Advice on Ubuntu or PClinuxos

Hey guys,
After uninstalling Mint (due to tooo much simplicity for me) and Kubuntu (due tooo many problems) I've decided to either go for Ubuntu or PClinuxos.
Both are more or less completly different. Ubuntu is debian based and uses Gnome while PClinuxos is RPM based and uses KDE.

In terms of Gnome vs KDE, I've had experience of both now and KDE looks far more "flashy" and "rich" while Gnome looks clean and un-bloated. I'm leaning towards Gnome since Compiz didn't work very well in Kubuntu for me - does it work seemlessly in PClinuxos?
Something I haven't had experience of are RPM's. Debian imo, using apt etc is remarkably simple and easy to use. Is the same for RPM? I'm hearing that deb has a better "package management" and doesn't "degrade as much" compared to RPM. What exactly do these phrase's mean in english?

With Pclinuxos, does the installation process create a gfxgrub or just a normal text grub? Or does it have an option on installation?

As some of you will probably say try out the live cd's, I'm about to do that. If someone could answer these questions it would greatly help me.

Thanks,
Jam.

 

Yes

Basically, that deb is better with dependencies, and is easier to manage.

Sorry, I wouldn't know, I use Arch Linux.

 

What do u mean by dependencies?

 

Two very fine choices. Before we go any further, know that you are going to have to try both for yourself. No matter how much we all tell you what we like and dislike, you are the only one that in the end will know what fits you better. So, just get going and download their respective ISOs and burn them up. Play with them in LiveCD mode for a while or even go ahead and install them both for a little while so that you can get a good feel for them. If you can spare 20 GB on your hardrive, use 10 for each and have fun.

It was very straight forward for me on PCLinuxOS.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd294/rm_shots/Snapshot.jpg

What are the specs of your machine?

In practice you will not see much difference between Ubuntu and PCLinuxOS package management. Try them and you'll see. They both use Synaptic as a package manager. PCLinuxOS offers the use of high bandwidth servers to those that give a small contribution, but it is not mandatory. Personally, I wish all distros offered that since it is so nice to have.

That is a good question. I am not too familiar with that, but I do know that I can modify the grub config files with a text editor, so I guess it is just a normal text grub.

There you go. Also, I recommend that you download the MiniMe version of PCLinuxOS since it is more up to date, and I personally think that its theme is much nicer than the old 2007 one (The only thing about the theme I don't like are the icons, so I recommend that you install the Oxygen icons from Synaptic. To enable them, just go to the KDE Control Center > Appearance > Icons.) Since there are so few apps installed by default on the MiniMe version, it may feel a bit spartan to begin with, but every app you will need is just a click or two away in Synaptic.

Have fun!

 

Thanks for the response rm2.
I'm in a bit of a dilemma tbh. Pclinuxos just looks like windows to me - not why I installed Linux in the first place. I love the theme though contradicts my initial reason in installing linux - I want something different.
I've tried out the live cd, all be at a lower screen resolution (couldn't change it without a reboot apparently), and navigation is incredibly easy. Its probably easier than Mint imo. Impressions are very good.
Will be trying out Ubuntu tommorrow though know what to expect since it should be similiar to Mint.

If I go ahead in installing Ubuntu, is there anyway to integrate KDE? If I can, will I also get all the bloat? e.g. K applications (Konqeror, Kaffeine etc)

 

Ubuntu is Kubuntu without KDE being installed as default.
Otherwise they are identical.

 

I believe you van uninstall the ''K'' apps, but yes, you can install KDE via synaptic.

 

Kubuntu is kind of the best of both worlds if you like KDE, and KDE 4.03 was just released. I've never had the privilege of using PCLOS other than a live CD because my wireless card isn't supported yet so can't comment on that one, but I do know it's one of the top distros in popularity

 

Yes, imo KDE comes with so much bloat compared to Gnome - especially Kubuntu. I had a number of problems with Kubuntu including special effects, connecting to wireless automatically, constant kde crash handler errors in common applications such as Kopete and adept. I also found that Kubuntu came with quite bit of bloat and it got a bit annoying with every application having the letter "k" beggining with it.

Mint was all well and good however I didn't like the taskbar being on the bottom (yes I can put it on the top but I want my windows minimized at the bottom) and annoyingly after several threads in the Mint forums, no could quite figure out how to customize the pre-installed gfxgrub.

I'm leaning towards Ubuntu though most people have Ubuntu and I like to be different. Therefore PCLOS is the answer but I don't like its "windows" theme. Then again, is must be easy to change that?

- Jam.

 

When you wish to install a package, sometimes it has prerequisite packages that it needs to in order to even run or install; such packages are called dependencies.

 

Yes, it is very easy to change. In fact, the fact that you can customize it to your heart's content is one of KDE strong points. Just head on over to KDE Look and see if you find a theme that is more to your liking.

http://www.kde-look.org/

 

I don't like PCLOS. I can appreciate it as a project, it just seems junky to me.

 

Well, good thing there are other options for you. I like PCLinuxOS because it has worked so well for me and gives me everything I need with the least amount of effort. We all value and appreciate different things in our computers. Personally, if you are using Linux, whatever flavor, it makes me happy.

 

Oh, I wasn't trying to disrespect you or your distro rm. I just said junky because there is something about it that I don't like and I can't quite put my finger on it. I keep wanting to work with it because I like the overall conception of a very friendly distribution. Keep in mind that I am a Gnome guy, not a KDE guy. If the project ever embraces a legitimate Gnome branch, I'd probably be more excited about it. The community Gnome remaster of PCLOS updates to KDE.

 

Is that still the case with the recent release?

 

I'm about to install Ubuntu 7.10 . I suspect that PCLOS is a lot more user friendly than Ubuntu but it just seems that I'm always going to be critical of different distro's until I finally install Ubuntu.
PCLOS is probably the best distro I've used so far, even off the live cd, but I Gnome just seems to be more of my liking.

Thanks for your help guys, especially rm2!! Like you said, as long people ain't using windows all the time, its great!!

Jam.

 

PCLOS is a spinoff of Mandriva....the new Mandriva 2008 One Spring has just been released....I liked it so much took it to the harddrive....see my brief review on this forum in the past day.

 

Just installed Ubuntu and my very first feeling was - aaaaaaa back to nice clean and simple Gnome. Haven't had to do much at all to get it up and running smoothly - installed updates which conveniently poped up in the taskbar, unlike Kubuntu.
Wireless and bluetooth are working - all I've done is install some plugins for firefox.

Btw, PCLOS is a winner in its own right. Its a superb distro if you want KDE and does the job as a "friendly distro" incredibly well. In the end I decided I didn't want KDE and therefore chose Gnome.

Jam.

 

Good for you. You made an informed decision and you can be happy and content with your decision. I like KDE myself, and I love the PCLinuxOS Control Center (inherited from Mandriva). Not to put a wrench on your decision, but maybe you ought to try Mandriva's newly released GNOME edition. I hope someone does soon, otherwise I will have to do it myself for curiosity's sake.

 

PCLOS Gnome edition looks quite stylish to me actually. Anybody tried that? Btw, I'm not thinking about installing it.

 

Ha, ha. You know you've got the bug. You may as well do what I do and leave room on your machine for three or four distros so that you can keep trying new ones as they come out. Hey, not only is it informative and practical, it is also fun.

 

I'm sticking with Ubuntu for now <----- definetly for at least a week. Everything is running smoothly as I've said but its time to experiment new challenges. Currently I'm trying to function sopcast!!

Jam.

 

PCLOS resembled a KDE knock-off of Ubuntu when I tried it; it lacks distinguishing featrures.

 

I love the GUI though.

 

PCLinuxOS actually predates Ubuntu. For me PCLinuxOS offers the best combination of features and function of any distro. That is its distinguishing feature for those that like it. Not every one has the same needs/desires on a distro. In a nutshell, people who like PCLinuxOS usually agree that the main reason they like it is because it is "radically simple". If that is not what you are looking for, you will probably prefer another distro. Good thing there is plenty to chose from.

 

Since PCLinuxOS is baased on mandriva, why not give mandriva a try ? They just released a new version.

 

I really wish they'd develop an official gnome branch. I think that I'd be interested in checking it out.

 

You can always install Gnome =]

 

Here is a review of PCLinuxOS GNOME Edition:

http://www.linux.com/feature/131936

 

I don't know, I love what Linux Mint has done with KDE...

 

Yeah, that is a KDE that I can live with. But some of the controls don't match up which frustrates me.

At any rate, I am testing Sidux which is a new Debian-based distro on my old Gateway. It has a nice looking KDE desktop but the menus still drive me nuts. I haven't gotten to use it much but maybe I'll play with it more this weekend.