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Top 4 Alternatives to Ubuntu Linux
8/11/2008
Considering the success of Ubuntu Linux as a distribution of the open source operating system, it has become clear that locating good alternatives to this release is becoming increasingly difficult. With that said, I've decided to round up the best candidates that might serve as a viable alternative so you might be able to partake in the Linux experience without having to relying exclusively on one distribution.
The following roundup of alternatives is presented here in no particular order.
1) OpenSuSE
Despite not being a fan of RPM-based package management myself, there is really something to be said about OpenSuSE, despite my feelings on its choice of software installation. Unlike many other distributions out there, OpenSuSE has strong support from a community-based-system that is active, competent, and actually kept up to date with each distro release.
As for hardware compatibility, I found that the provided HCL (hardware compatibility list) is generally up to date and provides a good jumping off point for people looking to get started. Thanks to regular updates for OpenSuSE, users can be assured that they are provided with the latest hardware support and security patches as they are made available.
Another reason I like OpenSuSE is this: like Ubuntu with Canonical, OpenSuSE has some sponsorship backing from Novell. While I may not approve of everything Novell does or says, they have sponsored some projects that I have come to love, like Evolution (the Outlook alternative for GNOME desktop users).
Overall usability
One of the nice things about OpenSuSE is the ability to select either GNOME or KDE with the utmost of ease. This provides options with both desktop environments at the user's disPCLOSal, along with some new abilities that come stock with OpenSuSE 11.0.
One-click installation of software -- perfected by Linspire way back when and since then made popular by other Linux distributions -- has become the latest rage. Where this has proven to be most helpful is with the installation of multimedia codecs such as MP3 and DVD, not to mention creating a simple means of installing NVIDIA video drivers for 3D acceleration.
Then there is system management. From package installation to setting up your firewall, using YaST is where it is at. YaST is best suited for the KDE desktop, however I do believe you can still get to it from GNOME via its Control Panel.
Pitfalls
Honestly, OpenSuSE 11.0 has not really presented any problems to me thus far unlike previous releases such as 10.1, which was a messy release to update. With the PCLOSsible exception that sometimes the one-click installation packages can be a bit slow thanks to slow servers, OpenSuSE is a good distribution for those looking to get their feet wet.
2) PCLinuxOS
Heavily based on Mandriva, "PCLOS" as some like to call it provides migrating Windows users with what some might deem as the path of least resistance. Despite the claim that Win32 codecs are not shipping with the distro, oddly I found that other goodies like Flash were working out of the box without any extra efforts from me. Those using wireless devices designed for Windows like Broadcom chipset-based products, will also find PCLOS to be a natural fit. From its use of KDE to a sane menuing system for getting to settings quickly and easily, I can see why so many Windows users flock to this distribution.
Overall usability
Software installation is done through Synaptic which is fine, despite it proving to be a poor source of software discovery. While providing Synaptic is an awesome way to manage software, looking at poorly descriptive text is not a very compelling way to get new Linux users to try software.
The provided documentation with PCLinuxOS is messy, despite my salute to those who have worked to provide as much to it as they can with their free time. Remember, PCLOS is a volunteer effort: there is no Canonical or Novell supporting this project.
Despite the documentation being a bit on the weak side, the hardware database is vastly more up to date than most other distributions out there. So for new users, this can prove immediately helpful.
One thing that bugs me is that PCLinuxOS really leaves you with KDE only. Great for most people, but a bit limiting. There is a GNOME version that is unrelated to PCLOS proper, however I have not had a chance to test it myself.
Pitfalls
My only gripes would be defaulted to KDE only and the lack of other companies willing to put some support behind this distribution, as it would benefit from some help in the financial dept. At this stage in the game, it feels like it could see the same fate as another stellar distro known as Simply Mepis. If the money falls short, things could begin slipping off with its development.
Despite this concern, I have found that those who simply could not make a go of it with (K)Ubuntu, have done really well for with a migration to PCLOS.
3) Freespire
While this is not going to really be something more intermediate-to-advanced users are going to choose, total newbies looking for something different than PCLOS might find themselves well matched with Freespire 2.0. Due to the liberal licensing, you will find everything working out of the box without any extra installation. Most restricted codecs (except DVD), Flash, and proprietary video drivers are all ready to go right after you install.
Overall usability
Hardware and wireless support is on par with what you might find with Ubuntu Feisty, although a few additions have been included to provide better functionality due to the age of the version of Ubuntu Freespire 2.0 is based on. Extra wireless drivers, proprietary software, among other goodies set this distribution apart from its Ubuntu cousin.
Freespire provides a fairly typical KDE desktop along with highly customized and streamlined versions of both Firefox and Thunderbird. Software installation is accomplished via CNR, apt-get and Synaptic.
Pitfalls
I used to be a HUGE fan of Linspire 4.5 and 5.0. At the time, it filled in many of the gaps being largely ignored by other newbie-friendly distributions. But when Linspire rolled out Freespire 1.0 and then later, 2.0 (which makes up Linspire 6.0), I found myself largely disappointed for the following reasons.
On the plus side, with Xandros now at the helm, it looks like Linspire v7 will never be, and Freespire will be redone to more closely resemble Xandros Linux. If you like Xandros and Debian, this may be a good match for you.The signature tools for Linspire was the availability of "legal" DVD playback (legal according to our overlords at the MPAA) along with SurfSafe parental controls. These two features made the distro for a lot of users. Both features were stripped out of the current version(s) of Linspire's Linux products. The old version of CNR was well integrated and presented me with a page of the latest proprietary new software releases. I loved being able to go to this page specifically to see what the latest was. Today's CNR, while making proprietary software available to other distros, leaves a lot to be desired with regard to how it organizes software. You can use its directory to locate stuff you know you want, but the sense of new release discovery is just not the same.
4) Linux Mint
While many people sing the praises of other distributions in lieu of Ubuntu, Linux Mint, which happens to be based on Ubuntu, has evolved far enough into its own way of presenting things that it is definitely worth considering.
Overall usability
To a more Windows-like experience for installing and uninstall software to what its developers deem as an improved update manager, Linux Mint is never short of alternatives. And this is especially true with regard to how you want to install software. Due to its Ubuntu core, Linux Mint has done wondrous things with regard to truly providing its users with choice for installing software:
1. MintInstall-- Thanks to Mint's own software portal, users can install applications much as they did back in their Windows days.Linux Mint sports a GNOME desktop but is highly customized to a point where past GNOME users might find it to be more of a desktop hybrid of sorts. Wireless support for Windows wireless devices is as good as you might find with Ubuntu. Linux Mint does, however, add and remove compatibility for these drivers on their own, so in some cases wireless support might been seen as "better" than other distros. Assuming you are going with the full edition, you will find all multimedia codecs working out of the box along with Flash as well.2. Synaptic-- Users of Debian and Ubuntu-based distributions are already familiar with this old favorite. It's fast, effective and powerful. It also makes installing numerous applications at once a snap.
3. CNR-- Now a plugin that is available for Linux Mint users, this Linspire/Xandros portal allows users access to both open source and proprietary software with relative ease. The only real benefit to using CNR at this stage is the ability to keep "software aisles " and access to proprietary apps that might be less simple to install via other means.
4. GetDeb-- A source that I use at least three times a week and donate money to monthly, GetDeb is a fantastic mall-like place to discover the latest packaged for Ubuntu/derivative applications.
Like PCLOS, Linux Mint is a volunteer-lead effort without any (or much at least) corporate support.
Pitfalls
The most recent releases seem to present a few more bugs than usual. So your mileage may vary. Because of the international base in which this distribution is created, using the main edition may or may not create legal concerns if you are wishing to distribute it with all of its restricted codecs intact. In this case, going with the lite edition might be the best plan.
Other than not enjoying the color scheme, having issues regarding its cooperation with Linspire over CNR's proprietary apps, there is not a lot to dislike.
Others not included
Now, there are other great distros, such as Fedora, a great distribution to be sure. But the Linux distributions above are the best set, in my opinion, to provide a user with a relatively easy transition away from Ubuntu should they want to put themselves in front of a different distro altogether.
Ubuntu has provides a love/hate relationship with many of its users. So it is a safe bet that more often than not, frustration with one update or a beta browser released into a ready for the public release of Ubuntu might be enough to get users interested in their alternative options. I believe this article will provide those individuals with a good jumping off point.
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