Linux Format - UK (2020-03)

30 LXF260 March 2020 http://www.linuxformat.com

ROUNDUP Beginner distros

VERDICT

VERDICT

e opted for the KDE edition of Manjaro to ensure that we

showcase five different desktop environments. The

upside to this is each distro has a distinct look and feel.

Unlike most distros, where the central settings manager is a

distinct application, the settings manager on Deepin is presented

as a sidebar that can be accessed by clicking the gears on the

panel at the bottom. You can access the configurable elements,

such as Cloud Sync, Display, Personalisation, Power Management,

Mouse & Touchpad, etc. using the buttons on the left pane.

All the configurable elements on Elementary OS can be

accessed from the System Settings tool, which lists them under

different headings such as Personal, Hardware, Network &

Wireless and Administration. To change the wallpaper, or

otherwise tweak the appearance of the desktop, select Desktop

from under the Personal heading. You can also change the default

apps and even define apps you wish to automatically launch upon

startup. If you want to configure parental control, click the

appropriately named button under Administration.

Manjaro provides a central settings manager and more

DE-relevant managers, depending on your chosen desktop

environment. The settings manager can also be used to install

Linux kernel, change default applications and file associations.

ll the distributions featured in this Roundup ship with a

compliment of everyday applications such as web

browser, office suites, etc. These default applications

should help you to get started with the distribution. As you

become more accustomed to your distribution’s way of

functioning, you may wish to install additional applications.

All the featured distributions boast vast software repositories.

You can think of software repositories as a common pool of

all available applications and utilities. So installing a new app is

as simple as executing a single command using the software

management utility. All the distros ship with a graphical software

management tool, which can be used to install or remove

applications quickly. They’ll also inform you if there are updates

for installed applications, and let you install those as well.

The Deepin Store provides relevant details such as version

number, description, screenshot and even user comments for

the apps. All the applications are neatly sorted into different

categories, and you can also access the top-ranked apps, based

on ratings or number of downloads.

The AppCenter on Elementary OS provides a curated list of

apps across different categories. While most apps are available

for free, its also possible to pay a fee of your choosing for some.

Should you encounter an app you like but don’t wish to pay for it

just yet, click on the price button and change the value to zero.

You’ll then be able to install the app without making a payment.

Pamac is the graphical software management tool on Manjaro.

While it offers a categorised list of available applications, it doesn’t

Customisation

Managed software

What if you decide you want to

make some changes?

How easy is it to install new software?

W

A

Apart from Budgie Settings, which cover all aspects of the

desktop environment, Solus also features a settings manager, but

we couldn’t get it to launch on our test machines.

Zorin OS features a custom app to change the appearance of

the desktop, but all other configurable parameters can only be

accessed from the central settings manager.

DEEPIN 10/10

ELEMENTARY OS 10/10

MANJARO 10/10

SOLUS 10/10

ZORIN OS 10/10

DEEPIN 10/10

ELEMENTARY OS 10/10

MANJARO 10/10

SOLUS 8/10

ZORIN OS 10/10

All the distros let you tweak the many different elements of the desktop.

Solus’ software management is just as capable as all the others. It loses

points for not providing screenshots of apps as the others do.

provide screenshots, user comments or ratings for the different

apps on offer.

The Solus Software Center doesn’t provide screenshots for the

apps on offer. The applications are split into different categories,

such as Multimedia & Graphics, which is split into different

categories for audio, video, graphics software, etc. The Internet

Software category similarly comprises different categories, such

as Instant Messaging, Email Client, Web Browsers, etc.

With the slightest effort, you can shape the distributions to suit your individual

needs and personality.

Like all the others here, the Zorin OS software app provides a categorised list of

available software.

30 LXF260March 2020 2226March 0Depi6n0e

ROUNDUP Beginner distros

VERDICT

VERDICT

e opted for the KDE edition of Manjaro to ensure that we
showcase five different desktop environments. The
upside to this is each distro has a distinct look and feel.
Unlikemost distros, where the central settings manager is a
distinct application, the settings manager on Deepin is presented
as a sidebar that can be accessed by clicking the gears on the
panel at the bottom. You can access the configurable elements,
such as Cloud Sync, Display, Personalisation, Power Management,
Mouse & Touchpad, etc. using the buttons on the left pane.
All the configurable elements on Elementary OS can be
accessed from the System Settings tool, which lists them under
different headings such as Personal, Hardware, Network &
Wireless and Administration. To change the wallpaper, or
otherwise tweak the appearance of the desktop, select Desktop
from under the Personal heading. You can also change the default
apps and even define apps you wish to automatically launch upon
startup. If you want to configure parental control, click the
appropriately named button under Administration.
Manjaro provides a central settings manager and more
DE-relevant managers, depending on your chosen desktop
environment. The settings manager can also be used to install
Linux kernel, change default applications and file associations.

ll the distributions featured in this Roundup ship with a

compliment of everyday applications such as web

browser, office suites, etc. These default applications

shouldhelp you to get started with the distribution. As you

become more accustomed to your distribution’s way of

functioning, you may wish to install additional applications.

All the featured distributions boast vast software repositories.

You can think of software repositories as a common pool of

all available applications and utilities. So installing a new app is

as simple as executing a single command using the software

management utility. All the distros ship with a graphical software

management tool, which can be used to install or remove

applications quickly. They’ll also inform you if there are updates

for installed applications, and let you install those as well.

The Deepin Store provides relevant details such as version

number, description, screenshot and even user comments for

the apps. All the applications are neatly sorted into different

categories, and you can also access the top-ranked apps, based

on ratings or number of downloads.

The AppCenter on Elementary OS provides a curated list of

apps across different categories. While most apps are available

for free, its also possible to pay a fee of your choosing for some.

Should you encounter an app you like but don’t wish to pay for it

just yet, click on the price button and change the value to zero.

You’ll then be able to install the app without making a payment.

Pamac is the graphical software management tool on Manjaro.

While it offers a categorised list of available applications, it doesn’t

Customisation

Managed software

What if you decide you want to

make some changes?

How easy is it to install new software?

W

A

ApartfromBudgieSettings,whichcoverallaspectsofthe

desktopenvironment,Solusalsofeaturesasettingsmanager,but

wecouldn’tgetittolaunchonourtestmachines.

ZorinOSfeaturesacustomapptochangetheappearanceof

thedesktop,butallotherconfigurableparameterscanonlybe

accessedfromthecentralsettingsmanager.

DEEPIN 10/10

ELEMENTARYOS 10/10

MANJARO 10/10

SOLUS 10/10

ZORINOS 10/10

DEEPIN 10/10

ELEMENTARYOS 10/10

MANJARO 10/10

SOLUS 8/10

ZORINOS 10/10

All the distros let you tweak the many different elements of the desktop.

Solus’ software management is just as capable as all the others. It loses

points for not providing screenshots of apps as the others do.

providescreenshots,usercommentsorratingsforthedifferent

apps on offer.

The Solus Software Center doesn’t provide screenshots for the

apps on offer. The applications are split into different categories,

such as Multimedia & Graphics, which is split into different

categories for audio, video, graphics software, etc. The Internet

Software category similarly comprises different categories, such

as Instant Messaging, Email Client, Web Browsers, etc.

With the slightest effort, you can shape the distributions to suit your individual

needs and personality.

Like all the others here, the Zorin OS software app provides a categorised list of

available software.