Thread: PcLinuxOS - best Linux desktop ever

Originally Posted by MK27

Linux is the best (not relatively, absolutely) but the idea of a "best" distro is very relativistic, since they are 99% identical.

If you have been using linux for more than a year and you still feel an attachment to one particular distro, you are not making the most of the system, because the default installs do not. IMO they are just intended as generic multi-purpose front-ends for new users and institutions. Try scratching the surface.

Best for who? 90% of the market has no interest in building an operating system from the ground up. Linux is great if you are technically sound. Linux is NOT best for most computer users who want a desktop that lets them surf the web, watch videos, listen to music, et cetera out of the box. Lets be honest, but Linux is a hassle. Yes it's got a lot more functions available, but how often do you really need to know what your CPU usage is?

There just isn't 1 thing that Linux offers that my Windows 7 PC can't do that I would WANT to do. And as far as security and stability goes, never had my box crash or hacked. Most Microsoft bashing is unfounded, and seems to be done out of the coolness of hating Microsoft and being in the "know" about Linux. I have messed up some settings in Linux before and messed my settings up. I've had compatibility problems.

I'm not running a server. I'm not some uber programmer or elite black hat hacker. Not to mention most programs and support are geared towards Microsoft. Everything is simply more difficult in Linux. Can't think of anything that's easier that makes Windows worth it to me. It's just the sad facts.

Don't confuse me with saying that Linux doesn't have it's uses. Put a linux distro next to Windows, and 90% of America is going to look at you and ask "Why should I bother?"

Originally Posted by lpaulgib

Best for who? 90% of the market has no interest in building an operating system from the ground up ... and ask "Why should I bother?"

I couldn't disagree more. I used Windows alone for so many years and had tried Linux several times before fully switching over.

They're both good, but modern distros come with pretty much everything you need out of the box and if they don't, you can keep a single line script to install every extra program you want from repositories. With Windows, you need more programs in general just to get what some would consider base functionality (like Clavier+ for keyboard shortcuts), and every additional program you want requires manual installation and no one wants to do that. Installing Windows applications takes almost as much effort as a manual build does, and that's sad.

Most Linux distros have a fully functional office suite out of the box instead of a 60-day trial of works or office home.

Originally Posted by cpjust

Yes, I can't count the number of times I've installed a Windows app and couldn't figure out which button I should click (Back, Next or Cancel). It's all so confusing.

I was referring more to the time it takes to open the browser, find the exe, download, run, jump through hoops. Granted there are many applications that take a while to build, the ones I have built lately (gtk-gnutella, DOSBox) have taken under a minute after the download.

Originally Posted by Neo1

... If i decide one day to learn Pascal ...

Code::Blocks for Pascal? Lazarus: Lazarus - News RPMs available from the download page.