Introduction
I have recently written a series of articles showing How to install PCLinuxOS alongside Windows XP.There are a number of reasons why I chose to write about PCLinuxOS over say Ubuntu or Linux Mint.
Here are five reasons why I think PCLinuxOS is a better fit for Windows XP and Windows Vista users than Ubuntu.
1. Hardware
The most obvious reason to choose PCLinuxOS over Ubuntu is that the hardware required for running PCLinuxOS is significantly less taxing on older computers than Ubuntu.The main area that would be an issue with Ubuntu is the rendering of 3D graphics.
Using PCLinuxOS with the MATE desktop provides a nice clean looking desktop environment without giving up any features that you may find within Ubuntu.
Of course there are light weight alternatives to Ubuntu using the same base such as Lubuntu or Xubuntu.
2. Releases
If you are using Windows XP then you are not the sort of person who likes change. (where computers are concerned)With Ubuntu you have the choice of being able to use the long term support release or an interim release.
The long term support release gives you a number of years support on the same version of Ubuntu before having to upgrade, whereas the interim releases give you newer functionality with shorter support cycles.
PCLinuxOS is different because it is a rolling release distribution and it really is a case of install once and once only.
All a PCLinuxOS user has to do is let the updates run and the system will constantly stay up to date.
3. Familiarity
The MATE desktop within PCLinuxOS looks very Windows XP like and the transition between Windows XP and PCLinuxOS isn't all that difficult.Many of the features within PCLinuxOS are available using a similar point and click approach to Windows.
Ubuntu, whilst a great distro, is different. It does require a bit of reprogramming in the way you use your computer.
4. Privacy
Not a subject I like to harp on about too much but Ubuntu does have the much maligned privacy issues which causes many a debate on online forums and within social media.The Ubuntu desktop and the web become very integrated. You can view your Twitter messages within a lens on the Dash and you can read your emails, buy books and install software using the same view.
Amazon's search results are integrated into Ubuntu and some people are uncomfortable with this.
PCLinuxOS doesn't use the same approach as Ubuntu and if you therefore find integrated online search results an intrusion then Ubuntu may not be for you.
I'd like to add the caviat that you can turn off all the integrated search results and Amazon features fairly easily within Ubuntu.
5. All features work straight away
When you install Ubuntu and you run Firefox for the first time you might be frustrated when you try and watch a Youtube video and realise that it doesn't work because Flash isn't installed. Similarly trying to play music for the first time will more than likely fail as most people use MP3s nowadays and the codecs required to do so aren't installed by default within Ubuntu.There is a fairly straight forward method of getting all these things to work in Ubuntu but PCLinuxOS has all these thing working from the initial installation and it is likely that people using Windows XP would like to do as little as possible to get things working.
Summary
This is not an attempt to disparage Ubuntu as it is a very good operating system and I would recommend it to most people. It is definitely a better step forward for Windows 7 users than Windows 8 would be.PCLinuxOS however is probably a better fit for people using older versions of the Windows operating system.
Thankyou for reading.
Thinking of upgrading?
Why not buy a laptop with Linux pre-installed?To get a copy of PCLinuxOS
Click here for a guide to creating a bootable PCLinuxOS USB driveClick here for a guide to creating a bootable PCLinuxOS DVD
Buy a PCLinuxOS DVD
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