this post was submitted on 10 Feb 2024
496 points (94.9% liked)

Linux

48208 readers
720 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Ubuntu's popularity often makes it the default choice for new Linux users. But there are tons of other Linux operating systems that deserve your attention. As such, I've highlighted some Ubuntu alternatives so you can choose based on your needs and requirements—because conformity is boring.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 24 points 9 months ago (30 children)

Y'all seriously overestimate thr average user:

Debian. It's simple, stable, minimal upkeep, rarely if ever has breaking changes, and all this out of the box.

Someone new doesn't need to be thrown in the deep end for their first foray into linux, they want an experience like windows or mac: simple interface, stable system, some potential for getting their hands dirty but not too much to worry about breaking

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Debian is good until you need to install a PPA :\

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

"PPA" is Ubuntu's branding for third party repositories. So, of course you will have a hard time adding a Ubuntu-specific third-party repository to anything that isn't the Ubuntu version it's made for...

Debian of course supports third party repos, just like Ubuntu. On Debian they just aren't called "PPA".


For more information on how to add third party repos to Debian (or Ubuntu, if you don't use Canonical's weird tooling), check out the Debian Wiki page on UseThirdParty or SourcesList. There's also an (incomplete) list of third party repositories on the wiki: Unofficial. And just like with PPAs, anyone can host a Debian repo.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (28 replies)