Ubuntu vs. PCLinuxOS: a new winner?

I've been using Ubuntu (or a derivative) for two years now. I was amazed at how polished and user-friendly it is. It doesn't come out of the box with a lot of the software I want, but it's super easy to install whatever I want. I've installed it on other people's computers (Paul & Yelena) and they're happy with it too (at least when compared with Windows). It even passed the Mother Test - my mother used my Kubuntu laptop for a month while her desktop was broken, and she was fine with it.

After a few months I upgraded from Ubuntu to Kubuntu because I prefer KDE. Kubuntu is often characterized as "the most popular desktop manager running on the most popular linux distro." But according to Distrowatch.com, Kubuntu is not the most popular KDE distro. OpenSUSE has been super popular for a long time. A lot of awesome software originated within SUSE's walls, such as KNetworkManager and Compiz. But I've been really happy with the Ubuntu community so I stuck with Kubuntu through Edgy Eft, Feisty Fawn, and Gutsy Gibbon. Kubuntu isn't the most popular distro, but Ubuntu is and it's nice being part of the popular crowd.

But then I noticed the new cool kid: PCLinuxOS. PCLOS (as it's called) is the new #1 distro on Distrowatch.com. It naturally runs KDE, as opposed to being a derivative like Kubuntu. And, it comes with all the software I use and like. In addition, it has a few extra enhancements, like a better start menu and the latest version of Compiz Fusion (Kubuntu's Compiz Fusion package is a couple months old now). It also has a newer version of Unison, the fantastic backup software, which is embarrassing for Kubuntu because the newer version of Unison has been out for years.
But then I started to notice PCLOS falls short in some areas where Kubuntu shines. It uses NetApplet which is a poor substitute for KNetworkManager. This means it's much harder for me to connect to the wireless internet at work because NetApplet doesn't support commercial wireless security. Although PCLOS is supposed to have better multimedia support, I can't get sound on my desktop.

So how does it all break down?

SOFTWARE SUPPORT

Web Browser

PCLinuxOS comes with Firefox preinstalled. Kubuntu doesn't, because they're trying to get people to use Konqueror, the KDE web browser/file manager. It's an awesome program, and if you're using KDE you're probably more of a power user anyway, and it's nice to encourage people to try superior software. And now you've got Dolphin, which is easier to use. But, PCLOS comes with Firefox preinstalled.

Advantage: PCLOS

GKrellM

This is the best system monitor ever written for any OS. It's simple, clean, looks good, feature rich, and doesn't hog your system resources (what's the point of a system monitor if it slows down your system?). On Kubuntu is really easy to install GKrellM, but on PCLOS it's built in.

Advantage: PCLOS

Compiz Fusion

This is the latest and greatest eye candy for Linux, complete with spinny cubes and wobbly windows that burst into flame. On Kubuntu it's easy to install, although their package is a little old and is missing some features like the handy little menu that lets you switch back and forth. If you go to the Compiz Fusion website you can get instructions and even an easy script that lets you install the latest and greatest version.

PCLOS comes with the latest and greatest version preinstalled.

Which begs the question: why won't Kubuntu??? The answer is because Kubuntu is concentrating on a newer version of KDE which has its own eye candy so they won't need Compiz Fusion. But the new version of KDE won't be available for like another year or something (at least not for Kubuntu). And the eye candy won't be as cool as Compiz Fusion. So someone like me (who wants the coolest eye candy now) is left out in the cold as far as Kubuntu is concerned.

Advantage: PCLOS

Unison

Unison is the best backup software I've seen for any OS (other than industrial-level stuff). It hasn't been updated in several years but that's ok because it's pretty much perfect the way it is. On both Kubuntu and PCLOS you have to install Unison, but PCLOS has a newer version. This is embarassing since the newer version is several years old. What is taking Kubuntu so long???

Advantage: PCLOS

Start Menu

Actually it's the "KDE Menu," but it's the Linux version of Windows' Start Menu. It looks and acts just like the Windows Start Menu from Windows 98. There's also a fancier version that looks more like the Start Menu from Windows Vista. I have no idea if it's even available on Kubuntu. On PCLOS it's preinstalled as an option (you can have either style you want).

Advantage: PCLOS

Multimedia Software

This includes a lot of stuff, like Gimp (the free Photoshop replacement) and the ability to play music and video files. Kubuntu follows Ubuntu's decision not to include non-free codecs for ideological reasons. Let me translate that sentence into English: Kubuntu blah blah blah blah doesn't do what you want. So you have to install other stuff and sometimes it's a little tricky. PCLOS comes with pretty much every photo editor, music player, video player, and codec you'll want. Preinstalled.

Advantage: PCLOS

Katapult

This little gem was borrowed from Mac OS X. Press alt-spacebar and it brings up a box. Start typing the name of any program and it will launch it. Or any bookmark in your web browser. Or any mp3 on your hard drive. This is one of those little jewels that will change the way you use your computer. Super super cool. It comes built in on Kubuntu, but not on PCLOS (although it's not hard to install).

Advantage: Kubuntu

SSH

Ever want to remote control your computer? Ever want to pull files over the network? You can do it in Windows, but it's insecure and difficult. On Linux it's secure and easy, and the way is SSH ("Secure SHell"). On Kubuntu, SSH comes preinstalled and runs automatically. On PCLOS, you have to install it and tell it to run. Pain in the butt to set up correctly.

Advantage: Kubuntu

HARDWARE SUPPORT

In general, Linux does a better job of hardware support than Windows does. This is especially obvious on laptops with their funky hardware. On my laptop, both Kubuntu and PCLOS ran perfectly, right out of the box. But let's take a look at some minor differences on both the laptop and the desktop.

Networking

PCLOS comes with NetApplet. This is an older program that helps you manage your internet connection. It works nicely on a laptop because it's easy to switch between wireless and wired internet, and you can easily switch between different wireless networks (like when I go over to my friend's house).

Kubuntu comes with the newer KNetworkManager. This program is a real beauty. It's even easier than Windows networking support. It automatically notices when you go to your friend's house and automatically connects to the wireless network. It doesn't ask you for a password every time. It can handle industrial strength wireless encryption (like at my office). PCLOS will let you install this program, but it won't run. This program has been available for over a year; why hasn't PCLOS gotten on board?

Advantage: Kubuntu

Laptop power management

Kubuntu automatically notices if you're using a laptop. When you go to shut down, it gives you the option of sleeping or hibernating instead. It will "throttle" your processor to make your battery last longer.

PCLOS has similar software but you have to turn it on by hand. And it's not quite as convenient.

Advantage: Kubuntu

Video card

If you care about computer games or eye candy, you need a video card for your computer. Since these video cards are made by commercial companies, they have commercial hardware drivers. The Linux community sneers at commercial drivers because they're "non-free," even though they're absolutely free to download and install. Say this to a Linux nerd and they'll launch into a tirade about "free as in free beer versus free as in freedom." They've got a point, but it's still silly to not include free commercial software in your OS. (Incidentally, Windows has the same problem; you have to install the video driver by hand if you want it to run well.)

Ubuntu recently came to their senses. When you install it now, it'll check for things like commercial video cards, and it will get your permission to download and install the driver for you. Very cool.

PCLOS does not. I had to go to a web site and get some advice about which command to run in order to get the driver for my desktop video card. Still easier than Windows, but not as easy as Kubuntu.

Advantage: Kubuntu

Webcam

I have an old, cheap webcam from some no-name Korean company. Not that I have anything against Korean companies, but it ain't exactly Sony. Anyway it used to work under the older version of Kubuntu, but when I upgraded it somehow stopped working. Something to do with the newer kernel. So, no webcam on Kubuntu.

Unfortunately it doesn't work on PCLOS either, so it looks like a draw.

BUT WAIT--the NEWER version of Kubuntu runs the webcam again! (I'm talking about Hardy Heron, which won't be released for another 6 months or so.) So if I want to step back into the realm of beta software that's updated every day, I can get my $5 webcam working again. Not very tempting; I'll probably just go out and buy a brand-name webcam that will work properly.

Advantage: Kubuntu, kinda. Not really. In 6 months maybe.

Sound

This is another area where Linux is better than Windows. On Windows you often need to install a driver before the sound will work. On Linux it detects it automatically. Usually. Except PCLOS is having trouble on my desktop. And I haven't found very good tech support for it so far. I can probably get it working but it will take some futzing. Needless to say this would be a deal breaker; if I can't get the sound to work on my desktop, then buh-bye PCLOS.

Advantage: Kubuntu

TV Card

My wife & I don't have a TV. But we have a TV card in my desktop. We use my beautiful 20" hi-def flatscreen monitor to watch DVD's and broadcast television and play the Wii.

On Kubuntu, there are several pieces of software I can install, all of which work. I like TVTime because it's really simple and easy. It took some futzing to get it to work with the Wii, but I wrote a command line program that would start it up correctly. Unfortunately it won't remember my settings so I have to use the command line program every time.

On PCLOS, TVTime comes built in. And it remembers my settings.

Advantage: PCLOS

CONCLUSION

PCLinuxOS is generally better at the "fun" things like eye candy and multimedia.  Kubuntu is generally better at the "important" things like sound, video, and networking.  Neither computer does everything I want out of the box; both require me to not only install software, but do some futzing to get it to work right.

That being said, the "fun" advantages of PCLinuxOS are things that are easier to make up for.  All that software can be easily installed in Kubuntu and it usually works just as well.  PCLOS' shortcomings are harder to make up for; how much futzing am I willing to do, just to get the sound to work?

I instantly fell in love with PCLinuxOS, an experience that seems to be mirrored by most people.  That's probably why it's #1 on Distrowatch.com.  But it's still not perfect, just like Kubuntu is still not perfect.  We must still dream for a perfect OS where everything works perfectly out of the box and comes with all the software you need.  That being said, both PCLOS and Kubuntu are well on their way.  Good luck to both of you.

Bottom line: PCLinuxOS wins.  For now.  But it's not perfect.