Linux Distros

LINUX DISTROS

Top Linux Systems	Linus Torvalds - in a sense the inventor of Linux. He initiated work on the Linux kernel in 1991.	GO TO THE LIST
Linux systems can be arranged in "families". In many cases there are "parents", that is to say, a system on which other systems are based. The best example is Debian, a very old Linux system, which now has several "children". Such "relations" have much in common, for example package managers, used to install software. Linux systems update in different ways. Some are "rolling release" which means they update gradually and stay up to date all the time. No new versions are released. Many are fixed releases; some like Ubuntu are released every six months. The main families are: Debian based systems: many other operating systems are based on Debian. For example Sparky Linux. Ubuntu based systems: you could say that Ubuntu is itself a child of Debian, but many other systems are built directly on Ubuntu. RPM based systems: originally there was Red Hat, and RPM stands for Red Hat Package management. These systems include OpenSUSE and Fedora. Mandriva: this does not exist anymore, but has plenty of surviving children, including PCLinuxOS, Mageia and ROSA. Arch based systems: these include Manjaro and EndeavourOS. Gentoo based systems: for example Calculate.
Ubuntu	A relative newcomer to the Linux world, Ubuntu started in 2004, but has become probably the most widely used Linux system in the world. Developed by the company Canonical run by Mark Shuttleworth. DEBIAN BASED	Fixed release (every six months), and every two years a long term supported version is released. However, it is very easy to update from one version to the next.
LinuxMint	LinuxMint was originally designed as an "out of the box" version of Ubuntu, set up in 2006. It is very easy to use, and also contains non opensource software. Many different versions of LinuxMint now exist, some based directly on Debian. Forum DEBIAN AND UBUNTU BASED	Mostly fixed release, following long term supported releases by Ubuntu.
Knoppix	Started about 2000, Knoppix was the first and original live-CD; i.e. the system ran from the CD rather than from the hard drive. Of course, the system now has both a CD and a DVD version. Knoppix was started by Klaus Knopper, who still manages the project. DEBIAN BASED	Fixed release.
Fedora	Fedora is the heir to the famous Red Hat distro, one of the original Linux systems.	Fixed release - usually two releses every year.
Korora	Based on Fedora. It takes out the agony of a Fedora install, and adds several user friendly features. FEDORA BASED	Not active at the moment (2018).
Debian	Debian is an old Linux distro, started in 1993	Put simply, there is a testing version which is rolling released, and a stable fixed release version.
OpenSUSE	SUSE started life in 1994. Unusually, the company charged for the distro, and included extensive documentation. Different now, though. Not as easy to use as some distros, but it looks good!	Fixed release. (Also rolling release version: Tumbleweed.)
Mandriva	Mandrake was set up just before the millenium to make Red Hat easier for the masses. For the first time many mere mortals were able to install and use Linux. Since then the company has gone through many crises. After changing its name to Mandriva, this company has now ceased to exist. RPM DISTRO	No longer active.
Mageia	Mageia was set up in 2010 as a "fork" to Mandriva. The first version came out in 2011. Mageia is probably the closest current equivalent to Mandriva. MANDRIVA BASED	Fixed release - usually one release every year.
PCLinuxOS	A "fork" from Mandriva started in 2003. MANDRIVA BASED	Rolling release.
Sabayon	Based on Gentoo, this distro started in 2005. GENTOO BASED	Now dormant.
Gentoo	Linux distro started in 2002.	Rolling release.
Arch	This system started in 2002. It has a reputation for being very difficult to install, but has a lot of software available in repositories. These are supplemented by the extensive AUR repository.	Rolling release.
Manjaro	This is a more recent addition to the families of operating systems. Manjaro is based on Arch, but provides "out of the box" ease. ARCH BASED	Rolling release.