PCLinuxOS
Screenshot of the PCLinuxOS KDE edition
DeveloperBill Reynolds aka "Texstar"
OS familyLinux (Unix-like)
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen source
Initial releaseOctober 2003; 20 years ago (2003-10)
Latest release2023.07 / 30 July 2023; 5 months ago (2023-07-30)
Update methodRolling release
Package managerAPT-RPM
Platformsx86-64
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux)
UserlandGNU
Default
user interface
LicenseVarious
Official websitepclinuxos.com

PCLinuxOS, often shortened to PCLOS, is a rolling release Linux distribution for x86-64 computers, with KDE Plasma, MATE, and XFCE as its default user interfaces. It is a primarily FOSS operating system for personal computers aimed at ease of use.

History

The precursor to PCLinuxOS was a set of RPM packages created to improve successive versions of Mandrake Linux (later Mandriva Linux). These packages were created by Bill Reynolds, a packager better known as "Texstar".[1] From 2000 to 2003, Texstar maintained his repository of RPM packages in parallel with the PCLinuxOnline site. In an interview, Texstar said he started PCLinuxOS "to provide an outlet for [his] crazy desire to package source code without having to deal with egos, arrogance, and politics."[2]

In October 2003, Texstar created a fork of Mandrake Linux 9.2. Working closely with the Live CD Project, Texstar has since developed that fork independently into a full-fledged distribution. The initial releases were successively numbered as "previews": p5, p7, p8, up to p81a, then p9, p91, p92, and p93.

Although it retains a similar "look and feel" to Mandriva Linux, PCLinuxOS has diverged significantly. The code was officially forked from Mandrake 9.2 into an independent project in 2003. After three years of continuous development, the developers took advantage of further development in (the renamed) Mandriva late in 2006 for PCLinuxOS 2007. In the releases before 2007, it was normally necessary to perform a re-installation.

PCLinuxOS 2007

For 2007, PCLinuxOS used a one-time source code snapshot from Mandriva to produce a new independent code base (no longer a fork of Mandriva). This implied a shift to a more modern code, which required a complete reinstallation of this version. The new version featured a new look and built-in 3D effects. A new logo was also designed for the new version and was incorporated into the boot screen. A new login screen was designed, entitled "Dark". The final/official PCLinuxOS 2007 version was released on May 21, 2007.

PCLinuxOS 2009

The last version of the 2009 Live CD, PCLinuxOS 2009.2, was released on June 30, 2009.[3] Improvements included bug fixes, new backgrounds, sounds, and start-up screen, as well as quicker start-up times. It was the last PCLinuxOS live CD to ship with K Desktop Environment 3, and the last of the PCLinuxOS 2007 backward compatible series.[4][5]

Remasters of PCLinuxOS, featuring the Xfce (Phoenix), LXDE (PCLinuxOS-LXDE), and Gnome (PCLinuxOS-Gnome) desktops were also made available.

PCLinuxOS 2010

The 2010 version of the Live CD was released on April 19, 2010.[6] It includes the new KDE SC 4.4.2, a new graphical theme and a new version of the Linux Kernel (Kernel 2.6.32.11). It is also the first PCLinuxOS Live CD to include the ext4 file system support. This version required a complete reinstall of the operating system.[7][8][9][10]

While a version of PCLinuxOS that features the GNOME desktop environment was introduced in 2008, the 2010 version is the first one to not only offer the KDE Plasma and GNOME versions, but also versions with Xfce, LXDE, Enlightenment, and Openbox.

PCLinuxOS 2010.1

Version 2010.1 was released on May 5, 2010. Changes made since the last version:

PCLinuxOS 2011.6

PCLinuxOS 2011.6 version was released on June 27, 2011.

PCLinuxOS 2012

PCLinuxOS 2012.02 version was released on February 22, 2012.[12][13][14] Later another maintenance release was made on August 22, 2012. Major changes compared to the 2011 release are:

PCLinuxOS 2013 64-bit

PCLinuxOS 2013 64-bit first version was released on April 10, 2013.[15][16][17]

It featured:

PCLinuxOS 2014.7

The new version was released on July 7, 2014.[18]

Features:

Features

PCLinuxOS places specific emphasis on desktop computing, concentrating its efforts on home or small business environments, hence paying less attention to other more "traditional" uses, like servers, although packages for most server tasks are available.[citation needed]

PCLinuxOS is distributed as a Live CD, which can also be installed on a local hard disk drive or USB flash drive. Beginning from version 2009.1 PCLinuxOS provides a USB installer to create a Live USB, where the user's configuration and personal data can be saved if desired. A live USB of older versions of PCLinuxOS can be created manually or with UNetbootin.[19] The entire CD can be run from memory, assuming the system has sufficient RAM. PCLinuxOS uses APT-RPM, based on APT (Debian), a package management system (originally from the Debian distribution), together with Synaptic Package Manager, a GUI to APT, to add, remove or update packages. If there is enough memory on the machine, and an active network connection, the Live CD can update packages. PCLinuxOS is also designed to be easy to remaster after installation, creating one's personalized Live CD, using the mylivecd tool.

PCLinuxOS maintains its software repository, available via the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) and its Synaptic front-end, completely replacing Mandriva's urpmi. This means that an installation could be continuously updated to the latest versions of packages, hence sometimes forgoing the need to re-install the entire distribution upon each successive release. Other differences include its menu arrangement, custom graphics and icon sets.

End of official support for 32-bit version

On May 10, 2016, main developer Texstar announced[20] the end of support for 32-bit versions of PCLinuxOS.[21] As a result, 32-bit ISOs of the distribution, official 32-bit package updates, and forum support became unavailable. While this doesn't prevent unofficial support, following the announcement only 64-bit ISO images and package updates are available through the official webpage and channels.

Other versions

There are several community projects associated with PCLinuxOS.

Trinity edition

The Trinity edition of PCLinuxOS comes in two flavors. "Mini" is a minimalist ISO intended for those who want to customize their desktop with only the programs they want. "Big Daddy", on the other hand, comes with many programs pre-installed, including, but not limited to multimedia codecs and office software.

LXQt edition

The LXQt edition on PCLinuxOS comes with LXQt's suite of applications and several third-party applications pre-installed.

KDE4 FullMonty (FM) edition (Discontinued)

KDE FullMonty (Live & Install DVD) was a regular PCLinuxOS KDE4 installation but was modified to include a special desktop layout and many additional applications and drivers preinstalled. PCLinuxOS officially discontinued the FullMonty edition in 2017 due to KDE developers discontinuing support for KDE4.[22]

Third-party distributions

Because PCLinuxOS includes the mklivecd script, there have been several third-party distributions over the years based on PCLinuxOS, though they are permitted to mention that connection only if they follow strict guidelines.

Release history

Almost all major releases have been accompanied by new boot-up and login screens, along with some changes in icon sets, and login sounds.

Version Date
2023.07 KDE, MATE, and XFCE[23] July 30, 2023
2022.12 KDE, MATE, and XFCE December 12, 2022
2022.01 KDE, MATE, and XFCE[24] January 8, 2022
2021.11 KDE, MATE, and XFCE[25] November 5, 2021
2020.1015 KDE October 15, 2020
2020.01 KDE January 14, 2020
2019.06 KDE[26] June 16, 2019
2018.06 MATE[27] June 1, 2018
2018.06 KDE[28] June 1, 2018
2017.07 KDE[29] July 2017
2017.03 MATE 64 Bit[30] March 17, 2017
2017.03 KDE Plasma 5 64 Bit March 2, 2017
2017.02 KDE Plasma 5, MATE 64 Bit February 10, 2017
2016.07 MATE 64 Bit July 6, 2016
2016.03 KDE, FullMonty 64 Bit[31][32] March 8, 2016
2014.12 KDE, FullMonty, KDE, LXDE and MATE 32 & 64 bit December 18, 2014
2013.12 KDE, FullMonty, MiniMe, LXDE and MATE 32 & 64 bit December 3, 2013
2013.7 KDE 32 & 64 bit July 17, 2013
2013.7 LXDE 32 & 64 bit July 7, 2013
2013.7 Mate 32 & 64 bit July 15, 2013
2013.7 KDE-MiniME 32 & 64 bit July 7, 2013
2013.7 Mate 32 & 64 bit July 3, 2013
2013.6 Full Monty 64 bit June 17, 2013
2013.6 LXDE 64 bit June 17, 2013
2013.4 64 bit April 10, 2013
2013.4 April 4, 2013
2013.2 February 1, 2013
2012.8 August 22, 2012
2012.2 February 2, 2012
2011.9 September 23, 2011
2011.6 June 27, 2011
2010.12 December 15, 2010
2010.10 October 28, 2010
2010.7 July 5, 2010
2010.1 May 5, 2010
2010 April 19, 2010
2009.2 June 30, 2009
2009.1 March 11, 2009
2008 "MiniMe" January 7, 2008
P.94 "2007" May 21, 2007
P.93a "Big Daddy" August 21, 2006
P.93a "Junior" August 9, 2006
P.93a "MiniMe" August 4, 2006
P.93 "MiniMe" April 21, 2006
P.92 November 21, 2005
P.91 July 7, 2005
P.81a 2005
P.8 2005
P.7 2004
P.5 2004
Original Release October 2003

See also

References

  1. ^ "DistroWatch.com: Top Ten Distributions - An overview of today's top distributions". Retrieved 2007-07-03.
  2. ^ "Experiment: Interview with Texstar of PCLinuxOS". Yet Another Linux Blog. 2005-06-08. Retrieved 2007-07-03.
  3. ^ "Distribution Release: PCLinuxOS 2009.2". DistroWatch. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
  4. ^ "PCLinuxOS 2009.1 Review". LinuxBSDos. 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  5. ^ Ljubuncic, Igor (2009-03-20). "PCLinuxOS 2009.1 - A lovely distro". Dedoimedo. Archived from the original on 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  6. ^ "Distribution Review: PCLinuxOS 2010". Linux Critic. 2010-04-20. Archived from the original on 2010-04-24.
  7. ^ "PCLinuxOS 2010.12 Gnome - Rushed out too early". www.dedoimedo.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  8. ^ "Spotlight on Linux: PCLinuxOS 2010 | Linux Journal". www.linuxjournal.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  9. ^ "PCLinuxOS 2010 - Familiar taste of radical simplicity". www.dedoimedo.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  10. ^ "Introducing PCLinuxOS 2010 – OSnews". www.osnews.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  11. ^ "PCLinuxOS 2010.1 KDE 4 Edition". PCLinuxOS. 2010-05-04.
  12. ^ Ljubuncic, Igor (2012-12-13). "PCLinuxOS 2012.08 review - A thing of the past". Dedoimedo. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  13. ^ Ljubuncic, Igor (2012-04-07). "PCLinuxOS 2012.02 review - Hope?". Dedoimedo. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  14. ^ Sen, Arindam (2012-09-01). "Linuxed - Exploring Linux distros: PCLinuxOS KDE 2012.08 Review: Better than ever!". Linuxed - Exploring Linux distros. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  15. ^ Smith, Jesse (2013-04-29). "DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 505, 29 April 2013". Distrowatch. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  16. ^ Schroder, Carla (2013-04-25). "PCLinuxOS "So Cool Ice Cubes are Jealous"". Linux.com. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  17. ^ Sen, Arindam (2013-06-23). "Linuxed - Exploring Linux distros: PCLinuxOS 2013.06 LXDE Review: Fast, attractive and easy to use Lightweight rolling release distro". Linuxed - Exploring Linux distros. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  18. ^ Smith, Jesse (2014-09-15). "DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 576, 15 September 2014". Distrowatch. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  19. ^ UNetbootin - Homepage and Downloads Retrieved on 2009-5-1
  20. ^ pclinuxos [@iluvpclinuxos] (May 10, 2016). "Official announcement since some don't seem to want to accept what I've been saying for the past 6 mos. PCLOS 32bit is dead dead dead!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "PCLInuxOS Dropped 32-bit Support". Distrowatch. 2016-05-12. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  22. ^ "Distribution Release - KDE4: FullMonty DVD edition". 2018-09-30. Archived from the original on 2018-09-30. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  23. ^ "PCLinuxOS 2023.07 Release » PCLinuxOS". Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  24. ^ "Distrowatch". distrowatch.com. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  25. ^ "FTP archive directory /os/Linux/distr/pclinuxos/pclinuxos/live-cd/64bit/". ftp.nluug.nl. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  26. ^ "PCLinuxOS 2019.06 latest Stable Release is ready for Download". LinuxTechNews. 2019-06-17. Archived from the original on 2019-07-14.
  27. ^ "Mate Desktop » PCLinuxOS". Archived from the original on 2018-08-28. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  28. ^ "KDE Desktop » PCLinuxOS". Archived from the original on 2018-08-19. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  29. ^ Ljubuncic, Igor (2017-11-04). "PCLinuxOS 2017.07 KDE - Majestic and horrible". Dedoimedo. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  30. ^ Smith, Jesse (2017-04-10). "DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 707, 10 April 2017". Distrowatch. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  31. ^ Smith, Jesse (2016-03-28). "DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 654, 28 March 2016". Distrowatch. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
  32. ^ "An Everyday Linux User Review Of PCLinuxOS 2016 MATE". Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-08.

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