PCLinuxOS

The excellent Live distro PCLinuxOS regularly tops the DistroWatch download list. Built for simplicity and designed to provide easy migration for former Windows users, PCLinuxOS is a flexible and intuitive desktop system that is equally at home on the CD or hard drive.

More In Less

The PCLinuxOS Live system uses advanced compression techniques to squeeze nearly 2GB of data onto a single Live CD. This month's PCLinuxOS DVD includes the latest official release of the PCLinuxOS base system, plus a pleasing collection of community remaster alternatives - special-purpose versions with special combinations of tools. A custom boot menu lets you choose any of the following PCLinuxOS variants:

• PCLinuxOS 2007 - The standard PCLinuxOS release, with the KDE 3.5.6 desktop and a well-integrated collection of games, office applications, multimedia tools, and system utilities.

• PCLinuxOS Minime - An ultralight version of PCLinuxOS designed for maximum customization.

• PCLinuxOS Gnome Edition - A special version that replaces the default KDE desktop with Gnome 2.21.

• Sam Linux - A PCLinuxOS variant with the Xfce 4.4 desktop and a number of important extras, including Wine, Java, Beryl/XGL, and support for more than 20 languages.

Boot to any system from the DVD. If you decide you like what you see, you also can install PCLinuxOS directly on your hard drive.

What's Inside

The PCLinuxOS versions included on this DVD are free of proprietary components. PCLinuxOS is based on Mandriva and includes many of Mandriva's configuration and management tools.

Also, you'll also discover a rich collection of multimedia tools and office applications.

The PCLinuxOS collection includes the OpenOffice 2.1 productivity suite, as well as graphics tools such as GIMP 2.3.10 and ImageMagick 6.2.9. Also inside are multimedia favorites like RealPlayer 10.0.8, AmaroK 1.4.4, K3b 1.0, and Kaffeine 0.8.3.

Remasters

Each PCLinuxOS remaster adds a special combination of tools and components. The Gnome edition comes with a full complement of Gnome applications, such as the Evolution email and groupware client, Evince PDF viewer, and Tomboy note-taking tool.

The lightweight Minime alternative is built for speed and packed with a surprising number of everyday tools.

The Sam Linux remaster includes more games, additional multimedia tools, and lots of other extras.

Try It!

The easy, efficient, and versatile PCLinuxOS Live distro is gaining converts around the world.

This month's DVD comes with four variations of the popular PCLinuxOS. Use the custom boot menu to choose the version that works for you. Or try them all - the handy Live format lets you sample each version before installing on your hard drive.

We hope you enjoy this month's Linux Magazine PCLinuxOS DVD.

Figure 1: Choose a PCLinuxOS variant from the convenient boot menu.

Figure 2: A simple user interface highlights the PCLinuxOS emphasis on ease of use.

Figure 3: Navigate the web and find your way with a collection of handy Internet tools.

Figure 4: PCLinuxOS comes with the Amarok music player and other multimedia tools.