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| Reader Comments • Jump to last comment |
1 • Unstable "Beta" distros (by Brad on 2024-11-25 01:36:22 GMT from United States)
The "tag line" for this website states, "Put the fun back into computing." This tag line says (to me), "A place for Windows refugees who are frustrated with Windows".
That being said, I think it's sending the wrong message to mention or possibly support unstable Linux distros - anyone who runs across something like that and tries to work with it might end up saying to themselves, "I wish I was still using Windows." Isn't that something we are all trying to avoid? (Thanks, Jeff Siegel!)
2 • Opinion Poll (by Woodstock69 on 2024-11-25 01:53:32 GMT from Australia)
DIstroWatch. It's in the name. :-)
List both projects. Track both projects. Include the caveat that these are Alpha/Beta projects at this time. Simple.
3 • "Beta" Distributions (by Pogi Americano on 2024-11-25 02:06:54 GMT from United States)
Maybe we could start a new category under the "Latest Distributions " box and call it "Latest Beta Distributions". I'm sure there are a lot of people interested in cutting edge Linux. Do the same with the "Latest Packages" box and start a "Latest Beta Packages" box. I find beta a good place to learn and tinker. Being labeled as "beta" is not demeaning to the distribution or package, its just letting people know its a work in progress, not ready for the office.
4 • @2, and 3 (by Brad on 2024-11-25 02:26:02 GMT from United States)
I agree with both of you, but you also must realize that Linux penetration into the Windows/mac "world" is still pretty minimal - From StatCounter:
"For desktop computers and laptops, Microsoft Windows has 73%, followed by Apple's macOS at 15%, desktop Linux at 4.5%, then Google's ChromeOS at 2.25%.[3] The remaining 4.5% is unknown category (third-most popular, and thought to be actually also be Linux, which is otherwise fourth-most popular)."
Although many of us here are "true believers", the sad fact is that the vast majority of computer users are *not* Linux users. If I'm right in saying that one of the purposes of DW is to offer an "alternative", it should be an easy-to-understand, easy-to-maintain alternative. If it sounds monolithic, then that brings me to the second of the one-two punch against Linux - the "fragmentation" issue - too many distros, too many projects driven by the ego of a single maintainer/developer.
It would be much better to have projects like Lite, Zorin, Mint, etc. - projects that can draw in the refugees. After they've gotten their feet wet (so to speak), then start introducing them to other projects like Debian, Ubuntu, Arch (and derivatives) - projects where they can grow, learn, and tinker.
My $0.02.
5 • Opinion poll (by David Milovanović on 2024-11-25 02:27:47 GMT from Serbia)
I think both distributions should be listed. There are people who might be willing to test this kind of distros and to tinker with them. Why not? After all, there is always a short description about every distro on this page so potential users will be aware of its purpose.
6 • Desktop Environments (by illumos on 2024-11-25 03:20:12 GMT from Japan)
Why do lightweight distros use Xfce instead of LXqt?
In theory, LXqt is more lightweight than Xfce.
And LXqt is native support to Wayland, Xfce is not.
7 • Linux Lite (by Andy Prough on 2024-11-25 04:31:53 GMT from United States)
I noticed that Linux Lite is curiously quite popular for reviewers on Distrowatch, having gotten reviewed 4 times in the last 6 years, and 5 times in 8 years.
Oddly enough, other, more popular distros like antiX haven't been reviewed at all during that same 8 years, despite antiX being more popular in the Distrowatch Page Hit Rankings and having a higher Distrowatch Average Visitor Rating. And despite the fact that antiX is actually lightweight, whereas Linux Lite still uses the bloated technologies like systemd that take a lot more system resources to run and has software like Chrome and Microsoft Edge which are among the most bloated I can think of.
That being said, this week's review was still great, I love anything by Jeff Siegel, he's a fantastic writer. I hope he'll continue to get the opportunity to review some actual lightweight distros in the future.
8 • KDE Linux should obviously be listed (by Heinrich on 2024-11-25 05:15:59 GMT from United States)
Unlike Gnome OS, which its devs state is only a test platform and not recommended for daily use, the goal of KDE Linux is explicitly stated to “Create a bulletproof OS…that we can… recommend to users and OEMs.” It’s intended to replace—and be *more* stable than—KDE Neon, which is already the 12th most popular officially listed distro on Distrowatch and is used as a daily driver by quite a few people. KDE Linux obviously deserves to be listed when it’s released.
9 • rsync (by Dr.J on 2024-11-25 07:25:10 GMT from United Kingdom)
rsync is able to copy several folder to one backup-directory
the command is just
rsync -av /folder1 /folder2 /folder3 /workstation/backup-folder
In this case it will copy folder 1-3 (every source without trailing slash!!) to "backup-folder"
which looks like:
/workstation/backup-folder/folder1
/workstation/backup-folder/folder2
/workstation/backup-folder/folder3
So there is no need playing around with include/exclude
10 • GnomeOS and KDE Linux (by bin on 2024-11-25 09:04:48 GMT from United Kingdom)
Time after time linux distros are tested and reported on and found to be a pile of poop. The only reason they do not have an alpha or beta designation is because whoever spun it up didn't label it as such. Just look back at previous editions of DW if you don't believe me.
So, this types of single environment "distro" could well attract the attention of *pad type appliances and or give ChromeOS a run for its money.
KDE seem to be taking the more positive approach - KDE Neon can be a wold ride if you're not careful. If you want to keep up with their latest and greatest you need to be running something like Arch rather than relying on packaging systems pre Debian and so on. Gnome I find to be so stupid (since the good old days of Gnome 2) but KDE Linux done by KDE sounds good to me.
I would have thought that exposure for both via DW could only be of benefit to all concerned.
11 • GNOME OS and KDE Linux (by Kazlu on 2024-11-25 09:33:35 GMT from France)
Considering the distributions already present in Distrowatch and the goal I perceive Distrowatch is made for (but I may be wrong), I'd say include them both. There are already distros listed even though they are only a showcase for a technology piece (like NixOS) or an experimental distro (like EasyOS). As such I think it would be wrong to not include GNOME OS or KDE Linux because for those reasons. I see Distrowatch as a source of information for users with all kinds of Linux experience, with tools designed to filter the information users need. So I think the essential is here.
That being said, if the question arises, then maybe additional clarity is needed? Maybe some project need a more easy to catch "beta" or "experimental" label? At least those who claim to be experimental!
This reminds me of a discussion here a few weeks ago about distro recommendations for complete beginners. And it will echo @1 and @4 Brad's comments. I still think a "where to start" or "beginners" section that really stands out from the rest of the website would be useful. This page could redirect to the "major distributions" page, or to the search page with the "beginner" criterion ticked, or, better in my opinion, to a dedicated page where one distro is suggested, maybe with a couple of alternatives, with links to the distro's manual/guide where users can find information for installation. More experienced users will have an easier time browsing the rest of the website for more information anyway.
12 • @6 Xfce and LXQt (by Kazlu on 2024-11-25 09:36:17 GMT from France)
"Why do lightweight distros use Xfce instead of LXqt? In theory, LXqt is more lightweight than Xfce."
In theory yes, but actually, not that much. Since LXQt moved to Qt4, the difference is really not much and the weight difference will actually depend more on the implementation in a given distro than on the DE itself (you will see LXQt desktops heavier or lighter than Xfce depending on the distro you're looking at). That being said, Xfce and LXQt are more different now than they used to be. I now consider Xfce to be the standard lightweight GTK DE, while LXQt is the standard lightweight Qt DE. Both have a role here. And you're right, Wayland may also be a criterion (I do not care for it myself, but that's just me :) )
13 • @8 KDE Linux should obviously be listed (by Kazlu on 2024-11-25 09:39:08 GMT from France)
"It’s intended to replace—and be *more* stable than—KDE Neon"
Not exactly. The goal is to have a more stable KDE session to have a better KDE experience, but not to have a more stable OS altogether. The way I understand it, if the OS crashes but not because of a KDE crash, then it reached the team's goal, but it's still not a stable OS. Picking Arch as a base shows exactly that: with more up-to-date software, a very recent KDE will likely be more stable, but you are also more likely to run in some dependancy related problem somewhere in the OS sooner or later.
14 • Why the quest to dumb down linux? (by Tom Baker on 2024-11-25 09:47:19 GMT from United Kingdom)
I really get tired of everyone saying, lets make linux easier - why?
I don't get this obsession, the whole point of a gnu/linux operating system is to learn and understand and develop your own skills. If you want to be told what to do, then use windows or macosx.
15 • Opinion poll (by Vukota on 2024-11-25 09:58:37 GMT from Serbia)
How many distros are listed here and are actually a beta software? How many distros are based on Debian unstable and still listed here? Almost any rolling distro is "beta" distro, as it is rarely actually stable.
16 • Depends on stability (by uz64 on 2024-11-25 10:03:33 GMT from United States)
Plans for a project can shift through time over the course of development. GNOME's and KDE's Linux should both be monitored and decided accordingly whether their focus makes them good general-purpose end user distributions or not. DistroWatch features KDE Neon, which is an experimental/testing playground for KDE software, and it provides a version that is fine for everyday use. On the other end, you've got things like Gentoo listed; mature project, yes, but you'd have to be insane or a masochist to want run it on your everyday system.
Put simply, DistroWatch already lists a bunch of very special purpose distros that in reality are useful to almost no one--why ignore KDE's and GNOME's distros just because they are primarily used for internal testing? Their inclusion should be based on whether they evolve to be useful or not as everyday operating systems. And honestly, you have set that bar pretty low for yourselves by already including things like Gentoo.
17 • @16 (by rb on 2024-11-25 10:25:26 GMT from United States)
I'd guess that you are one of those that could never figure out how to install and get Gentoo working for you. One of the most robust, flexible distros out there -- you literally can use it to create your own OS. It has one of the most powerful, configurable package managers that exist today. Your comments about it being of use to no one are simply not true and not based in fact. Your own personal feelings and biased emotions are shining through however. It is fine for you to hate or strongly dislike Gentoo, but to try and pass off your personal opinions as matter-of-fact is wrong. A lot of good comes from the Gentoo community, including bug reports to upstream devs that help to improve software that people are using every day, as well as users and devs who are also contributors to all of that software, including the Linux kernel. Also, other distro devs including Fedora and Debian have strong relationships with Gentoo's maintainers. A lot of collaboration takes place that benefits everyone, despite what distro they are using.
18 • A distro should be evaluated... (by Keep it simple on 2024-11-25 10:27:28 GMT from Italy)
...by the ease of use and customisation, so why create one which is hard-locked with its own DE/WM?
Each distro has to offer a default one and that's fine, but if its own repositories make choose a different one an agony, better choose a main one and have it customised on their own.
19 • Should we include GNOME OS and KDE Linux? (by James on 2024-11-25 10:36:05 GMT from United States)
Should we include GNOME OS and KDE Linux?
And the winner is: No - neither: 348 (48%)
Should KDE Linux and GNOME OS be considered perpetual beta testing platforms for internal use by their own communities? YES
20 • Murena phones (by Dave Postles on 2024-11-25 11:00:48 GMT from United Kingdom)
I bought a Murena One phone directly from Murena. I've tried several SIMS from UK service providers. The phone recognizes the SIM but just warns all the time that the service is not available. Murena have not been very helpful about this. Apparently the Fairphone does not have the same issue, I'm told.
21 • KDE vs Gnome (by RestlessPenguin on 2024-11-25 12:10:32 GMT from Croatia)
13:00 CET
KDE 80 votes
the other ugly dysfunctional thing 10 votes
supporters of ugly dysfunctional uncustomisable crap 10 votes.
gnomes on life support
22 • LinuxLite (by dragonmouth on 2024-11-25 13:28:47 GMT from United States)
A distro whose ISO weighs in at 2.9 Gb has the chutzpah to call itself "Lite"?!
23 • Poll: (by dragonmouth on 2024-11-25 13:31:15 GMT from United States)
Personally, I think there are too many distros in existence. However, considering the number in DistroWatch database, what is another two. IOW, put them both in.
24 • KDE v Gnome (by kc1di on 2024-11-25 13:33:30 GMT from United States)
I voted Both should be on the list. People will download and try what they want to try. If it does not workout they will try something else. I have to admit I'm a KDE fan and have been for a long time. Never liked Gnome since gnome 2. Just tried it again via Ubuntu yesterday. Back to debian KDE.
25 • @11 Kazlu: (by dragonmouth on 2024-11-25 13:55:30 GMT from United States)
" I still think a "where to start" or "beginners" section that really stands out from the rest of the website would be useful."
Not really. Who would make the determination of what is a good "beginner" distro? Considering every poster on DW has his/her own opinion about that., there would be almost as many recommendations as there are distros. And why limit the choice to only "major" distros (*buntu, Mint, Zorin)? There are "minor" distros that would be very easy for "beginners". For example, I have never seen PCLinuxOS recommended. Back when it was still active, nobody ever recommended SimplyMEPIS, which was very "beginner-friendly".
26 • @22 LinuxLite weight (by Kazlu on 2024-11-25 14:03:08 GMT from France)
"Lightweight" is an ambiguous term. It can refer to the size of the ISO or the amount of RAM a system needs to run. One can easily be heavy on one side and light on the other (although it must be difficulty to find a RAM-heavy OS on a small ISO...). Usually, when it's not explicitly said, "lightweight" means the latter. The size of the ISO is no longer a concern for the majority of people since computer with only CD (not DVD) drives are really rare now.
27 • @25 choice for beginners (by Kazlu on 2024-11-25 14:09:14 GMT from France)
Indeed, the choice of the best distro for beginners would trigger an endless debate and probably no clear winner will emerge. However, the purpose here would not be necessarily to suggest "the best" distro for beginners, but only one that would be "good enough" for most people. If one is to address a beginner, probably a Windows refugee, there a quite a handful of choices out there which would be good enough to save them from Windows! And if the user wants more, then the whole library is still here. In the end, the choice od the OS itself is not that important. Let it be the editor's choice. And eventually add a couple of alternative choices, but honestly from that point a simple link to the search page with the "beginners" option ticked would be enough.
28 • GNOME OS and KDE Linux (by DaveT on 2024-11-25 14:19:21 GMT from United Kingdom)
Playing at the 'bleeding edge' can be fun. So as long as you know it will bite you: go for it and have fun!
29 • LinuxLite installation guide (by Kazlu on 2024-11-25 14:34:13 GMT from France)
The reviewer says: "The "Do you want to switch from Windows?" approach can be seen throughout the Linux Lite ecosystem. It's especially evident in the manual and documentation, which offers a step-by-step tutorial on downloading the ISO, using Rufus in Windows to burn the ISO to a thumb drive, and then installing the distro from the thumb drive. Almost every imaginable question is covered, complete with pictures and diagrams. "
That got me interested since I can see many projects now with an easy to handle installer, the hard part bor a beginner being creating an installation media and booting from it. I checked out the documentation of LinuxLite and found it less organised and not as well done as the Linux Mint one. Especially the advice to use Plop in case no USB boot option is available, using a dead link. The only thing it does better is advising to disable secure boot, with a video to explain it.
Otherwise, the documentation is poorer and the system is not as complete than Linux Mint Xfce, with the same software base. The OS itself seems to do well what it sets out to do, but it trails behind Linux Mint for Windows refugees.
30 • Linux Lite (by Tub O'Lard on 2024-11-25 15:19:25 GMT from Denmark)
Linux Lite is as light as a tub of lard.
I'm not saying it's worse than most distros, but light it ain't.
Weird name.
Re KDE/Gnome OS: Include both. Makes them easier to follow and probably makes more people try them and return valuable feedback to the developers. Which is nice.
Cheers.
31 • Re. 22 (by uz64 on 2024-11-25 16:06:24 GMT from United States)
I'm sure the ISO wasn't three gigs when the project was started, although I can say that I never could make any sense out of it using Ubuntu as a base--a distro known for *not* being lightweight at best, or bloated at worst--when others like Slackware and even Debian itself existed, both being notably "lighter" at the time.
I always just saw it as Ubuntu without *buntu in the name but running a lighter weight desktop environment. Trust me, you're not going to be able to make sense out of the name; it would make just as much sense if it was called ISeePurpleUnicorns Linux. In the real world, it's nonsensical.
32 • GnomeOS and KDE (by Larry on 2024-11-25 16:10:26 GMT from United States)
They should be included. One of the real beauties of linux is choice! It is not confusing at all if you just do a small amount of you're own research.There are distros designed for new comers,There are others that are not, It is quite simple to find out which are which. If you want someone else to do you're thinking for you, stick with windows or apple. If you want control of you're computer and data, learn how to use linux
33 • @22 "Lite" (by grindstone on 2024-11-25 17:20:08 GMT from United States)
+1 -- 2.9GB is not lightweight unless you were born in the last ~25 years and think now is normal. Choice, yes, fragmentation yes, but it's the waste that hurts the most. The small/lean distros are always more work yet bloat ever accelerates.
34 • KDE/Gnome distros (by Otis on 2024-11-25 22:50:01 GMT from United States)
The Linux Universe is rife with redundancies and overlapping projects; it is just a part of the open source world. Of course the KDE and Gnome distros should be included here. Disallowing them would beg that question for many other distros on the list. There is room for all of it and we're fortunate to have so much to choose from and to observe as they evolve (or die).
35 • Linux Lite (by rhtoras on 2024-11-26 00:19:34 GMT from Greece)
What's the point of linux lite ? I cannot find a reason. Small repo. Based on Ubuntu with all the mess. Usually old repo and of course systemD. And even if i liked systemD i doubt i'd used it over mint. When i was using systemD i used lit for some time till i broke it since i was installing ppa repos because it lacked software. I was new to linux back then. Nowdays i do not even think it is light at all. For a reference void xfce uses 230 mb/ram. So if you want xfce there are better options i.e MX linux or Salix. Both come with software preinstalled and are quite friendly. Now if you want something light check antix or void linux if you want light+xfce. For those interested Nomad BSD (based on freeBSD) comes with xfce lafely and btw it's a nice xfce persistent os with lot's of stuff preinstalled...but it's not Linux. Just my two cents.
Jesse reviewed Linux lite just fine btw.
36 • KDE and Gnome (by tokopan on 2024-11-26 05:31:50 GMT from Bulgaria)
In my opinion, Distrowatch is for ALL Linux users, experienced or not. So, include them both!
37 • KDE Linux and Gnome OS (by Flavianoep on 2024-11-26 13:38:33 GMT from Brazil)
I think that the question of including these distros is not a question of "if", but "when". For now, KDE Linux is just a project and Gnome OS is experimental. I think that they should be included first on the waiting list like most of distros, and be included only when they become mature and stable.
38 • Linux Lite Help (by LinusT on 2024-11-26 16:27:15 GMT from France)
There is a neat online AI chatbot for Linux Lite help (https://www.linuxliteos.com/chatai/). I'm really not into AI thingies but the outputs are clear and precise. I'm sure this could help many users that won't browse dozen of help pages to find a proper solution to some simple problems.
39 • KDE/Gnome OS (by LinusT on 2024-11-26 16:43:22 GMT from France)
None of them may reach 1.0 soon, maybe not in a year if they don't a proper team of devs actively working on it.
Also, KDE Neon has always been difficult to differentiate from Kubuntu, they're both offering an Ubuntu base with stock KDE experience. If many devs of Neon go working on KDE Linux, Neon could become obsolete, and this would be a good thing to prevent having Kubuntu/Neon/KDE Linux offering the same experience. As for now, Kubuntu gets enough popularity to stay the best Ubuntu-based KDE distro.
As for Gnone OS, it's supposed to be the default Gnome experience with all the tools that have been developed mainly for other distribution (REHL/Fedora in mind). Gnome OS may only be different to much Gnome-based distros because it's only using OSTree (even it's not the only distro using it) and flatpak.
So I'd say, wait and see in a year!
40 • elementary OS (by notiflyer on 2024-11-26 22:25:35 GMT from Chile)
Nice update to Elementary OS - providing more system info and control to the user.
Your car (or private jet for big tech) notifies u when things are wrong and need attention - like low oil, high temp, or door left open. Yet most OSs don't notify u about what is going on inside the computer (except for complicated logs) - like when someone has remotely logged in, home folder opened, or the camera accessed. So kudos to Elementary for heading in the right direction.
41 • A well-designed GNU+Linux distribution (by Clinton on 2024-11-27 13:43:59 GMT from Italy)
"Was Linux Lite designed well enough to learn easily?"
Probably it is, but GNU+Linux does not aim to dethrone Windows as the main operating system for desktop computers. A Linux distribution is well designed - in my opinion - not when it is easy to use; instead, it is well designed when it is stable, reliable, well documented in plain language, and equipped with good user manuals for all the programs available. Again - in my opinion - the problem is not taking Trisquel or Debian or Devuan and making them 'easy to use', the problem is creating a large set of manuals that adequately instruct the user about the use of GNU+Linux (and all the applications available in it). Certainly, a huge amount of work is needed, even if we limit ourselves to the English language only. The important thing is knowing how to orient the work of the GNU+Linux community in the right direction: we have the operating system, we just need the manuals.
42 • Well designed. (by Friar Tux on 2024-11-27 15:34:06 GMT from Canada)
@41 (Clinton) I would have to disagree with you on that. To me, a well designed OS is easy to use and intuitive. It COULD have a manual but one that sits in a corner and collects dust. I liken an OS to owning a car. Millions of people own a car. Cars come with manuals. HOWEVER, very few car owners actually know how a car works. They enter, turn the car on and off they go. I prefer my computer to be the same. I turn it on and go to work - no manual needed. (This is one reason I like Linux Mint so much. It works so well that I have not had any "lost time" issues in ten years (same as a Chevette I owned, many years ago - that beast just wouldn't die).
43 • GNOMEos KDE (by rhtoras on 2024-11-28 20:45:03 GMT from Greece)
Gnome OS
KDE OS
systemD
Laugh Out Loud
You are asking to include KDEos while you exclude other projects such as tribblix or OmniOS which are beneficial for a lot of people and you simply ignore them. Where are projects like EltaninOS which do not make use of Xorg or Wayland but are linux based ?
Please add THESE projects.
44 • GnomeOS KDE (by Kruger on 2024-11-29 03:06:18 GMT from Australia)
These only showcase the desktop and bring nothing else to the table. In every review, we see the desktop, it changes only a little from one cookie-cutter distro to the next, perhaps a few more extensions, maybe a few less, but anyone who wants to see Vanilla Gnome just needs to look at screenshots of Fedora.
The desktop itself tells us nothing about the distro and what lies under the hood; what significant changes have been made or not.
A different wallpaper and icon theme pack does not make a distro.
45 • Always a pleasure (by Mr B on 2024-11-29 09:41:40 GMT from United Kingdom)
Friar Tux,
You are one reason why I make a point of reading the comments section. You are always the voice of reason. I think the person who wrote post 14 should take note of what you said. His arguments hold no water whatsoever.
Keep up the good work!
46 • @42 Friar Tux: (by dragonmouth on 2024-11-29 12:13:25 GMT from United States)
When Linux has been around as long as cars, then you'll have a point. Until then, whether you approve or not, manuals will be necessary.
BTW - I wonder how much longer cars would last if the owners read their manuals every once in a while and did some basic maintenance.
47 • Thanx. (by Friar Tux on 2024-11-29 13:40:54 GMT from Canada)
@45 (Mr.B) Thank you. One of my favourite things about Linux Is the choices. And the passion. While my distro hopping days are long gone, I still try out a distro here and there. Usually I take my cue from Jesse or Jeff's reviews.
@46 (dragonmouth) Oh, I do "approve" of manuals. Obviously, they are needed, and I HAVE gotten quite a bit of help from them. (Remember the telephone sized books that came with Windows 98?) AND, I definitely agree about reading the car manual. It may even help some folks to know where the turn signals are.
48 • Dumbing Down Linux (by Otis on 2024-11-29 15:39:39 GMT from United States)
@14 Are you seriously claiming that to make something more useful to more people is to "dumb down" that project? Look around you, man. It's called civilization, and it only faintly resembles the beginnings of human development over time. Do you drive? Ride a motorcycle? Do you use a stove to cook on? I know you're on a computer of some sort, do you want to ditch that for an abacus and carrier pigeons so that you can communicate with us? ...ad infinitum..........
49 • Why The Quest? Here's Why (by Walt on 2024-11-29 16:19:34 GMT from United States)
@14: "I really get tired of everyone saying, lets make linux easier - why?
I don't get this obsession, the whole point of a gnu/linux operating system is to learn and understand and develop your own skills. If you want to be told what to do, then use windows or macosx. "
Personally, I switched to Linux more than 20 years ago, not to become a computer wizard but to get away from Windows. With a handful of exceptions, I have managed to avoid the command line for most of that time. That likely makes me a minority among Linux users, but I'm glad Linux offered a way for me to leave the Windows technosphere without having to pay the inflated cost to switch to a Mac.
50 • Command Line Use (by Otis on 2024-11-29 17:18:28 GMT from United States)
@49 "....With a handful of exceptions, I have managed to avoid the command line for most of that time. That likely makes me a minority among Linux users.."
Oh, I don't think so. I have no data, no real proof, but I'd hazard a guess that at least half of Linux distro users these days are happy to use app and other program developments with GUI tools rather than always cracking a shell.
On some distros it's called for to go into command line, so I only fool around with those now and then preferring to do work and play on Alma Linux or MX Linux, requiring no command line usage.
Indeed, look at the top 25 of this site's Page Hit Rankings and you'll see GUI based distros as the majority in popularity (at least as expressed by the PHR).
51 • @49 Walt: (by dragonmouth on 2024-11-29 19:57:39 GMT from United States)
I'm with you. If I have a choice between GUI and CLI, most of the time I will chose GUI. After all, we are in the 21st century. We don't need to hobble ourselves with CLI just to prove how hairy our chests are.
Earlier in my life I was an Assembler programmer. Not any more. Assembler allows for much finer manipulation of data. But higher level languages are much easier.
Tech writers and "experts" are the ones who try to foster the idea that CLI is where it's at. They write dozens of articles about CLI apps for each one article about a GUI application. Are they afraid that if they educate users about GUI no one will read their CLI articles?
Number of Comments: 51
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| Archives |
| • Issue 1100 (2024-12-09): Oreon 9.3, differences in speed, IPFire's new appliance, Fedora Asahi Remix gets new video drivers, openSUSE Leap Micro updated, Redox OS running Redox OS |
| • Issue 1099 (2024-12-02): AnduinOS 1.0.1, measuring RAM usage, SUSE continues rebranding efforts, UBports prepares for next major version, Murena offering non-NFC phone |
| • Issue 1098 (2024-11-25): Linux Lite 7.2, backing up specific folders, Murena and Fairphone partner in fair trade deal, Arch installer gets new text interface, Ubuntu security tool patched |
| • Issue 1097 (2024-11-18): Chimera Linux vs Chimera OS, choosing between AlmaLinux and Debian, Fedora elevates KDE spin to an edition, Fedora previews new installer, KDE testing its own distro, Qubes-style isolation coming to FreeBSD |
| • Issue 1096 (2024-11-11): Bazzite 40, Playtron OS Alpha 1, Tucana Linux 3.1, detecting Screen sessions, Redox imports COSMIC software centre, FreeBSD booting on the PinePhone Pro, LXQt supports Wayland window managers |
| • Issue 1095 (2024-11-04): Fedora 41 Kinoite, transferring applications between computers, openSUSE Tumbleweed receives multiple upgrades, Ubuntu testing compiler optimizations, Mint partners with Framework |
| • Issue 1094 (2024-10-28): DebLight OS 1, backing up crontab, AlmaLinux introduces Litten branch, openSUSE unveils refreshed look, Ubuntu turns 20
| | • Issue 1093 (2024-10-21): Kubuntu 24.10, atomic vs immutable distributions, Debian upgrading Perl packages, UBports adding VoLTE support, Android to gain native GNU/Linux application support |
| • Issue 1092 (2024-10-14): FunOS 24.04.1, a home directory inside a file, work starts of openSUSE Leap 16.0, improvements in Haiku, KDE neon upgrades its base |
| • Issue 1091 (2024-10-07): Redox OS 0.9.0, Unified package management vs universal package formats, Redox begins RISC-V port, Mint polishes interface, Qubes certifies new laptop |
| • Issue 1090 (2024-09-30): Rhino Linux 2024.2, commercial distros with alternative desktops, Valve seeks to improve Wayland performance, HardenedBSD parterns with Protectli, Tails merges with Tor Project, Quantum Leap partners with the FreeBSD Foundation |
| • Issue 1089 (2024-09-23): Expirion 6.0, openKylin 2.0, managing configuration files, the future of Linux development, fixing bugs in Haiku, Slackware packages dracut |
| • Issue 1088 (2024-09-16): PorteuX 1.6, migrating from Windows 10 to which Linux distro, making NetBSD immutable, AlmaLinux offers hardware certification, Mint updates old APT tools |
| • Issue 1087 (2024-09-09): COSMIC desktop, running cron jobs at variable times, UBports highlights new apps, HardenedBSD offers work around for FreeBSD change, Debian considers how to cull old packages, systemd ported to musl |
| • Issue 1086 (2024-09-02): Vanilla OS 2, command line tips for simple tasks, FreeBSD receives investment from STF, openSUSE Tumbleweed update can break network connections, Debian refreshes media |
| • Issue 1085 (2024-08-26): Nobara 40, OpenMandriva 24.07 "ROME", distros which include source code, FreeBSD publishes quarterly report, Microsoft updates breaks Linux in dual-boot environments |
| • Issue 1084 (2024-08-19): Liya 2.0, dual boot with encryption, Haiku introduces performance improvements, Gentoo dropping IA-64, Redcore merges major upgrade |
| • Issue 1083 (2024-08-12): TrueNAS 24.04.2 "SCALE", Linux distros for smartphones, Redox OS introduces web server, PipeWire exposes battery drain on Linux, Canonical updates kernel version policy |
| • Issue 1082 (2024-08-05): Linux Mint 22, taking snapshots of UFS on FreeBSD, openSUSE updates Tumbleweed and Aeon, Debian creates Tiny QA Tasks, Manjaro testing immutable images |
| • Issue 1081 (2024-07-29): SysLinuxOS 12.4, OpenBSD gain hardware acceleration, Slackware changes kernel naming, Mint publishes upgrade instructions |
| • Issue 1080 (2024-07-22): Running GNU/Linux on Android with Andronix, protecting network services, Solus dropping AppArmor and Snap, openSUSE Aeon Desktop gaining full disk encryption, SUSE asks openSUSE to change its branding |
| • Issue 1079 (2024-07-15): Ubuntu Core 24, hiding files on Linux, Fedora dropping X11 packages on Workstation, Red Hat phasing out GRUB, new OpenSSH vulnerability, FreeBSD speeds up release cycle, UBports testing new first-run wizard |
| • Issue 1078 (2024-07-08): Changing init software, server machines running desktop environments, OpenSSH vulnerability patched, Peppermint launches new edition, HardenedBSD updates ports |
| • Issue 1077 (2024-07-01): The Unity and Lomiri interfaces, different distros for different tasks, Ubuntu plans to run Wayland on NVIDIA cards, openSUSE updates Leap Micro, Debian releases refreshed media, UBports gaining contact synchronisation, FreeDOS celebrates its 30th anniversary |
| • Issue 1076 (2024-06-24): openSUSE 15.6, what makes Linux unique, SUSE Liberty Linux to support CentOS Linux 7, SLE receives 19 years of support, openSUSE testing Leap Micro edition |
| • Issue 1075 (2024-06-17): Redox OS, X11 and Wayland on the BSDs, AlmaLinux releases Pi build, Canonical announces RISC-V laptop with Ubuntu, key changes in systemd |
| • Issue 1074 (2024-06-10): Endless OS 6.0.0, distros with init diversity, Mint to filter unverified Flatpaks, Debian adds systemd-boot options, Redox adopts COSMIC desktop, OpenSSH gains new security features |
| • Issue 1073 (2024-06-03): LXQt 2.0.0, an overview of Linux desktop environments, Canonical partners with Milk-V, openSUSE introduces new features in Aeon Desktop, Fedora mirrors see rise in traffic, Wayland adds OpenBSD support |
| • Issue 1072 (2024-05-27): Manjaro 24.0, comparing init software, OpenBSD ports Plasma 6, Arch community debates mirror requirements, ThinOS to upgrade its FreeBSD core |
| • Issue 1071 (2024-05-20): Archcraft 2024.04.06, common command line mistakes, ReactOS imports WINE improvements, Haiku makes adjusting themes easier, NetBSD takes a stand against code generated by chatbots |
| • Issue 1070 (2024-05-13): Damn Small Linux 2024, hiding kernel messages during boot, Red Hat offers AI edition, new web browser for UBports, Fedora Asahi Remix 40 released, Qubes extends support for version 4.1 |
| • Issue 1069 (2024-05-06): Ubuntu 24.04, installing packages in alternative locations, systemd creates sudo alternative, Mint encourages XApps collaboration, FreeBSD publishes quarterly update |
| • Issue 1068 (2024-04-29): Fedora 40, transforming one distro into another, Debian elects new Project Leader, Red Hat extends support cycle, Emmabuntus adds accessibility features, Canonical's new security features |
| • Issue 1067 (2024-04-22): LocalSend for transferring files, detecting supported CPU architecure levels, new visual design for APT, Fedora and openSUSE working on reproducible builds, LXQt released, AlmaLinux re-adds hardware support |
| • Issue 1066 (2024-04-15): Fun projects to do with the Raspberry Pi and PinePhone, installing new software on fixed-release distributions, improving GNOME Terminal performance, Mint testing new repository mirrors, Gentoo becomes a Software In the Public Interest project |
| • Issue 1065 (2024-04-08): Dr.Parted Live 24.03, answering questions about the xz exploit, Linux Mint to ship HWE kernel, AlmaLinux patches flaw ahead of upstream Red Hat, Calculate changes release model |
| • Issue 1064 (2024-04-01): NixOS 23.11, the status of Hurd, liblzma compromised upstream, FreeBSD Foundation focuses on improving wireless networking, Ubuntu Pro offers 12 years of support |
| • Issue 1063 (2024-03-25): Redcore Linux 2401, how slowly can a rolling release update, Debian starts new Project Leader election, Red Hat creating new NVIDIA driver, Snap store hit with more malware |
| • Issue 1062 (2024-03-18): KDE neon 20240304, changing file permissions, Canonical turns 20, Pop!_OS creates new software centre, openSUSE packages Plasma 6 |
| • Issue 1061 (2024-03-11): Using a PinePhone as a workstation, restarting background services on a schedule, NixBSD ports Nix to FreeBSD, Fedora packaging COSMIC, postmarketOS to adopt systemd, Linux Mint replacing HexChat |
| • Issue 1060 (2024-03-04): AV Linux MX-23.1, bootstrapping a network connection, key OpenBSD features, Qubes certifies new hardware, LXQt and Plasma migrate to Qt 6 |
| • Issue 1059 (2024-02-26): Warp Terminal, navigating manual pages, malware found in the Snap store, Red Hat considering CPU requirement update, UBports organizes ongoing work |
| • Issue 1058 (2024-02-19): Drauger OS 7.6, how much disk space to allocate, System76 prepares to launch COSMIC desktop, UBports changes its version scheme, TrueNAS to offer faster deduplication |
| • Issue 1057 (2024-02-12): Adelie Linux 1.0 Beta, rolling release vs fixed for a smoother experience, Debian working on 2038 bug, elementary OS to split applications from base system updates, Fedora announces Atomic Desktops |
| • Issue 1056 (2024-02-05): wattOS R13, the various write speeds of ISO writing tools, DSL returns, Mint faces Wayland challenges, HardenedBSD blocks foreign USB devices, Gentoo publishes new repository, Linux distros patch glibc flaw |
| • Issue 1055 (2024-01-29): CNIX OS 231204, distributions patching packages the most, Gentoo team presents ongoing work, UBports introduces connectivity and battery improvements, interview with Haiku developer |
| • Issue 1054 (2024-01-22): Solus 4.5, comparing dd and cp when writing ISO files, openSUSE plans new major Leap version, XeroLinux shutting down, HardenedBSD changes its build schedule |
| • Issue 1053 (2024-01-15): Linux AI voice assistants, some distributions running hotter than others, UBports talks about coming changes, Qubes certifies StarBook laptops, Asahi Linux improves energy savings |
| • Issue 1052 (2024-01-08): OpenMandriva Lx 5.0, keeping shell commands running when theterminal closes, Mint upgrades Edge kernel, Vanilla OS plans big changes, Canonical working to make Snap more cross-platform |
| • Issue 1051 (2024-01-01): Favourite distros of 2023, reloading shell settings, Asahi Linux releases Fedora remix, Gentoo offers binary packages, openSUSE provides full disk encryption |
| • Issue 1050 (2023-12-18): rlxos 2023.11, renaming files and opening terminal windows in specific directories, TrueNAS publishes ZFS fixes, Debian publishes delayed install media, Haiku polishes desktop experience |
| • Issue 1049 (2023-12-11): Lernstick 12, alternatives to WINE, openSUSE updates its branding, Mint unveils new features, Lubuntu team plans for 24.04 |
| • Issue 1048 (2023-12-04): openSUSE MicroOS, the transition from X11 to Wayland, Red Hat phasing out X11 packages, UBports making mobile development easier |
| • Issue 1047 (2023-11-27): GhostBSD 23.10.1, Why Linux uses swap when memory is free, Ubuntu Budgie may benefit from Wayland work in Xfce, early issues with FreeBSD 14.0 |
| • Issue 1046 (2023-11-20): Slackel 7.7 "Openbox", restricting CPU usage, Haiku improves font handling and software centre performance, Canonical launches MicroCloud |
| • Full list of all issues |
| Star Labs |
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.
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| Random Distribution | 
NuTyX
NuTyX is a French Linux distribution (with multi-language support) built from Linux From Scratch and Beyond Linux From Scratch, with a custom package manager called "cards". The package manager can install individual binary packages, a group of related binary packages (e.g. desktop packages, such as KDE or Xfce), and compile source packages from "ports". The distribution is designed for intermediate and advanced Linux users.
Status: Active
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| TUXEDO |
TUXEDO Computers - Linux Hardware in a tailor made suite
Choose from a wide range of laptops and PCs in various sizes and shapes at TUXEDOComputers.com. Every machine comes pre-installed and ready-to-run with Linux. Full 24 months of warranty and lifetime support included!
Learn more about our full service package and all benefits from buying at TUXEDO.
|
| Star Labs |
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.
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