Sponsored by BoysStuff.co.uk
By Ian Urie
Yeah, at long last!!
The latest version of PClinuxOS has been released.
Finally the 2009 version has arrived, although it's called 2009.1
This distro has always been close to my heart.
Whether this is down to the fact that I normally use Mandriva (and this
is based upon it),
or simply that it is so easy to use, is immaterial.
I downloaded this as soon as it was announced on Distrowatch
New distros appear as soon as they are released, and it is always a
good source of news regarding the latest ISOs.
PClinuxOS has been quiet for too long, although this is down to
Texstar having some problems, if the news is correct.
Anyway, the Rippergang finished the distro and it is now available for
the masses.
As you can see from the grabs above, they've decided to stick with
KDE 3 at present, although they have said that KDE 4 will be used once
it has been stabilised to their liking.
I must admit, KDE 4 is lovely, but leaves a feeling that it just is
nowhere near finished.
Mandriva 2009.1 will have the latest version KDE 4.2, and I sincerely
hope that it is better than 4.1.
I've went back to using XMMS on Mandriva rather than Amarok, because
the KDE 4 implementation is so poor.
However, back to PClinuxOS.
As seen, it has no such problems because it has stuck with KDE 3.
The distro now allows you to remaster the distro, either to CD, or
to USB memory stick.
Install the apps you'd like available which aren't present, then
remaster it.
Simple!
The especially nice thing about PClinuxOS is the ease that anyone
can use this distro.
As usual, you boot from the CD, and from there, it is all plain sailing.
The only thing it asks is which keyboard you'd like to use.
I booted from the ethernet connected computer, and it automatically
checked and configured the connection as well as starting it.
Very nice for newbies.
Graphics, sound, all configured for you without any intervention.
Above, the grab shows what's under the hood.
Texstar released his version of the 2.6.26.8 kernel and KDE has moved
to KDE 3.5.10.
The control center hasn't really had much of a makeover, but it's all well
laid out and clear labeling helps immensely.
You don't really need much knowledge to keep this distro running
smoothly.
Even the firewall is easy to configure.
If you've ever set up the services part in your router, you can
figure this out, even without referring to the documentation.
So, how does PClinuxOS run?
As per usual, very smoothly.
I've been really impressed with this version.
It seems so easy to get going, and the graphics are superb, as usual.
A nice touch on the boot screen are the small grabs of the previous
logos as PClinuxOS has evolved.
Everything about this distro oozes simplicity and smoothness, with an
obvious amount of care and attention to detail.
Updates are a breeze as well, with the trusty Synaptic , which has
been used on the previous distros as well.
Even writing and reading of windows NTFS file systems is configured and
available at start.
Fancy a new look to the distro, it includes backdrops, themes, yada
yada yada.
If you ever wish to impress windows users, boot this.
This is one tasty piece of eye candy that's amazingly easy to use.
