to make recommendations, I felt this thread was very biased and didn't weigh all the options.

Developing Nations / Lack of Internet access is no reason to disregard anyones Copyright or Intellectual Property.

That's like saying, we don't have a Best buy or Comp USA in Uganda, so It's OK for everyone here to have a pirate copy of Microsoft Windows and Office.

I am using PCLinuxOS 2007 as I type, Installed it a couple days ago ,couldn't be happier. Synaptic works like a charm compared to what I used before (linspire&CNR) and a whole lot faster than LOS.I will be burning my custom cd as soon as I figure it out (I'm not in a big hurry) I've used mostly Debian "stuff" up till now, 'spire, DSL, Knoppix, Kanotix (all but linspire as live )and will continue to use Kanotix and DSL in Live mode as I really like them too, especially Kanotix (hopefully they'll regroup and come back as good or better). But let me tell you that PCLOS beats LOS like a rented mule in just about every way I used it. Have also tried Ubuntu for all of a few hours and that was more than enough.(not a big Gnome fan) Same with ZenWalk, just didn't float my boat. So "To each their own poison." I'm just happy to be uninfested by windoze for alittle over a year now.

Just so my argument could be informed, I downloaded and installed PCLinuxOS 07 on my Laptop on Aug 14. I found my dislike for it still holds true, and for good reason.

My Laptop is a 1ghz, 768mb Ram, 20gig hard drive, 64mb Intel Graphics, 4x DVD Compaq. Runs all versions of Ubuntu, Debian, etc, fine. If its slow with any of them, its Kubuntu, but its still useable.

Here's a few things that were pretty much "buisness as usual" for me and PCLOS 07. Just so you know, yes this was an install, not the Live CD, I'd expect these problems on a Live CD. First what worked, so it doesn't sound all bad...

1. Internet Connection auto detected
2. All of my ports(USB, Parallel, PS/2, etc) work
3. Codecs, etc, appear to work. I didn't test all of them, but my MP3's played, as did a couple AVI's. This to me, is a complete non-issue. If you have the mental capacity to type, "Multimedia codecs Ubuntu" in Google, you'll have them installed in about 10min.

Now the problems:

1. Locked up while installing Wine from synaptic, had to restart. Once I restarted, I got wine installed.

2. Locked up while installing a windows program inside Wine. Required a restart. Tried to install again, locked up again. This is a program I've installed on every single distro I've tried via Wine, w/o issue. So its not a wine issue. I decided to leave well enough alone and put installing said program on the backburner. For what its worth, in both instances it did not just lock up synaptic, it locked up the whole PC, so I could not force quit and had to power down.

3. Still slower than any of the aforementioned distros, including Kubuntu.

4. Since I pretty much hate kopete, I tried to compile Pidgin, but ended up in dependency hell. With Debian/Ubuntu, I simply run "apt-get build-dep gaim", and it resolves all dependencies, then I compile pidgin. I found this command didn't work in PCLOS. So I tried to install GAIM out of the repos, and although GAIM was listed, apparently it tried to access 1 of several repos to download it, and they were all down.

By this time, I found my opinion of PCLOS was still valid, and knew it wasn't gonna last. I gave it 3-4hrs, to try and get a feel for it, and just no way was it as easy as Ubuntu, or even Debian. I'll probably kill over if I see one more "PCLOS just works" post. Because it clearly doesn't. Neither does Ubuntu for that matter, but I don't run around proclaiming it does.

So I went to bed, and now its 7am, and I'm gonna reinstall Ubuntu...

IGF