PCLinuxOS is a rolling release distribution, which means users can usually update through the package management rather than perform a fresh install every six months. But a few times a year developers release Quarterly Updates for new users or machines. Recently it was that time again when several varieties of PCLOS saw new releases.

KDE 2010.10 Edition

Starting with the flagship image, PClinuxOS KDE 2010.10 was released featuring Linux 2.6.33.7 BFS kernel, KDE SC 4.5.2, Nvidia and ATI fglrx driver support, proprietary wireless drivers, Firefox 3.6.11, Flash Player plugin 10.1.85.3, The GIMP 2.6.11, and an OpenOffice.org installer. Besides the BFS kernel, several other technologies were used to increase performance as well. These include:

* Prelinking - Applications have been prelinked to provide faster start times.

* KDE apps have debug mode disabled to boost the launching of those applications.

* Nscd - caching name server is preloaded and enabled to provide a faster browsing experience.

* Speedboot - ported from Mandriva makes getting to your desktop faster than ever.

LXDE 2010.10 Version

The “Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment” has grown in popularity the last several years because of its extremely low overhead and high performance and expected features like multi-language support and tabbed file browsing. This version of PCLOS brings this and more to your desktop.

This version includes the same hardware support and performance boosters found in the KDE edition minus KDE. You'll find the complete LXDE desktop as well as a customized LXDE Control Center and a nice selection of handy applications. Minimum hardware requirements are x86 processor, 384 MB RAM (1 GB recommended), 3 GB of disk space, and a video card capable of 800x600 resolution.

Xfce 2010.10 Version

Xfce is another popular desktop alternative favored because of its light-weight yet full-featured interface. This version of PCLOS features the full Xfce 4.6.2 desktop and a handy selection of software as well as standard PCLOS amenities. Minimum hardware requirements are x86 processor, 384 MB RAM, 3 GB of disk space, and an NVIDIA, ATI, Intel, SiS, Matrox, or VIA video card.

Zen Mini 2010.10

The PCLOS Zen Mini is a minimal Gnome Desktop system with a smattering of applications. It features the same PCLOS tools and utilities as the others and similar minimum requirements, but comes in a 330 MB package.

E-17 2010.10 Edition

"Enlightenment is not just a window manager for Linux/X11 and others, but also a whole suite of libraries to help you create beautiful user interfaces with much less work." This edition features the full E-17 desktop on top of the PCLOS foundation and a nice selection of useful applications. This edition actually comes in two sizes: the Full and Light/Mini. The Full version somes with KDElibs and several KDE applications while the Light version features smaller and GTK apps.

Minimum requirements include a modern Intel or AMD processor, 512 MB minimum RAM, 3 GB disk space, and an NVIDIA, ATI, Intel, SiS, Matrox, or VIA graphic card.

Openbox 2010.10 Edition

"PCLinuxOS 2010.10 Openbox Edition provides a full featured desktop showcasing the small, fast, and fully compliant Openbox Window Manager." Again, it comes with similar software stack and minimum hardware requirements.

PCLinuxOS has a version for just about any machine. Also included in all are MyLiveCD, which allows you to take a snapshot of your installation and burn it to a LiveCD/DVD, and PCLinuxOS-liveusb, that allows you to install PCLinuxOS on a USB key disk. Besides the software stack shipped with each edition, PCLOS repositories are chocked full o' applications, which are updated as new application versions are released. Get your PCLinuxOS here.