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Oracle Linux is an enterprise-class Linux distribution supported by Oracle and built from source packages for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Some of the special features of Oracle Linux include a custom-build and rigorously-tested Linux kernel called "Oracle Unbreakable Kernel", tight integration with Oracle's hardware and software products including most database applications, and "zero downtime patching" - a feature that enables administrators to update the kernel without a reboot.
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Notes: In case where multiple versions of a package are shipped with a distribution, only the default version appears in the table. For indication about the GNOME version, please check the "nautilus" and "gnome-shell" packages. The Apache web server is listed as "httpd" and the Linux kernel is listed as "linux". The KDE desktop is represented by the "plasma-desktop" package and the Xfce desktop by the "xfdesktop" package.
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Star Labs
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
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Installer sucks bad. Freezes and has other issues.
If you can't get past the installer part reliably why would you trust this to run your server?
Inconsistent release cycles. 6 releases in 12 years? Come on...no thanks.
It just feels like a very unstable and outdated RHEL clone that has nothing special to offer. Whatever this distro can do RHEL does it better. Since this is supposed to be a server distro there is literally zero reason to pick this over RHEL. None whatsoever.
This is an enterprise class distro you may safely rely on. Basically, OL now serves the niche where CentOS used to sit backed up by the tech giant Oracle the same way as CentOS was backed up by Red Hat. It also has nice additions such as UEK and paid Oracle support for those who need it.
While probably unpopular, my opinion is that Oracle behind this RHEL incarnation makes this distro a much more preferable choice in the long run as compared to those distros trying to replace CentOS (Rocky, Alma, etc.). Their credibility and commitment including the ability to sustainably finance their goals are doubtful to me. I don't see any reason why free OL is inferior to those initiatives while I welcome the community efforts. Oracle for many years follows its commitment to provide lifetime free unlimited access to the OL distro and repositories.
Functionally, with OL you get the same RHEL as the RHEL itself, so there is no difference substantially.
Version: 9.0 Rating: 9 Date: 2022-07-12 Votes: 10
Great! I was testing it on a spare computer tower I had that I thought was pretty much "dead." I thought that Oracle was a reputable company and they do so much for the Unix/Linux world (including contributions to the Linux kernel,) I thought why not give this old computer one last try? I installed it and it worked! I couldn't believe it! It was like a miracle! Some flatpaks don't work, but I think it's because it's an old computer. I seemed to always get an error message using ones that did work but worked ok. VLC worked ok when I tested it. I use to not be so much of a fan of their install prompts ("Fedora style" -- unless they've changed it recently), but I felt this time was easier to use. I thought it was pretty reasonable. Only slightly more difficult than the Linux Mint/Ubuntu type install. Oracle install still helps you if you run into problems. The first time I experimented with a live USB, I thought it was weird when I clicked on "help" at the top of the screen... I couldn't get back out of it to the main install prompts. That was a small problem that I would dismiss.
I gave it 9 because I don't like the Gnome desktop. With install you can have a user or choose not to. It was a bit fiddly to setup and when typing in terminal and having to do some things in root. So you may have to go to settings to fix it up. The ISO was also a bit large, I downloaded the "full install" version and maybe could have downloaded more minimal versions. But maybe I was suppose to download the biggest one to bring back my old computer to life? Uses Wayland which I think it's a step forwards as what computer enthusiast tell me. I played videos, music file fine. I thought I had set the timezone correctly when there was something wrong with "certificates" in the browser. Make sure you choose the right time zone!
On startup, it still shows Linux Mint as a distro that I had previously had trouble running without fiddling with the boot menu each time (on my main computer it works fine – it’s a great distro no doubt.) It has a choice of kernels that are unbreakable and some not. You have 4 seconds to choose and you stop the countdown by pressing up or down with the arrow keys. It seemed to stabalize more on a second reboot, but not everyone will experience this.
Oracle is new to me but I’ll definitely consider using it in the future on my old machine. I heard about what happened to CentOS and all I can say is give Oracle a try! Even if it’s a big corporation!
Only thing I have not tested yet is printing. You’ll have to see other reviews for that. Internet works for wired and wireless no problems.
I found it interesting they use their own packages for software like Firefox. My main concern now is if Flatpaks works well on modern computers with Oracle Linux? More and more companies like Telegram only offer downloads in Flatpaks and Snaps and we know Ubuntu is pushing hard on Snaps.
It’s a very modern, smart distro. At least consider it!
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