PCLinuxOS is no longer great for Linux newbies
PCLinuxOS is no longer great for Linux newbies
PCLinuxOS: A Blast from the Past, but Not for New Users
Let’s take a ride in our time machine and travel back ten years. If you asked me about my top five Linux distributions for new users during that time, I would have definitely included PCLinuxOS. Back then, this open-source operating system was ahead of its time, offering a user-friendly platform that anyone could adopt. However, fast forward to the present, and you’ll see that PCLinuxOS is no longer on the list of best Linux distributions for new users. So what happened?
To begin with, it’s been quite a while since I last tinkered with PCLinuxOS. What surprises me is that the operating system seems to have remained largely unchanged, even as many other open-source operating systems have evolved significantly. While most distributions have transformed into something completely different from what they were a decade ago, PCLinuxOS has stayed the same.
Of course, this recollection is based on memory, but as I look at my current PCLinuxOS virtual machine, I can’t help but notice how familiar it looks. I opted to review the Xfce version of PCLinuxOS, which is likely the reason why it feels like it was teleported from the past. The default Xfce layout for PCLinuxOS resembles the early versions of GNOME, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
However, this doesn’t mean that PCLinuxOS is a bad choice for Linux enthusiasts. In fact, it’s a pleasant operating system that could meet the needs of many users. But for new users, I’m not so sure.
Before we dive into that opinion, let’s explore what PCLinuxOS actually is.
What is PCLinuxOS?
PCLinuxOS is a fairly generic operating system that was first released on October 24, 2003, by Bill Reynolds. It takes a slightly different approach compared to most Linux distributions. One key distinction is that PCLinuxOS is systemd-free. Now, you might be wondering, what does that even mean and why should you care?
To be honest, the average user wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) concern themselves with this. Systemd is an initialization system that replaced the traditional system Linux used. For some in the Linux community, this was seen as a negative change. However, from my experience, systemd has been a significant step forward in simplifying Linux.
PCLinuxOS uses the apt package manager and includes the Synaptic tool as a GUI front end. Although Synaptic may not be as user-friendly as GNOME Software, it’s still preferable to using the command line for some users.
Another notable feature of PCLinuxOS is the mylivecd script, which allows users to take a snapshot of their current operating system, including all settings, applications, and documents, and compress it into an ISO image. This feature not only enables users to create backups but also to generate custom liveCDs of their existing operating system before installing PCLinuxOS.
When you first install PCLinuxOS, you will find a wide range of familiar software titles pre-installed, such as Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Spotify, VLC Media Player, GIMP, and more. The Xfce version of PCLinuxOS is also quite straightforward to navigate, even for new users. The Desktop menu, located in the top left corner, provides easy access to all application categories.
Thanks to its small footprint, PCLinuxOS is a great option for older computers. If you have an aging machine and want to test the waters of Linux, PCLinuxOS can breathe new life into your device.
But why isn’t PCLinuxOS the best choice for new users?
The Issue with Sudo
The primary reason I wouldn’t recommend PCLinuxOS to new users is because of its lack of sudo. For those unfamiliar, the sudo command allows users (who belong to the appropriate group) to run commands with administrative privileges. This also applies to GUI tools, such as Synaptic, which require admin rights to execute certain tasks.
For example, on a Ubuntu desktop, one can easily upgrade the operating system using the following command:
sudo apt-get upgrade -yHowever, on PCLinuxOS, one would first need to switch to the root user with the following command:
suOnce logged in as the root user, the upgrade command can be executed:
apt-get upgrade -yI’m not a fan of this method because it could potentially leave your system vulnerable. Imagine accidentally leaving a terminal window open with root access while your desktop is unlocked. Someone could maliciously issue the command:
rm -rf /Executing this command would delete everything on your system, including your data, rendering it unusable.
This alone is a significant drawback that eliminates PCLinuxOS from my list of best distributions for new users. Seasoned Linux users know that leaving a terminal window logged in as the root user is a security risk. Additionally, another issue arises from the fact that users can log into PCLinuxOS as the root user. Any experienced Linux user will agree that logging in as root is a security vulnerability. That’s why Ubuntu disables the root user account by default.
Despite this notable issue, my overall experience with PCLinuxOS this time around was quite enjoyable. It’s a reliable operating system that has plenty to offer, just not to users unfamiliar with Linux.
In the end, if you have substantial experience with Linux and open-source software, and if you dislike systemd, you might find PCLinuxOS to be a welcome blast from the past, still serving its purpose admirably.
