What Linux distribution to choose in 2018
Educational Program Technologies / / December 19, 2019
What to look for when choosing a Linux distribution
There are many versions of Linux. On the site DistroWatch.com Only in the last month, it was noted more than 300 Linux distributions, and the history of Linux they numbered about 700. How to choose among this abundance?
The two main criteria to be brought to the attention of:
- Popularity distribution. The more popular your distribution, the easier it will be to find a guide on it on the web. Large community means that you can easily get help in the forums dedicated to the distribution, if you have any difficulty with its development. Finally, the prevalence of the distribution, the more applications and packages ported to it. Better to choose a popular solution with ready base packages, than to suffer with the assembly of the source in some exotic distribution.
- The development team, which they engaged. Naturally, it is better to pay attention to the distributions supported by major companies such as Canonical Ltd., Red Hat or the SUSE, or distributions with large communities.
Keep in mind that even the best distributions Linux there are analogues, which is not much inferior to them. If you something did not suit selection Layfhakera, you can try alternatives.
For those who have never used Linux, - Linux Mint
New users to migrate from Windows, Definitely worth to install Linux Mint. Today it is the most popular Linux distribution. It is very stable and easy to use system based on Ubuntu.
Linux Mint is equipped with an easy and intuitive interface (Cinnamon shell for today's computers and to MATE old cars) and easy application manager, so you will not have problems finding and installing programs.
Pros: simplicity, concern for the common user. You do not need any specific knowledge to install and use Mint.
Minuses: a large number of pre-installed software that may never come in handy.
Download Linux Mint →
Alternative: Deepin.
For those who want to have the latest software, - Manjaro
This is a popular Linux distribution based on Arch. Arch - an incredibly powerful and functional distribution, but his philosophy of KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid), in contrast to the title, making it too difficult for beginners. Arch is installed only on the command line.
Manjaro, in contrast to the Arch, has a simple graphical installer and thus combines the powerful features of Arch, such as AUR (Arch User Repository) and sliding release. AUR - the richest source of Linux packages. If an application has to Linux, it is probably already in the AUR. So in Manjaro you will always use the freshest packages.
Manjaro comes with a variety of desktop skins to choose from: a functional KDE, GNOME for tablet screens, Xfce, LXDE and other. installing Manjaro, you can be sure to receive the latest updates first.
Pros: AUR, through which you can without unnecessary movements install any application. Always fresh software.
Minuses: original design of the desktop shell. However, nothing prevents you to replace it.
Download Manjaro →
alternatives:Chakra, Antergos.
For a home server - Debian
Home server can be useful for many purposes. For example, to store data and backups, downloading torrents or arrange their own dimensionless cloud storage.
Debian is well accustomed to your home server. It is a stable and conservative distribution, which became the basis for Ubuntu and many other Linux-based systems. Debian uses the most proven packages, which makes it a good choice for the server.
Pros: stability and a large set of applications.
Minuses: the need to manually adjust the distribution after installation.
Download Debian →
alternatives:Ubuntu Server,CentOS.
For media center - Kodi
If you want to arrange your media server, select Kodi. Strictly speaking, Kodi no distribution, but a full-featured player for the media center. You can install it in any Linux, but it is best to select a bunch of Ubuntu + Kodi.
Kodi supports all types of video and audio files. He is able to play movies, music, organize your photos. Kodi turn any connected TV in the universal device for entertainment.
Due to the expansion, Kodi can load media files through torrents, track the emergence of new seasons of your favorite TV series, show videos from YouTube and other services strimingovyh. In short, Kodi can do everything.
In addition, Kodi is very beautiful and is optimized to operate with the remote control or the device to Android. You can easily customize the interface Kodi using a variety of visual skins.
Pros: a huge number of functions and easy operation.
Minuses: standard interface can not all come to mind, but it is easy to replace.
Download Kodi →
Alternative:Plex, Emby.
Desktop - Kubuntu
Graphical KDE environment is ideal for use on the desktop, and Kubuntu - the most popular distribution with KDE. Like many other distributions, it is based on Ubuntu, which means that you will not have problems with application compatibility.
Kubuntu is beautiful, functional, and easy to configure. Since it is easy to handle even the novice users. It is stable and polished system that provides all the necessary features for a home desktop PC.
Pros: large variety of packages, a remarkable set of KDE applications and a large number of interface options.
Minuses: in Kubuntu uses the KDE version of the stable, which means that the latest pieces of shell come here late. If you want to try the freshest KDE, at your service KDE Neon.
Download Kubuntu →
alternatives:openSUSE, Mageia.
For an old computer or netbook - Lubuntu
This version of Ubuntu based on LXDE shell, light and modest resource consumption. It is focused on older or low-power machines. If you have lying around is not very new computer or netbook, which can not cope with Windows, you may well breathe life into itInstalling Lubuntu.
Linux distro that uses few system resources and can run on virtually any configuration.
Pros: very fast and easy system. Nevertheless, it supports the same packages and applications, and that her older sister Ubuntu.
Minuses: appearance LXDE not everyone will like, but it's a small fee for the performance.
Download Lubuntu →
Alternative:ubuntu MATE.
Tablet or transformer - Ubuntu
Ubuntu - one of the most popular distributions of Linux on the desktop. With the release of Ubuntu 17.10 Unity ends the shell support and migrate to GNOME. A GNOME looks pretty good on touchscreen devices. If you have a tablet with Windows 10 and you want to try to install it on Linux, try Ubuntu with GNOME.
Major elements of the GNOME interface, customizable gestures and expansion will make Ubuntu an excellent system for touchscreens.
Pros: Ubuntu - widespread distribution, which means you will find all the necessary software seamlessly. In addition, most of the sites dedicated specifically to Linux Ubuntu.
Minuses: GNOME shell is convenient, but at first seems unusual.
Download Ubuntu →
Alternative:Fedora.
Laptop - elementary OS
As the name implies, this version of Linux is very simple. You will not have problems with its development. It is easy to run on laptops and slowly consumes the charge battery.
Elementary OS interface resembles the MacOS, so it will be nice to use a Mac fans. Animation, design of windows - everything here is smooth and lovely, that the system can simply admire. Nevertheless, over the beautiful shell hides a full-fledged elementary OS Linux, which supports all the necessary application.
Pros: beautiful interface, own shop indie applications.
Minuses: graphical shell Pantheon though looks stylish, but not very functional.
Download elementary OS →
Alternative:Solus.