Which Linux distribution to choose ? - Abhijeet Hacking Articles

Well this is quit difficult to choose a appropriate distribution. There are many aspects of choosing a distro like package-manager , stability , desktop-environment

What is Linux Distribution ?

A Linux Distribution is Operating System built upon the Linux Kernel. Linux distributions are usually targeted at common hardware like personal computers, but are available for a wide variety of systems up to the most powerful supercomputer and also embedded system. A typical Linux distribution comprises a Linux kernel, GNU tools and libraries, additional software, documentation, a window system, window manager, and a desktop environment.

On what things does the Distribution depends ?

Linux distro's depends upon the following factors :

Package Manager
Community Support
Hardware Compatibility
Stability and Cutting Edge
Desktop Environment

Package-Manager : It is quit important if you are new Linux user. A Package-Manager allows the user to install or uninstall a program easily by properly building its dependency for that package. There a big gaps between distro's for not supporting large number of package's. APT is the package manager used by Debian. It supports a large number of packages. Ubuntu one of the most famous OS uses APT including Linux Mint. Fedora and Redhat uses "yum" as a package manager , and Arch uses "pacman". Until a good package manger you will end up compiling the source's and fixing dependencies, that surely not a good idea for a newbies.

Community Support : When you got a problem with your OS what you will do .? search on web or ask on the forums. This is one of the most common problem with new distributions is that they don't have a large community for a problem to fix every-time the developers need to rush for the help. This is not some times not possible to solve all problems until you don't have nice community to help. There are many Linux distro's that have a large community like Ubuntu,Debian,Arch,Fedora,etc. With a large community support you can solve almost any problem.

Hardware Compatibility : This is quit a problem with new hardware compatibility problem. Different Linux distro's packs different installer's of drivers. You might need extra bit hardwork for searching and configuring it for your hardware. You should take a look at the hardware compatibility page of the distro you are about to install.

Stability and Cutting Edge : If you like to get latest update's of your distro's then you would gotta install Fedora based system's. But you are a kind who would not like to take risk's and use a thoroughly distro then Debian based distro's are best for you.

Desktop Environment : Desktop Environment plays a big role on the performance of the system. But if you want a nice and a eye-catchy looks you need try GNOME or KDE but they eat-up a lot of system resources. But desktop-environment's like XFCE or LXDE concentrate on performance, but you can customise as you like no problem with it. However you can install any desktop environment any time if you like.

Ok give me some examples :

Debian : Debian is one of the most stable Linux distro's. It's a community project without any backing of a company. The main intention of Debian distro's it make stable and bug free OS. It is a well organised project. Debian has 3 stages Stable , Testing and Unstable. They are quit slow for releasing new version's as every version goes under through testing. Every Debian release is named after the character of the movie Toy Story. It supports a lot of different architecture.

Ubuntu : If you have ever used any Linux distro it would be Ubuntu. It is one of the most popular Linux distro's out there. Ubuntu itself is Debian based. Ubuntu project started in 2004 , it was project by a company named Canonical. Canonical started sending free Live CD's of Ubuntu which made it quickly made it famous around(they have now stopped to sending free CD's now). Ubuntu aims on Graphical Interface. You will not probably need to use command line. Canonical also need to make profit out of it so they sell support for Ubuntu.

Arch Linux : Arch Linux is highly customisable OS. It haves it's own package manager "pacman". When you install Arch you will only have a command line access you will have to install desktop-environment, drivers, basic applications,etc. You will need to install Arch from scratch there would be no graphical interface for guiding through installation. But if you need to make a distro's according to your taste then Arch Linux is best choice for you. Here is a tutorial written by Mr.Tux >> Installing Arch Linux Part 1.

Red Hat : Red Hat Linux is billion dollar Linux company. They have an excellent support for their customers. They have hundred's of Linux specialist. They put on a lot of effort for the development of Linux. They have their 2 products Red Hat Enterprise and Fedora which are for free. Fedora is a community supported OS. Fedora focuses on innovation and integrating latest technologies in their distro They have their own package manager "yum" the compiled binaries are ".rpm" (like .deb in debian). While Fedora focuses on latest technology Red Hat Enterprise focuses on stability.