A Neowin Guide to Linux Distributions

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

A Neowin Guide to Linux Distributions v2.0.0

 

Here shall serve as a guide and reference to the most popular distros currently available out there. This will be updated when and where needed. I’m not a robot.  If you would like to contribute to the cause, post it! I am not well versed with each group.

 

First of all, Linux is not Windows. Get that out of your head, and we can continue.

 

The preferred name is GNU/Linux. But everyone calls it Linux, so let’s stay with that.

 

There are 1 million different distros, many different DE, WM etc. To fill the purpose of its use. It’s a wild world out there. Let’s bring it down to tracks here. No one Linux is the same. Can we tell you “Use this?” No. You have to figure out yourself. All we can do is give you an idea of what it is. Most distros come with boot-systems, where you can try everything before you install it to your HDD/SSD.

 

What is DE and WM? They stand for Desktop Enviroment and Windows Manager. A DE is like Cinnamon, GNOME, XFCE, KDE (Plasma). WM are like OpenBox, i3, Awesome, Kwin. Each has their own purpose.

 

Since Linux is free, as in freedom, to modify to your needs. A distribution is the packing of such applications and tweaking of basically anything and everything. Distros that are “based off” others use the same foundation, but build on top of it. Let’s break down the big bad daddies, shall we?

 

Debian- https://www.debian.org/

 

This is probably the most known name for new users. As Ubuntu and Mint, are based off it. As well as thousands of other distros. It is widely known for servers, as it is strong and stable. It uses the .deb file to install programs. Like “discord.deb”. It uses Apt to do many a things. Update, upgrade, install from package manager, deletes files, etc. For a quick rundown on that: https://linuxize.com/post/how-to-use-apt-command/

 

There are also three (actually 4) branches:

1. Stable- This branch is technically behind the next branch, but is locked except for major updates. So a version 1.1.1 of software has a new 1.1.2 out? Good luck getting it.

2.Teting- This branch gets newer software as it comes along, but these files are well tested and de-bugged before you get it.

3. Unstable- This branch is a lot like Arch. You get a newest and greatest software. But beware. Most of this is not tested. Best to stay with testing if you need newer tested software, but not the latest.

(4. Experimental- This branch is technically just for developers. Expect break after break.)

 

So you heard of distros based on Debian? You know a lot of them.

 

Linux Mint- https://www.linuxmint.com/

Ubuntu (K, X, L, Edu)- https://ubuntu.com/

MXLinux- https://mxlinux.org/

Pop_OS- https://system76.com/pop

Zorin_OS- https://www.zorinos.com/

 

Some distros here do not allow you to go to different branches. You need vanilla Debian for that.

 

 

RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) - http://www.redhat.com/

 

Red Hat was one of the most popular distributions. RHEL was introduced in late 2003. Built for and with the help of the open source community, RHEL is for developers and early high-tech enthusiasts using Linux in non-critical computing environments. It uses the .rpm installation factor. And uses “yum” for it’s package manager.

 

There are many distros based on RHEL:

 

CentOS- https://www.centos.org/ (EOL June 30, 2024)

Fedora- https://fedoraproject.org/

RockyOS- https://rockylinux.org/

ClearOS- https://www.clearos.com/

 

OpenSUSE - https://www.opensuse.org/

 

Formally known as SUSE, OpenSUSE is a popular European distrobution made in Germany. It has 2 different versions. TumbleWeed, which will get you the newest packages with their rolling release. Their Leap version, which gets you very tested, stable software. It uses YaST for it’s package manger. It uses .RPM like RHEL, but are made differently.

 

Only a few distros are based on this:

Regata- https://www.regataos.com.br/

Gecko- https://geckolinux.github.io/

 

Arch- https://archlinux.org/

 

Arch, the latest and greatest. The latest software you won’t get anywhere else. Arch does break sometimes, but you have to be prepared for it, that’s all. It uses PacMan as it’s main package manager. It also has AUR (Arch User Repository) that you can get pretty much any software. But there are many helpers, as yay or pamac to name a few. Do I need to say any more?

 

It’s main counter-parts are:

Endeavour- https://endeavouros.com/

Manjaro- https://manjaro.org/

Garuda- https://garudalinux.org/

ArcoLinux- https://arcolinux.com/

XeroLinux- https://xerolinux.xyz/

 

There are many many more. Look at the link down below.

 

 

SlackWare- http://www.slackware.com/

 

Slackware is one of the oldest distributions and is produced by Walnut Creek CD-ROM. It does not possess all the user friendly attributes of its brethren and is best suited to those who have a thorough understanding of UNIX & Linux.
Slackware tries to maintain its link with the UNIX heritage of Linux by conforming strictly to UNIX conventions and not overwhelming experienced users with commercial functionality. In this way it is very similar to Debian GNU/Linux. The two have a related history.

 

 

Mandriva- http://www.mandriva.com

 

Mandriva is at present one of the industry leaders in Linux distros and is well known for its good looks, ease of installation, well rounded package selection and customized wizards and setup tools. The installation program, DrakX is colorful and attractive and patiently walks you through the required steps to install mandrake Linux. Mandriva comes with an impressive list of third party software. Mandriva is available from major software retailers and directly from their website.

Gentoo- https://www.gentoo.org/

Gentoo Linux is a versatile and fast distro for x86, PowerPC, Sparc and Sparc64 that's geared towards Linux power users. Unlike other distros, Gentoo Linux has an advanced package management system called Portage. Portage is a true ports system in the tradition of BSD ports, but is Python-based and sports a number of advanced features including dependencies, fine-grained package management, "fake" (OpenBSD-style) installs, path sandboxing, safe unmerging, system profiles, virtual packages, config file management, and more.

Portage allows you to set up Gentoo Linux the way you like it -- with the optimization settings that you want, and with optional build-time functionality (like GNOME, KDE, XFCE support, etc.) enabled or disabled as you desire. That's why we prefer thinking of Gentoo Linux as a meta-distribution or Linux technology engine. You decide what kind of system you want, and Portage will create it for you.

 

 

There are many more on DistroWatch: https://distrowatch.com/

Use the “Search” option on top, and go to “Based on” and choose your main distrobution. Being “Debian” or “Arch” or “OpenSUSE”

 

If you want to see Keldyn’s original thread: https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/40533-a-neowin-guide-to-linux-distributions/