PCLinuxOS 2011.06: Impressive!

[Loogie]

I decided to try Linux via dual-booting with Windows 7.  This was on a decade-old Dell with 1gb ram and an early Pentium 4 (I was able to upgrade from the original XP to W7 inexpensively).  Why try Linux?  Well, W7 was pretty sluggish.  1gb ram just isn't enough.

So, I burned a bunch of live CD's and decided to try various versions of Mint.  On a fluke, I accidentally formatted the W7 partition.  Ouch. 
Anyway, I was pretty happy with Mint XFCE 9...but, it seemed like it was beginning to slow a bit, which is surprising because I didn't install much at all. 
So, I decided to try Mint 10 XFCE Debian.  It was pretty nice, but an update trashed the x-server...and I couldn't figure out how to log in.
On a side-note, the folks on the Mint forum were very helpful.

Well, I monkeyed around for a while attempting to make a repair, using Puppy 5.25 as an old standby.
I heard that the new PCLinuxOS was out, with some excellent reviews and a helpful forum...and I decided to try it out.

I am fairly newb-ish with Linux, leaning toward intermediate...but, I don't want to constantly tweak, repair, babysit and monitor my computer.  My needs are fairly basic: web surfing, rip/burn cd's and dvd's, light word processing, etc. 
I've only had about an hour to use PCLinuxOS, but here are my un-professional opinions:

-Installation was very easy.  The only part that threw me was the choice between a GUI GRUB sign-in and text.  Not knowing the difference, I chose GUI, and it is fine.
-I like the choice of programs.  Most of it I will never use, but, for example, K3B is VERY nice!  It just works.
-It is faster booting, and more responsive than I expected.  Boot time from pressing the power button until the desktop is populated is 90 seconds.  Pretty darn good for a dinosaur computer running KDE!  I intend to tweak KDE to free up some ram.  Despite the pretty effects, the programs open reasonably quick.  Not ultra-fast, of course, but good enough for me.
-KDE is beautiful...wow.
-Things appear pretty intuitive, so far.  I haven't updated via Synaptic yet, and I admit a fear of doing so (will an update wreck my system?).  I have to read some more to instill more comfort.  After I play around a bit, I will probably need to some back and ask a few questions.  I look forward to it.

Even in the short time I have had with this distro, I can tell it is something special.  Many thanks to the developers for a fantastic system.  I can't wait to show it my wife!

[menotu]

I can't wait to show it my wife!

Now that is what I call a testimonial statement   

Big welcome to the forum Loogie - lovely to have you with us.

haven't updated via Synaptic yet, and I admit a fear of doing so (will an update wreck my system?).

No real reason why it should, especially as there will be very few apps to update. If you've chosen the correct video driver all should be okay.

Mebbe do a search of the forum for others using your system and/or video card to see if anyone has posted anything. (please note - the forum search feature isn't working for some reason - first time I've ever known that to happen, but sure it'll be up and running soonish)

[tschommer]

Hi and welcome from far away in Germany, Loogie!

Updating has never been a problem for me, and I only see an issue every once in a while when some very unique hardware is involved.

Any questions you have will be answered quickly and efficiently by the friendly folks here.

Just a note: the search function of the forum seems to have a glitch today, so you might have to wait a little, but I'm sure somebody's already on it 

Enjoy! 

Torsten

[jimwilk]

Loogie,
A warm welcome too but from a cold NZ winter's day. Enjoy the learning experience with the new 2011.6 - I certainly enjoy it.

Jim

[Archie]

Big welcome to the community, Loogie ... from the land within the Great Firewall.

If you were impress with KDE ... notice my sig ... you joined at a very exciting time. LXDE 2011.6 was just released, and soon to follow will be ZEN-mini, e17, XFCE, GNOME and you can have a better choice to run your box even faster.

We'll be here waiting to read what you have to write.

[exploder]

Welcome to the forum Loogie! Archie is right, you came here at the right time. There is a lot of great work going on around here and you might want to check out some of the other editions as they are released. Glad you are enjoying PCLinuxOS! 

[Crow]

haven't updated via Synaptic yet, and I admit a fear of doing so (will an update wreck my system?).

Ghosts of past distros 

Welcome Loogie go ahead and update, if something goes wrong people here will be happy to have someone to help.

[Magickman]

Yes, I thought so too. I decided to try Mini Me 2011.06, having ran MM before KDE4 came out. It's a lot faster than before, even with all my programs on it. Boots faster, shuts down faster, runs faster. Good job, Texstar!

[Archie]

Yes, I thought so too. I decided to try Mini Me 2011.06, having ran MM before KDE4 came out. It's a lot faster than before, even with all my programs on it. Boots faster, shuts down faster, runs faster. Good job, Texstar!

Hi Magickman. Are you referring to LXDE-mini 2011.06? I am not aware of Minime 2011.6's release. And it is also my preferred ISO.

[Crow]

Yes, I thought so too. I decided to try Mini Me 2011.06, having ran MM before KDE4 came out. It's a lot faster than before, even with all my programs on it. Boots faster, shuts down faster, runs faster. Good job, Texstar!

Hi Magickman. Are you referring to LXDE-mini 2011.06? I am not aware of Minime 2011.6's release. And it is also my preferred ISO.

Look, he says: "It's a lot faster than before, even with all my programs on it. Boots faster, shuts down faster, runs faster." of course is LXDE not the fat KDE4 

      Just joking, Just joking   

Crow flies to the next tree

[Loogie]

LOL!  Yup, my wife thought it was pretty cool...I hadn't noticed the musical jingles that play when boot is complete, and during some other operations.  A very nice touch, I must say.

I've nearly got the system where I want.  I updated (no problems), and learned how to move files by attaining root in Dolphin (I had to reinstall Puppy files).
PCLOS picked up my printer right away.  In other distros, I have had to search around for the right driver.  Of course, I'm outta ink. 

Since I'm behind a router, I decided to leave the software firewall off...failed Shields UP!, but due to port 113 only being closed.  (reminder to self: set up port 113 to bounce to no-man's land...but probably not necessary).

I haven't tested everything yet, but so far is is surprisingly smooth.
I need to find a DVD ripping program (that will get past copy protection) so I can backup more of my 3 year-old's videos (toddlers can break anything...even rebar...  ).  Will have to do some searching.

Wow, Germany, New Zealand...nice.
Winter!  Brrr...well, we have been having some darn hot days here in Michigan USA.  Low to mid 90's (um...about 35C for you guys, I think...my math is rusty...)

Thanks for the warm welcome!
Gotta run...

[Just18]

I need to find a DVD ripping program (that will get past copy protection) so I can backup more of my 3 year-old's videos (toddlers can break anything...even rebar...   ).  Will have to do some searching.

Install libdvdcss2 & a few libdvdread packages
Try K9copy


regards.

[exploder]

Install libcss2 & a few libdvdread packages
Try K9copy

I think you meant libdvdcss2.

[Just18]

Install libcss2 & a few libdvdread packages
Try K9copy

I think you meant libdvdcss2.

Yep I did     thanks

[Archie]

It's global warming that's making us see things that aren't there. Let me think about that for a second. Nope, I was just imagining it!