We're generally big fans of Ubuntu, but it's not the only Linux distribution on the block. After spending a little too much time trying to complete a simple operation in Ubuntu the other day, we decided to take another popular Linux distro for a spin.

PCLinuxOS has been called "The distro hopper stopper", and we can see why. System configuration tasks are handled by a rebranded version of the venerable HardDrake suite. All of our hardware was detected without user intervention, and we were on the local wifi in no time. Codecs are included out of the box as well, saving a lot of potential headaches. libdvdcss is included in the default repository, and we installed it with a click.

Something else that is worth mentioning is the package manager. PCLinuxOS is based on the RPM standard due to its Mandriva pedigree, but it uses the Synaptic Package Manager that Ubuntu and Debian users have come to enjoy. We found all package operations to be prompt and efficient, just as good as a DEB based system.

No review should be based on the first few hours, so expect a full report in a few days. Until then, feel free to try it out for yourself if you are impatient.

Wow, I am pretty blown away. Almost unanimously everyone said that Ubuntu is the best Linux distro for almost everything you would want to do. I am already a Ubuntu fan, and I thought there would be a huge list of distros because there are so many out there. Ubuntu is the distro I used at work to recover old PC data, and fix PCs when even windows was trashed. It is definitely a killer build and deserves all the recognition it gets. If anyone out there is wondering which Linux distro is good for your uses, this should be proof enough. Other distros that made the list, but were all soundly spanked by Ubuntu are:

• Slax
  
• Fedora Core
• Kubuntu
• SUSE
• Mepis
  
• Red Hat
• Knoppix
• Debian
• DSL (Damn Small Linux)
  
• Gentoo
• Linspire
• Xubuntu
• PCLinuxOS
• Mandriva/Mandrake
• openSUSE
• Puppy

Thanks to everyone for your comments and thoughts on your favorite Linux flavor. I will be awarding stars as soon as I can, but I believe that feature is down at the moment.

I have had the problem a thousand times, where one of the sales reps I support comes to me and says that that they can't access Windows or that they get the blue screen repeatedly, or their computer implodes in some other such fashion. They are usually quite distraught until I introduce them to their new best friend. I hold up a live CD containing none other than a Linux distribution. Ubuntu is my favorite, but I also enjoy working with Knoppix, DSL (Damn Small Linux), or PClinuxOS. Any of these Linux distros can be a great recovery tool for Windows users. Each has it's strengths over the others, so you'll have to decide which is your favorite. You boot from the Live CD, then you can run anything from the CD (coupled with a RAMdrive) and copy Windows files to a USB hard disk or burn them to CD. I have found that doing this is often faster and easier than trying to tell what went horribly wrong in Windows and using the recovery console. In the corporate world I can save files, then simply wipe out the hard disk and start over. Talk about making my life easier, not to mention my user gets to retain their vast library of email and presentations for future use. It is a quick and dirty way to recover from a Windows installation gone bad.