There are currently over 600 Linux distributions available. They differ from each other with the installed software, graphical environment and package managers. Much depends on which “branch” of operating systems the given distribution is derived from. The community has long noticed that every user has different needs. For this reason, there have been created systems based on stable and long-developed distributions such as Red Hat or Debian, but intended for office work, Internet browsing, or working with multimedia.
The advantage of Linux, of course, is that it can be adapted to your needs. Often, however, human laziness means that most users opt for ready-made and proven solutions. For this reason, we advise new users of the system with the penguin logo to use one of the most popular distributions. This will help us to find a better place in the new work environment, which is not difficult considering that most tasks can be done using graphic wizards and managers. We present 5 popular and developed Linux distributions.
Elementary OS design will appeal to Apple system users. The goal of the creators was to create a Linux distribution, which will be primarily aesthetic thanks to the simplicity of the graphical interface. Elementary OS was created on the basis of Ubuntu, and the graphic environment called Pantheon is actually a modified GNOME. What for some is an advantage, for others it will be a disadvantage. Elementary OS is a system for people who like simplicity and use the computer for simple, everyday tasks.
While Elementary OS is based on Ubuntu, the popular operating system is based on Debian. An advantage of Ubuntu is the community and periodically introduced subsequent versions of the operating system by Canonical. Ubuntu has its own package manager, but it also has programs designed for Debian.
Another branch of Linux distribution are those from Red Hat. The most popular of them is without a doubt Fedora, which is used both on desktops and in server applications. The project is being developed thanks to the support of Red Hat, which also offers a commercial version of its operating system under the name Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Fedora is supposed to be an innovative system. In subsequent distributions, there are solutions that are delayed by other distributions.
The operating system Manjaro works in the KDE, XFCE and GNOME graphic environments. It is based on Arch Linux, but unlike it is more user-friendly. Manjaro has its own software repository called AUR, but it can also use the Arch Linux package manager named Pacman. The creators of Manjaro want it to remain compatible with Arch Linux while ensuring the most intuitive operation.
Linux Mint, like Elementary OS, is based on Ubuntu. Its creators also use closed software, thanks to which users can use many audio and video codecs immediately after installing the operating system. This philosophy is at odds with the conservative approach of Canonical, which only puts Ubuntu software on free licenses. Mint attracts users with simplicity and graphic managers, thanks to which in most cases we simply “click through” to the optimal system settings.