8 Rocking Linux Distros
March 30, 2009 at 01:40:00 PM, by Blair Mathis
Defining the best Linux distros is like defining the best car--one does not exist; instead, the best cars are the ones that meet your needs, and your needs may vary wildly from the needs of another person. Just as an F150 might be the best vehicle for you and a Civic for me, Ubuntu might be what you need from Linux while I'll be fine with DSL.
The eight distros below are listed based on several different criteria--community, usability support, etc. This article avoids, for lack of a better word, "general" distros--for example, Debian isn't on the list because Ubuntu is; overall, Ubuntu is the better option for most users over Debian. This list covers several different types of distros: full desktop, LiveCD, and lightweight, etc.
Ubuntu
Let's say you're completely new to Linux, and you're looking for a place to start. You're the exact image of an everyday user--email, homework, Internet, music, slight photo editing--and you just want a distro that is easy, that you don't have to invest much time in learning, that works well, and that many other people use. If that sounds like you, then Ubuntu is the place to look.
Ubuntu is a full desktop operating system that is robust and regularly updated, and is based on Debian. It is easy for everyday users to use--there is a small learning curve and a large community. Most Linux tutorials found online are based on Ubuntu, which is another reason users new to Linux should give Ubuntu a serious look.
Installing Ubuntu is a simple task anyone can do, the most complicated task being choosing how much of the hard drive to give the install--and that only requires a check box and slider, so you can image how simple the rest is.
Software is free and open source, and can be downloaded via Add/Remove Applications, where you'll find almost every type of software you could want, all the way down to Japanese dictionaries and astronomy tools.
Ubuntu uses Gnome by default, but for those who prefer KDE, there's Kubuntu; Xubuntu uses XFCE for slower systems; Edubuntu is a version specifically for education; there's even Eeebuntu for Eee PC netbooks.
Sabayon
Sabayon is to Gentoo what Ubuntu is to Debian--it's a Gentoo fork, and a very good one at that. If you're having issues with Ubuntu, you have past experience with Gentoo, or you'd rather get your feet wet with Gentoo then Debian, give Sabayon a shot.
There are two versions of Sabayon--the full desktop version, and a mini version, which is ideal for older computer, low-capacity netbooks, or just to reduce the size of you install.
Sabayon is released as a LiveCD and can be easily installed from that. During installation, you can choose to install the default KDE interface, or instead add Gnome or XFCE. The rest of the installation is identical to Ubuntu, and involves selecting simple settings.
Desktop effects are activated by default in Sabayon, and coupling that with the default KDE guarantees more eye-candy than you can imagine. Installing software is now simple due to the Entropy package manager. You can scroll through the available software and check the box next to it to install the software.
Knoppix
One of the great things about Linux is just how versatile it can be. The above two distros are both full desktop distributions that are meant to completely replace Windows or Mac and do everything you could need. Knoppix, while a robust distro in it's own right, is different in that it was designed to be used as a LiveCD--run and used directly from the optical drive. Taking that a step further, this distro can be installed and run directly from a USB thumb drive; aside from that, Knoppix can be installed to the hard drive, but isn't the most comfortable to run that way.
Knoppix defaults with the KDE interface and is a relatively small distro. It, like Ubuntu, is based on Debian. It is ideal for those who want to access a computer with an inaccessible operating system, for backing up files off a hard drive with a corrupted OS, or for simply running a lightweight system on an old computer. One of the best features is it's ability to find and connect to just about any network.
It comes default with 1000 software packages and runs the LXDE, a lightweight and fast interface. If you want to use the operating system consistently, you can create a persistent home directory, which allows you to save your data for later access. In addition, you can save your data over the network on a different computer or onto a flash drive/hard drive.
Crunchbang
Crunchbang is touted as the lightweight Ubuntu. It is based off Ubuntu 8.10, but it is light and fast. It uses OpenBox instead of Gnome, and comes as an installable LiveCD just as Ubuntu does. If you're familiar with Ubuntu, then you're already have a good grasp on Crunchbang. The biggest difference over it's big brother, aside from the fast interface, is the automatic inclusion of proprietary devices, such as Adobe Flash, DVD support, video codecs (AVI, etc), and music codecs. In addition, it swaps out OOo for Abiword, a nature swap given it's lightweight nature.
This distro is ideal for those who enjoy Ubuntu, but don't want the bloat; also, it is the best option for those who want Ubuntu, but don't have the hardware to support the distro.
Puppy Linux
Puppy Linux is a completely independent distro and is actively updated and changed, and has a large user base--it is a LiveCD distro and is, like Knoppix, intended to run as a LiveCD or from a USB thumb drive. The difference comes in the fact that Puppy Linux is loaded into the RAM, allowing the physical disc to the be removed, whether a CD or USB drive.
It comes with a suite of apps that allow you to do all the basics: chat, Internet, email, photo editing, VoIP, etc. It is available in different 'puplets' which are versions of Puppy Linux that offer different feels/interfaces. A good example is Vesta Puppy, which is a joy to use.
PClinuxOS
This distro has worked it's way into the heart of many a Linux user, and is a popular option. It is based on Mandriva. It comes default with KDE and is available as a Gnome version. Software installation is simple with the Synaptic Package Manager via it's own software repository. A big feature of this distro is that it's easy to remake as your own via mklivecd.
Because of the mklivecd feature, there are many remastered and distributed versions of PCLOS, including lightweight options, different languages, versions specifically for businesses, etc.
If you want a desktop system that runs fast and has a versatility to make your own version, PClinuxOS is the distro for you.
Damn Small Linux
Damn Small Linux is only 50MB--you can't get smaller than this. The lightest, fastest Linux distro you can find, DSL is so small, you can easily keep it on your USB thumb drive as a tool when situations get sticky, for use on computer's that are not your own, and on systems that are so old, you couldn't run anything else. It can run completely within RAM (at least 128MB), making your computer as fast as possible.
This OS will expand dynamically as you add apps. It comes default with music and video player, an FTP client, web browsing chat, spellcheck, pdf viewer, PCMCIA and USB support games, ghost printer, and more. You can add items as you see fit, and save your data to a persistent directory or onto the extra space on a USB drive.
In addition, DSL can be run from directly within Windows, making it even more versatile.
Linux XP Desktop 2008
Lets say you're looking to switch from Windows to Linux, but the thought of a different interface terrifies you. Linux XP Desktop 2008 is probably the ideal distro for you, in that it was designed to specifically look like Windows Vista; if you're partial to the XP interface, look at Linux XP. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of info about the Linux distro, perhaps as a way to keep the distro as non-frightening as possible.
It appears to be based off Debian, though that is not confirmed. It uses WINE as a way to allow you to run many different Windows apps. Overall, if you're trying to escape from the Windows-sphere, I recommend jumping into a 'normal' distro, such as Ubuntu or Sabayon. If, however, you're adamant about having as familiar of an interface as possible, Linux XP can be a good stepping stone.
The unfortunate part of this is that it is shareware--after 30 days, you have to buy a license, which many feels goes against everything Linux stands for.
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JG at 02:47, February 24, 2010
Great article but all those it's should be its !!!
dw at 15:42, November 24, 2009
what about vector excellent distro
Ian at 21:04, July 04, 2009
Slax. I am not an advanced user but do enjoy pressing buttons to see what happens. Slax is FANTASTIC. For Windows or any other users you need change nothing. No install, no iso burn etc etc as it is run off a USB pendrive (or live CD). There is a great community, visual-wise blows DSL or Puppy out of the water and...well for 190mb, just try it. Slax dot org and you're good to go. You will never look back.
edge at 03:57, June 18, 2009
Agree with above about siltaz but still not the smallest. And an OS that will expand dynamically as you add apps, gee I can't think of any distro that desn't do that. Distros should work for you that is the bottom line.
Rakesh Mistry at 17:43, May 12, 2009
Hi all, I enjoyed this thread. I was a Vista user. Have used MS products since i was a child as Linux seemed the unknown. Because of this thread though, ive started using Ubuntu. IM CONVERTED
manmath sahu at 03:16, May 11, 2009
hi writer, you missed two great linux desktop distros - Mepis and Mint.
BC at 14:34, April 07, 2009
ClarkConnect is the best server/firewall for under 50 users (i.e. SMB) that I've come across...hands down.
Nikesh at 05:23, April 07, 2009
wow, can you believe that there is no Fedora, OpenSuse, Mint, etc ... in the "Rocking Linux Distros"
wow gold at 04:02, April 07, 2009
Greeting! What do you think of wow gold? I always lack of wow gold to buy some great item for my char before the wow patch 3.1 and I need to do wow power leveling for the cheapest wow gold or I have to search cheap wow gold on google search. The world changed since the 3.1 patch released. Short of buy wow gold for me wasn't so high frequency now. And I’m curious why this situation happened? The items became cheap? Or we can farm wow gold much easy? Hope someone can give me an answer.
Marco at 20:19, April 04, 2009
I think you should take a look to slitaz linux. The smallest linux distro ever! only 30 mb and includes Firefox!
DH at 14:13, April 03, 2009
Wheres Linux Mint?!
dz at 05:58, April 03, 2009
which "theme" did you use in this ubuntu-pic?