Linux

I went from Windows XP -> FreeBSD -> Debian -> several Ubuntu flavors -> MacOS -> Manjaro on my desktop. I ended up switching to MacOs after countless upgrade and graphics card issues in the early 2010s but switched back to Linux again after getting tired of Apples more and more restrictive environment.

For servers I've switched around between FreeBSD, Debian and Ubuntu at home and various Redhat based distros at work.

Right now I use Ubuntu because it just works for my Kubernetes home cluster and Redhat at work because its well supported for commercial software.

Desktop? I settled on Arch and Fedora.

Server? Debian. Although technically I never distrohopped on servers, been using Debian since the beginning of time.

Nobara because I primarily game but need some tools that are only available natively for Debian and Fedora based distributions.

I am a Linux novice, but have been dabbling for a long time. I had to laugh at myself when I realized I was “distrohopping” because I wanted to try out different DE’s. I just made the connection that rather than hop, I can simply install a different DE.

Started with Gentoo. Early 2000's. 24 painful install. Moved to fedora shortly after. Keep going back between Arch and Ubuntu over the years. It's all so easy and accessible now.

Ubuntu > Sabayon > mint > Arch > Mandriva > CentOS > Debian testing & Arch ( just the best ones )

I went Ubuntu -> Xubuntu -> Debian -> Manjaro -> Arch -> Nix

Arch is still the longest lasting and I'm dual booting with Nix right now, but Nix has been a dream when it comes to gaming stability and I think if it continues I'll stay.

Beginning: Ubuntu.
Until today: Arch

Why? I found in Arch updated software that I was interested at that time, I liked the rolling distro, minimalism, AUR.

I'm happy with my TWM (DWM) and multiplexer (tmux).

I did install other distros in old hardware like Slitaz, Debían that needs 32 bit.

I'm interested right now in things like Alpine and Void, because small and functional in Termux or older hardware. And some distrobox (similar to proot-distro in Termux).

Now learning a little bit of Groff with markdown (pandoc) to create PDF, for a small and fast typesetting. I haven't found a way to convert markdown to pdf using MOM macros in Groff.

Started with Mint with Cinnamon on the desktop since that's the "beginner" distro. Then FOMO about Arch (btw) made me switch to Manjaro with KDE.

Then I got an older used server with 64 GB of RAM. I started the server journey with Ubuntu Server, which was fine. But since I was running everything in containers anyway and wanted to experiment, I switched to Proxmox and I love it. It is flexible and fun. All of my production LXCs run Ubuntu LTS for ease and consistency in updating, but I have a couple of other VMs for experimenting with other distros and dealing with FOMO. I also installed Proxmox on an old gaming PC I had lying around, so now I have a homelab cluster. Why? Haha, why not! Proxmox is a distro-hopper and tinkerer's playground.

Windows -> Mint -> PopOS -> EndeavorOS

I tried Mint for a few days, enjoyed it but wanted something a bit more gaming focused. Tried Pop, had issues getting it set up, got it set up and didn't like it. Moved to Endeavor, and after a brief learning period, its been everything I wanted in an OS.

I fucking love EndeavorOS

I used Void Linux for a while, but now I am staying on NixOS. It's got great features that I'll probably miss on other distros.

It's been over like 10 years but it has gone something like this Windows -> Ubuntu -> Debian -> Mint -> Windows -> Ubuntu -> Solus -> Fedora -> Arch -> Manjaro -> Windows -> POP_OS -> Arch -> Manjaro

Started with OpenSUSE because it supported our Proprietary CAD software ( Choice was Redhat or SUSE ) As a bonus nVidia hosts its own repo for SUSE and OpenSUSE so no graphic issues with CAD. Then Arch because of the buzz. Manjaro EndeavorOS Ubuntu PoP!_OS Clear Linux Mint ElementaryOS Fedora NixOS

Now main machines run OpenSUSE and wifes 12 yr old laptop is NixOS.

Why? OpenSUSE is really dependable and updates are flawless, if i tinker and break something a rollback at boot is a quick fix, which is imortant since it is my daily work work-station. While you could set up btrfs and grub snapshots in other systems, I like that it comes baked in, and all the EFI/ TPM / Secure-boot stuff works with no messing around.

As for wife's machine , she is not tech savvy and Windows was too complicated for her (and so damn slow), so GNOME on NixOS (fast) is a clear workflow; and since she likes things exactly the same in order to comprehend a system , the config files make it easy to re-replicate the exact setup.

Nowhere. I install whatever will actually get through the installation process without fucking itself up on the hardware that I'm using.

MOST of the time that ends up being Mint because the developers aren't idiots. SOMETIMES it's Ubuntu. But neither wants to install properly every time, because of course not.

Crux. Simplest package building system out there, and the core is just out of the way completely, giving you the keys to setup your system just the way you want it.

SUSE -> Mageia -> Ubuntu -> Manjaro -> Mint -> Manjaro. Been on Manjaro for 4 years now.

Keep distrohopping. I think I cannot settle.

Fedora Silverblue. Solid like Debian but doesn't break and require reinstall when I tinker around.

Windows -> macos -> pop os -> debian -> fedora ↓ Now

• linux mint(desktop)
• slackware(laptop)
• arch linux(Kvm/Qemu for gaming)
• Netbsd(older hardware/for fun)

Debian + Gnome: I don't game and have a limited wifi connection and Debian gives me stability, ease of use and I don't need to run an update more than once a week

Opensuse tw