My acquaintance with Linux began like this. One not very wonderful day I “caught” another virus. More precisely, of course, it was not me, but my faithful steed, the laptop. At that time I had some kind of antivirus installed, I don’t remember which one. But I remember very well that this antivirus really slowed down the Windows operating system. And also, he constantly asked to pay for super-duper protection (if, of course, I bought a bunch of modules).

So. The attack of this virus resulted in a complete system failure. No antivirus treatment helped. Reboot too. All other measures such as cleaning the registry also did not help. It was necessary to reinstall Windows and other programs again. And then I thought: “Are there analogs to Windows?” And my gaze fell on Linux Mint.

For Linux experts and system administrators. I apologize for any inaccuracies. I am a simple Linux user and I might have misunderstood some things... You can write to me in the comments and enlighten me...

1. Why Linux is better than Windows

So, I decided to install Linux. Why this particular operating system? Everything is very simple. Linux combines such useful things as:

Completely free

All Linux modifications that I have come across are completely free. Moreover, all additional components that you want to install on Linux are also free. Starting from an editor for office documents to programs for graphics processing.

Why is Linux free? It's all about the policies of those major developers of this operating system, which they “supervise”. The fact is that these developers make money by setting up and maintaining networks based on UniX/Linux. And such a setup is more expensive than one based on Windows technologies.

I have not found any other explanation for the freeness of Linux and related programs. Just like I didn’t find a large number of paid programs for Linux. There is little. But they are not popular, since you can always find a free analogue that is much better. This is the Linkus paradox.

You can choose the configuration “to your liking”

There are a lot of Linkus options. There are also “hardcore” options for advanced system administrators and hackers. There are also ones that are as simple as possible for ordinary users. There is a super-sophisticated, beautiful desktop and other bells and whistles. And there are also those that will run on a coffee maker, so undemanding when it comes to hardware.

There are versions that are developed and supported by an army of programmers and Linux lovers. And there are versions that were almost “finished” for oneself.

There are versions intended for home use. And there are “filed” ones for government agencies.

There are versions that bear almost no resemblance to Windows or MacOS. And there are those that practically copy these operating systems.

In short... the choice is simply cosmic...

Everything for work “in one box”

In principle, you can always install “naked” Linux. But most modern packages include a comprehensive installation. That is, along with the operating system you install everything necessary for working on a computer or laptop. Installation takes 20 minutes - and you actually get a ready-made working machine with all applications and drivers installed.

2. Which Linux to choose

As I wrote above, now you can find a huge number of Linux options. And within these options there are also various sub-options (for example, having different desktops). It is quite easy for a non-specialist to get confused in all this. In this article I will not review all varieties of the Linux operating system. (Maybe I’ll write later sometime).

I’ll just say that I chose, in my opinion, the best Linux of 2019 - this is Linux Mint

At the moment I have Linux Mint 18 with Cinnamon 64 desktop

A user who just wants to get acquainted with operating systems based on the Linux kernel can easily get lost in the assortment of various distribution kits. Their abundance is associated with the open source code of the kernel, so developers around the world are diligently adding to the ranks of already known operating systems. This article will discuss the most popular of them.

In fact, the variety of distributions is only beneficial. If you understand the distinctive features of certain operating systems, you will be able to choose the system that is perfect for your computer. Weak PCs receive a particular advantage. By installing a distribution kit for weak hardware, you will be able to use a full-fledged OS that will not load your computer and at the same time provide all the necessary software.

To try out one of the distributions presented below, just download the ISO image from the official website, burn it to a USB drive and start the computer from the flash drive.

If the manipulation of writing an ISO image of the operating system to a drive seems complicated to you, then you can read the guide on installing Linux on the VirtualBox virtual machine on our website.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is rightfully considered the most popular distribution based on the Linux kernel in the CIS. It was developed on the basis of another distribution - Debian, but in appearance there is no similarity between them. By the way, users often have disputes about which distribution is better: Debian or Ubuntu, but everyone agrees on one thing - Ubuntu is great for beginners.

Developers systematically release updates that improve or correct its shortcomings. It is distributed free of charge online, including both security updates and enterprise versions.

The advantages include:

• simple and easy installer;
• a large number of thematic forums and articles on configuration;
• Unity user interface, which differs from the usual Windows, but is intuitive;
• a large amount of pre-installed applications (Thunderbird, Firefox, games, Flash plugin and many other software);
• has a large amount of software both in internal and external repositories.

Linux Mint

Although Linux Mint is a separate distribution, it is based on Ubuntu. This is the second most popular product and is also great for beginners. Has more pre-installed software than the previous OS. Linux Mint is almost identical to Ubuntu in terms of internal system aspects that are hidden from the user's eyes. The graphical interface is more similar to Windows, which undoubtedly tempts users to choose this operating system.

The advantages of Linux Mint are the following:

• It is possible to select the graphical shell of the system when loading;
• during installation, the user receives not only software with free source code, but also proprietary programs that can ensure optimal operation of video-audio files and Flash elements;
• developers improve the system by periodically releasing updates and fixing bugs.

CentOS

As the CentOS developers themselves say, their main goal is to make a free and, importantly, stable OS for various organizations and enterprises. Therefore, by installing this distribution, you will receive a system that is stable and protected in all respects. However, the user should prepare and study the CentOS documentation, since it differs quite significantly from other distributions. From the main thing: the syntax of most commands is different, as are the commands themselves.

The advantages of CentOS are the following:

• has many functions that ensure system security;
• includes only stable versions of applications, which reduces the risk of critical errors and other types of failures;
• Enterprise-level security updates are released to the OS.

openSUSE

openSUSE is a good option for a netbook or low-power computer. This operating system has an official wiki website, a user portal, a service for developers, projects for designers, and IRC channels in several languages. Among other things, the openSUSE team sends emails to users when updates or other important events occur.

The advantages of this distribution are as follows:

• has a large number of software delivered through . True, there is somewhat less of it than in Ubuntu;
• has a KDE graphical shell, which is in many ways similar to Windows;
• has flexible settings performed using the YaST program. With its help, you can change almost all parameters, from wallpaper to settings of internal system components.

Pinguy OS

Pinguy OS was developed with the goal of making a system that was simple and beautiful. It is intended for the average user who decides to switch from Windows, which is why you can find many familiar functions in it.

The operating system is based on the Ubuntu distribution. There are both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Pinguy OS has a large set of programs with which you can perform almost any action on your PC. For example, turn the standard Gnome top bar into a dynamic one, like in Mac OS.

Zorin OS

Zorin OS is another system whose target audience is beginners who want to switch from Windows to Linux. This OS is also based on Ubuntu, but its interface has much in common with Windows.

However, the distinguishing feature of Zorin OS is the package of pre-installed applications. As a result, you will immediately be able to run most Windows games and programs thanks to the Wine program. You will also be pleased with the pre-installed Google Chrome, which is the default browser in this OS. And for lovers of graphic editors, there is GIMP (analogous to Photoshop). The user can download additional applications independently using Zorin Web Browser Manager - a kind of analogue of Play Market on Android.

Manjaro Linux

Manjaro Linux is based on ArchLinux. The system is very easy to install and allows the user to start working immediately after installing the system. Both 32-bit and 64-bit OS versions are supported. The repositories are constantly synchronized with ArchLinux, so users are among the first to receive new versions of the software. Immediately after installation, the distribution has all the necessary tools for interacting with multimedia content and third-party equipment. Manjaro Linux supports several kernels, including rc.

Solus

Solus is not the best option for weak computers. At least because this distribution has only one version - 64-bit. However, in return, the user will receive a beautiful graphical shell, with flexible settings, many tools for work and reliability in use.

It is also worth noting that Solus uses an excellent eopkg manager for working with packages, which offers standard tools for installing/uninstalling packages and searching for them.

Elementary OS

The Elementary OS distribution is based on Ubuntu and is a great starting point for beginners. An interesting design that is very similar to OS X, a large amount of software - this and much more will be acquired by the user who installs this distribution. A distinctive feature of this OS is that most of the applications that come with it are developed specifically for this project. Because of this, they are ideally comparable to the overall structure of the system, which is why the OS runs much faster than Ubuntu. In addition, thanks to this, all the elements are perfectly combined in appearance.

Conclusion

It is difficult to objectively say which of the presented distributions is better and which is somewhat worse, just as it is impossible to force someone to install Ubuntu or Mint on their computer. Everything is individual, so the decision about which distribution to start using is up to you.

There are a huge number of versions of Linux. Over the past month alone, more than 300 distributions have been noted on the DistroWatch.com website, and in the entire history of Linux there have been about 700 of them. How to choose among this abundance?

Two main criteria to pay attention to:

1. Popularity of the distribution. The more popular your distribution, the easier it will be to find manuals for it on the Web. The large community means that you can easily get help on the distro's forums if you have any difficulties mastering it. Finally, the more widespread the distribution, the more applications and packages are ported for it. It’s better to choose popular solutions with a ready-made package base than to struggle with assembling from source code in some exotic distribution.
2. The development team behind it. Naturally, it is better to pay attention to distributions supported by large companies like Canonical Ltd., Red Hat or SUSE, or distributions with large communities.

Please note that even the best distributions have analogues that are not much inferior to them. If you are somehow not satisfied with Lifehacker’s choice, you can try alternatives.

For those who have never used Linux - Linux Mint

New users who migrated from , should definitely install Linux Mint. Today it is the most popular Linux distribution. It is a very stable and easy to use system based on Ubuntu.

Linux Mint is equipped with an easy and intuitive interface (Cinnamon shell for modern computers and MATE for older machines) and a convenient application manager, so you will not have problems finding and installing programs.

Pros: simplicity, care for ordinary users. You don't need any specific knowledge to install and use Mint.

Minuses: a large amount of pre-installed software that may never be useful.

For those who want the latest software - Manjaro

It is a popular Linux distribution based on Arch. Arch is an incredibly powerful and feature-rich distribution, but its KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) philosophy, contrary to its name, makes it too difficult for beginners. Arch can only be installed via the command line.

Manjaro, unlike Arch, has a simple graphical installer and yet combines powerful Arch features such as AUR (Arch User Repository) and rolling release. AUR is the richest source of Linux packages. If any application is on Linux, it is probably already in the AUR. So in Manjaro you will always have the latest packages.

Manjaro comes with a variety of desktop shells to choose from: functional KDE, GNOME for tablet screens, Xfce, LXDE and more. Manjaro, you can be sure to be the first to receive the latest updates.

Pros: AUR, thanks to which you can install any application without unnecessary movements. Always the latest software.

Minuses: unique design of desktop shells. However, nothing prevents you from replacing it.

For home server - Debian

A home server can be useful for many purposes. For example, to store data and backups, download torrents, or arrange your own dimensionless .

Debian will do well on your home server. It is a stable and conservative distribution that became the basis for Ubuntu and many other Linux systems. Debian uses only the most proven packages, making it a good choice for a server.

Pros: stability and a large set of applications.

Minuses: the need to manually configure the distribution after installation.

For Media Center - Kodi

If you want to set up your own media server, choose Kodi. Strictly speaking, Kodi is not a distribution, but a full-featured media center player. You can install it on any Linux, but it is best to choose the Ubuntu + Kodi combination.

Kodi supports all types of video and audio files. It can play movies, music, and organize your photos. Kodi turns anyone into an all-in-one entertainment device.

Thanks to extensions, Kodi can download media files via torrents, track new seasons of your favorite TV series, and show videos from YouTube and other streaming services. In short, Kodi does it all.

In addition, Kodi is very beautiful and optimized for control from a remote control or Android device. You can easily customize Kodi's interface with a variety of visual skins.

Pros: a huge number of functions and convenient controls.

Minuses: The standard interface may not be to everyone's liking, but it is easy to replace.

For Desktop - Kubuntu

The KDE graphical environment is ideal for use on the desktop, and Kubuntu is the most popular KDE distribution. Like many other distributions, it's based on Ubuntu, which means you won't have any application compatibility issues.

Kubuntu is beautiful, functional and easy to customize. Even novice users can easily handle it. It's a stable and polished system that provides all the features you need for a home desktop PC.

Pros: a large selection of packages, a wonderful set of KDE applications and a huge number of interface settings.

Minuses: Kubuntu uses a stable version of KDE, which means that the latest features of this shell come here late. If you want to try out the latest KDE, KDE Neon is at your service.

For an old computer or netbook - Lubuntu

This version of Ubuntu is based on the LXDE shell, which is lightweight and resource-efficient. It is aimed at older or low-power machines. If you have a not-so-new computer or netbook lying around that can't handle Windows, you can do it by installing Lubuntu.

This Linux distribution consumes few system resources and can run on almost any configuration.

Pros: very fast and easy system. However, it supports the same packages and applications as its older sister Ubuntu.

Minuses: LXDE's appearance won't be to everyone's taste, but it's a small price to pay for performance.

For laptop - elementary OS

As the name suggests, this version of Linux is very simple. You won't have any problems mastering it. It runs easily on laptops and consumes battery slowly.

The interface of elementary OS is reminiscent of macOS, so it will be a pleasure to use for Mac fans. Animations, window decorations - everything here is so smooth and pretty that you can simply admire the system. However, behind the beautiful shell of elementary OS lies a full-fledged Linux that supports all the applications necessary for work.

Pros: beautiful interface, own indie app store.

Minuses: The Pantheon graphical shell, although it looks stylish, is not very functional.

Year after year, we make a selection of the best Linux distributions that you can install on your computer or laptop. Usually, when compiling such collections, they are guided by the ratings of Linux distributions on Distrowatch, but recently something strange has been happening on the site. In first place is the MX Linux distribution, and in second is Manjaro. It becomes obvious that the method of assessing popularity by the number of visits to the distribution page is not very accurate.

In this article, I selected the best Linux distributions of 2019 based on the number of user searches on Yandex. Thus, all distributions are sorted by popularity. This estimate also cannot be considered absolutely accurate, but it gives more plausible results.

1.Ubuntu

In first place we have Ubuntu. Almost half a million users a month are interested in it. Such a number of requests may indicate that the system is popular among beginners and home users who still know little about the system and often use search to solve a particular problem. Ubuntu is developed by Canonical. The company has been actively promoting and popularizing this system since 2004. During this time, a stable and reliable system was obtained.

By default, the system uses the Gnome desktop environment, however, the community also produces editions for other environments, including KDE, LXDE, XFCE, Budgie and MATE. The system has its own convenient and simple installer, and is also often recommended as the easiest for beginners. This is the most popular Linux 2019, as, in fact, in previous years.

• Developer: Canonical;
• Based on: Debian;
• Package format: deb;
• Default environment: Gnome;
• Release of new versions: every 9 months.

2. Debian

Debian occupies second place in popularity, as it did several years ago in the distribution popularity ranking according to Distrowatch. About 150 thousand Yandex users per month are interested in this distribution. Ubuntu was based on Debian and while it is more aimed at home users and contains new software, Debian is designed for use on servers and maximum stability.

Software packages go through a long testing process before they get into the official repositories, so the distribution usually contains outdated versions of programs, but it is more stable. As a system for servers, this is quite acceptable and justified.

• Developer: community;
• Based on: No;
• Package format: deb;
• Default environment: Gnome;
• Release of new versions: every 2 years.

3. CentOS

CentOS takes third place. Its popularity is not much lower than that of Debian, with only 100 thousand users per month. CentOS is entirely based on the source code of the commercial distribution Red Hat Enterprice Linux, developed primarily for servers and corporate environments.

In fact, this is a free version of Red Hat Linux, from which all branding and paid subscription management tools have been removed. The distribution is supported by a community of enthusiasts, but it is still the same very stable RHEL.

• Developer: community;
• Based on: RHEL;
• Package format: rpm;
• Default environment: Gnome;
• Release of new versions: every four to five years. But within one release, packages are constantly updated to new versions.

4. Linux Mint

In fourth place is a distribution that positions itself as a system for novice users - Linux Mint. 80 thousand users a month are interested in it. Mint is based on Ubuntu and developed by the community. His goal was to make installation and initial configuration of the system easier, and the working environment more familiar. Various proprietary drivers are supplied with the distribution, and the installation of additional codecs is simplified.

Additionally, when Gnome 3 was released, the Linux Mint developers began working on their own environment - Cinnamon, which uses the same modern technologies as Gnome 3, such as GTK 3, but has a simpler and more familiar look. Linux Mint also contains a set of additional tools and utilities to simplify the setup and use of the system.

• Developer: community;
• Based on: Ubuntu;
• Package format: deb;
• Default environment: Cinnamon;
• Release of new versions: every two years, based on the LTS version of Ubuntu, as well as intermediate versions.

5. Kali Linux

Kali Linux is a distribution for testing the security of computer systems and networks, which by default contains many tools for this task. The distribution is based on Debian and developed by the community. It replaced the previously very popular BackTrack Linux distribution in 2013.

In addition to the regular version, which is updated every few months, there is a version with rolling updates, where users immediately receive new packages. 60 thousand users per month are interested in this distribution.

• Developer: community;
• Based on: Debian;
• Package format: deb;
• Default environment: Gnome;
• Release of new versions: every few months.

6. Fedora

The Fedora Linux distribution is developed by the community with the support of Red Hat. In this distribution, all new technologies that will be included in the future release of Red Hat Enterprice Linux are tested and tested. For example, a few years ago, the DNF package manager was included in Fedora. It is better, faster and more reliable than the old Yum, but it was only included in RHEL in version 8, which was released quite recently.

By default, Feodra uses the Gnome environment. The distribution's installer is similar to the installers of other RPM distributions. In my opinion, this is one of the most complex installers, since instead of simple wizard steps, you have to choose the settings yourself.

• Developer: community;
• Based on: No;
• Package format: rpm;
• Default environment: Gnome;
• Release of new versions: every six months.

7. Manjaro

Manjaro is a rapidly growing distribution that appeared several years ago. It is based on the very flexible ArchLinux distribution, which is known for its complete lack of a graphical installer and retains all its advantages while eliminating many of the shortcomings.

Compared to Arch Linux, it has a convenient graphical installer and its own repositories from the developers, in which packages are carefully checked before they become available to users, so the stability of the distribution is much higher. Of course, you can no longer build your system yourself, but you can still receive rolling updates and install packages from the AUR.

• Developer: community;
• Based on: ArchLinux;
• Package format: pkg;
• Default environment: Gnome;
• Release of new versions: rolling.

8. Arch Linux

About 15 thousand users per month are interested in this distribution, and this is not surprising, since it is designed only for experienced users who want to customize the system for themselves and install only what they need. As I said before, there is no graphical installer and you will have to install all packages through the terminal. Therefore, you can install only the packages you want. And in the process, you will have an excellent opportunity to study the internal structure of the system.

Arch Linux was one of the first distributions to offer a rolling release system. This means that no new versions are released; the repositories always contain the newest version of the operating system. The advantage of this approach is that users always receive the latest programs, but the disadvantage is low stability. Another advantage of Arch Linux is the huge Arch Wiki documentation, which has answers to many questions and solutions to many problems.

• Developer: community;
• Based on: No;
• Package format: pkg;
• Default environment: No;
• Release of new versions: rolling.

9.OpenSUSE

This is the second distribution in our list of "best and most popular Linux distributions" developed by the company. OpenSUSE is developed by SUSE. It has a long history and the company has been part of other large corporations several times, but is now under the control of EQT. The company is developing several versions of the distribution. This is a version for servers and workstations - SUSE Linux Enterprise, and a free version - OpenSUSE.

The distribution uses RPM packages, but uses its own zypper package manager, which allows you to download patches to update packages and has other advantages. The distribution uses btrfs as the default file system, and also has a YaST utility for convenient system configuration, which, in addition to standard features, supports file system snapshots, backup and restore.

• Developer: SUSE;
• Based on: No;
• Package format: rpm;
• Default environment: No;
• Release of new versions: Every year.

10.Elementary OS

Our top Linux distributions of 2019 are coming to an end. Elementary OS is a distribution designed exclusively for home use. Its developers have tried to create a very beautiful user interface, similar to MacOS. The distribution uses the Phanteon desktop environment, which is based on Gnome and adds several visual effects and elements.

The distribution is based on Ubuntu, but has one more distinctive feature. In addition to the usual programs, here you can use special programs developed for Elementary OS. The system has its own file manager, player, terminal and many other programs for solving various problems. 10 thousand people a month are interested in this distribution.

• Developer: community;
• Based on: Ubuntu;
• Package format: deb;
• Default environment: Phanteon;
• Release of new versions: every two years.

conclusions

Today we have compiled a rating of Linux distributions in 2019 according to their popularity according to Yandex query statistics. All distros on this list are worth using. The only way to figure out which Linux distribution is best for you is to install a few of them and see what you like and don't like about them.

All distributions are based on the Linux kernel and, regardless of the package manager, they will contain almost the same drivers and support the same hardware. They still differ in little things. I use Ubuntu, what distribution did you choose? Write in the comments!

When a person does not want to shell out money for an operating system, he looks for a free one. There are actually a lot of such OSs. They are classified as Free Software (Open Source) and most of them are actually given away for free. However, the choice is not easy to make, which is why a site like DistroWatch.com is needed. Well, since it is in English, we will help you understand its contents.

Latest Distributions

Let's go to the resource under discussion. Scroll down the page a little and in the left column we see the “Latest Distributions” block, which means “the latest distributions”. There are presented:

1. The so-called release candidates (Release Candidate, abbreviated RC). It’s as if they are no longer beta versions, but something more finished, but catching glitches has not yet been completed.
2. Ready operating systems. For example, at the time of writing, the BSD-based DragonFly 3.0.1, GNU/Linux distributions PCLinuxOS 2012 02 and ConnochaetOS 0.9.1 are still being announced there.

Latest Packages

Just below is a block with information about the latest software. Naturally, also Open Source. It’s called “Latest Packages”, that is, “the latest packages”. The information is provided mainly for those who cannot imagine their life without the latest software, which is something of a mania for many Free Software supporters.

Other blocks on the left side of the main page offer to connect podcasts and subscribe to the newsletter, but, alas, all this is provided in English. Therefore, we look at the right column.

Page Hit Ranking

It is here, in the right column, that is the reason for the sleepless nights of developers eager for attention to their creations, the reason for holy wars on the forums and the headache for advertising managers of commercial distributions.

Yes, this is a rating. As you have already noticed, today’s life is impossible without ratings. They are everywhere, on almost any forum, on any social network. Even where they are completely useless. The population likes medals, even virtual ones.

Now, if you were the owner of a site dedicated to Open Source and free OS, how would you organize the rating calculation?

Rating of the best Linux distributions: which is better

Probably, with the help of publishing the data that the server sees, they would show the world the number and percentage of operating systems of visitors. Or they would arrange a permanent survey, as they do on an innumerable number of sites. You can combine both criteria into a single visual graph - and there you have the rating.

But no, for some reason DistroWatch.com decided that it was better to count the number of clicks on sections with OS descriptions!

That is, if Canonical advertised its Ubuntu (a terribly buggy and slow GNU/Linux distribution for hamsters), then the population, naturally, will click on the description of this product in order to read what kind of product it is.

When thousands of people became disillusioned with Ubuntu because of the Unity shell imposed on users, Linux Mint began to be recommended to them on forums. So this distribution came out on top, since not everyone knew the address of the official website of the developers and went to the usual DistroWatch.com.

No, of course, the demand and interest of visitors is also a criterion by which something can be judged. However, such information is not enough for an objective rating.

conclusions

The popularity rating of free operating systems on DistroWatch.com should not be taken too personally. This is just the number of requests for pages with descriptions of operating systems. But certainly not the systems themselves.

Well, and a convenient catalog of links to official sites, among other things. Perhaps someone didn’t even suspect the existence of some OS, but DistroWatch.com immediately shows a whole hundred in the list, no need to rummage through search engines for a long time.

One way or another, supporters of Free Software focus on the above “Top 100”, in the absence of any other ratings. Apparently, very few people can live without them.

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Last edit: 2012-03-05 04:00:22

Material tags: com, rating, OS, distrowatch, popularity, popularity, distrowatch.com, popularity rating, free, free OS, the most popular free programs, free software portals, the best software, operating system, software, online services, distributions

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Guest Sergey

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Which Linux should I choose?

The first step is to decide what you will use Linux for.

Before installing the system on your hard drive, you can try to run it in an emulator (virtualbox, qemu or any other) or write it to an optical disk/usb flash drive and boot from cd/dvd-rom/usb.

If you are a beginner and have never dealt with Linux, then it makes sense to install the distribution kit that a familiar Linux user has.

Now I will try to go over the most popular distributions and describe the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Time-tested, old-school pieces

Knoppix

One of the most famous LiveCD distributions. Based on Debian. Lots of hardware supported. Like any other liveCD/liveUSB distribution, it can be suitable for getting acquainted with Linux or for performing any tasks (for example, data recovery, bootloader recovery, network access) without installing the distribution on your hard drive and setting it up. You can read more at http://www.knoppix.org/

Debian

Very good and convenient distribution. Suitable for both server and desktop. Huge development team, many packages available. Debian has a very convenient APT package management system and is quite flexible in configuration. When accessing the Internet, you can choose one of five branches in the main directory tree - "oldstable" (previous stable), "stable" (stable), "testing" (testing), "unstable" (unstable, also known as "sid" ) and "experimental", which is not a full-fledged branch - it contains packages that require careful testing or that will entail major changes in the distribution.
Among the shortcomings, it can be noted that the stable version does not contain the newest versions of programs (who would have thought?).
http://www.debian.org/ - official website.

Gentoo

Source-based distribution.

Top 10 most popular Linux distributions

The distribution has a convenient package and dependency management system, which cannot be said about binary distributions.

One of the disadvantages is the tedious process of compiling large packages and the non-zero probability of a system breakdown after the next update with insufficient knowledge of this system.
Another drawback is the need to connect to the Internet to download updates (I think this can be neglected these days).

The advantages are a huge amount of documentation, latest software versions, good hardware support, incredible flexibility in configuration.

I recommend this distribution as a home distribution, provided that your hardware is not very weak. Also used on servers or as a distribution for embedded systems (thanks to the customization flexibility I mentioned above). In the case of low-power hardware, packages are compiled (cross-compiled) on the host system and then simply installed on the target system.

http://www.gentoo.org/ - official website.

Slackware

The oldest distribution that has survived to this day, the choice of Russian physicists (meme from lore). Its main differences are the complete absence of any unnecessary embellishments and graphical settings, a simple text installer. All settings are made by editing text configuration files. This is one of those distributions that has maintained a strict adherence to UNIX principles. Try it if you are not afraid of the command line and prefer manual editing of configs to graphical utilities.

For a long time it was only available for x86 architecture, but now a version is available for x86_64

http://www.slackware.com/ - official website.

Arch Linux

Lightweight, simple and flexible distribution. Optimized for i686 and x64, using the latest stable versions of packages.
This is a binary distribution, but it is possible to build packages from sources.

Very similar to Slackware, but has a much more powerful package management system (pacman) and is more liberal with new package versions.

Among the disadvantages: the number of packages is smaller than in Debian and Gentu, the lack of such powerful configuration tools as, for example, YaST in Suse.

As an advantage, you can add a more relaxed attitude towards non-free packages than, for example, in Debian.

This is a general purpose distribution. Successfully used on both workstations and servers. But, like any other distribution, you need to get used to it.

http://www.archlinux.org/
http://archlinux.org.ru/

Red-Hat/CentOS

A well-tested distribution that is more suitable for a server than a desktop.
CentOS differs from Red Hat only in the lack of support.

http://www.redhat.com/
http://www.centos.org/

More popular

Ubuntu Linux

http://ubuntu.ru/

Probably the most popular Linux distribution in existence. Ubuntu is based on Debian Sid (unstable branch), but with more modern packages, including the latest version of GNOME.

One of the most interesting features is the fact that the "root" account is disabled by default; The first registered user after installation receives superuser rights using the "sudo" command.
Pros: large community of developers and users, fixed release schedule and support period, 'user friendliness' in the form of additional graphical customization tools, excellent work out of the box.
Cons: often unstable versions of software are used in stable releases of the distribution. Also disliked by some experienced users due to its obvious focus on housewives.

OpenSuse

http://ru.opensuse.org/

Advantages: Professional attention to detail, easy to use YAST installation and configuration system.
Disadvantages: Like other distros developed in the US, media support out of the box is limited.

Fedora

http://www.fedoralinux.ru/

The distribution was formed as a Red Hat-sponsored and community-oriented distribution. It contains the newest versions of packages. And since a significant part of the Linux world’s technologies is born in the depths of RedHat, the first thing they naturally end up in is Fedora.

Pros: extremely innovative, latest software versions, good localization.

Cons: Unstable versions of the software result in a number of bugs (redhat testbed).

ALT Linux

http://www.altlinux.ru/

This distribution is developed in Russia and is traditionally considered to be focused on excellent support for the Russian language. In addition, it has a FSTEC certificate, if this is important to anyone.

The server versions of the distribution place great emphasis on the security of network services. Pros: excellent Russian language support, good community support.

Cons: Not always the latest software.

Other

Solaris

A distribution developed in the depths of the company sun microsystems http://www.sun.com/, which gave the world such free products as mysql, virtualbox, java. In 2010, Oracle bought Sun and “went its own way.”

Better suited for desktop opensolaris- open version (the project was closed).

Advantages include zfs, dtrace, good hardware support, convenient service management (Solaris SMF) and volume management (Solaris Volume Manager)

*BSD Family

http://www.freebsd.org/ - the most popular among the BSD family.
http://www.openbsd.ru/ - safety comes first.
http://www.netbsd.org/ru/ - will run even on a toaster.

freebsd, openbsd, netbsd are “amateur” systems, more suitable for a server than for a desktop, although there are some attempts to adapt these systems to the desktop:
http://www.pcbsd.ru/
http://www.desktopbsd.net/
http://www.dragonflybsd.org/

Exotic

These operating systems are used mostly for educational purposes or as a hobby.

Plan9

http://plan9.bell-labs.com/plan9/

An operating system developed by Bell Labs to overcome fundamental design flaws in UNIX. All resources are represented as files and are available in a hierarchical file system.

xLFS

Allows you to build your Linux distribution step by step from the very beginning. After installing it, you can really say that you know how Linux works.
Ingoda, it’s just useful to read the instructions for assembling LFS, for general development.

conclusions

This is not a complete list of Linux distributions. A detailed description of each distribution can be found on the website http://distrowatch.com/ or even on Wikipedia

But you should still choose a distribution based on personal preferences, and not based on its rating on some site or popularity.

There are many varieties of the Linux operating system. Almost all of them are free to use.

While Linux is unlikely to become the most popular platform, free and open-source operating systems are a great chance to take full control of your own computer, as well as breathe life into old hardware. After a week-long test drive, I selected four of the best Linux distributions, which, in my humble opinion, are the best choice for the beginning of summer 2013.

Ubuntu 13.04

Today it is the most famous Linux distribution. Ubuntu is designed with beginners in mind and ease of use in mind. It is easy to install. The kit comes with a good set of necessary utilities and applications. Here we see a clear and pleasant Unity interface, thanks to which program windows are placed in the most optimal way on the screen.

Read also: Can Linux replace Windows?

New versions of Linux Ubuntu appear every six months, and every two years developers release a long-term support (LTS) variant. Free updates and support for LTS continue for five years. Whether you want to experience the enormous potential of modern technology, or want a stable system for business, Ubuntu is the best choice.

Linux Mint 15

The Linux Mint code is based on Ubuntu, so these distributions support an identical set of hardware and programs.

But we find more applications in the original Linux Mint bundle than in Ubuntu. The developers' idea is that immediately after installation, the user will have at his disposal a system that is completely ready for work and entertainment, without the need to download additional packages from the Internet.

The key difference between Mint and Ubuntu is also the interface. Mint gives us the opportunity to choose between two types of desktops. But whichever one you choose, you'll end up with a system that looks more like Windows than Ubuntu. Therefore, Mint may appeal to those who are tired of the Unity interface.

In addition, this distribution does not need to be updated as often as Ubuntu. People who value stability will be pleased with this decision.

Fedora

Fedora offers us a fancy interface that emphasizes free space.

Which Linux to choose?

The application launcher and search interface are hidden by default. They only appear when you move the mouse to one of the corners of the screen or click on the icons. This seems quite interesting and helps to focus on the work at hand.

The range of programs here is not the largest of all Linux distributions, but the applications are easy to install and are compatible with each other. Overall, Fedora should be the choice for people seeking minimalism.

openSUSE

openSUSE, like Linux Mint, offers two desktop options to choose from.

Classic KDE and Gnome are available here. There is also a wonderful program called YaST (Yet another Setup Tool). With its help you can configure the smallest details in the operation of the system. Another nice feature is the availability of collections of themed software. In a few clicks we can install a set of programs designed to solve a specific range of problems.

openSUSE is both a stable and flexible Linux distribution. If you have certain skills in working with hardware and software, then in the form of this operating system you will receive a powerful tool.

The Best Linux Distributions for a Newbie

Which Linux to choose?

Those who are just starting to use Linux always face a difficult choice: which Linux to choose? After all, there are hundreds of different modifications and assemblies! And every Linux has its ardent fans and supporters. And every sandpiper praises its swamp. How can we figure this out and which Linux is better?

I have already tried dozens of them over the years and now I have settled on some of the most optimal on my part, and simple for beginners. Although now for me the computer is just a tool for working on the Internet. And this is what I can advise you.

Yes, and I highly recommend purchasing a separate one for tests with Linux. THIS IS THE MINI COMPUTER so as not to harm your main system. And this way you can experiment painlessly on this baby :) It is absolutely silent, since there are no fans in it. (I wrote an article about such a mini computer here)

Of course, a lot depends on the goals you are pursuing. If you decide to learn how to compile a kernel, then you need to look towards Gentoo. If you want stability, then install Debian. If you want something very light for your old hardware, then download Puppy. If you are a patriot and love everything Russian, then install Alt Linux.

Well, if you just want to keep up with the times, then download Ubuntu. This list can probably be continued indefinitely, but you, like me, just need Linux for home. Which is the best Linux for a beginner to choose for everyday tasks?

1. Which Linux to choose, maybe Linux Mint?

I used Linux Mint for many years and really liked it. There is no doubt that it is the most popular Linux OS in the world today.
And for a Russian user, the best choice would be its Russian clone - Dewdrop Linux.

Unfortunately, in recent years, Rosinka has stopped developing, so the best option for beginners at the moment is Linux Mint. But if you have a very old laptop, then you can put an old dewdrop - it will fly!

The Linux Mint interface seems to be designed specifically to lure Windows users into its camp. And they succeed quite successfully. The green color itself is very attractive, but this is certainly not the most important thing.

Linux Mint has its own repository, which contains many interesting programs and utilities. But I think you need to try installing Linux Mint yourself to appreciate its beauty and power.

But unfortunately, my friendship with Linux Mint has not worked out lately; it stubbornly did not want to be friends with my hardware. (No longer relevant, the friendship has been renewed :) And besides, they abandoned the classic Gnome that I was so used to.

Popular Linux distributions

But to my joy, I found a wonderful alternative - Ubuntu 12.04 OEM from ualinux.com

2. My Linux today - Ubuntu OEM Pack

Ubuntu OEM is a build based on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, but has additional ones (its own repositories) and, most importantly, classic Gnome.

Here are the main changes in the OEM Pack compared to the original distribution.

All official updates for January 2013 are integrated;
full support for Russian, Ukrainian and English languages;
full multimedia support (audio-video files of various formats, such as: avi, divX, mp4, mkv, amr, aac, Adobe Flash and many others), as well as Bluray;
a full set of Libre Office components including support for importing MS Visio files;
3D effects control panel (including desktop 3D cube support);
applet for convenient removal of USB drives;
support for additional archive types (RAR, ACE, ARJ and others);
full support for Windows network and a convenient tool for setting it up;
expanded support for NTFS and BTRFS partitions;
support for multimedia keyboards;
convenient graphical Firewall control system;
Java is present;
additional drivers for printers;
video device management system including web cameras.
(Ubuntu only) in addition to the standard Unity interface, also added Gnome Shell And Classic, the default desktop is Gnome Classic.

Personally, Ubuntu OEM Pack works fine for me on all three of my computers and everything is just like in good old Ubuntu. As they say, I use it myself and recommend it to you.

I think now it won’t be difficult for you to choose Linux to start your journey into the world of free OS...

3. And yet Linux Mint...

I eventually switched back to Linux Mint because the disadvantages of moving to new desktops disappeared and the system became stable. Personally, I chose Linux Mint Cinnamon. Mate is also a good desktop, but the names of some applications confuse me - Caja instead of Nemo and so on.

Cinnamon looks great and has been running consistently lately.

I recently reviewed Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon, described everything I like and what I don’t, you can read it. So far this is the best choice, in my opinion, and I advise you to install this Linux, you won’t regret it :)

What other Linux can I choose?

But these are my preferences, which can change at any time. You have the opportunity to choose your Linux. You can download a new one every day and try it for “taste and color.”

The easiest way would be to install Linux on a virtual machine first, and if you really like it, you can install Linux on a flash drive and run it live.

But where can you find the Linux you need? There is a wonderful site that presents almost all Linux options, and even has a rating of their popularity. Remember this site - Distrowatch.com

If you want to choose Linux according to some parameters, then you can visit this page Distrowatch.com and according to the search conditions, select your option:

I set out to regularly download new distributions and run them on my computer, and then describe my feelings. If you are interested, then subscribe to my blog to receive the latest articles.

For now I have switched to pure Ubuntu with classic Gnome2 installed. In this article, I wrote in detail about how to install Ubuntu and then configure it in the best possible way.