10 GNU/Linux Distributions Worth Checking Out

[Shemhamforash]

1. Linux Mint is an Ubuntu-based distribution whose goal is to provide a more complete out-of-the-box experience by including browser plugins, media codecs, support for DVD playback, Java and other components. It also adds a custom desktop and menus, several unique configuration tools, and a web-based package installation interface. Linux Mint is compatible with Ubuntu software repositories.

OS Type: Linux
Based on: Debian, Ubuntu (LTS)
Origin: Ireland
Architecture: i386, x86_64
Desktop: Cinnamon, GNOME, KDE, MATE, Xfce
Category: Beginners, Desktop, Live Medium
Status: Active
Popularity: 1 (3,013 hits per day)

Source:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mint

2. The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system is called Debian GNU/Linux, or simply Debian for short. Debian systems currently use the Linux kernel. Linux is a completely free piece of software started by Linus Torvalds and supported by thousands of programmers worldwide. Of course, the thing that people want is application software: programs to help them get what they want to do done, from editing documents to running a business to playing games to writing more software. Debian comes with over 50,000 packages (precompiled software that is bundled up in a nice format for easy installation on your machine) - all of it free. It's a bit like a tower. At the base is the kernel. On top of that are all the basic tools. Next is all the software that you run on the computer. At the top of the tower is Debian -- carefully organizing and fitting everything so it all works together.

OS Type: Linux
Based on: Independent
Origin: Global
Architecture: arm64, armel, armhf, i386, mips, mipsel, powerpc, ppc64el, s390x, x86_64
Desktop: AfterStep, Awesome, Blackbox, Cinnamon, Fluxbox, flwm, FVWM, GNOME, i3, IceWM, ion, JWM, KDE, lxde, MATE, Openbox, pekwm, Ratpoison, Razor-qt, WMaker, XBMC, Xfce
Category: Desktop, Live Medium, Server
Status: Active
Popularity: 2 (1,925 hits per day)

Source:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=debian

3. Ubuntu is a complete desktop Linux operating system, freely available with both community and professional support. The Ubuntu community is built on the ideas enshrined in the Ubuntu Manifesto: that software should be available free of charge, that software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to customise and alter their software in whatever way they see fit. "Ubuntu" is an ancient African word, meaning "humanity to others". The Ubuntu distribution brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the software world.

OS Type: Linux
Based on: Debian, Ubuntu
Origin: Isle of Man
Architecture: armhf, i686, powerpc, ppc64el, x86_64
Desktop: Unity
Category: Beginners, Desktop, Server, Live Medium
Status: Active
Popularity: 3 (1,561 hits per day)

Source:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=ubuntu

4. Manjaro Linux is a fast, user-friendly, desktop-oriented operating system based on Arch Linux. Key features include intuitive installation process, automatic hardware detection, stable rolling-release model, ability to install multiple kernels, special Bash scripts for managing graphics drivers and extensive desktop configurability. Manjaro Linux offers Xfce as the core desktop options, as well as a minimalist Net edition for more advanced users. Community-supported GNOME 3/Cinnamon and KDE flavours are available. Users also benefit from the supportive and vibrant Manjaro community forum.

OS Type: Linux
Based on: Arch
Origin: Austria, Germany, France
Architecture: i686, x86_64
Desktop: Cinnamon, Enlightenment, Fluxbox, GNOME, i3, KDE, lxde, LXQt, MATE, Openbox, pekwm, Xfce
Category: Desktop, Live Medium, Netbooks
Status: Active
Popularity: 7 (978 hits per day)

Source:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=manjaro

5. Arch Linux is an independently developed, i686- and x86_64-optimised Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses 'pacman', its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking. Operating on a rolling release system, Arch can be installed from a CD image or via an FTP server. The default install provides a solid base that enables users to create a custom installation. In addition, the Arch Build System (ABS) provides a way to easily build new packages, modify the configuration of stock packages, and share these packages with other users via the Arch Linux user repository.

OS Type: Linux
Based on: Independent
Origin: Canada
Architecture: arm, i686, x86_64
Desktop: Cinnamon, Enlightenment, GNOME, KDE, lxde, MATE, Xfce
Category: Desktop, Raspberry Pi, Server
Status: Active
Popularity: 9 (738 hits per day)

Source:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=arch

6. Lubuntu is a fast, lightweight and energy-saving variant of Ubuntu using the lxde (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) desktop. It is intended to have low-resource system requirements and is designed primarily for netbooks, mobile devices and older PCs.

OS Type: Linux
Based on: Debian, Ubuntu
Origin: France, Taiwan
Architecture: armhf, i386, powerpc, x86_64
Desktop: lxde, Openbox
Category: Live Medium, Netbooks, Old Computers
Status: Active
Popularity: 16 (537 hits per day)

Source:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=lubuntu

7. Ubuntu MATE is a desktop Linux distribution which aims to bring the simplicity and elegance of the Ubuntu operating system through a classic, traditional desktop environment - the MATE desktop. MATE is the continuation of the GNOME 2 desktop environment which was used as Ubuntu's default desktop until 10.10 (when it was replaced by Unity). The project began its life as an Ubuntu "remix", but starting with version 15.04, it was formally accepted as an official member of the Ubuntu family of Linux distributions.

OS Type: Linux
Based on: Debian, Ubuntu
Origin: United Kingdom
Architecture: armhf, i386, powerpc, x86_64
Desktop: MATE
Category: Beginners, Desktop, Live Medium, Raspberry Pi
Status: Active
Popularity: 21 (435 hits per day)

Source:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?dis...ion=ubuntumate

8. Bodhi Linux is an elegant and lightweight Ubuntu-based distribution featuring Moksha, an Enlightenment-17-based desktop environment. The project takes a decidedly minimalist approach by offering modularity, high levels of customisation, and choice of themes. In addition to basic 32- and 64-bit systems, Bodhi maintains designated ISO images for Chromebooks and legacy machines. By default Bodhi has only five pre-installed applications: Midori, Terminology, PCManFM, ePhoto, and ePad. Additional software is available via AppCenter, a web-based software installation tool.

OS Type: Linux
Based on: Debian, Ubuntu
Origin: USA
Architecture: armhf, i386, x86_64
Desktop: Moksha (Enlightenment)
Category: Chromebooks, Desktop, Live Medium, Old Computers, Raspberry Pi
Status: Active
Popularity: 27 (394 hits per day)

Source:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=bodhi

9. Gentoo Linux is a versatile and fast, completely free Linux distribution geared towards developers and network professionals. Unlike other distros, Gentoo Linux has an advanced package management system called Portage. Portage is a true ports system in the tradition of BSD ports, but is Python-based and sports a number of advanced features including dependencies, fine-grained package management, "fake" (OpenBSD-style) installs, safe unmerging, system profiles, virtual packages, config file management, and more.

OS Type: Linux
Based on: Independent
Origin: USA
Architecture: i486, i586, i686, x86_64, alpha, arm, hppa, mips, powerpc, ppc64, sparc64
Desktop: AfterStep, Awesome, Blackbox, Enlightenment, Fluxbox, GNOME, IceWM, KDE, lxde, Openbox, WMaker, Xfce
Category: Desktop, Server, Source-based
Status: Active
Popularity: 45 (275 hits per day)

Source:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=gentoo

10. Ultimate Edition, first released in December 2006, is a fork of Ubuntu and Linux Mint. The goal of the project is to create a complete, seamlessly integrated, visually stimulating, and easy-to-install operating system. Single-button upgrade is one of several special characteristics of this distribution. Other main features include custom desktop and theme with 3D effects, support for a wide range of networking options, including WiFi and Bluetooth, and integration of many extra applications and package repositories.

OS Type: Linux
Based on: Debian, Ubuntu
Origin: USA
Architecture: i386, x86_64
Desktop: Awesome, GNOME, KDE Plasma, MATE, Razor-qt, Xfce
Category: Desktop, Live Medium
Status: Active
Popularity: 49 (253 hits per day)

Source:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=ultimate

[jedi]

Hey Shemhamforash, might I suggest one more? VSIDO Linux. You can grab it at vsido.org

I told you I'd be rid of Windows 10. Finally got busy and wiped the drive and started fresh. Even got it to install with EFI, and am trying out Gnome 3.18.2. Haven't looked at Gnome since ver 2.?...

Can you point to any good Gnome themes on here?

[Shemhamforash]

Can't get it to install in VirtualBox for me. There are no GNOME themes on here, better to just check gnome-look.org.

[freak69ize]

Theres some good gnome themes on DeviantArt if i recall correctly.

[jedi]

Yeah, Gnome3 lasted all of a few hours at best. A real letdown for me. Personally I think they should toss it and just go back to Gnome2 and work on it!

I went back to Fluxbox and LightDM. Using Compton as my compositing tool.

[Shemhamforash]

Yeah, Gnome3 lasted all of a few hours at best. A real letdown for me. Personally I think they should toss it and just go back to Gnome2 and work on it!

I went back to Fluxbox and LightDM. Using Compton as my compositing tool.

Personally I hate GNOME3 but apparently developers like it for workflow, idk why exactly. But what would be the point of the GNOME team working on GNOME2? MATE has been around a few years now and is better than GNOME2 ever was in its glory days.

I use lightdm, lxde or DWM on Arch and I use Openbox, sometimes with Compton for the compositing but generally I use plain Openbox no Compton when I don't want distractions of Compiz animations. Compiz has been updated to a new version of the 0.8 series and development is still ocurring, if you're interested you can read more on the Northfield blog https://blog.northfield.ws/