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| Reader Comments • Jump to last comment |
1 • Poll (by DaveW on 2022-12-19 02:19:26 GMT from United States)
This poll could use the ability to select multiple choices. I would have checked Immutable as well as Desktop.
2 • Thank you (by MrChilly0 on 2022-12-19 02:24:31 GMT from United States)
Thank you again for another great year of reviews, insights, and of course the updates on distros!
3 • Great year (by Jules Ambrosi on 2022-12-19 02:34:46 GMT from Australia)
A briilliant year of reviews and updates on distros!
Thank you and keep up the great work....
4 • One stop shop (by Jerry Bezencon on 2022-12-19 02:39:38 GMT from New Zealand)
One of my most visited sites online. Love the Questions and Answers, Polls, Reviews, and checking out new releases to the free software and open source family. Thank you to Ladislav, Jesse and everyone else who contributes to this invaluable resource. Still going strong after 21 years!
5 • Linux Mint (by Heinrich on 2022-12-19 02:43:27 GMT from United States)
I ran Mint for a couple of years and still recommend it to Windows refugees. But for me, that’s just it—all of its editions are basically Windows clones, and I don’t like Windows. (I always find it ironic how many Linux users say they hate Windows but refuse to use any DE that doesn’t mimic the desktop layout Microsoft invented in 1995, with the system tray and start menu.) I also disliked not being able to upgrade to new versions without reinstallation, though iirc Mint finally made that an option.
6 • Desktop and prayer (by Antoine on 2022-12-19 02:43:46 GMT from Brazil)
In general I like the "desktop" field of distros, specially those with some focus that makes them different (so, going also to the poll categories of multimedia, privacy, or different WM or software repositories). I also need so much, if anyone feel that may pray for me, I'm so unpurposed in what to do and sadly alone; I thank and will also be praying for anyone that comments. Thanks, Jesse, for the newsletter.
7 • Distro Ratings (by sooth-sayer on 2022-12-19 02:46:07 GMT from United States)
I am a bit surprised of your choice of Mint and Tails -- I gave up on Mint years back as it had very poor default light green theme - making screens unreadable to me -- and Tails that I could never run successfully.
I do run Septor and MXLinux.
Thanks for all your work on reviewing these to keep us informed.
8 • Desktops (by Trihexagonal on 2022-12-19 03:52:15 GMT from United States)
I'm an end-user general purpose desktop kind of guy, I always have music playing through headphones when I'm online, do graphic manipulation with Gimp on a daily basis, download and watch music videos and post in forums to socialize now and then.
But I don't get Saturday Night distro fever or get excited about the new version release of an OS I've used close to 20 years. FreeBSD and Kali GNU/Linux all I use and according to those that can't use either, neither are suitable for or considered to be desktop oriented Operating Systems.
It doesn't matter what the general consensus is about it's designated purpose (That's not a desktop OS, that's a a server) or care what you think it's what it's not intended for. (Why, you don't even have a Certificate saying you know how to run it..It's not fair...}
A screenshot is worth a thousand words and a thousand screenshots speak louder than words.
Oh, but I digress, you play sorry, I play chess. King's pawn to b3, checkmate, go get some percocets.
9 • favorite OS (by tomposter on 2022-12-19 04:54:55 GMT from United States)
My personal favorite Desktop OS is Mint MATE, which my wife has been using daily without complaint, for years. It just works. There must be some magical spy-ware hiding in there somewhere because those guys at Mint have been reading my mind.
MX is also very good.
Most interesting is EasyOS.
10 • End-of-year thoughts (by AdamB on 2022-12-19 05:22:09 GMT from Australia)
Firstly, I would like to add my thanks to Jesse and the DistroWatch team for producing and maintaining such a valuable resource.
In regard to systems of interest to me, I use both server systems (without a DE), and physical machines with a Desktop Environment - the server systems are either virtual machines or Raspberry Pi's.
As for choice of DE, I prefer MATE, though I am prepared to try out other DEs which are equally traditional. Microsoft occasionally gets something right, and the Windows 98 / Windows 2000 desktop arrangement was seriously right. Fashionable non-traditional user interfaces just get in my way, to the point of making me angry. [Dinosaur rant].
I am continuing my migration away from systemd, and in the last year I have added Artix to my team of Devuan and Void installations.
When I installed Void, a MATE spin was available, and that is what I installed. From memory, the essential facilities, including sound, worked from the beginning - perhaps the component necessary to get sound working was included in that spin.
In summary, I am on the lookout for non-systemd systems, and am interested tn the development of new toolkits for desktop environments, because I am worried about MATE's dependence on GTK.
11 • Re: @5 Linux Mint (by Heinrich on 2022-12-19 02:43:27 GMT from United States) (by Pumpino on 2022-12-19 06:21:15 GMT from Australia)
I don't know that all Mint editions are like Windows. I think Mint is very polished and focussed on appearance, but the functionaliy is no different to other distros. I'd suggest that KDE is the DE most like Windows.
I recently switched from XFCE to Cinnamon. I find Cinnamon is a more mature and polished version of Gnome or Mate. My main distro is Manjaro, but I decided to install Mint due to the Mint devs being the creators of Cinnamon. I added the Vera repo in order to receive the very latest updates to Cinnamon. Everything just works. It feels slick. I see why many people prefer it to Ubuntu.
12 • Favorite OS (by Elcaset on 2022-12-19 06:29:02 GMT from United States)
My favorite mobile OS is Murena. As for desktop, MX GNU/Linux with KDE Plasma. Thanks Distrowatch for your service. It is greatly appreciated!
13 • fave distro/poll question (by matt on 2022-12-19 06:31:29 GMT from United States)
I thought the poll question could have used an all of the above option, but that's nitpicking.
I would like to see a focus on arm/risc-v, as well as smaller projects, or linux /bsd supported hardware.
Fave:distro. For me it's debian, and it usually is. Been running it for years, it's an incredible project when you think about it
14 • Mint, but... (by MintBut on 2022-12-19 07:33:40 GMT from Spain)
Yes, Mint is my favorite linux distro aswell, but...
... the Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE), but...
... with the Xfce desktop.
Otherwise, for me the best one would be Sparky (stable ed. with Xfce, of course).
Happy Christmas, Jesse!
15 • Recovering sudo access (by Alexandru on 2022-12-19 08:11:59 GMT from Romania)
I was sure the main way to login into a system without knowing the user / root password is to chroot in it from some live media (preferable from its installation media, which ensures compatibility of tools).
16 • today's poll (by Dr.J on 2022-12-19 08:29:19 GMT from Germany)
I chose "other" because I could not check more than one box. The beauty of Linux is that it covers a very wide range. Of course, the desktop is the base, but it's already modified when it comes to media (thanks to Kodi and VLC and many other programs). If something goes wrong, a rescue system is essential (I like systemrescue). Privacy is always an issue (I like Whonix as a Tor gateway), free software the basis, etc. Really pleased and excited for me is the mobile area, because there is still too much "Android" in our house.
17 • Favorite Distro (by Ed on 2022-12-19 11:34:16 GMT from South Africa)
For me there are two favorites here:
*Debian* (stable) for systems I do not use often or are used by other people in my house.
My NASs are on Openmediavault which also runs on Debian - headless but with a Web Interface.
I do not like some design decisions of OMV. e.g. difficulties to use the interface with just a keyboard, the way configuration is handled and the overdependence on Docker for even basic tasks. The latter has worsened with the latest version.
If I were not lazy and did not like the look of the web interface I might run my own utilities (Syncthing and Baikal) on plain Armbian.
I run Debian for 20 years now. My oldest machine runs it without new installation for more than eight years.
*Manjaro* (stable) for my own desktop for four years now. I like the latest software and combined with AUR I think there are as much or even more packages available than in the Debian repositories.
I mostly do office work, some media consumption, web design and occasionally programming.
Desktop has been KDE since version 1.
18 • Best Distros (by kc1di on 2022-12-19 12:12:50 GMT from United States)
Am a desktop user, Just general stuff. Been doing this since 1990's
Favorite desktops in order:
XFCE4
Cinnamon
KDE.
Favorite distros:
Mint
PCLinuxOS
MX
Kubuntu
Nothing Earth Shattering here. But all those have pluses minuses. Each provides good solid DE experience. Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
19 • Which distro category interests you? (by James on 2022-12-19 12:31:30 GMT from United States)
I voted Desktop and I use Linux for my daily driver. Yet I keep one older laptop with Parrot OS for when I feel the need for privacy and security.
20 • Thanks (by john on 2022-12-19 13:06:02 GMT from United Kingdom)
Hi Thanks to all involved for another good year of Distrowatch. Whether you celebrate or not at this time of year enjoy and stay safe.
Do to limitations of hardware desktop is usually limited to Xfce, sometimes LXQt
Distros we use
MX for anything and sometimes everything.
Sparky for audio and video.
Pardus for documentation.
SolydX for development
21 • Desktop Voter (by TuxEgo on 2022-12-19 13:32:33 GMT from United Kingdom)
I'm using MX Plasma (Desktop) and Mint Cinnamon (Laptop) for the past year. I'm likely to go all Mint after next format/reset. I'll be keeping a USB with MX on it, naturally, for its excellent tool-set and versatility. Both distros just keep getting better.
22 • Mint, I left it (by Hank on 2022-12-19 13:58:19 GMT from France)
Some years ago I left mint taking supported users with me. Updates failed to run smoothly over some months. Moved on to manjaro which I liked but also ran in to a difficult phase.
Now run and support antiX with ICEWM and for selected users MX Linux. I very rarely hear any complaints, had one recent update issue, user had not updated for more than 3 months... Fix took me less than 30 minutes.
The toolset of antiX and MX is pretty much unique in the linux world. Makes for a very happy user base and admin.
23 • Murena /e/OS (by Geo. on 2022-12-19 14:31:48 GMT from Canada)
Yes. I agree, Murena /e/OS seems to be the path of least resistance for a non-Google/Apple mobile OS. It will be my next project.
😉
24 • Favorite Distro (by dkmillares on 2022-12-19 14:44:55 GMT from Brazil)
For my use and taste, the favorite distro of 2022 is Slackware 15.
25 • Favourite (by Friar Tux on 2022-12-19 15:36:57 GMT from Canada)
@22 (Hank) For me the opposite is true. I only run Mint/Cinnamon. I have discarded all the other distros as each, so far, breaks at updates/upgrades. Mint has never had a "lost-time" issue for the six years The Wife and I, each, have used it. It always runs perfect straight out-of-box every time. No adjustments or fiddling required. All updates/upgrades go without a hitch.
I agree with @11 (Heinrich) that "Cinnamon is a more mature and polished version of Gnome or Mate". I also see it as a more simplified, and polished, version of KDE. (KDE used to be my favourite DE until it started having issues, and stopped working.)
26 • Favourite Distro (by t30 on 2022-12-19 15:57:54 GMT from Italy)
2022 has prompted me to focus primarily on an d.e. (KDE) and two distributions: Kubuntu and Fedora KDE spin. Kubuntu 22.10 (after the disappointing 22.04) runs flawlessly and is beginner-friendly. Fedora KDE spin has clearly surpassed the Workstation in stability and speed, even if it is a distribution suitable for users with average experience. Reputable Linux distributions decrease in number but improve in quality.
27 • Favorite ("Best") Distro (by Otis on 2022-12-19 17:32:11 GMT from United States)
MX Linux, of course. Not infected with systemd and fast and wonderfully reliable. The very best of the bunch and has been for a long time.
The poll seems interesting in that no room for overlap, as I agree with post above about Desktop but adding Multimedia as too important to not consider equal. Fine. ;o)
28 • Favorite Distro (by bittermann on 2022-12-19 18:06:49 GMT from United States)
My favorite is Mint with the cinnamon desktop environment. For Arch users Manjaro with Xfce is very polished and works well.
29 • No LM for me. (by MK on 2022-12-19 18:36:24 GMT from Israel)
I am afraid LM is not my cup of tea. Never liked the smell of its green stuff. With that out of the way, Ubuntu is Ubuntu done right.
30 • Mint - a windows clone, not for serious work? (by Will on 2022-12-19 21:15:41 GMT from United States)
Ha! Ridiculous. Pick your desktop and do what you want with it. I like Cinnamon cuz it just works with mint and it's not windows... but XFCE and Mate work too and they aren't windows either.. not in look, not in feel, and most assuredly not in functionality. I heart mint and use it as reference for other distros that I run - Ubuntu and Debian primarily, with the occasional foray into Suse and Fedora (not a fan of rpms, though). I'm a programmer, so ymmv as to whether its for your serious use or not, but mint lets me run every language and utility my heart desires. I generally set up and install:
vi :)
rbenv and ruby
miniconda and python and tk
c, c++, etc.
dotnet
various ideas including vscode, rider, pycharm, rubymine, etc.
mysql/mariadb/sqlite
php, apache, nginx, etc.
git, fossil, mercury
various version of qt & gtk
julia, lisp, r, and other niche languages
All work flawlessly.
I also use VLC, shotcut, OBS, audacity, and a host of media tools.
Somebody help me understand, what doesn't it do that distro X does that isn't super niche.
31 • favorite distro & cat (by Pogi Americano on 2022-12-19 21:33:30 GMT from United States)
Favorite distro is MX Linux with KDE desktop. I like it because it is easy to install, setup and update. It's also very stable with a ton of software available. The distro category that interests me the most is desktop. I do a lot of research (online & library) and writing (online & paper). Also, I normally have my tunes playing in the background while working.
32 • Category (by Cheker on 2022-12-19 23:55:30 GMT from Portugal)
I usually take interest in the libre distros. I'm not going to run them myself but I have a great respect for them and what the devs are trying to accomplish, and I like seeing them succeed.
I will now patiently await issue 1000.
33 • Which distro excites me the most? (by penguinx86 on 2022-12-20 02:36:37 GMT from United States)
I answered 'other' because there was no option for 'laptop'. I like plain boring Xfce and 100% compatibility with my laptop hardware. I want a distro that just works, with no driver hassles. But if a distro doesn't work with my Wifi first try, I get annoyed and switch to something else. That's the kind of 'excitement' that I want to avoid!
34 • My favourite (by longsearch on 2022-12-20 03:19:46 GMT from Australia)
I'm happy with AlmaLinux 9 as I'm set for the next 10 years (I think the hardware, which is about seven years old already, will die before the distro) and like the above commenter I want to avoid excitement.
With the addition of EPEL and RPM Fusion I have everything I need (which is pretty basic, browser, email, word processor, music player and video) from the repos.
I also have no issues with GNOME, but Plasma and XFCE are also easy enough to set up if that's what you prefer.
Have also enabled Flatpaks but don't generally have much luck with them and it'd only be for stuff I needed that didn't find its way into those repos.
However for someone else wanting that stuff, you could have a working base system for 10 years with the latest software (in theory, anyway).
35 • My favorite distribution.. (by Bobbie Sellers on 2022-12-20 05:47:28 GMT from United States)
PCLinuxOS is my favorite but I started on the C=64 went on to an Amiga and stayed with than until the old A2000b with the 68060 card gave up the ghost then moved on to Linux which I had
been trying out in the form of Mandriva and Knoppix. I continued with Mandriva until it went under then found 2014 PCLinux, tried out Mageia and 2016-03 went back to PCLinux0S 64. It is a rolling release and I don't mind checking for updates as often as daily.
/quote
[bliss@localhost PCLinuxOS_64-2022]$ uname -a
Linux 6.0.14-pclos1 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Mon Dec 19 09:47:29 CST 2022 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
/unquote
Another feature is the PCLinuxOS Users Forum which is lively most of the time with problems and samples of artwork presented a Screenshots of the (particular) Month feature and they publish a Monthly Newsletter with some interesting articles in several electronic version and
I always get the .pdf which is free. Several thousand registered and it is free, though donations are discretely requested.
36 • favourite(s) (by zhymm on 2022-12-20 14:52:12 GMT from United States)
I used Manjaro for several years as my main OS. Two years ago I switched to MX Linux (I wanted some debian stability). Earlier this year I switched back to Manjaro on desktop, though I still have MX Linux on my laptop.
37 • Favorite Distro (by Semiarticulate on 2022-12-20 15:11:55 GMT from United States)
I concur that Mint has very much been consistent over the years. When I need an OS that just lets me get work done with no fuss, Linux Mint is what I will install. My workstation has been running Mint for years now with zero issue. For me, Linux Mint, above all others, feels like the desktop operating system we were hoping for from the very beginning.
38 • Solus friends ! Solus (by Saul on 2022-12-20 16:06:41 GMT from United States)
Mint certainly is exceptional. I agree with all posted compliments and know that many more are deserved. It seems to have advanced even the public perceptions of linux by being so reliably good for so long. I've used it since version 4.0 and will continue to rely on it for certain things.
I think one basis for its stability and polish is that the development team also controls the desktop environments they're using. If I'm wrong about that, then at least those DEs are not developing rapidly (Xfce). So less time is spent adjusting to changes made by others upstream (Gnome, KDE), leaving more time for optimizing Mint.
Over the years though, Gnome and KDE have gotten very good, and I've become bored with the old Win95-ish design.
Primary system: Solus Gnome
Secondary systems: Fedora Gnome, Debian (Bookworm) Gnome, and MX KDE
39 • BSD (by Joshua L. on 2022-12-20 22:43:36 GMT from United States)
I know BSD doesn't get much loving these days, but I do enjoy BSD oses just as much as I enjoy Linux distros.is a thougt
That said, BSD is a little more stable, and tailored for older hardware, hmm there is a thought. Linux and BSD co project.
40 • fave? (by Will again on 2022-12-21 00:34:42 GMT from United States)
I heart mint as noted above, but it's just the one I use for reference, not the one I like the best - that goes to MX Linux and FreeBSD. Even thought Linux has zfs now, it's not as mature as it is on FreeBSD, and I've had challenges with it that I've not had with FreeBSD, otherwise. I'd be all in on Linux and MX would be my fave w/KDE, of course :). If Mint still had KDE as one of it's mainlines, it'd be all Mint!
41 • Gentoo (by Jack on 2022-12-21 02:32:47 GMT from Australia)
Gentoo doesn't make headlines much, but it's my go-to. Never fails me. So flexible. Portage is brilliant. Wouldn't run anything else and haven't for nearly 15 years.
42 • Favourite Distribution (by HS on 2022-12-21 08:01:38 GMT from Indonesia)
I was using Ubuntu, but currently I am hooked to Spiral Linux (Gnome), which feels fast yet so stable and rock solid here on my (old) laptop .... :)
43 • Mint desktop (by Jeffrey on 2022-12-21 09:00:58 GMT from Czechia)
It was enlightening to see the Linux Mint desktop photo in the article -- at first I thought it was the exact same Mint XFCE that I use, but then I checked the original article, and saw that it was Cinnamon. Leave it to Mint to create consistent desktop themes. Wow!
44 • Privacy matters... (by tom joad on 2022-12-21 16:53:34 GMT from Norway)
I voted for privacy. Before I chose privacy I was guessing which categories would get the most votes. I guessed desktop. And it did get the most votes. But privacy was a distant second with the rest trailing behind it.
In an earlier comment I harangued on about the need to be safe online or safer than most OS's offer. This weeks poll bears that out. All Linux OS's could be, and should be, hardened against online attacks and intrusions. Hint, hint, to the developers reading this.
Anyway, I wished I could have made multiple choices in this poll. There are several other categories that I like and some I never bother with using.
Lastly, tip of my hat to Jesse. Good job, man! Distrowatch has made my climb up the Linux mountain a good bit easier. Also, Jesse, you should consider a 'Jesse's Linux tips and trick's' reference manual. I think it would sell.
45 • Desktop (by Chris on 2022-12-21 17:06:12 GMT from South Africa)
Currently using Kubuntu 23.04 and watching it develop but have recently used Ubuntu MATE, AlmaLinux and MX Linux (but always keep a copy of MX on USB drive).
46 • Mint linux (by hotdiggettydog on 2022-12-21 21:24:53 GMT from Canada)
I've been using linux for over 20 years starting off with an early version of Mandrake. I abandoned windows completely in the early 2000s. I've seen some stuff.
I completely agree with Mint as first choice. You can install it and run it for years trouble free. It is one of the few OS I donate to.
The fanboys can rave/rant about this distro and that distro but nothing I've used long term has handled upgrades/updates seamlessly. Always sh*t going wrong. After all these years I don't want to fiddle around.
I have to chuckle when I hear Mint described as a beginners linux distro. It is everyone's distro and only those who have been around for a while can truly appreciate the work that goes into it.
Merry Xmas all!
47 • adduser/useradd (by Andy Figueroa on 2022-12-22 04:56:35 GMT from United States)
Jesse, adduser is not a standard Linux command. And the syntax is not correct. See "useradd --help" and "usermod --help" or "man useradd" and "man usermod"
48 • ubuntu mate (by Cris from Romania on 2022-12-22 07:55:00 GMT from Germany)
i dont get what the fuss is about systemd rage hate , it never bothered me ,
i Love Ubuntu Mate, its preetty simple and works great with my all 4 machines..
i know most of u are pros,
but i like to use sometimes... ubuntu mate with openbox interface only sometimes. install lxde keyboard and add it to startup script
if debian would be that simple i would use it, ..but i tried it once and was prohibitive in its manner of opperating..allso debian at every few mouse clicks showed me a message: "you will be reported to admin"..what the **!!.. but i was the admin.. reeal ugly
i loaded lxle and wiped the whole hdd.
49 • Mint: Ubuntu done right (by Roach Boy on 2022-12-22 09:19:13 GMT from Kenya)
I totally agree: Linux Mint IS "Ubuntu done right". With very few exceptions, I have found Ubuntu releases to be buggy which makes me wonder how they manage to mess up a perfectly solid distro like Debian! I have found Neptune, a little known distro, also based on Debian, to be even less buggy than Ubuntu! Go figure!
50 • adduser (by Jesse on 2022-12-22 13:21:03 GMT from Canada)
@47: "Jesse, adduser is not a standard Linux command. And the syntax is not correct."
The adduser command is pretty common, it's not everywhere, but pretty close. The syntax I provided is not only correct, but I tested it on my own machine before posting it. The command works as shown. I think you might be confusing it with useradd?
51 • Ubuntu vs Mint (by Mike Wallace on 2022-12-22 17:43:58 GMT from United States)
It should be "Ubuntu done Bloat". Mint works the same as my Ubuntu, but with a lot of unused, unnecessary packages. Mint doesn't work better or worse, just works the same as Ubuntu.
Funny how people want to take sides one way or the other. I've never experienced issues with Ubuntu except hardware issues.
Some distros apart from debian/arch are just difficult to understand, or use due to the fact they have different architecture.
52 • Taking sides (by Friar Tux on 2022-12-22 19:02:05 GMT from Canada)
@51 (Mike) "Funny how people want to take sides one way or the other." Funny how people think that EVERY distro works for EVERY user on the same level. It does not. For me, Ubuntu didn't work - ever. Often, it wouldn't even install, claiming some file was missing or corrupt. When it DID install, usually the second or third update killed it. Sometimes the WIFI didn't work, and sometimes the mouse/touchpad quit working. We've NEVER, ever had that issue with Mint. Not in 6 solid years. On two laptops, used daily, all day. So, yeah, some of us are quite fond of our Linux Mint and worship the ground Mr. Clement Lefebvre walks on. It truely IS "Ubuntu done right".
53 • distros (by crayola-eater on 2022-12-23 00:44:24 GMT from United States)
My favorite distro overall was NimbleX, a long gone Slax derivative, and WolviX, likewise. As for something that is relevant today, I've always enjoyed Mepis/MXLinux a lot when it comes to just overall reliability and ease of use. My tastes now are for simplicity and lightness (leave the bling to windows and macs) - so I look for basic core/cli editions and build myself from there. My major downside, is that favorite apps for a purpose seem to fall by the wayside, and are sometimes unable to run on the current environments despite my efforts.
So the winner for me now is AntiX core with xorg and openbox.
On another note, while looking at the latest from Bunsen Labs, on installing it to disk for a deeper look, it struck me (assuming my memory hasn't taken another vacation on me) - in days past, didn't distros give you the option to NOT install a boot-loader at all, as just opposed to install to the drive MBR or 'x' partition? Made life simpler for those of use that like to keep a boot/grub mini-partition for booting while distro-hopping.
54 • Desktop+Privacy+Immutable (by Sylvan on 2022-12-23 06:23:15 GMT from Taiwan)
Thanks for all the amazing work you do on DistroWatch.
I'm interested in a general pupose desktop that is reasonnably secure, stable and recent. I hate frequent updates. I'm an "if it ain't broke..." type of guy.
As far as DE, I need well implemented fractional scaling and only KDE seems to offer that at the moment. I'm surprised that this is not discussed more. I'm sure that many people use 4k TVs as monitors nowadays. It can't be just me, can it? This could be an idea for another poll...
Debian has been the most consistently reliable distro for me over the years. Despite its occasional user-unfriendliness and dated packages I always seem to come back to it.
However I'm currently in my 4th month of testing Slackware 15. I love the stability and I was happy that everything I need/like was available and surprisingly recent (from a Debian perspective at least). But I have now encountered a few problems that require more work than I'm willing to put in order to resolve them...
While looking for a security-focused replacement for Debian I encoutered ParrotOS. I am now testing it on my laptop.
That too surprised me, that this distro isn't talked about more. It's Debian based, security focused and they have a "Home" edition for general use. Though in my case I had to use the "Architect" edition in order to have KDE and setup FDE the way I wanted.
I'm also testing MX Linux KDE on my wife's laptop but I'm not convinced. So far ParrotOS looks the most promising. I will probably install it on my desktop soon.
55 • Mint (by David P on 2022-12-23 13:42:40 GMT from United Kingdom)
I have been using Mint for many years now. My wife also uses Mint (Mate). Currently I use Cinnamon. One of the reasons is that I don't have to learn a new UI every few years. I have experimented with other distros but always come back to MInt because it is reliable and does what I want. As a unix professional since 1989 now retired I can use the command line but rarely need to.
56 • Mint & Ubuntu (by Zed on 2022-12-26 16:19:09 GMT from Italy)
I used Mint when there was still the KDE version. Then I switched to Kubuntu. Someone says that Ubuntu dies every after 3 updates. It won't happen if you use the command line: "sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt full-upgrade".
57 • poll results (by privator on 2022-12-26 22:30:35 GMT from Netherlands)
It's disappointing that almost 70% like desktop distros. It confirms the Linux tradition of developing many DE's for desktop bling.
Meanwhile some distros continue to push the boundaries in other ways. Like a new take on immutability - provided by Vanilla Linux's on-demand immutability feature, to enhance security.
58 • mint kde, kubuntu and debian (by peer on 2022-12-28 07:39:10 GMT from Netherlands)
@zed
I also used mint kde. I liked it. When it stopped I moved to Neon. At first it worked great but after a half year I got problems.It seems as if the kde version outgrowd the ubuntu base version. Then I switched to kubuntu. No problems with kubuntu. It was very stable and therefore a bit boring. So I thought let's give debian kde a try. I was surprised how easy debian kde was. Now debian kde is my main os !!
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Southern California Internet Linux
SCI.Linux was a Linux distribution based on system administration through Webmin, best-in-class desktop applications, Microsoft Office compatibility, VPN connections to Windows, remote desktop to Windows XP, easy dual-boot with Win2K/XP/NT, multimedia applications for CD/DVD plus authoring utilities, spam blocker, complete set of high performance development tools, high performance video, extensive printer and sound card support, LaTeX, cluster software, and more. This distro was aimed at the student/researcher who wants to replace Windows and still interface to the Windows world. Requires a Pentium MMX or better, 256MB or more of RAM, at least 2.5GB of free disk space.
Status: Discontinued
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