I always want the system to work as stable as possible, never break down or buggy. Unfortunately, this is impossible, but nevertheless, not all operating systems, including Linux distributions, work equally stably. Some contain proven software, in which most of the problems have already been fixed, while others consist of completely new software, in which various errors and problems often occur.
In this article, we'll take a look at the most stable linux distributions. Our list will include both enterprise-grade and community-developed distributions. Using these distributions, you run the least risk of getting any problems with the system. But in most cases, the price for stability is the use of old software versions released a year or a year and a half ago. If you're ready to go for it, let's get started.
It is one of the most popular distributions for power users and for servers. During its development, it has been positioned as the most stable Linux distribution. And for good reason. At the same time, it is one of the oldest distributions. In fact, the software is tested by users and developers for a long time and thoroughly before entering the repositories of the distribution kit. So thoroughly that we receive new versions of programs with a delay of one to one and a half years.
But on the other hand, these programs are completely stable and most of them have already been fixed. known bugs... The system receives security updates very quickly, so there is no need to worry about this side. Because of this approach to software stability, Debian has gained popularity on servers, but among home users it is not used so often, it affects the fact that everyone wants new versions of programs. Debian has unstable repositories and you can install new software from there, but using them loses all the advantages of this stable system.
2. Red Hat Enterprise Linux
This is already a commercial-grade system being developed for use on servers by Red Hat. You can download and install the distribution kit for free, but you will have to pay for updates and technical support. The company takes money for the fact that you receive all security and software updates in a timely manner, as well as for maintaining the system in working condition... And they cope with this task with a bang. Updates are released frequently enough.
But there remains a problem inherent in Debian, you get slightly older versions of the software. Yes, usually the versions of the programs here are newer than in Debian, but nevertheless, shutdown of the program in the repository should take a certain time. As far as stability is concerned, the distribution is as good as Debian. If in Fedora all new technologies are only being tested, then here they already come fully debugged.
3. CentOS
It is a community maintained distribution based on Red Hat. In fact, this is Red Hat, only it is completely free and synchronized from time to time with the Red Hat codebase so that you can receive software and security updates. Here you get the same stability as in Red Hat, since all branding is stripped from the system, and everything else is almost identical.
CentOS is most commonly used on servers, but it is also popular as a distribution for home computers, since the repositories have everything you need to regular user the software and system are stable enough.
4. OpenSUSE
The OpenSUSE distribution is developed by Novell and is based on the distribution kit. SUSE Linux Enterprise. It is not as stable as previous options as it contains newer software. But this can become the golden mean for those who want new software on the one hand, and on the other a fairly stable system.
Since the developers are simultaneously working on commercial version, bugs and bugs are fixed pretty quickly. Perhaps, after the release, you can find a couple of bugs and bugs in the system, but after some time everything will be fixed and you will get a completely stable system with fairly new software.
conclusions
I would also like to mention Ubuntu in this list, Linux Mint and other great distributions, but no. They fall short in terms of stability. There is nothing to say about the regular version of Ubuntu, it is full of bugs and problems after each release, with the LTS version things are a little better, but not as good as in Debian or Red Hat. The Linux Mint distribution also uses new software and is not always sufficiently tested, so it cannot be positioned as the most stable Linux distribution in 2016.
These were the most stable Linux distributions in my opinion, but your opinion may differ from mine. Which distributions do you think are the most stable? Write about it in the comments!
To finish, I offer you a video about the most beautiful Linux distributions:
Today there are a huge number of different Linux distributions and distributions of Linux distributions, for example, the Ubuntu family. All of them differ in functionality, requirements, etc. What exactly you need is not immediately clear to you.
You can go to an older friend for advice or reach out to all users of Linux distributions and find out what the majority use. In order not to ask on the street what Axis is on their computer, there is a special site http://distrowatch.com/. Here you can find a ranking of Linux distributions for different periods of time and year, as well as short description each distribution kit and get acquainted with the new products. Based on this site, I have compiled a short menu of the most popular Linux distributions over the past 12 months.
10.Puppy Linux
Our hit parade begins with a distribution kit from Australian developers who have endowed the dog with a lightweight agility. High performance is due to the fact that when booting to a virtual disk, all the necessary components will not be loaded from the LiveCD, but are fully loaded into RAM... This means that all applications are launched "on the fly" and respond to user control instantly. You can boot Puppy from CD or flash drive.
Specification: architecture - i386, Desktop - JWM, Openbox. Puppy is best used on older computers or mobiles.
9.CentOS
This OS is considered a reliable server. The out-of-the-box version assumes a good set of tested and stable Linux kernel and parent software packages, Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Despite the fact that the project was launched on a voluntary basis, it has acquired a reputation for stable and unshakable performance, is great alternative commercial servers, especially common among experienced system administrators. CentOS is also suitable for a desktop PC if you prefer reliable and stable operation, product support and security updates have been going on for 5 years, which is a good indicator. But if you are in a hurry for new technologies and new software packages, then this OS is not for you, the update intervals are long and not very significant, there are also problems of compatibility of new applications with the work of the distribution kit.
Specification: architecture-i386, x86_64, Desktop - GNOME, KDE.
I think you warmed up and suggest moving on to more detailed review Linux distributions.
8.PCLinuxOS
After several years and development of releases, PCLinuxOS is rapidly approaching direct leadership. In terms of usability, the project offers support for many of the technologies that most Windows migrants to Linux would expect from a new operating system. On the software side, PCLinuxOS is KDE-centric, customized and always with modern versions of the popular desktop environment. Its growing database contains other desktops, however, and offers a wide variety of desktop packages for many common tasks. For system configuration, PCLinuxOS retained most of the Mandriva control center, but replaced it with a control system. APT packages and Synaptic, a graphical package manager.
On the negative side, PCLinuxOS lacks any form of development and advancement. Despite the growing public participation in the project, the very development and decision-making remains in the hands of Texstar, who, as a rule, remain on the side of conservatives when assessing the stability of the release. As a result, the development process for PCLinuxOS is often hindered. Despite repeated calls for a 64-bit version, developers began to consider this possibility only in late 2011, claiming that their 32-bit versions work equally well on 64-bit computer systems. In addition, the project makes no security recommendations, relying instead on the willingness of users to keep their systems up to date. modern updates included with the management tool packages.
- Pros: LiveCD; update mechanism; modern software.
- Minuses: no support for languages other than English; lack of safety recommendations; unstable 64-bit version.
- Package management system: Advanced Package Tools (APT) using RPM packages.
- Available versions: KDE, KDE Full Monty, KDE Minime, LXDE, LXDE Mini, Openbox, Openbox Bonsai, Phinx, Phoenix for 32-bit (i586) processor architectures.
Besides the beloved feature - updates from package sources, Arch Linux is also famous for its fast and powerful package manager called "Pacman" - the ability to install software packages from source, easy creation binary packages thanks to its AUR infrastructure, and an ever-growing repository of well-tested packages. Its highly acclaimed documentation, complemented by the excellent Arch Linux Handbook, allows even less experienced Linux users to install the distro. Powerful instrumental base, available to users, means that the distribution is infinitely customizable down to the smallest detail and that no two installations are the same.
On the negative side, any update mechanism has its own dangers: a human error, a library or a dependency goes missing, a new version of the application already in the repository has a previously reported critical error... This is not correct so that eventually the system will not boot after a Pacman update. Thus, Arch Linux is a distro of sorts that requires its users to be vigilant and have enough knowledge to fix any such possible problems. In addition, the infrequent installation of media releases means that sometimes it is not possible to use the old media to install the distribution due to important changes in the system or the lack of hardware support in the old Linux kernel.
- Pros: Excellent software management infrastructure; free customization of the distribution kit and options by the user; excellent online documentation.
- Minuses: Sometimes instability and risk of breakdown; rare installation of media releases.
- Package management system: "Pacman" using TAR.XZ packages.
- Available versions: Minimum installation and network drives for 32-bit (i686) and 64-bit (x86_64) processors.
- Possible alternatives based on Arch and the likes of Arch: ArchBang Linux, Chakra GNU / Linux, Bridge Linux, ConnochaetOS.
6.Debian
The success of Debian GNU / Linux can be illustrated as follows. It is developed by over 1000 volunteer developers, its databases contain over 20,000 packages (compiled on 11 processor architectures), and it is responsible for distributing over 120 Debian-specific distributions and CDs. These numbers are unmatched for any other Linux-like operating system. Real development Debian goes in three main directions (or four if you consider that one includes an "experimental" branch) of increasing stability levels: "unstable" (also known as "sid"), "testing" and "stable". This progressive integration and stabilization of the package and features, together with the project's well-known quality control mechanisms, has earned Debian a reputation as one of the best testable and error-free distributions available today.
However, this long and complex development style also has some drawbacks: Debian stable releases are not very new and they age quickly, especially when new versions are released only once every 1 to 3 years. Those users who prefer latest packages and technologies are forced to use Debian with bugs. Debian's highly democratic structures have led to controversial decisions and controversy among developers. This led to stagnation and reluctance to make radical decisions that will move the project forward.
- Pros: Very stable, excellent quality control; includes over 20,000 software packages, supports more processor architectures than any other distribution.
- Minuses: conservative - due to its support for many processor architectures, the latest technologies that are not always included; slow release cycle (one stable release every 1 to 3 years); developer discussions mailing lists and blogs can be uncivilized at times.
- Package management system: Enhanced Tool Package (APT) using DEB packages.
- Available versions: Installation CD for 11 processor architectures, including all 32-bit and 64-bit processors from Intel, AMD, Power, and more.
- Possible Debian based alternatives: Ubuntu, MEPIS Linux (KDE desktop), KNOPPIX (LXDE disk), CrunchBang Linux (Openbox desktop), aptosid (KDE or Xfce desktop), Saline OS (Xfce desktop), Parsix GNU / Linux ( GNOME desktop).
5.openSUSE
SuSE Linux was acquired by Novell Inc. in late 2003 and then fell into the hands of Attachmate in November 2010. Major changes in development, licensing, and availability of SUSE Linux followed shortly after the first acquisition - YaST was released under the General Public License (GPL), these images were freely distributed in public server downloads, and most importantly, development distributions were open to the public for the first time. Since the launch of the OpenSUSE project and the release of version 10.0 in October 2005, the distribution has become fully available. OpenSUSE code became the base system for commercial Novell products, first named Novell Linux, but later renamed SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.
Today, OpenSUSE has many satisfied users. The main reason for getting high marks for OpenSUSE from users is a nice and flawless desktop (KDE and GNOME), an excellent utility system administration(YaST), and for those who buy the edition, some of the best versions of the printed documentation are available on any distribution. However, the infamous deal between Novell and Microsoft, where Microsoft's argument is that it owns the intellectual property rights for Linux, has led to condemnation of many Linux personalities and prompted some users to switch distributions.
- Pros: Comprehensive and intuitive configuration tool; large repository of software packages, excellent website infrastructure and printed documentation.
- Minuses: Novell shared patents with Microsoft in November 2006, which legalized intellectual rights Microsoft ownership of Linux; resource-laden with desktop customization and graphical utilities are sometimes seen as "bloated and slow".
- a graphical command line utility YaST using RPM packages.
- Available versions: OpenSUSE for 32-bit (i386), 64-bit (x86_64) processors (also installation CD edition); SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop / Server for i586, IA64, PowerPC, s390, s390x and x86_64.
4.Fedora
Although Fedora was not officially launched until September 2004, its origins date back to 1995, when it was launched by two Linux specialists - Bob Young and Mark Ewing - under the name Red Hat Linux. The company's first product, Mother's Day, Red Hat Linux 1.0, was released the same year and was quickly followed by several bug fixes. In 1997, Red Hat introduced its revolutionary RPM package management system with dependency resolution and many other advanced features that contributed much to the rapid growth in popularity of distributions and overtook Slackware Linux as the most widely used distribution in the world.
In 2003, just after the release of Red Hat Linux 9, the company introduced some radical changes to its product line. He saved trademark Red Hat introduced Fedora Core (later renamed Fedora) for its commercial products, notably Red Hat Enterprise Linux, a Red Hat sponsored but socially focused distribution designed for the Linux hobbyist. After initial criticism of the changes, the Linux community embraced the "new" distribution as a logical continuation of Red Hat Linux. A few quality versions were all it took for Fedora to regain its former status as one of our favorites. operating systems on the market. At the same time, Red Hat quickly became the largest and most profitable Linux company in the world, with innovative customer-backed product lines and other popular initiatives such as Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certified software.
While Fedora is still largely controlled by Red Hat Inc. and the product is sometimes seen - rightly or not - as a test platform for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, there is no doubt that Fedora is one of the most innovative distributions today. His contributions to the Linux kernel, Glibc and GCC are well known and his later integrations are SELinux functionality, virtualization technology, Systemd service manager, Advanced magazine file system and other corporate-grade features are highly regarded by the company's customers. Concerning negative side then Fedora still doesn't have a clear desktop. An oriented strategy that would make the product easier to use for those with a "Linux hobbyist" goal.
- Pros: High innovativeness; outstanding safety features; a large number of supported packages; strict adherence to the philosophy of free software.
- Minuses: Fedora's priorities tend to focus on feature enhancements rather than desktop usability; some features, such as the early introduction of GNOME 3, sometimes put some users off.
- Management software package: YUM graphical and command line utilities using RPM packages.
- Available versions: Fedora for 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (x86_64) processors, Red Hat Enterprise Linux for i386, IA64, PowerPC, s390x and x86_64; See also CD editions with GNOME, KDE, Xfce or LXDE desktops.
- Possible Fedora based alternatives: Kororaa (DVD with GNOME or KDE), Fuduntu (DVD with codecs and others convenient functions), Fusion Linux (DVD with mint menu and other handy features)
- Possible Red Hat based alternatives: CentOS, Scientific Linux, PUIAS
3.Ubuntu
The Ubuntu launch was first announced in September 2004. Despite being relatively new to the Linux distribution arena, the project took off like no other, soon its mailing lists were filled with discussions from avid users and passionate developers. Over the course of several years, Ubuntu has grown to become the most popular Linux distribution and has contributed greatly towards developing an easy-to-use, free operating system that rivals any proprietary system available on the market.
What caused Ubuntu's overwhelming success? First, the project was created by Mark Shuttleworth, a charismatic South African billionaire, former Debian developer and second space tourist in the world, whose company the Isle of Man-based Canonical Ltd is currently funding the project. Secondly, Ubuntu eliminated and avoided bugs from other similar projects from the start - it created a great Wiki-style web documentation infrastructure, original bug reporting, and a professional user experience. And thirdly, thanks to the wealthy founder, Ubuntu was able to send free CDs to all interested users, thereby contributing to the rapid distribution of the distribution.
On the technical side, Ubuntu is based on Debian "Sid" (the unstable branch), but with some well-known packages such as GNOME, Firefox and LibreOffice updated to their latest versions. It has a projected, 6-month release schedule, with rare Long Term Support (LTS) versions that support security updates for 3 to 5 years, depending on version (non-LTS version is supported for 18 months). Other Ubuntu Special Features: Installable Live CDs, Creative Artwork and Desktop Themes, Migration Assistant for Windows users, support for the latest technologies such as 3D desktop effects, easy installation of device drivers for ATI and NVIDIA graphics cards, and wireless networks, and on demand, support for proprietary or proprietary media codecs.
- Pros: Fixed release and support cycle; a wealth of documentation, both official and custom.
- Minuses: Insufficient compatibility with Debian, frequent major changes due to lack of users.
- Package management system : Advanced Tool Package (APT) using DEB packages.
- Available versions: Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu (LXDE desktop), Edubuntu, Ubuntu Studio and Mythbuntu for 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (x86_64) processors.
- Possible Ubuntu based alternatives: Linux Mint (desktop), Ultimate Edition (desktop), Pinguy OS (desktop), Zorin OS (desktop), Trisquel GNU / Linux (free software), Bodhi Linux (desktop).
2.Mageia or dark cardinal.
Mageia is primarily a desktop distribution. Its most favorite features among users are: advanced software, superior control system (Mageia Control Center), the ability to attract a large number of contributors and broad support for internationalization. It has one of the simplest yet most powerful installation systems, and it also releases many KDE or GNOME images with comprehensive language support, with the ability to install it on HDD directly from the working session. Well-established package management features, with powerful command line options and a graphical software management module, make it easy to access thousands of software packages. The unique Mageia Control Center continues to improve with each release, offering Linux newbies powerful tools for customizing almost any aspect of your computer without reaching the terminal.
While the Mageia distribution skyrocketed at launch (it was created in September 2010) there are some concerns about the developers' ability to maintain the distribution for a long period of time, where most of the work is done on a voluntary basis. It also lacks the frameworks that accompany some of the larger Linux distributions. The project documentation could have had some improvements as well. It also has a 9 month release cycle, which can be seen as a disadvantage in terms of receiving news on release, especially compared to other major distributions that use a short 6 month development process.
- Pros: convenient for novice users; excellent central configuration utility; very good support for dozens of languages.
- Minuses: uncertainty about the ability to support long-term distributions.
- Package management system: URPMI with Rpmdrake based RPM package.
- Available versions: Installation DVDs for 32-bit (i586) and 64-bit (x86_64) processors; installation CDs for 32-bit (i586) processors.
And here he is our main character! Please welcome!
1.Linux Mint
Linux Mint, a distribution based on Ubuntu, was first launched in 2006 by Clement Lefebvre, a French IT professional living in Ireland. He, originally working to maintain Linux websites and forums dedicated to providing help, advice and documentation for new Linux users, saw the development potential of Linux distributions. After receiving many responses from his site visitors demanding better technical aspects of Linux systems, he began to implement and develop what many today call "improved Ubuntu" or "right Ubuntu".
Linux Mint is not just Ubuntu with a new suite of applications and an updated desktop theme. From the outset, developers have added various graphical "mint" tools to improve usability, this includes MintDesktop a utility for customizing the desktop, MintMenu a new and elegant menu structure for easy navigation, MintInstall an easy-to-use installation software, MintUpdate an update software. And this is just a few of the many other tools and hundreds of additional enhancements.
The project also develops its own works of art, while its reputation for usability has been strengthened by the incorporation of proprietary and patented multimedia codecs, which are often missing from most distributions due to potential legal threats. However, one of the best things about Linux Mint is the fact that developers listen to users and are always quick to implement good suggestions. While Linux Mint is available as a free download, the project generates income from donations, advertising, and professional technical support. It doesn't have a fixed release schedule or list of planned features, but a new one can be expected. Linux version Mint a few weeks after every stable release of Ubuntu. In addition to being a "master" edition that has the GNOME desktop in its properties, the project is also building various "communities" for alternative desktop editions such as KDE, Xfce and Fluxbox. While it is often completed several months after the "main" GNOME edition, and may occasionally miss some tools and other features from "mint", it is considered the flagship product of the project. The most recent addition to Mint is a "rolling-release" edition based on the Debian test branch. Linux Mint does not adhere to the principles of software freedom and does not publish security bulletins.
- Pros: Excellent collection of "mint" tools developed in-house, hundreds of usable enhancements, inclusion of multimedia codecs, open to user suggestions.
- Minuses: the alternative community edition does not always include new features, and the project does not issue security bulletins.
- Package management system: APT using MintInstall DEB packages(compatible with Ubuntu Database Object Store).
- Available varieties: "Major" edition (with GNOME), various "secondary" editions (with KDE, Xfce and Fluxbox), Linux Mint "Debian" editions (rolling-release of GNOME or Xfce).
- Possible alternatives: Ubuntu, Pinguy OS, Zorin OS, SimplyMEPIS, Peppermint OS.
The absolute and undisputed champion according to http://distrowatch.com/.
I will not draw any conclusions, since the choice of OS is a purely subjective matter, one is suitable for classic assemblies, for another, give the hottest and newest.
Good luck with your experiments.
V Lately new Linux distributions appear like mushrooms after rain. Over the past 2015, many new distributions have appeared. Some of them are very interesting for their concept, design, capabilities, while others are simply modifications of existing systems.
The year is coming to an end and in this review I want to take a look at the most beautiful linux distributions released during this year that you should definitely try.
Today there will be no long introductions, let's go straight to the list.
Solus OS, also known as Evolve OS, is a rebirth of the previously closed Solus OS. It is not completely based on the previous version, some components of the distribution are written from scratch. But the same PiSi package manager is used here. For a whole year, the distribution was at the Beta stage, and the final release took place in the fall, and the system was returned original name Solus OS.
Notable feature this distribution there is a use as a desktop environment Budgie Desktop. It is based on Gnome 3, closely resembles ChromiumOS, and looks pretty elegant. This is the first distribution on the list of beautiful linux distributions.
Download installation image can be found on the official website.
2. Ozon OS
You've probably already heard about the Numix project. They gave us great Numix themes that make any desktop environment look so much nicer. Numix themes are considered one of the best topics for Linux.
Now the folks at Numix have decided to start partnering with Nitrux and develop their own distribution called OzonOS. The distribution is based on Fedora 21 and uses its own Atom desktop environment. Ozon OS will be of interest primarily to those who like to play, since this distribution was planned to be minimalistic and optimized for games.
The beta version of the distribution can be downloaded from.
3. VeltOS
This is another new distribution that came out in 2015. It is based on ArchLinux and uses the already familiar Budgie Desktop as its desktop environment. As the developers say, this is a user-made distribution kit. Users are even given the option to vote on new features that will be included in the next release.
Using your own fork of the Budgie environment and the Numix theme guarantees a great looking system, and the basis as ArchLinux is always the latest software and the ability to tweak.
You can download the distribution image on the official website.
4. PapyrOS
It is a new distribution based on the ArchLinux package base with its own desktop environment - Quantium Shell. It is developed in Qt5 and QML in accordance with the Material Design concept proposed by Google for Android smartphones... The developers set out to adapt this concept to the desktop.
On the this moment The beta version of the distribution is not even ready, but you can already build a working prototype from the source codes posted on GitHub.
5. Elementary OS Freya
Although this Ubuntu-based distribution was released much earlier, its Freya version, which brought many improvements and changes, came out only this year, and therefore it will be on this list.
Elementary has always been similar to OS X, but that's not too bad because Apple's system has the best look and feel. It uses its own phanteon desktop environment, and the Elementary GTK theme. Fully compatible with the Ubuntu package base.
conclusions
When it comes to the beauty of Linux, PearOS will always be on our mind. Perhaps not all of the beautiful distributions released this year made it to my list. If your favorites are not here, feel free to leave their names in the comments.
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All of these Linux distributions have one thing Linux kernel, choose from the top 20 Linux distributions according to your needs. Whether you are a demanding user or even a gamer, Linux distributions will offer tons of convenient and powerful features for you.
1. Ubuntu
One of the most popular and demanded Linux operating systems, Ubuntu has long been the best choice when it comes to a proprietary operating system that is fast, powerful, and customizable. With Ubuntu, you can easily install and run any Linux application or software on your computer. Plus, you also get access to its built-in software repository. Like every year, 2018 will also have improvements and bug fixes for Ubuntu, making it even more usable.
Why Ubuntu?
- user-friendly;
- simple for a beginner;
- very popular.
2. Arch Linux
If you are someone who appreciates simple, intuitive and well-documented software, Arch Linux is the perfect Linux distribution to use in 2018. With strong community support, you can easily install whatever you want.
Why Arch Linux?
- well documented;
- great repository;
- always fresh / new updates.
3. Elementary OS
If you're looking for a fast, open and reliable Linux distribution in 2018, Elementary OS is the ideal low-maintenance platform that works well on computers and enjoys good community support. It is based on a modern design which is a pleasure to use and you can easily enjoy its AppCenter to install new applications for your needs.
Why Elementary OS?
- easy installation;
- very comfortable;
- elementary user interface.
4. CentOS
For people interested in choosing the right Linux distribution, CentOS is a stable, secure, manageable and responsive platform with an open source code by the Red Hat Linux community. You can rely on it for a decent set of apps like browser, contacts, photo manager, email client, text editor, audio player, document viewer, clock, etc.
Why CentOS?
- ease of use for beginners;
- corporate level security;
- high level of stability;
- fast.
5. Linux Mint
Starting as Ubuntu, Linux Mint quickly became the distribution of choice for many users in last years... Thanks to its selection of system utilities such as program manager, update manager, menus, etc. and its simplicity of taste, which is stability.
Why Linux Mint?
- stability and reliability;
- speed;
- easy to use for beginners.
6. Debian
One of the oldest and most popular Linux distributions. Debian is still a decent choice for 2018. Composed of free software, it has a wide variety of hardware platforms, plus a strong developer community you can rely on.
Why Debian?
- simple installation and ease of use;
- comes with 37,000+ packages;
- strong community support.
7. openSUSE
One of the most popular Linux distributions among commercial users, openSUSE is based on the RPM package management system and offers Xfce, LXDE, GNOME and Mate for installation. openSUSE is one of the most regularly updated distributions and you can use it for deployment, regular use, gaming and virtualization in 2018. It is a powerful and versatile Linux distribution.
Why openSUSE?
- powerful and versatile;
- excellent multimedia support;
- excellent repository implementation.
8. Ubuntu MATE
This distribution is perfect if you are working on a laptop. A good internet Linux distribution that offers excellent balance between performance and resource use. It is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface that can be easily used on almost any configuration.
Why Ubuntu MATE?
- light;
- consumes little food;
- easy to use.
9. XUBUNTU
Run by the Ubuntu derivative community, XUBUNTU is one of the best Linux desktop distros of 2018. Based on Debian, it used the default Xfce environment for effective use resources as an open source platform that combines elegance and lightness.
Why XUBUNTU?
- light;
- very fast and responsive;
- customizable.
10. Fedora
Backed by RedHat - the largest contributor to the Linux kernel, Fedora is one of the fastest and most secure Linux distributions to use in 2018. Is a leader in the virtualization market and also offers powerful community support for users. In addition, it is almost automatically updated to fix bugs and fix old versions.
Why Fedora?
- good graphic component;
- fastest loading time;
- user-friendly;
- * safe.
11. Gentoo
Free operating system based on Linux or FreeBSD, optimized and tuned for effective work in server, desktop and gaming environments. Gentoo takes its name from the Gentoo penguin, which is the fastest species of penguin.
Why Gentoo?
- popular distribution kit among geeks;
- stable and secure system;
- you can collect everything yourself.
12. Slax
Slax is a Debian based distribution designed to run from a USB stick. The project has released a new version of the desktop distribution with the version. The main change in the new version is the introduction of additional firmware for wireless network devices.
Why Slax?
- fast and lightweight distribution;
- well customizable.
13. Endless OS
Endless OS is a Linux-based operating system that provides a simplified and streamlined user experience using a customized GNOME 3 desktop environment. The Endless team has announced a new version of Endless OS. The new version makes it easier for multilingual users to switch languages even before logging into their account.
Why Endless OS?
- easy to use;
- good graphics.
14. TrueOS
TrueOS is an open source operating system based on the FreeBSD development branch. TrueOS is a deployment platform that includes the Lumina desktop environment and the OpenRC Service Manager. The latest snapshot of the project, version 17.12, includes LibreSSL on the base system (replacing OpenSSL), support for the Bhyve virtual machine, and the latest drivers supplied by FreeBSD 12.0-CURRENT.
Why TrueOS?
- stable system;
- safe.
15. Rosa
ROSA is a Russian company that develops many Linux solutions. The flagship product ROSA Desktop is a Linux distribution with a highly customizable KDE desktop and several modifications designed to improve the user experience. working environment... The company is also developing an "Enterprise Server" edition of ROSA based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Why Rosa?
- Russian language support;
- multifunctional.
16. Bluestar Linux
Bluestar Linux is a GNU / Linux distribution based on Arch Linux. The Bluestar distribution has newest packages, full set desktop and multimedia software for default installation and DVD for home desktop.
Why Bluestar Linux?
- regular and fresh updates;
- stable by default.
17. Manjaro
Manjaro Linux is a fast, easy-to-use, Arch Linux-based desktop operating system. Key features include an intuitive installation process, automatic hardware detection, stable rolling model, the ability to install multiple kernels, custom Bash scripts for managing graphics drivers, and extensive desktop customization. Manjaro Linux offers Xfce as basic desktop options as well as minimalist Net version for more advanced users. Community-supported flavors of GNOME 3 / Cinnamon and KDE are available. Users also enjoy the support and vibrant forum of the Manjaro community.
Why Manjaro?
- fast, time-tested system;
- very popular;
- good community support.
18. Antegros
Antergos is a modern, elegant and powerful operating system based on Arch Linux. It started out as Cinnarch, combining the Cinnamon desktop with the Arch Linux distribution, but the project has moved away from its original goals and now offers a choice of several desktops, including GNOME 3 (default), Cinnamon, Razor-qt, and Xfce. Antergos also provides its own graphical installer.
Why Antegros?
- stable system;
- quite playful.
19. Solus
Solus is a Linux distribution built from the ground up. It uses a forked version of the PiSi package manager, maintained as "eopkg" in Solus, and a custom desktop environment called "Budgie" developed in-house. Budgie desktop that can be configured to emulate appearance GNOME 2 desktop, tightly integrated with the GNOME stack. Available for 64-bit computers only.
Why Solus?
- historically attractive ("a Linux distribution built from scratch");
- your package manager.
Deepin (formerly Deepin, Linux Deepin, Hiweed GNU / Linux) is a Debian based distribution (it was based on Ubuntu up to version 15, released at the end of 2015) that aims to provide an elegant, user-friendly and reliable operating system. Not only is this the best that the open source world has to offer, but he also created his own desktop environment called DDE or Deepin Desktop Environment, based on the Qt 5 suite. Deepin places great emphasis on intuitive design. Its home apps like Deepin Software Center, DMusic and DPlayer are tailored for the average user. Being easy to install and use, deepin can be a good Windows alternative for office and home use.
The new year has come, which means it's time to look into the future, to find the best, most promising Linux distributions.
Linux distributions are often targeted at specific tasks... So you can't just list the operating systems and say "they are the best." Several areas of use of Linux are highlighted here and those distributions are selected that have every chance of becoming the first in their niche in 2017.
Best distro for sysadmins: Parrot Linux
Parrot Linux is based on Debian and offers almost every penetration testing tool imaginable.
Any administrator always has a lot of work to do. Without a good set of tools, his days are a constant test of strength, a continuous race. However, there are many Linux distributions out there to help you out. One of them is Parrot Linux. I am sure it will gain serious popularity in 2017.
This distribution is based on Debian and offers a huge amount of tools for testing the security of systems against unauthorized access. It also contains cryptographic and computer forensic tools, cloud services and anonymity packages. There is also something for developers, and even programs for organizing time. All this (in fact, there is a sea of tools) works on the basis of a stable, time-tested system. The result is a distribution that is perfect for software specialists. information security and network administrators.
Parrot Linux is currently ranked 57th in the Distrowatch ranking. I believe that by the end of the year it will be possible to see significant progress of this distribution to the top of the rankings.
Best Desktop Distro: Elementary OS
The cute appearance is not the only virtue of Elementary OS Loki. This OS is stable, user-friendly, its creators are attentive to details.
Perhaps I am biased towards this distribution, but I am sure that Elementary OS Loki will do the impossible and reset from the first Linux places Mint, earning the enviable title of "Best Desktop Distribution" in 2017. If so, then Elementary OS will accomplish quite an impressive feat, given that Linux Mint consistently wins the Distrowatch rankings.
Elementary OS is currently in sixth place (and Linux Mint continues to reign in first). Could Elementary OS be able to dethrone Mint? It seems that yes. Loki has not only established itself as one of the most beautiful distributions Linux, this system is also stable, convenient, and understandable.
Some may think that the Elementary OS desktop is too similar to a Mac. However, such a comparison is a plus for the system, as it speaks of the potential user experience. Of course, customizing Loki's appearance isn't as limited as OS X's customization, so you can make exactly what you want from it.
Gentoo is a Linux distribution based on compiling packages from source for specific hardware. After installing the OS, the user is required to self-assembly whatever he needs. This not only requires a fairly high level of understanding of Linux, but patience and time as well. In the end, however, you can get exactly what you need, and nothing more. Gentoo is not a new project, it has been around for many years. But if, among other things, you want to prove to yourself and others that you are a Linux expert, you cannot do without Gentoo.
Best IoT Distro: Snappy Ubuntu Core
By using snap packages, Snappy Ubuntu Core simplifies software installation and eliminates the headache of upgrades. As a result, we have an OS that is great for IoT.
We are now talking about small form factor devices. The Internet of Things, or IoT, is an area where embedded Linux is unmatched. There are many distributions available that are suitable for the IoT. However, I'm sure 2017 will be the year of Snappy Ubuntu Core.
Using snaps, installing and updating software in Snappy Ubuntu Core is quick and easy. No need to worry about dependencies or interruptions due to updates.
As a result, we have before us an ideal software platform for IoT. Ubuntu Snappy Core can already be found in motherboards for PC enthusiasts (like the Rasberry Pi), as well as in Erle-Copter drones and Dell Edge Gateways, Nextcloud Box and LimeSDR.
Best Server Distribution for Small and Medium Organizations: CentOS
CentOS is a reliable server platform
It comes as no surprise that CentOS remains a welcome guest on the servers of small and medium-sized organizations. There is one very important reason for this state of affairs: CentOS is based on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) source code. Because of this, when choosing CentOS, you can rest assured that you have a reliable, proven server platform in front of you.
The main difference between RHEL and CentOS (besides different marketing strategies) - support. RHEL users are backed by official Red Hat tech support. However, since 2004, CentOS "tech support" is a huge community of enthusiasts.
As a result, if you are a small to medium business owner looking to migrate your servers to an open source platform, CentOS should be your first look.
Best Enterprise Server Distribution: RHEL
Red Hat is perfect for the needs of enterprise customers
Again, we can say that there is nothing surprising here. For example, SUSE is making significant efforts to capture the corporate OS market, one day these efforts will lead it to the heights of fame, but this will happen, unfortunately, not this year. In 2017, the first position among the most popular corporate distributions will hold Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
According to Gartner, RHEL owns 67% of the Linux distribution market for large organizations, while a subscription to RHEL brings by Red Hat is about 75% of revenue. There are many reasons for this state of affairs. For example, Red Hat offers corporate customers exactly what they need, but, in addition, the company puts a huge effort in the development of many open source projects.
Red Hat knows what Linux is and what the corporate sector is. Red Hat is trusted by many Fortune 500 companies (e.g. ING, Sprint, Bayer Business Services, Atos, Amadeus, Etrade). The RHEL distribution has taken many developers to the next level in the areas of security, integration, management, in the field of working with cloud systems.
Also, I think Red Hat will put a lot of energy into IoT this year. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of 2017 SUSE bites off a little more of Red Hat's market share.
The choice is yours
One of the most remarkable aspects Linux platforms is that, ultimately, the choice is up to the user. There are hundreds of systems to choose from, many of which will perfectly suit the most sophisticated requirements. However, if you use one of the above distributions, I'm sure it won't disappoint you.And what and for what do you use? What can you recommend from the Linux world to our readers?
