Linux is, in simplest terms, an operating system. It is the software on a
computer that enables applications and the computer operator to access
the devices on the computer to perform desired functions. The operating
system (OS) relays instructions from an application to, for instance,
the computer's processor. The processor performs the instructed task,
then sends the results back to the application via the operating system.
Linux is very similar to other operating systems, such as Windows and OS
X. Unlike Windows and Mac OS, In Linux, you have a lots of choice to
make your Operating system based on your Interest.
We have collected and filtered out the best of the Linux Distros of the
year from the huge list of Linux Distributions out there for Linux
world.
Best Linux Distributions
# Day-to-day use (General Purpose) Distros
Ubuntu and Kubuntu
Ubuntu is the Popular Linux Distribution out there and has followed by
the most users after the Proprietary Operating systems like Windows and
Mac OS. Ubuntu is based on Debian. It has its own collection software
repository. One can easily install any Linux Software Applications using
the terminal or Ubuntu Software center. Kubuntu is the Official
derivative of Ubuntu Operating system which uses the KDE Based desktop
environment instead of the Ubuntu’s Unity GUI.
Linux Mint
Linux Mint is the most Loved Linux Distribution among the New Users. It
is because, Mint is elegant, modern and comfortable and offers some
Proprietary software packages for media Playback. Mint offers two GNOME
based Desktop environments: Mate and Cinnamon. The Mate is designed from
the Outdated GNOME 2 desktop and cinnamon is modern and gives neat
menus and awesome Nemo which is much like Windows explorer. It is based
on Ubuntu and Debian.
Debian
Debian Linux is the one of the most Popular Linux Distribution for
Servers and Personal computers. Many Linux Distros derived from the
Debian operating system. Because, it is considered as the solid Linux.
Debian Project offers the Software repository which has a wide range of
Free Linux Software applications in one Place.
Fedora
Fedora is developed by the Fedora Community and owned by the Red Hat.
Fedora has very short life cycle, every 6 months new version will be
release and maintenance period in only 13 months. Last few years, it has
come with many server oriented features rather desktop oriented. That
makes many beginners t switch over to the other Linux Distributions. It
has developed its own Linux Software applications and uses them before
any Linux Distros.
OpenSUSE
OpenSUSE is general-purpose operating system for every people, though it
excels in the Enterprise environment. This OpenSUSE project is
supported by Open-Source community and sponsored by SUSE and other
companies. OpenSUSE supports thousands of free Linux Applications. It
offers many Desktop environments such as GNOME, KDE, LXDE GUI’s. SUSE
includes an installation and administration program called YaST which
handles hard disk partitioning, system setup, RPM package management.
Although the Package installer is not easy like Ubuntu.
Slackware
Slackware is one of the earliest operating system that built-on top of
the Linux kernel. This Distro is not New Linux users, because it
requires some Knowledge of Linux. So the Advanced users can use this
Operating System effectively. Slackware is stable in design and simple,
and it is more likely provide the Unix-like Linux Distro. It doesn’t
provide any GUI based Administration tools and so you have to use the
command-line to modify any changes. Linux distributions have switched to
the more advanced GRUB, but the Slackware simply sits on LILO which is a
simple Linux Boot Loader.
PCLinuxOS (PCLOS)
PCLinuxOS is the free Linux Distribution that developed from Mandriva
Linux Package. It mainly targets personal computer users and provides
ease of use interface, applications. You can use the apt-rpm and the
Synaptic Package Manager to install RPM Packages in your system. You can
play any multimedia files in PCLOS, all media codes pre-installed.
Mageia
Mageia is forked from the Mandriva Linux distribution. It was developed
by the former Mandriva employees and other users, supporters of
Mandriva. KDE is the default desktop environment, however you can choose
the GNOME as your Desktop GUI. You can install RPM Packages in Mageia.
Gentoo
Genoo is not recommended for Linux Beginners. This Operating system
built on top of Linux kernel and based on the portage package management
system. Unlike traditional software distribution, You have to compile
the software packages in your own system based on your configuration.
Installing the Gentoo Operating system is very time-consuming process.
Because It download all the package source codes from the internet for
you to compile locally. If you select many packages during the
installation, then it may take hours to days for the installation.
Sabayon
Sabayon is the Gentoo-based Linux Distribution. It provides wide range
“Out of the box” Linux Applications and pre-configured operating system
that builds on Solid platform. It has its own software repository and a
package management system called Entropy. Portgage is inherited from
Gentoo. Unlike Portgage, the Entropy compiles the software and gives
only the Binaries to the system. It supports the following Desktop GUIs:
GNOME, KDE, Xfce, and MATE. It can be installed within 30 minutes not
like Gentoo.
Chakra
Chakra is based on the Arch Linux Distribution, and it is the best
looking KDE Linux Distro available for Linux Users. Chakra does not have
scheduled release system but uses a “Half-Rolling release” system. It
has its own official repository and user-driven repository.
Knoppix
Knoppix is the Debian based Operating system which is the first OS
available as LiveCD to boot directly from PenDrive or memory card.
Knoppix available as two editions: CD edition and DVD edition. 1000
software packages are included on the CD edition, and more than 2600 are
included on the DVD edition. It comes with 3 different Desktop
Environments: By default LXDE, GNOME and KDE.
#Light-Weight Linux Distributions
Bodhi Linux
Bodhi Linux is one the best Light-weight Linus Distro that is based on
Ubuntu and uses the Enlightenment Window Manager. By default the Bodhi
Linux does not have any software packages other than basic Applications
like File browser (EFM), Browser (Midori) and a Terminal emulator. Bodhi
Linux has a list of Light-weighted Linux Software Applications in
online database that can be installed one click using apturl. Since it
is based on Ubuntu, you can install any packages that was created for
Ubuntu.
Puppy Linux
PuppyLinux is the most loved Lightweight Linux Distribution. It only
runs on minimal memory and provides easy to use interface, features. You
can run the entire system on the RAM itself, it only takes 130MB memory
only.
By default the lightweight wordProcessor (Abi Word),
MediaPlayer(Mplayer) and lightweight web browsers included. It has its
own Package manager. The Packages are identified .pet extensions. You
can install any Packages from the Puppy repository and other users
developed Puppy repositories.
This Puppy Linux is most useful for older computers and netbooks. Since it has been using only smaller memory footprints.
Linux Lite
Linux Lite 1.0.6 is a distribution that aims to change that by making
Linux more accessible to less tech-savvy users. Linux Lite is based on
Ubuntu, and it uses the Xfce 4.8 desktop environment. Linux Lite is
available in 32-bit or 64-bit versions.
Porteus
Porteus is the Portable Lightweight operating system that has been
derived from the Slackware Linux. You don’t need install this Linux OS
in Hard Disk, you can directly run this Linux Distro from the USB Flash
Drive or CD. However, if you need, you can install in the Hard Disk.
Like Puppy, Poreteus also directly runs from the RAM memory, so it is
very fast.
Currently, Porteus comes with the LXDE and KDE desktops.
Lubuntu
Lubuntu is derived from the Ubuntu but uses the LXDE desktop environment
that makes the Lubuntu as a Lightweight Linux distribution.LXDE is
known for lighter and less memory hungry and more energy efficient
interface. Lubuntu includes many default applications like Ubuntu such
as Synaptics Package Manager, Abiword, Mplayer etc..You can also install
the Linux Applications from Ubuntu Respository.
CrunchBang Linux
CrunchBang is the lightweight Linux Distribution that is derived from
the Debian. It uses the OpenBox Desktop environment with GTK+ as a
default GUI. It is very light on resources,so that one can run this on
old as well as new computers.
Tiny Core Linux
Tiny Core Linux is known for its size 12 MB. It is the minimal Linux OS
that only focuses on the base system using Busybox and FLTK. You can
extend the Tiny Core Linux by installing many extensions from the
package manager. If you want to install the Tiny Core on your Hard Disk,
first you have install the Installer from the package manager.
# Linux OS for Specific Purpose
Kali Linux
Kali Linux is derived from the Debian Linux and it is specially
developed for the Digital foresics and Network Penetration testing. Kali
Linux was rewritten from the Back Track Linux Operating system.
Kali Linux Pre-installed with numerous peneteration testing applications
such as nmap (a port scanner), Wireshark (a packet analyzer), John the
Ripper (a password cracker), and Aircrack-ng (a software suite for
penetration-testing wireless LANs).
Parted Magic
Parted Magic Linux Disto provides the complete Hard Disk Management
solutions. It has loaded with hard disk partitioning tools, Disk
cloning, Data Rescue, Disk Erasing and bench mark testing tools.
You can partition your hard drive, rescue files, reset windows password
to rescue files, retrieve dat from the disk even if it shows read
errors. It has system stability checker, stress tesing tools and more.
SystemRescueCD
SystemRescueCD is not the general operating system. It is specifically
designed to repair unbootable or otherwise damaged computer systems
after a system crash.
SystemRescueCD has come with several Computer Rescueing tools like GNU
Parted and GParted to partition disks and re-size partitions, including
FAT32 and NTFS, fdisk to edit the disk partition table, File system
tools, Ability to create boot disk, Support for Windows registry editing
and password changing from Linux.
Joli Linux
Joli Linux is Lightweight and Responsive Linux Operating that runs on
the Cloud. You can run the apps in offline too. You can refresh your old
computer or netbooks by installing the Joli Linux. All your Software
updated automatically, no need manual update. You will get full cloud
experience, once you signup with Joli Cloud.
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