From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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TinyLinux (booting from DOS), Slackware, Debian for many years, Ubuntu, Debian, Ubuntu, Debian, Arch for 10+ years.
RH/CentOS/Amazon Linux for work these last 20 years.
I switched to Arch because ubuntu & debian started asking too many interactive questions when upgrading packages, instead of just upgrading. Arch gets out of my way, and has great documentation if something unexpected should break.
Fedora Secureblue Kinoite (based on ublue, based on Fedora)
Before:
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
Startend with ubuntu, didnt like "appy", mobile feel of gnome, switched to manjaro KDE, loved it but kept breaking and I wasn't smart enough to fix
Settled on good Ol Debian KDE, miss the AUR but things are stable and working
Still got a win pc to play league, work with office and make music though.
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.
arch with gnome. arch because pacman and AUR, gnome because I messed around with tiling window managers for an unnecessarily long time but I don't have infinite time to customize and personalize every aspect of my computer and map every action to a keyboard shortcut and memorize them :) I need to det stuff done. I sort of forced myself into using the least amount of customization. that's why not KDE.
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.
Debian for most of my machines, rock solid and works. I've had 0 problems with Debian on any computer its downloaded on. And I personally don't need very up to date packages.
On my main computer (currently Windows due to hardware compatibility issues on Linux), I've flip flopped between Pop and Fedora depending on how much I need 3D graphics applications.
Xubuntu... It's light weight and pretty much everything is kind of Debian or kind of redhat anyway...
The charm of rolling my own died off when I got old enough to buy better hardware if I wanted to go faster...
Arch Linux (Endeavour OS if you are scared of the terminal) for personal use. It's almost all the software you want one click away, plus the best documentation ever.
Debian on my company's computer because Debian.
Kubuntu on some machines, KDE Neon on others. Ubuntu Server on my home servers.
Opensuse tw
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
Fedora Silverblue. Solid like Debian but doesn't break and require reinstall when I tinker around.
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.
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.
I am running Debian / KDE with a lot of KDE adjustments/configuration. Debian to ditch snaps, KDE because I can 'adjust' it to my liking.