Which Linux distribution is better. Linux and other Linux - choose a distribution kit for "escape from Windows. Which Linux to choose, can Linux Mint
There are a huge number of Linux distributions, and they all have their own purpose, their own purpose, in this article I conditionally divided distributions into several types and gave specific examples of distributions that belong to one type or another.
I simply cannot list all Linux distributions, I have included only the most suitable ones, in my opinion and generally accepted.
If you know a Linux distribution that fits that other type perfectly, but I didn't list it here, write in the comments so that other users can also take note of it.
I will tell you a little about each distribution, note the features and indicate links to official sites.
You can read about what a Linux distribution is and Linux in general in the material - What is Linux and what is a Linux distribution?
Linux distributions for home computers and novice users
If you are an ordinary home computer user and have never worked with Linux, but at the same time you have a desire to switch to this operating system, then the following Linux distributions are suitable for you, they are simple, functional and aimed specifically at novice Linux users.
On a note! Beginner Linux Users I recommend reading my book ”- in it I tell in the simplest possible language about the basics linux and how to use this operating system without command line
Linux Mint
Linux Mint is one of the most popular free Linux distribution aimed at novice users. It is based on another popular Linux distribution - Ubuntu.
In my opinion, Linux Mint is the best option for users who want to switch to Linux from Windows, as it is convenient, functional, stable, has a huge community, you can find a lot of information on this distribution, i.e. if you encounter a problem, you can easily solve it simply "googling".
The distribution kit has excellent localization, you will not have problems with Russification after installing the system. Linux Mint is one of the best software managers in my opinion, i.e. the component with which programs are installed, in the Linux Mint distribution, the process of installing applications is reduced to one click, as, for example, on smartphones. In addition, it has by default all the most necessary software for work.
Linux Mint offers several default GUIs to choose from: Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce.
The DEB format is used as the package management system.
Installation instructions using version 19 as an example - Installing Linux Mint.
OpenSUSE
openSUSE is also a very popular Linux distribution, many laptop manufacturers put openSUSE as the operating system on their products. The distribution is aimed at ordinary users, and at the same time powerful and stable.
By default, the desktop environment here is KDE, but you can install other popular graphical environments.
The distribution, like Linux Mint, has good localization and a huge community.
In openSUSE, a very powerful tool, YaST, is responsible for managing the software and the system as a whole. As a package management system, here, unlike Linux Mint, the RPM format is used.
Installation instructions using version 15 as an example - Installing openSUSE
Kubuntu
Kubuntu is a Linux distribution derived from Ubuntu with a KDE graphical frontend. Kubuntu - has all the goodness of Ubuntu and yet has a desktop environment that will probably be more familiar to Windows users, so I recommend trying Kubuntu first.
Installing Kubuntu
ubuntu
ubuntu is one of the most famous and popular Linux distributions. This distribution is developed and supported by Canonical, which indicates the quality of the distribution, its reliability and stability. As you have already understood, a large number of other Linux distributions are based on Ubuntu.
The GNOME environment is used here as a graphical shell. You will not find more documentation and information about any Linux distribution on the Internet than about Ubuntu, Ubuntu probably has the largest community.
Installation Instructions - Installing Ubuntu
Linux distributions for advanced users
If you have already mastered Linux, in particular the distributions for beginners, which we reviewed a little earlier, you know how to work with the terminal, you know the basics of programming, and at the same time you want to learn and feel Linux even more, you can try Linux distributions for advanced users, I would say for enthusiasts, for people who are called true "Linuxoids".
With these distributions, you will learn the internals of the Linux operating system.
Arch Linux
Arch Linux is a flexible distribution designed to meet the needs of experienced Linux users. By default, a minimal, basic system is installed, everything else is done by the user.
This is a very powerful distribution.
Gentoo Linux
Gentoo Linux- another powerful and flexible distribution, here almost everything is done manually ( compiling packages and so on). You will spend much more time on seemingly simple actions, but you can fine-tune the system very finely.
Slackware Linux
This distribution is for those who want to get exotic in the world of Linux. Slackware Linux is one of the oldest distributions.
There is an expression that captures the essence of this distribution - “If you know Slackware, you know Linux. If you know any other distribution, then all you know is any other distribution".
Linux distributions for low-end or "old" computers
If you have a computer with low performance, while you are tired of XP and you want to try Linux, then you should take a closer look at the following distributions, which do not require large resources and at the same time work quickly, have excellent functionality, and are also easy to use. management and use.
Lubuntu
Lubuntu is a distribution of the Linux operating system based on Ubuntu. The graphical shell in Lubuntu is the lightweight LXDE environment, just due to this, this distribution kit is not demanding on resources and works even on low-powered computers without any brakes. At the same time, Lubuntu remains a very functional and stable distribution with a convenient graphical interface.
Installation instructions using version 18.04 as an example - Installing Lubuntu
Xubuntu
Xubuntu is a distribution of the Linux operating system that is also based on Ubuntu. The desktop environment is Xfce. Xubuntu, like Lubuntu, is a very fast distribution that is not demanding on computer resources.
Installation instructions using version 18.04 as an example - Installing Xubuntu
Linux Lite
Linux Lite- this distribution is based on LTS versions of Ubuntu, i.e. on versions with long-term support. It is not demanding on resources, it includes all the most necessary software for work. Linux Lite is a great, compact yet functional version of the Linux operating system.
Installation Instructions - Installing Linux Lite
Q4OS
Q4OS is a Linux distribution based on Debian that uses the original Trinity GUI. The goal of the Q4OS distribution is to provide users with a classic, simple operating system interface while still retaining good functionality.
Q4OS has low system requirements and "weak" equipment, the system works very quickly, without brakes.
Installation Instructions - Installing Q4OS
Linux distributions for server systems
The Linux operating system is also used on servers, more precisely, I will even say more, Linux has been widely used as a system for servers, even more than for ordinary personal computers, due to its stability and security.
All Linux server systems are delivered without a graphical shell, since such an environment consumes a significant part of the server's resources, which, accordingly, makes the server less productive. Therefore, in order for the server resources to be used as much as possible for their intended purpose, the graphical shell is not installed by default on server systems, although, of course, it can be installed, this is the job of server administrators.
If you need a Linux server version, then the following distributions are the best options.
CentOS
CentOS is an excellent and very popular server operating system. It is on it that most sites on the Internet work, i.e. it acts as a platform for web servers. It is also actively used as database servers and other types of servers. CentOS is a reliable and stable operating system, and it is free, although it is based on the commercial Red Hat Enterprise Linux project.
Installation Instructions - Installing CentOS
Setup Instructions - Web Servers on CentOS
Debian
Debian is one of the oldest Linux distributions, it is widely used in the corporate sector as a platform for web servers, database servers, and also as a client operating system. Countless Linux distributions are based on it, including Ubuntu.
Installation instructions using version 9 as an example - Installing Debian
Ubuntu Server
Ubuntu Server is the server version of the Ubuntu Linux distribution. Ubuntu Server is a very popular distribution, it is actively used to implement such servers as: a web server, a database server, a DNS server, a file server, and others.
Installation instructions using the example of version 18.04 - Installing Ubuntu Server
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
The distribution is developed by Red Hat and it is a paid distribution, it is aimed at use in a corporate environment, and therefore is a commercial one. In the case of RHEL, you will have the company's technical support, and you will also receive critical updates quickly.
By the way, the CentOS distribution discussed above is an excellent free replacement for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, since CentOS is based on RHEL and is compatible with it.
That's all for me, I hope the material was interesting for you, bye!
When a person does not want to fork out for an operating system, he is looking for a free one. There are actually a lot of such OS. They belong to Free Software (Open Source) and for the most part are really distributed for free. However, the choice is not easy to make, which is why a site like DistroWatch.com is needed. Well, since it is in English, we will help you deal with its contents.
Latest distributions
We go to the discussed resource. Scroll down the page a little and in the left column we see the block “Latest Distributions”, which means “the latest distributions”. There are presented:
- The so-called Release Candidates (RC for short). Already, as it were, not beta versions, but something more finished, however, catching glitches has not yet been completed.
- Ready operating systems. For example, at the time of writing, the BSD-based DragonFly 3.0.1, the GNU/Linux distributions PCLinuxOS 2012 02 and ConnochaetOS 0.9.1, are announced there.
Latest Packages
A little lower is a block with information about fresh software. Naturally, also Open Source. It is called "Latest Packages", that is, "fresh packages". The information is provided mainly for those who cannot imagine their life without the latest software, which is something of a mania for many Free Software supporters.
Other blocks on the left side of the main page offer to connect podcasts, subscribe to the newsletter, but all this is provided, alas, in English. Therefore, we look at the right column.
Page Hit Ranking
It is here, in the right column, that the reason for the sleepless nights of developers craving attention to their offspring, the reason for the holy wars on the forums and the headache of advertising managers of commercial distributions.
Yes, it's a rating. As you have already noticed, today's life is impossible without ratings. They are everywhere, almost on any forum, in any social network. Even where they are completely useless. The population likes medals, albeit virtual ones.
Now, if you were the owner of a site dedicated to Open Source and free OS, how would you arrange the rating calculation?
Rating of the best Linux distributions: which one is better
Probably with the help of publishing the data that the server sees, they would show the world the number and percentage of operating systems among visitors. Or they would arrange a permanent survey, as they do on an innumerable set of sites. You can combine both criteria into a single visual graph - here's the rating.
But no, for some reason DistroWatch.com decided that it is better to count the number of clicks on sections with OS descriptions!
That is, if Canonical advertised its Ubuntu (a terribly buggy and slow GNU / Linux distribution for hamsters), then the population will naturally click on the description of this product in order to read what kind of product it is.
When thousands of people became disillusioned with Ubuntu because of the Unity shell imposed on users, Linux Mint was advised on the forums. So this distribution kit broke into the first place, because not everyone knew the address of the official website of the developers and went to the usual DistroWatch.com.
No, of course, the demand and interest of visitors is also a criterion by which one can judge something. However, such information is not enough for an objective rating.
conclusions
The Free OS popularity rating on DistroWatch.com is not to be taken too personally. This is just the number of requests for pages with descriptions of operating systems. But certainly not the systems themselves.
Well, a convenient catalog of links to official sites, among other things. Perhaps someone did not even suspect the existence of some OS, and DistroWatch.com immediately shows a whole hundred in the list, no need to rummage through search engines for a long time.
One way or another, Free Software advocates are guided by the above "Top 100", in the absence of any other ratings. Apparently, very few people can live without them.
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Last edit: 2012-03-05 04:00:22
Material tags: com, rating, os, distrowatch, popularity, popularity, distrowatch.com, popularity rating, free, free os, most popular free programs, free software portals, best software, operating system, spo, online services, distributions
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Which linux to choose?
The first step is to decide what you will use linux for.
Before putting the system on a hard disk, you can try to run it in an emulator (virtualbox, qemu or any other) or burn it to an optical disk / usb flash drive and boot from cd / dvd-rom / usb.
If you are a beginner and have never dealt with Linux, then it makes sense to install the distribution kit that the familiar Linux user has.
Now I will try to go over the most popular distributions and describe the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Time-tested old-school stuff
Knoppix
One of the most famous LiveCD distributions. Based on Debian. A lot of equipment is supported. Like any other liveCD / liveUSB distribution, it can be suitable for getting acquainted with Linux or for performing any tasks (for example, data recovery, bootloader recovery, network access) without installing the distribution on the hard disk and setting it up. More details can be found at http://www.knoppix.org/
Debian
Very good and convenient distribution kit. Suitable for both server and desktop. Huge development team, many packages available. Debian has a very convenient APT package management system and is quite flexible in configuring. When accessing the Internet, it is possible to select one of five branches in the main directory tree - "oldstable" (previous stable), "stable" (stable), "testing" (testing), "unstable" (unstable, also known as "sid" ) and "experimental", which is not a full branch - it contains packages that require extensive testing or that will cause major changes in the distribution.
Among the shortcomings, it can be noted that the stable version does not contain the latest versions of programs (who would have thought?).
http://www.debian.org/ - official site.
Gentoo
Source-based distribution.
Top 10 Most Popular Linux Distributions
The distribution has a convenient package and dependency management system, which cannot be said about binary distributions.
One of the disadvantages is the tedious process of compiling large packages and the non-zero probability of a system breakdown after the next update with insufficient knowledge of this system.
Another disadvantage is the need to connect to the Internet to download updates (I think these days this can be neglected).
The advantages are a huge amount of documentation, fresh versions of software, good hardware support, incredible customization flexibility.
I recommend this distribution as a home distribution, provided that your hardware is not very weak. Also used on servers or as a distribution for embedded systems (thanks to the customization flexibility I mentioned above). In the case of low-power hardware, packages are compiled (cross-compiled) on the main system, and then simply installed on the target.
http://www.gentoo.org/ - official site.
Slackware
The oldest distribution kit that has survived to this day, the choice of Russian physicists (meme from lore). Its main differences are the complete absence of all sorts of unnecessary embellishments and graphical settings, a simple text-based installer. All settings are made by editing text configuration files. It's one of those distributions that has maintained a strict adherence to UNIX principles. Try it if you are not afraid of the command line and prefer manual editing of configs to graphical utilities.
For a long time it was only available for the x86 architecture, but now a version for x86_64 is also available.
http://www.slackware.com/ - official site.
Arch Linux
Lightweight, simple and flexible distribution. Optimized for i686 and x64 using the latest stable packages.
This is a binary distribution, but it is possible to build packages from source.
Very similar to Slackware, but has a much more powerful package management system (pacman) and is more liberal with new package versions.
Among the shortcomings: fewer packages than in debian and gent, the lack of such powerful configuration tools as, for example, YaST in Suse.
On the plus side, you can add a more relaxed attitude towards non-free (non-free) packages than, for example, in debian.
This is a general purpose distribution. It is successfully applied both at workstations, and on servers. But, like any other distribution, it takes some getting used to.
http://www.archlinux.org/
http://archlinux.org.ru/
Red Hat/CentOS
A well-tested distribution that is more suitable for the server than for the desktop.
CentOS differs from Red Hat only in the lack of support.
http://www.redhat.com/
http://www.centos.org/
More popular
ubuntu linux
http://ubuntu.ru/
Probably the most popular Linux distribution in existence. Ubuntu is based on Debian Sid (Unstable) but with more modern packages, including the latest GNOME.
One of the more interesting features is the fact that the "root" account is disabled by default; the first registered user after installation receives superuser rights through the "sudo" command.
Pros: large community of developers and users, fixed release schedule and support period, 'friendliness' to the user in the form of additional graphical customization tools, great work out of the box.
Cons: unstable versions of software are often used in stable releases of the distribution. Also disliked by some experienced users because of its obvious focus on housewives.
OpenSuse
http://ru.opensuse.org/
Benefits: professional attention to detail, easy to use YAST installation and setup system.
Cons: As with other distributions developed in the US, out-of-the-box media support is limited.
Fedora
http://www.fedoralinux.ru/
The distribution began as a Red Hat-sponsored and community-focused distribution. It contains the newest versions of packages. And since a significant part of the technologies of the Linux world is born in the depths of RedHat, the first thing they, of course, fall into fedora.
Pros: Extremely innovative, fresh software versions, good localization.
Cons: Unstable versions of software introduce some bugs (redhat's testing ground).
ALT Linux
http://www.altlinux.ru/
This distribution is developed in Russia and is traditionally considered to be focused on excellent support for the Russian language. In addition, it has a FSTEC certificate, if this is important to someone.
The server versions of the distribution put a lot of emphasis on the security of network services. Pros: excellent Russian language support, good community support.
Cons: not always fresh software.
Other
Solaris
A distribution developed in the bowels of sun microsystems http://www.sun.com/, which gave the world such free products as mysql, virtualbox, java. In 2010, Oracle bought Sun and went its own way.
Better for desktop opensolaris- open version (the project was closed).
advantages would be zfs, dtrace, good hardware support, convenient service management (Solaris SMF) and volume management (Solaris Volume Manager)
*BSD family
http://www.freebsd.org/ is the most popular among the BSD family.
http://www.openbsd.ru/ - security comes first.
http://www.netbsd.org/ru/ - will run even on a toaster.
freebsd, openbsd, netbsd are "amateur" systems, more suitable for the server than for the desktop, although there are some attempts to adapt these systems to the desktop:
http://www.pcbsd.ru/
http://www.desktopbsd.net/
http://www.dragonflybsd.org/
exotic
These operating systems are mostly used for educational purposes or as a hobby.
Plan9
http://plan9.bell-labs.com/plan9/
An operating system developed by Bell Labs to overcome fundamental flaws in the UNIX design. All resources are represented as files and are available in a hierarchical file system.
xLFS
It will allow you to build your linux distribution step by step from the very beginning. After installing it, it will really be possible to claim that you know how Linux works.
Ingoda is just useful to read the instructions for assembling LFS, for general development.
conclusions
This is not a complete list of Linux distributions. A detailed description of each distribution can be found at http://distrowatch.com/ or even on Wikipedia
But choosing a distribution is still based on personal preferences, and not on the basis of its rating on some site or popularity.
There are many varieties of the Linux operating system. Almost all of them are free to use.
Although Linux may not be the most popular platform, free and open source operating systems are a great chance to take full control of your own computer, as well as breathe life into old hardware. After a week-long "test drive", I have selected the top four Linux distributions that, in my humble opinion, are the best choice for the beginning of the summer of 2013.
Ubuntu 13.04
Today it is the most famous Linux distribution. Ubuntu is built with beginners in mind and ease of use. It is easy to install. The kit comes with a good set of necessary utilities and applications. Here we see Unity's clear and pleasant interface, thanks to which program windows are placed on the screen in the most optimal way.
See also: Can Linux replace Windows?
New versions of Linux Ubuntu appear every six months, and every two years the developers release a Long Term Support (LTS) variant. Free updates and support for LTS are maintained for five years. Whether you want to experience the huge potential of modern technology, or want a stable system for business, Ubuntu will be the best choice.
Linux Mint 15
The Linux Mint code is based on Ubuntu, so these distributions support an identical set of hardware and software.
But in the original Linux Mint bundle, we find more applications than in Ubuntu. The idea of the developers is that immediately after installation, the user will have at their disposal a system that is completely ready for work and entertainment, without the need to download additional packages from the Internet.
The key difference between Mint and Ubuntu also lies in the interface. Mint gives us the opportunity to choose between two types of desktops. But whichever one you choose, you'll end up with a system that looks more like Windows than Ubuntu. Therefore, Mint may appeal to those who are tired of the Unity interface.
In addition, this distribution does not need to be updated as often as Ubuntu. People who value stability will be happy with this decision.
Fedora
Fedora offers us a quirky interface that emphasizes free space.
Which Linux to choose?
The app launcher and search interface are hidden by default. They only appear when moving the mouse to one of the corners of the screen or clicking on the icons. It seems interesting enough, and helps to focus on the current work.
The set of programs here is not the largest among all Linux distributions, but the applications are easy to install and they are compatible with each other. In general, Fedora should be the choice of people who strive for minimalism.
openSUSE
openSUSE, like Linux Mint, offers two desktop options to choose from.
There are classic KDE and Gnome here. There is also a wonderful program YaST (Yet another Setup Tool - another setup tool). With its help, you can adjust the smallest details in the operation of the system. Another nice point is the presence of collections of thematic software. In a few clicks, we can deliver a set of programs designed to solve a specific range of tasks.
openSUSE is both stable and flexible Linux distribution. If you have certain skills in working with hardware and software, then in the face of this operating system you will get a powerful tool.
Best Linux distributions for a beginner
Which Linux to choose?
Linux newcomers are always faced with a difficult choice: which Linux to choose? After all, there are hundreds of different modifications and assemblies! And each Linux has its ardent fans and supporters. And every sandpiper praises his swamp. How to figure it out and which linux is better?
I have already tried dozens of them over the years and now settled on some of the most optimal for me, and simple for beginners. Although now for me the computer is just a tool for working on the Internet. And here's what I can advise you.
Yes, and I strongly advise you to purchase a separate one for testing with Linux THIS IS A MINI COMPUTER so as not to harm your main system. And so you can painlessly experiment on this baby 🙂 It is absolutely silent, since there are no fans in it. (I wrote an article about a similar mini computer here)
Of course, a lot depends on the goals you are pursuing. If you decide to learn how to compile the kernel, then you need to look towards Gentoo. If you want stability, then install Debian. If you want something very light for your old hardware, then download Puppy. If you are a patriot and love everything Russian, then install Alt Linux.
Well, if you just want to keep up with the times, then download Ubuntu. This list is probably endless, but you, like me, just need Linux for your home. What is the best Linux to choose for a beginner for everyday tasks?
1. Which Linux to choose, maybe Linux Mint?
I have been using Linux Mint for many years and really liked it. There is no doubt that today it is the most popular Linux OS in the world.
And for a Russian user, the best choice would be her Russian clone - Dewdrop Linux.
Unfortunately, in recent years, Rosinka has ceased to develop, so the best option for beginners at the moment is Linux Mint. But if you have a very old laptop, then you can put an old dewdrop - it will fly!
The interface of Linux Mint seems to be made specifically to lure Windows users into its camp. And they succeed quite successfully. The green color itself is very attractive, but this is of course not the most important thing.
Linux Mint has its own repository, which contains many interesting programs and utilities. But I think you need to try installing Linux Mint yourself to appreciate its beauty and power.
But unfortunately, my friendship with Linux Mint has not worked out lately, he stubbornly did not want to be friends with my hardware. (No longer relevant, friendship has been renewed 🙂 And besides, they abandoned the classic Gnome, which I was so used to.
Popular Linux distributions
But to my joy, a wonderful alternative was found - Ubuntu 12.04 OEM from ualinux.com
2. My Linux today is Ubuntu OEM Pack
Ubuntu OEM is a build based on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, but with additional (its own repositories) and, most importantly, the classic Gnome.
Here are the main changes of the OEM Pack in contrast to the original distribution.
Integrated all official updates for January 2013;
full support for Russian, Ukrainian and English languages;
full support for multimedia (audio-video files of various formats, such as: avi, divX, mp4, mkv, amr, aac, Adobe Flash and many others), as well as Bluray;
a full set of Libre Office components including support for importing MS Visio files;
3D effects control panel (including 3D desktop cube support);
an applet for convenient ejection of USB media;
support for additional types of archives (RAR, ACE, ARJ and others);
full support for Windows networking and a handy tool for setting it up;
extended support for NTFS and BTRFS partitions;
support for multimedia keyboards;
convenient graphical Firewall management system;
Java is present;
additional drivers for printers;
video device management system including webcams.
(only for Ubuntu) in addition to the standard Unity interface, also added Gnome Shell and classic, the default Gnome Classic desktop.
Personally, the Ubuntu OEM Pack works fine for me on all three of my computers and everything is just like good old Ubuntu. As they say, I use it myself and advise you.
I think now it will not be difficult for you to choose Linux to start your journey into the world of a free OS ...
3. And yet Linux Mint…
I eventually returned to Linux Mint as the disadvantages of switching to new desktops were gone and the system was stable. Personally, I chose Linux Mint Cinnamon. Mate is also a good desktop, but the name of some applications makes me cringe - Caja instead of Nemo and so on.
Cinnamon looks great and has been working steadily lately.
I recently did a review of Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon, described everything that I like and don't, you can read. While this is the best choice, in my opinion, and I advise you to install this Linux, you will not regret it 🙂
Which Linux can you choose?
But these are my preferences and can change at any time. You have the option to choose your Linux. You can download a new one every day and try it for “taste and color”.
The easiest way is to install Linux first on a virtual machine, and if you really like it, you can install Linux on a USB flash drive and run it live.
But where can you find the right Linux? There is a wonderful site that lists almost all Linux variants, and even has a rating of their popularity. Remember this site - Distrowatch.com
If you want to choose Linux according to some parameters, then you can go to this page Distrowatch.com and according to the search terms, select your option:
I set out to regularly download new distributions and run on my computer, and then describe my feelings. If you are interested, then subscribe to my blog to receive the latest articles.
For now, I've switched to a clean Ubuntu with the classic Gnome2 installed. In this article, I wrote in detail about how to install Ubuntu and then configure it in the best possible way.
Let's face it, Linux can tame just about anything for new users. But then, it's not Linux that brings this complexity, it's most likely the "newness" factor that makes it feel that way.
This article is especially for those who have no idea what else you can work on on your computer instead of Windows or Mac OS.
The Best Distributions for New Users
Please remember that this is a list in which there is no particular order. The main criteria for compiling this list is ease of installation out of the box, ease of use, and availability of software packages.
If you've ever wondered about Linux on the web, chances are you've already come across . Ubuntu is one of the leading Linux distributions. And it's almost the perfect distribution to start your Linux journey.
Ubuntu has been labeled Linux for the people. This is because Ubuntu has already put a lot of effort into universal usability. Ubuntu does not require you to be a child prodigy. It breaks the notion of the Linux line - for programmers, and that's one of the highlights.
Ubuntu offers a very convenient installation procedure. The installer simply says, “what language do you want me to install in?”. You can even try Ubuntu before you start the installation procedure. The installer provides simple options:
- Erase disk and install Ubuntu
- Installing Ubuntu next to an existing OS (a choice is given at each startup to choose which OS to boot).
- Setting up sections for users who know what they are doing.
Initial tip: Choose the second option if you are not sure what to do.
The user interface in Ubuntu is called Unity. This is a very simple desktop shell. Launch and favorite applications in the dock on the left side (called “Dash”) and search for applications by pressing the Super button (Windows) or by clicking on the Ubuntu logo. It doesn't get any easier, does it?
Ubuntu has no problem with driver installation, which comes with a hardware detector that detects, downloads and installs the optimal drivers for your PC. In addition, the installed system comes with all the basic software such as music player, video player, office suite and other useful programs.
Ubuntu has great documentation and public support. The Ubuntu and Ask Ubuntu forums provide significant quality support in almost every aspect of Ubuntu. And it's highly likely that any question you want to ask may already have been answered by someone.
If you decide to install Ubuntu, then you can download this distribution kit on the official website.
Linux Mint Cinnamon
Most computer users are Windows users. And when a Windows user gets Linux, there are a fair amount of 'learning processes' that the user has to go through. A huge number of operations were recorded in our muscle memory. For example, the mouse going to the lower left corner of the screen (Start) will surely want to launch the application every time. I can only recommend a distro that alleviates all these problems on Linux, and half the battle is won. Look at .
Zorin OS is an Ubuntu-based distribution with a highly polished Linux distribution that is well suited for users migrating from Windows. Although almost every Linux distribution can be used by everyone, some people are very unaccustomed to seeing someone else's desktop, and Zorin OS will make this transition easier for you.
Package managers seem supernatural to Linux newbies at first. That's why Zorin OS comes with a huge (I mean really huge) list of pre-installed software. Everything you need is already installed in Zorin OS.
Zorin OS comes with an amazing theme changer feature. It offers some heavy customization options with presets to make your OS look like Windows 7, XP, 2000 or even Mac.
These features make Zorin OS the best Linux distro for beginners, right?
Go to the official website to download the latest version of Zorin OS.
Since we covered distributions for Windows users, let's look at something for MacOS users. rose in the rankings very quickly, and is now always on the list of the best distributions, all thanks to its aesthetic essence. Inspired by the look of MacOS, Elementary OS is one of the prettiest Linux distributions.
Elementary OS is another distribution based on Ubuntu, which means that the operating system itself is undeniably stable. Elementary OS comes with the Pantheon desktop and you can immediately notice the similarities to MacOS. This is an advantage for macOS users who are moving to Linux, as they will be very comfortable with this distribution, and it really makes the process of getting through this change easier.
The menu is very simple and customizable according to the user's preferences. The operating system is not intrusive, so you can really focus on your work. It comes with very little software pre-installed, so any new user won't be distracted by the huge bells and whistles, but will have everything they need out of the box. For more software, Elementary OS provides a neat AppCenter that is affordable and easy to use. All in one place. You can get all the software you want and upgrade with just a few clicks.
You should try it. You can download Elementary OS on the official website.
A large number of people who come to Linux are looking to revive old computers. With the Windows 10 operating system, many computers that had decent specs just a few years ago have become incompetent. And if you're looking for a distribution that will bring your old computer back to life, look no further than Linux Mate.
Linux Mint Mate is a very lightweight, non-demanding yet polished distro. It can run smoothly on weak computers. The desktop environment won't bring you bells and whistles. But in no way inferior in functionality to any other desktop environment. The operating system is not intrusive and allows you to work productively without losing quality.
Again, Linux Mint Mate is based on Ubuntu and has the benefit of Ubuntu's massive solid storage base of software. It comes with a minimum number of essentials that are pre-installed. Easy driver installation and system setup management is very accessible even for beginners.
You can run Linux Mint Mate even if you have 512 MB of RAM and 9 GB of free hard disk space (the more the better).
If you have already decided on the choice, then you can download Linux Mint Mate on the official website.
Before you say you shouldn't send a newbie to a complex distro like ArchLinux, listen to me first.
Arch is considered an expert distro only because of the very complicated installation procedure. Manajro and Arch Linux share a common origin. But they are pretty much different in everything else.
Has a very beginner friendly installation procedure. Many things are automated, such as installing a driver using "Hardware Detection". With Manjaro, you'll forget the search for manuals to install drivers, which plagues many other Linux distributions. And even if you have questions, Manjaro has amazing community support.
Manjaro has its own software repository that maintains the latest software and this is a priority for users. One of the main differences between Arch and Manjaro is that Manjaro delays package releases to make sure they are completely stable and won't cause regressions. You can also access Manjaro's Arch User Repository, which has everything you need.
This question is asked by every Windows user who wants to migrate to the Linux operating system. And today I will try to help you answer this question, in other words, I will list Linux distributions, which are suitable for a novice Linux user, naturally with a rationale for why these particular distributions are suitable for a beginner.
We have already reviewed quite a lot of Linux distributions on this site, there were beautiful ones like Linux Deepin, popular and powerful like Ubuntu and Debian, not very popular, but at the same time simple, compact and fast like Manjaro Linux, as well as many other good distributions. And now it's time to highlight from all this those distributions that are best suited to a novice Linux user.
On a note! If you are a regular home computer user and want to get to know Linux closer, I recommend reading my book - " ”, in which I talk in detail about the basics of the Linux operating system
And first, let's define the criteria that a Linux distribution for beginners must meet, in other words, what I based on when compiling a list of distributions.
Criteria for choosing a Linux distribution for a beginner
- Installing a distribution should be easy;
- Intuitive, simple yet powerful desktop environment;
- The distribution must be multilingual with support for the Russian language out of the box, i.e. for localization, no additional actions are required, except for choosing a language at the stage of system installation;
- A sufficiently large and developed community so that in case of any problem there is always someone to turn to;
- A good set of programs, both installed by default and those that can be installed additionally;
- Stable, reliable and safe operation;
- The distribution should be actively developed so that a situation does not happen when, for example, we installed an operating system, and its support and development in general ceased after six months;
- The distribution must be free;
- It should be popular both in the world and here in Russia.
Speaking specifically about the desktop environment, and you should already know that there are many graphical shells in Linux, then KDE is suitable for a beginner, since it is basically similar to the Windows shell and thus mastering the new system will be much easier, in addition, it is powerful and popular.
And now let me bring List of Linux distributions for beginners, there will be only three distributions in it, since I believe that it is not necessary to provide an extended list in this case, this will complicate the choice, and not simplify it. And of course I will start with the most suitable distribution kit, which is just perfect for novice users.
Linux Mint
It is a Linux Mint distribution that is a great option for beginners as it meets all of the above criteria. Its installation is very simple, we considered this process here, the set of programs is huge, while their installation is very simple, since the distribution kit implements one of the best program managers, for example, in an article about installing Skype, you can look at its operation and interface. This distribution is based on Ubuntu, which indicates its stability and reliability. The distribution officially supports desktop environments: Cinnamon, MATE, KDE and Xfce. The Russian language is present, the community is large, the distribution is actively developing, and Linux Mint is the most popular Linux distribution according to the site.
Screenshots of Linux Mint 17.1 in Mate GUI
Desktop and Mint Menu
File manager
Program Manager
Control center
Linux openSUSE
openSUSE is also a great distribution for beginners. I put it in second place, because it seems to me that Mint is a little easier or something, but this is my personal opinion. By itself, openSUSE is a very powerful, popular and at the same time simple distribution, which is aimed just like Mint at ordinary home computer users. The default desktop environment here is KDE, and the openSUSE developers are actively involved in the development of KDE, so I think that openSUSE should only be installed with this graphical environment. We discussed the installation of this distribution in the material Installing Linux openSUSE, it is also very simple and even a beginner can handle it.
Screenshots of Linux openSUSE 13.2 in KDE GUI
Desktop and main menu
File manager
YaST control center
Linux Mageia
Linux Mageia is another distribution that will suit the novice Linux user. This distribution is also actively developed, has a good community, is very easy to install and manage ( the installation process we reviewed here), it is also aimed at beginners. The default desktop environment is KDE.
Screenshots of Linux Mageia 4.1 with KDE desktop environment
Desktop and menu
Control center
Program Management
The Linux distributions listed above are great options for beginners. This is where I propose to end good luck in mastering the Linux operating system.
Linux is a class of operating systems based on the kernel of the same name, which is distributed free of charge and has open source code. There are many implementations of operating systems that are based on the Linux kernel. Each such software package is called a Linux distribution.
Each distribution reflects a particular development group's vision of an "ideal" operating system. Therefore, the development branches of Linux differ not only in the scope, graphical interface, set of programs, but also in ideology, which often affects the final process of interaction with the OS.
Why choose Linux?
The indisputable and main advantage of Linux is its official free and free distribution. Nevertheless, such a licensing model also has inevitable negative aspects: the lack of a support service and any guarantees from the organization that releases the distribution kit, the complexity of development, and possible conflicts with application software.
Another complication is the large number of distributions, each with its own unique features. Choosing a distribution is a difficult task, but if you exclude the inherently complex systems designed for experienced technical specialists from the search, then you can consider only a few basic options.
Fedora
The Linux Fedora operating system is curated by Red Hat. This distribution is used exclusively with free licenses - the developers deliberately refused to use proprietary software. These include, for example, various device drivers or well-known plug-ins such as Adobe Flash and mp3. Thus, interaction with the system is complicated by the original ideology, which excludes the use of closed developments.
Distributions are implementations of operating systems based on the Linux kernel
There is no user support, and the project itself is used by Red Hat as a testing ground for the latest technologies. Failure to use proprietary drivers may cause the operating system to become unstable on some hardware. Thus, the distribution can hardly be called stable and convenient for use as a main system.
ubuntu
The distribution kit was initially focused on inexperienced users, which is why it acquired a number of characteristic features:
- comes with a set of ready-made software, which includes the LibreOffice office suite and the Mozilla Firefox browser;
- does not use the highest level of user rights by default. This greatly enhances the security and stability of the system;
- Ubuntu ideology supports the presence of proprietary software (eg Skype, Adobe Flash Player, etc.) in the official repository (software repository), which simplifies the configuration of the operating system.
Ubuntu is one of the most optimal distributions for mastering Linux.
Linux Mint
This branch of Linux development was originally based on Ubuntu, including the use of appropriate software repositories. Thus, Linux Mint inherits most of the advantages of Ubuntu, but also brings its own:
- the composition includes a special program that facilitates migration from Windows;
- proprietary drivers and codecs are included, as well as a set of necessary plug-ins, including Java and Flash;
- a graphical environment is used, in many ways reminiscent of the Windows interface.
Linux Mint, along with Ubuntu, can be called the most reliable and convenient version of Linux for use on a home computer and laptop. According to a number of ratings, Linux Mint is the most popular distribution as of 2016.
Debian
Debian is one of the oldest supported distributions. The system has proven to be extremely stable. Disadvantages include a huge amount of software that is difficult to understand at first, the need for customization after installation, and the lack of proprietary software. Debian can be described as a stable and user-friendly system, but it is worth starting to use after familiarizing yourself with simpler distributions such as Linux Mint or Ubuntu.
Linux Ubuntu is one of the most popular distributions.
How not to make a mistake with the choice?
A good practice before choosing a distribution is to test and compare several options beforehand - a kind of "test drive" that will help you make your final choice. There are two ways to conduct a preliminary acquaintance with the system: using the so-called live CD or using a virtual machine. In both the first and second cases, you first need to download the images of the installation disks of the distributions you are interested in.
Advice. Most modern distributions come in two versions: 32-bit and 64-bit. It is recommended to choose the 64-bit version as it provides maximum compatibility with different software. Also, a stable version (stable) and the latest (latest) can be provided for download. Stable is preferred.
Live CD preview
Most distributions installation disks allow not only to install the system on a hard disk, but also to run an evaluation version directly from a disk or USB drive. This option is called Live CD. Running the operating system from the installation disk has a number of limitations and is not intended for daily work, but it can be used to familiarize yourself with the distribution kit without resorting to installation on a hard disk.
The advantages of this method:
- the ability to check the stability of the distribution on a real PC configuration.
Flaws:
- the need to use additional hardware (DVD drives, USB drives);
- the need to restart the PC between the launch of various distributions.
Getting Started with a Virtual Machine
A virtual machine is a special software tool that allows you to emulate the operation of a personal computer. For a preliminary acquaintance with various distributions, you can recommend the free VirtualBox system.
Linux Mint - the best distribution for laptop and computer
The advantages of this method:
- no need to use additional hardware (DVD drives, USB drives);
- convenient work with several distributions at once without the need to restart the PC;
- the user can familiarize himself with the process of installing the operating system on the hard disk in advance.
Flaws:
- high performance requirements for a personal computer to provide emulation;
- the inability to check the stability of work on a real configuration (since emulation is used).
By familiarizing yourself with various distributions using a virtual machine or a Live CD, you will be able to experience the convenience of each in practice. Probably, after such a test, it will become easier for you to make a choice, and you can start installing Linux on your hard drive.
Attention! Running Linux from a Live CD or virtual machine does not make any changes to your computer's file system. Installing an operating system on a PC will require formatting and / or partitioning of the hard disk, which can lead to complete or partial loss of information. It is highly recommended to back up all important data before installation.
Which distribution kit to choose?
We can say that Linux Mint is by far the best choice for a home computer and laptop. It is a stable, easy to learn, beginner-oriented, and well-documented system with a large community around it. However, Linux Mint should not be considered the only viable option. Testing various distributions is a useful practice that will allow you to gain experience with Linux and form your own opinion about the various branches of development of this operating system.
Best Linux distributions - video
