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I’ve been using ubuntu, kubuntu, xubuntu, opensuse. I’ve been using those for work, and guess what, opensuse is much better than those ubuntus. It has better printer integration (you don’t even have to setup the printer that already successfully connected to another opensuse box in the same network), the Novell open office support Microsoft Vb macro.Opensuse 10.2 even successfully installed on Pentium III 600, with 192 MB of Ram, which the ubuntus cannot ( i tried 7 days on every ubuntus, always hangs in the middle. set it up using the alternate cd, it works. but for my line of work it doesn’t even meet my needs). I even my use it right now to write this comment. There is also an error on openoffice draw integration in kubuntu. Xubuntu is a waste of time, doesn’t even handle usb memory stick correctly. Besides, everything that I need in opensuse is there inside 1 DVD.
My job consist of using openoffice heavily, email, web browser, printing (which is still a pain, my windows and linux cannot share the printers, and sometimes there is problem with CUPS), web publishing, drawing.
Please consider opensuse.
My job consist of using openoffice heavily, email, web browser, printing (which is still a pain, my windows and linux cannot share the printers, and sometimes there is problem with CUPS), web publishing, drawing.
Please consider opensuse.
A vote for SAM! I was happily experimenting with Ubuntu as a new Linux user, but had difficulty with getting an older P-port scanner working. Within 20 minutes I had achieved using SAM live disc what I had not in >10 hours on Ubuntu. I installed SAM and have been finding that ease of use with many other tasks.
***Man I am not having a good time with you comment submission, please delete partials***
I think "Kubuntu" is as important to review as "Ubuntu" especially since most of your other distros are KDE based (apples to apples). When you are comparing a KDE distro vs. a Gnome distro their differences are great enough that they are like different distributions (as an aside Automatix is imo _essential_ for a ’buntu installation, though as an add-on I understand it should not be counted in this context).
Just a thought.
As far as other distros to consider, I would suggest Freespire (when the 2.0 comes out) primarily because of their CNR.com website/frontend to apt. CNR will additionally be made available to the ’buntus, Debian, Fedora, and OpenSUSE as well as Freespire/Linspire. CNR is unnecessary for most GNU/Linux users but could be very valuable to the joesixpacks/aunt Tillies/windows refugees. Another advantage of CNR is that it gives a way to legally acquire the media codecs, something most of these other distros that are pre-installing codecs are not doing. If that’s important to you ;)
I prefer NOT switching people to paid distros but if that is not a consideration (such as a small business setting) Xandros is probably one of the most Windows like distros out there. They integrate into Windows networks and Windows work-alikeability is their core tenet. It is the most similar to the Windows environment, and easiest to drop into a Windows environment that I have seen. They do (did?) have a community (free) version that lags by a point release.
Maybe Debian itself, it has from rumors I have heard increased it’s "usability" for the new user factor. It is the the fountain from which so many great distros flow.
Others I would recommend have already been mentioned, Mint, SimplyMEMPIS.
For the record I switch others to either Kubuntu or Xandros depending on the situation.
Quick question,I’m sorry, but Gentoo as a "most usable Linux distro", did I miss something? I have never heard anyone say that, most flexible, most customizable, best if you want to learn how linux works, most efficient in terms of speed or only having the sorftware you need installed, but "most usable".
Don’t you mean in part "easiest" as well? Gentoo folks correct me if I am wrong but would you turn your Grandma loose on Gentoo by herself? No offence meant, I honestly don’t believe they themselves would claim that, or intend their distos to be that.
But Gentoo _is_ a great distro for many reasons, so please by all means throw it in the pot.
I think "Kubuntu" is as important to review as "Ubuntu" especially since most of your other distros are KDE based (apples to apples). When you are comparing a KDE distro vs. a Gnome distro their differences are great enough that they are like different distributions (as an aside Automatix is imo _essential_ for a ’buntu installation, though as an add-on I understand it should not be counted in this context).
Just a thought.
As far as other distros to consider, I would suggest Freespire (when the 2.0 comes out) primarily because of their CNR.com website/frontend to apt. CNR will additionally be made available to the ’buntus, Debian, Fedora, and OpenSUSE as well as Freespire/Linspire. CNR is unnecessary for most GNU/Linux users but could be very valuable to the joesixpacks/aunt Tillies/windows refugees. Another advantage of CNR is that it gives a way to legally acquire the media codecs, something most of these other distros that are pre-installing codecs are not doing. If that’s important to you ;)
I prefer NOT switching people to paid distros but if that is not a consideration (such as a small business setting) Xandros is probably one of the most Windows like distros out there. They integrate into Windows networks and Windows work-alikeability is their core tenet. It is the most similar to the Windows environment, and easiest to drop into a Windows environment that I have seen. They do (did?) have a community (free) version that lags by a point release.
Maybe Debian itself, it has from rumors I have heard increased it’s "usability" for the new user factor. It is the the fountain from which so many great distros flow.
Others I would recommend have already been mentioned, Mint, SimplyMEMPIS.
For the record I switch others to either Kubuntu or Xandros depending on the situation.
Quick question,I’m sorry, but Gentoo as a "most usable Linux distro", did I miss something? I have never heard anyone say that, most flexible, most customizable, best if you want to learn how linux works, most efficient in terms of speed or only having the sorftware you need installed, but "most usable".
Don’t you mean in part "easiest" as well? Gentoo folks correct me if I am wrong but would you turn your Grandma loose on Gentoo by herself? No offence meant, I honestly don’t believe they themselves would claim that, or intend their distos to be that.
But Gentoo _is_ a great distro for many reasons, so please by all means throw it in the pot.
well as Freespire/Linspire. CNR is unnecessary for most GNU/Linux users but could be very valuable to the joesixpacks/aunt Tillies/windows refugees. Another advantage of CNR is that it gives a way to legally acquire the media codecs, something most of these other distros that are pre-installing codecs are not doing. If that’s important to you ;)
I prefer NOT switching people to paid distros but if that is not a consideration (such as a small business setting) Xandros is probably one of the most Windows like distros out there. They integrate into Windows networks and Windows work-alikeability is their core tenet. It is the most similar to the Windows environment, and easiest to drop into a Windows environment that I have seen. They do (did?) have a community (free) version that lags by a point release.
Maybe Debian itself, it has from rumors I have heard increased it’s "usability" for the new user factor. It is the the fountain from which so many great distros flow.
Others I would recommend have already been mentioned, Mint, SimplyMEMPIS.
For the record I switch others to either Kubuntu or Xandros depending on the situation.
Quick question,I’m sorry, but Gentoo as a "most usable Linux distro", did I miss something? I have never heard anyone say that, most flexible, most customizable, best if you want to learn how linux works, most efficient in terms of speed or only having the sorftware you need installed, but "most usable".
Don’t you mean in part "easiest" as well? Gentoo folks correct me if I am wrong but would you turn your Grandma loose on Gentoo by herself? No offence meant, I honestly don’t believe they themselves would claim that, or intend their distos to be that.
But Gentoo _is_ a great distro for many reasons, so please by all means throw it in the pot.
I prefer NOT switching people to paid distros but if that is not a consideration (such as a small business setting) Xandros is probably one of the most Windows like distros out there. They integrate into Windows networks and Windows work-alikeability is their core tenet. It is the most similar to the Windows environment, and easiest to drop into a Windows environment that I have seen. They do (did?) have a community (free) version that lags by a point release.
Maybe Debian itself, it has from rumors I have heard increased it’s "usability" for the new user factor. It is the the fountain from which so many great distros flow.
Others I would recommend have already been mentioned, Mint, SimplyMEMPIS.
For the record I switch others to either Kubuntu or Xandros depending on the situation.
Quick question,I’m sorry, but Gentoo as a "most usable Linux distro", did I miss something? I have never heard anyone say that, most flexible, most customizable, best if you want to learn how linux works, most efficient in terms of speed or only having the sorftware you need installed, but "most usable".
Don’t you mean in part "easiest" as well? Gentoo folks correct me if I am wrong but would you turn your Grandma loose on Gentoo by herself? No offence meant, I honestly don’t believe they themselves would claim that, or intend their distos to be that.
But Gentoo _is_ a great distro for many reasons, so please by all means throw it in the pot.
I think "Kubuntu" is as important to review as "Ubuntu" especially since most of your other distros are KDE based (apples to apples). When you are comparing a KDE distro vs. a Gnome distro their differences are great enough that they are like different distributions.
Just a thought.
As far as other distros to consider, I would suggest Freespire (when the 2.0 comes out) primarily because of their CNR.com website/frontend to apt. CNR will additionally be made available to the ’buntus, Debian, Fedora, and OpenSUSE as well as Freespire/Linspire. CNR is unnecessary for most GNU/Linux users but could be very valuable to the joesixpacks/aunt Tillies/windows refugees. Another advantage of CNR is that it gives a way to legally acquire the media codecs, something most of these other distros that are pre-installing codecs are not doing. If that’s important to you ;)
I prefer NOT switching people to paid distros but if that is not a consideration (such as a small business setting) Xandros is probably one of the most Windows like distros out there. They integrate into Windows networks and Windows work-alikeability is their core tenet. It is the most similar to the Windows environment, and easiest to drop into a Windows environment that I have seen. They do (did?) have a community (free) version that lags by a point release.
Others I would recommend have already been mentioned, Mint, SimplyMEMPIS.
For the record I switch others to either Kubuntu or Xandros depending on the situation.
Just a thought.
As far as other distros to consider, I would suggest Freespire (when the 2.0 comes out) primarily because of their CNR.com website/frontend to apt. CNR will additionally be made available to the ’buntus, Debian, Fedora, and OpenSUSE as well as Freespire/Linspire. CNR is unnecessary for most GNU/Linux users but could be very valuable to the joesixpacks/aunt Tillies/windows refugees. Another advantage of CNR is that it gives a way to legally acquire the media codecs, something most of these other distros that are pre-installing codecs are not doing. If that’s important to you ;)
I prefer NOT switching people to paid distros but if that is not a consideration (such as a small business setting) Xandros is probably one of the most Windows like distros out there. They integrate into Windows networks and Windows work-alikeability is their core tenet. It is the most similar to the Windows environment, and easiest to drop into a Windows environment that I have seen. They do (did?) have a community (free) version that lags by a point release.
Others I would recommend have already been mentioned, Mint, SimplyMEMPIS.
For the record I switch others to either Kubuntu or Xandros depending on the situation.
I tried PCLOS on my laptop. I connect the net by 3G bluetooth dialup connection.
I was happy when I sew that PCLOS install ask me for an internet connection. I selected bluetooth coonection, I selected 3G connection ... didn’t work!
I don’t have any other connection for download the packages.
MEPIS and Kubuntu can connect me out-of-the-box, with some row in the console. sig! I hoped .... !!
Great PCLOS control center!!
I was happy when I sew that PCLOS install ask me for an internet connection. I selected bluetooth coonection, I selected 3G connection ... didn’t work!
I don’t have any other connection for download the packages.
MEPIS and Kubuntu can connect me out-of-the-box, with some row in the console. sig! I hoped .... !!
Great PCLOS control center!!
My experience: MEPIS is more simple because:
- It really works
- Is faster on games playing
- Have useful utilities by MEPIS
- Have a not bloated forum that really help you (Kubuntu forum in comparison is incompetent, the Ubuntu forum is heavy spammed with useless comment)
On the other hand I love (K)Ubuntu because:
- Have a great Microsoft-killer marketing (Microsoft must pay for his abuse)
- Is simple enough
- It works (on 7.04 don’t works cron and googleearth)
- Have regular updates
- Ubuntu/Canonical/Shuttleworth actually lead the Linux project
- It really works
- Is faster on games playing
- Have useful utilities by MEPIS
- Have a not bloated forum that really help you (Kubuntu forum in comparison is incompetent, the Ubuntu forum is heavy spammed with useless comment)
On the other hand I love (K)Ubuntu because:
- Have a great Microsoft-killer marketing (Microsoft must pay for his abuse)
- Is simple enough
- It works (on 7.04 don’t works cron and googleearth)
- Have regular updates
- Ubuntu/Canonical/Shuttleworth actually lead the Linux project
I use Kubuntu. It is simple but I feel MEPIS is more simple. I want to try PCLOS. I think Oli had a bad experience but the concurrence is big. I hope the distro makers will unify their efforts to create a base for future distros.
I must thank Ubuntu 6.06 for introducing me to Linux. And I must thank Xandros, KateOS and Kubuntu for enriching my Linux-experience. But, to me, PCLinuxOS is the best for a non-tecnical, Windows-refugee like me. In fact, after using PCLinuxOS TR3 for two weeks, I got rid of the other operating system for good as my livelihood doesn’t depend on it. Some people commented that PCLinuxOS is similar to Widows but I beg to differ. Yes, initially, I did have the impression that it was more of less like Windows especially in terms of appearance; but, after using it for a while, I came to a realization that PCLinuxOS is definitely not ’Windows-like’. In fact, for people who are not familiar with the Linux environment and all the things associated with Linux (like yours truly) they should read some of the articles which are available on the web about the differences between Linux and Windows so that they wouldn’t be disappointed if PCLinuxOS doesn’t meet their (Windows) expectation. Having said all that, there are many fine distros out there and I have nothing but respect to those who have invested time, effort and $ in producing all those fine distros. However, ultimately, it is PCLinuxOS that I couldn’t live without. Long live PCLinuxOS. Long live other distros. Long live Linux.
AUTHOR COMMENT
> What about openSUSE?
Mike, this is one of the key reasons WHY I have comment boxes, so that people can suggest things that I’ve overlooked or sometimes not even heard of.
There have been numerous calls for me to look into openSUSE and yours is likely to be the one that broke the camels back (as it were). It’s now been added to my list of distros to review.
>> Please, if you have a good distro in mind, please submit it and I’ll hopefully get around to reviewing it. Linux is all about the community so make some noise when you think I’ve missed something.
> What about openSUSE?
Mike, this is one of the key reasons WHY I have comment boxes, so that people can suggest things that I’ve overlooked or sometimes not even heard of.
There have been numerous calls for me to look into openSUSE and yours is likely to be the one that broke the camels back (as it were). It’s now been added to my list of distros to review.
>> Please, if you have a good distro in mind, please submit it and I’ll hopefully get around to reviewing it. Linux is all about the community so make some noise when you think I’ve missed something.
What about openSUSE?
You should consider Sabayon along with Ubuntu and PCLinux OS. From a normal install, you have Wifi (with, somehow, superior reception than I’ve seen with Ubuntu and others), perfect DVD playback, all audio compatibiity, iPod compatibility, beautiful fonts, you name it.
In my opinion, it blows away all the others I’ve tried.
In my opinion, it blows away all the others I’ve tried.
IMost useable linux (in my humble opinion) would have to be linux mint 2.2 (bianca). All multimeida codecs preinstalled, based on ubuntu so all of the benefits of that AND its not horrible brown. Really easy to configure internet, wireless, hardware etc..., and i believe the next release is going to include 3D desktop out of the box. Oh and the support is very good. All of this means nothing to a linux geek but to the windows migrant it IS what will stop them buying from Bill Gates.
The fact that PCLinuxOS , Mepis and Ubuntu are excellent alterantives to Windows is good for Linux as a whole.
Personally i use PCLInuxOS 2007 Test 4 ,which is more stable than some final releases I’ve tried.
I’ve used Mandrake and Ubuntu in the past and they also have their good points.
With Vista and the problems it has, now is a good time to use linux, whatever the flavour.
Personally i use PCLInuxOS 2007 Test 4 ,which is more stable than some final releases I’ve tried.
I’ve used Mandrake and Ubuntu in the past and they also have their good points.
With Vista and the problems it has, now is a good time to use linux, whatever the flavour.
PCLinuxOS makes good use of both worlds - apt-get in Synaptics and rpms. SAM 2007 is to PCLinuxOS what Linux Mint is to Ubuntu. PCLinuxOS is best with what it is now - a homely community and devs who listen to the community. I’m just glad Canonical saw Ubuntu first and left PCLinuxOS alone. One Microsoft is enough; I hope PCLinuxOS continues improving the distribution without the big boys telling Tex what to do.
I don’t care if the final takes another year to release. TR4 is rock solid enough to take any Linux distro by the ears and leave them hangin’.
I don’t care if the final takes another year to release. TR4 is rock solid enough to take any Linux distro by the ears and leave them hangin’.
somebody here mentioned SAm 2007 ? Well, I installed it in my notebook, and am happy using it ! formidable solution ! :-)
Yes, It’s like combining the lightness of XFCE and the greatness of PCLOS and polish it with some other beautification...........
Yes, It’s like combining the lightness of XFCE and the greatness of PCLOS and polish it with some other beautification...........
When using PCLOS, why not just use SAM Linux 2007 instead/additionally? The requirements are lower, the system looks beautiful and has every feature that PCLOS has. So, why not combine the power of XFCE and PCLOS?
...and the best...it is FINAL ! ;)
...and the best...it is FINAL ! ;)
Gentoo? Do you mean SabayonLinux (a Gentoo based)??
you can also take a look linux mint which i use and it is auite easy ( i doesn\’t have drivers for video card) also at sabayon which livedvd is impressive vector linux and zenwalk whhich from their site seems quite easy and debian etch which it is said that has codecs support from the beginning
you can also take a look linux mint which i use and it is auite easy ( i doesn’t have drivers for video card) also at sabayon which livedvd is impressive vector linux and zenwalk whhich from their site seems quite easy and debian etch which it is said that has codecs support from the beginning
I agree with the comments above.
I love Pclos - it is much better than windows. My only (and at the moment fatal) issue is its failure to recognise my acx100 wlan - and a linux without internet is not really usable . having said that no other linux distro has succeeded yet either!
I hate arrogance and a big bully and MS seems to be well endowed with both - could PClos be the one who brings Goliath to its knees?
I love Pclos - it is much better than windows. My only (and at the moment fatal) issue is its failure to recognise my acx100 wlan - and a linux without internet is not really usable . having said that no other linux distro has succeeded yet either!
I hate arrogance and a big bully and MS seems to be well endowed with both - could PClos be the one who brings Goliath to its knees?
The pclos Ubuntu gig was an April fools joke and a good one at that
I think you would have to test several more distros before being able to award an objective and relevant title of most usable Linux distro. For example, look at Linux Mint 2.2 Bianca (Gnome).
BTW,
Software ISN’T easier to install in Debian based distros like MEPIS vs. PCLinuxOS. They all use apt-get.
Software ISN’T easier to install in Debian based distros like MEPIS vs. PCLinuxOS. They all use apt-get.
Mepis is the most usable for me although I like PCLOS as well. Mepis wins over PCLOS because its Ubuntu/Debian based and installing additional software in a debian based distros is far easier. Apparently PCLOS is to switch to using a Ubuntu/Debian system later this year so will I’m sure be an all round better distro when it does.
I agree with all of the comments.
One point should be considered and that is which distro(s) Dell decides to install on their pre-loaded Linux machines. For myself, I use the distro that works the best for me but for a newcomer or possibly a small business considering Linux for desktops and or work stations, the influence of a major PC supplier pre-loading a particular Linux distro will be strong.
Dell is in a position that could explosively effect the adoption of Linux for the home/small business market. If multimedia support is good including web browser plugins preloaded and a easy method to add software (such as Synaptic for Debian type Linuxes) I’m convinced the word will get around the general public quickly how easy Linux can be. For now it appears with a pre-loaded Linux machine, software installation will be up to the user and support will come from the community and specific questions to the distro’s developers
One point should be considered and that is which distro(s) Dell decides to install on their pre-loaded Linux machines. For myself, I use the distro that works the best for me but for a newcomer or possibly a small business considering Linux for desktops and or work stations, the influence of a major PC supplier pre-loading a particular Linux distro will be strong.
Dell is in a position that could explosively effect the adoption of Linux for the home/small business market. If multimedia support is good including web browser plugins preloaded and a easy method to add software (such as Synaptic for Debian type Linuxes) I’m convinced the word will get around the general public quickly how easy Linux can be. For now it appears with a pre-loaded Linux machine, software installation will be up to the user and support will come from the community and specific questions to the distro’s developers
I’m running PCLinuxOS 2007 TR1 and it is rock solid at this point, so I agree with you. I’m waiting for a final release before updating it though, since this Test Release has no problems that I have encountered(yes I said "test release" and "no problems" in one sentence....not many distros I have tried have the same results).
As for Ubuntu, I have tried it. Not sure why so many people are so hyped about it. It gets the simple things right, but the more advanced things are still sorely lacking. For example, the last time I tried ubuntu(6.1) I had to use the command line to install the drivers for my wifi card and then it told me invalid driver!! How is that making things easy?!
PCLinuxOS offers a GUI for this and when using the same driver it recognized the everything properly. Take that ubuntu....lol. Then again Windows drivers through ndiswrapper are always a hit and miss situation anyway, but PCLOS does make it a great deal easier at this point.
If I had to recommend a gnome based distro to anyway it would probably be ubuntu, but if you are looking for something KDE based PCLinuxOS is my top choice.
As for Ubuntu, I have tried it. Not sure why so many people are so hyped about it. It gets the simple things right, but the more advanced things are still sorely lacking. For example, the last time I tried ubuntu(6.1) I had to use the command line to install the drivers for my wifi card and then it told me invalid driver!! How is that making things easy?!
PCLinuxOS offers a GUI for this and when using the same driver it recognized the everything properly. Take that ubuntu....lol. Then again Windows drivers through ndiswrapper are always a hit and miss situation anyway, but PCLOS does make it a great deal easier at this point.
If I had to recommend a gnome based distro to anyway it would probably be ubuntu, but if you are looking for something KDE based PCLinuxOS is my top choice.
I definitely agree with comments about PCLinuxOS. It is the most-usable distro out-of-the-box. And all your video cards and multimedia needs are taken care of too.
Also, I too wish texstar would release a ’stable’ 1.0 version for it.
Cheers.
PS: Currently writing this on PCLOS 2007 TR3.
Also, I too wish texstar would release a ’stable’ 1.0 version for it.
Cheers.
PS: Currently writing this on PCLOS 2007 TR3.
simplyMEPIS version 6.5 final should be out within weeks.
...wait! There it is! A suggestion to review Sabayon (Gentoo) linux! Awesome! I started my exploration of Linux with Mandrake then Mandriva. Liked them very much. A friend gave me a copy of Xandros (Power Pack), it was AWESOME (in the get your friends to try Linux vein. Very user friendly, easy to add new software (sort of), rock solid (of course). Since this all started I’ve tried several live distros (including PPC variants) with the goal of learning enough to make an informed recommendation to my "Win-shackled" (and "Mac-curious) family and friends. Stumbled across Sabayon linux and was amazed! MP3s out of the box, printer, ethernet. Not unusual. Here is the Kicker! Played DVDs out of the box! I was also able to do some very interesting things with DVDs that I couldn’t do with my Mandriva Power Pack (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). Didn’t expect that! Also, some fairly advanced games (for linux). It was also aesthetically pleasing (to me), I see I am not alone in noticing Ubuntu’s "Desert Drab". ;_) Please give Sabayon a look, I am interested in independant opinions and will be checking back soon.