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1 • Specialist or Generalist? (by penguinx86 on 2025-01-13 01:57:00 GMT from United States)
I prefer Generalist distros like Linux Mint. I just want a basic unbloated distro without Gnome or Snaps. I can always add the packages I want later using Synaptic. The only Specialast distro I use is Tails.
2 • My specialist distro is also a generalist distro (by Andy Prough on 2025-01-13 04:01:35 GMT from United States)
I use Trisquel GNU/Linux, a specialist distro which only contains FSF-approved libre software. But it's also a generalist distro that can do pretty much anything Ubuntu can.
One thing I don't understand is why we should be interested in how many DW readers don't use any distro at all? If you aren't capable of running a distro, then I don't value your opinion about distros.
3 • Linux Distro vs BSD (by vmc on 2025-01-13 04:13:38 GMT from United States)
"One thing I don't understand is why we should be interested in how many DW readers don't use any distro at all?" It states ...Linux Distro
There are a lot of people using BSD and NOT a Linux Distro.
4 • @3 Distros vs BSDs (by Andy Prough on 2025-01-13 05:04:32 GMT from Switzerland)
>"There are a lot of people using BSD and NOT a Linux Distro."
It's a good point, but then the voting option should say that specifically, rather than lumping BSD users in with Windows/Mac/ChromeOS/Other-Proprietary-Garbage users.
5 • Not just LInux (by Tim on 2025-01-13 07:08:07 GMT from Australia)
I ticked 'even mixture' I have a couple of PCs running Linux servers. Various laptops running various versions of GNU/Linux which I use less now. I even have one running Haiku from a memory stick. I am also running a new (old) server with freeBSD. My main desktop and main laptop are running GhostBSD (freeBSD based).
6 • specialist or general (by Josh on 2025-01-13 08:02:50 GMT from United States)
Everything I run is either Debian or directly Debian based. Doesn't get much more general than that. As of now, I have Debian Testing on my main machine, LMDE on my laptop, and Q4OS Trinity on my anemic netbook.
As an aside, I wouldn't touch Ubuntu with a 10 foot pole. Gnome sucks, and so do Snaps. Canonical as well.
7 • @4 (by openBSD user on 2025-01-13 08:34:51 GMT from The Netherlands)
> rather than lumping BSD users in with Windows/Mac/ChromeOS/Other-Proprietary-Garbage users
As an openBSD user, I would rather be lumped in with Windows and Mac users than with whatever the Linux "community" has become.
8 • Opinions are like @$$holes, everyone except mine stink (by Arch uses me BTW on 2025-01-13 08:40:11 GMT from Japan)
> As an aside, I wouldn't touch Ubuntu with a 10 foot pole. Gnome sucks, and so do Snaps. Canonical as well.
Ubuntu sucks, but not as much as Mint. And yes, that includes LMDE.
GNOME sucks, but not as much as KDE. And no, COSMIC won't be any less bad.
Snaps suck, but not as much as Flatpaks. AppImages FTW!
Canonical sucks, but not as much as Red Hat. Let alone SUSE.
9 • I use systemd-less distro. (by illumos on 2025-01-13 08:45:24 GMT from Japan)
My daily driver is Noir Linux, OpenBSD, Tribblix.
Noir is forked from KISS Linux, hard systemd-less distro.
Simple, easy, and systemd-less!
10 • illumos is true UNIX. (by illumos on 2025-01-13 08:48:23 GMT from Japan)
@3 Why don't you use illumos?
11 • Special/general distros (by Dr.J on 2025-01-13 09:10:18 GMT from Germany)
A strange question, as if they were opposites.
There are great distros for very specific purposes, such as LibreELEC for kodi, or pfsense as a firewall or Tails or SystemRescue.
I don't work with them on my main computer, but ...
Without them, nothing works here
12 • Specialist or general purpose (by mikkh on 2025-01-13 10:19:19 GMT from United Kingdom)
I've tried a few specialist distros or had a quick look at them at least on my Ventoy stick and most seem to be too specialist with far too many programs related to the given subject, seemingly just for the sake of it. There is almost certainly a preferred/used by most program in each category, but a whole host of alternatives are also provided. Nobody is using all of those surely?
I use a so called general purpose one (it's not Arch btw!) and if I have any need for software not already included by default, I'll install it myself.
13 • Specialty or general purpose distro? (by James on 2025-01-13 10:39:09 GMT from United States)
If you do a little research on software you can turn any general distro into a specialty distro that is exactly what you want. More than likely everything you need is in the repository all you have to do is install it.
14 • ubuntu (by Josh on 2025-01-13 11:11:46 GMT from United States)
@8 Nah, Mint doesn't suck. In fact, it's Ubuntu done right. And, LMDE is even better because it completely eliminates the middle man. It's just a shame there's no XFCE version.
I do agree about Appimages, though. Flatpacks aka Fat-packs, are laggy and take up HUGE amounts of space for no good reason. (at least in my limited experience)
I can't comment on KDE because I've never tried it. And with it's reputation for being buggy, I don't intend to any time soon.
15 • Specialist V General (by kc1di on 2025-01-13 11:17:44 GMT from United States)
I use General Desktop distros, and as some else has already said if I need specialist programs I just install what I need. There are very few instances when what is needed is not available. So for most part unless you doing a multimedia server I don't see the need for a specialist distro. But to each his own.
16 • Legion Go S (by Twistnux on 2025-01-13 12:42:49 GMT from France)
From the Lenovo announcement page, the Legion Go S "would" (the introducing price may change at any time) be about $100 cheaper with Steam OS installed than with Windows (for the exact same model, since there is another Windows-only high-end model, more expensive).
Of course, I'm not directly implying that's another good reason to stay away from Windows 11, and I'm not even talking about the fact that Steam OS, as Linux distro, is basically aging way better than any Windows installation ever. Just saying.
17 • PinePhone, Raspberry Pi, or other SBCs and general purpose operating systems (by lincoln on 2025-01-13 13:04:27 GMT from Brazil)
The nature of Linux as a generalist and open-source system is incredible, allowing for comprehensive, deep, and solid learning. For example, with a set of machines (pinephone, laptop, Raspberry Pi, and other SBCs), it is possible to learn, practice, and read all the code of distributed systems. To illustrate, beyond the cases of Jesse, check how fascinating and at the same time simple it is to practice good microservices practices in open-source programming languages/frameworks such as JavaScript (Node.js/micro), Lua (Apache APISIX), and Python (Flask).
18 • Specialty Distros vs ... all the rest (by Otis on 2025-01-13 14:39:32 GMT from United States)
Well, a definition I ran across: "A specialty distro is a Linux-based system designed to serve a specific role."
Then it talks about specific "tools" for certain functionalities. All downloadable for any distro, of course, thus rendering our "general distros" into specialty ones.
I guess.
Anyway... the ones with science tools, forensic security tools, system rescue, gaming, emulation, etc, deserve respect for their focus and dedication, and ability to attract a targeted user base I suppose.
19 • General vs Specialist (by Robert on 2025-01-13 14:40:21 GMT from United States)
I always prefer the general purpose distros, even for specialized purposes.
You can always make a general distro do anything you want without too much effort. Just install the packages and do some configuration. That may not be the case for a special purpose distro. It might be easier for that specific purpose, but anything else packages might not be available.
Also a specialist distro that sets everything up for you might not be configured the way you want it. And often it is more difficult to undo or work around pre-existing configurations than to just set it up yourself
20 • Specialist or general purpose ? (by Corentin on 2025-01-13 22:27:07 GMT from Romania)
Specialized sucks. Never on my PCs.
@8 & 14
Yes, Mint sucks. GNOME too, it's unusable, but KDE, although I'm not a fan at all, is far better.
About Ubuntu, you don't have to use its main flavour, but rather another flavour with a different desktop. Ubuntu (or rather Ubuntu MATE for me) is the least bad option there. Its combo of stability, long-term support and overall ease of use are probably the best compromise you'll get in the Linux world.
21 • Specialist or general purpose? (by Tobias on 2025-01-13 22:32:55 GMT from Germany)
I prefer the general purpose distros (fedora kde) and for specialized purposes you can use Fedora Labs.
22 • General or Specialized Linux Distros? (by Mark59 on 2025-01-14 00:02:08 GMT from United States)
I'm on Mint LMDE, but moving off due to the dreaded Debian old versions of everything issue.
Have run MX Linux recently, but their KDE version somehow seems "off" to me. Have used specialized versions for rescue and repair jobs (Parted Magic, etc.).
Trying to balance between faster and slower machines (primary vs. backup machines) has me looking at Ubuntu MATE as splitting the difference while being well-supported
The desktops are a mess; Cosmic is another "re-inventing the wheel 'cause we're cooler than you" project, GNOME looks like a slow-motion collapse, and why can't XFCE have individual custom folder icons after all these years, when even LXQT can??
23 • mint (by Josh on 2025-01-14 00:04:06 GMT from United States)
@8 So, since you haven't actually given a single reasons why, I'd be interested in hearing what you think it is that's so awful about Mint (besides being based on Ubuntu) and LMDE.
As for Ubuntu, no matter which flavor you choose, they all still taste like crap from Canonical.
24 • @6, @23, with honorable mention for @8, Opinions (by Tasio on 2025-01-14 01:53:48 GMT from Philippines)
"@8 So, since you haven't actually given a single reasons why, I'd be interested in hearing what you think it is that's so awful about Mint As for Ubuntu, no matter which flavor you choose, they all still taste like crap from Canonical." "Maybe you missed @8's name, but I'll echo and reinforce it: Opinions are like @$$holes, everyone except mine stink. You offer an unsupported opinion, but expect others to have reasons for theirs.
Here's mine: I'm running Kubuntu and Ubuntu 25.04 dailies. They run as well as any current release by any other distro. Snaps? Kubuntu can be installed without Snaps. Ubuntu can be installed and Snaps can be removed in about 5 minutes. I'm running sans Snaps, not because I have any big objection to them or to Canonical, but because I wanted to and I can. For kicks, let's say. Mint? Excellent distro, but I much prefer Gnome and/or KDE configured to suit me, and Cinnamon is still somewhat limited in that regard. My opinion. My choice. No need or desire to explain to anyone.
25 • GNOME is nightmare (by illumos on 2025-01-14 02:25:43 GMT from Japan)
@8 KDE is heavy but has good usability.
You can launch applications with two mouse clicks from the menu in the bottom right of the screen.
LXDE, LXqt, and Xfce are lightweight and have the same usability as KDE.
GNOME 3 and later versions are a nightmare.
First, GNOME is completely dependent on systemd, so it is impossible to use it on a distribution without systemd.
Second, there are no menus, so users have to click the mouse multiple times to switch screens to launch applications.
This design is great for tablets with touch screens, but a nightmare for workstations and laptops.
Some people counter this by saying that they can easily launch applications using keyboard shortcuts without a mouse.
But why use a DE if you want to use the keyboard instead of the mouse?
Such users should use i3 or sway.
GNOME is a nightmare for people who want a mouse-based experience.
26 • @25 Gnome nightmare dreams (by Tasio on 2025-01-14 05:47:23 GMT from Philippines)
@25, "First, GNOME is completely dependent on systemd, so it is impossible to use it on a distribution without systemd. Second, there are no menus, so users have to click the mouse multiple times to switch screens to launch applications. This design is great for tablets with touch screens, but a nightmare for workstations and laptops. "
One should learn before trying to teach. First: Gnome runs fine on Devuan. Ive used it. Second: How many menus do you need?
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=gnome+with+menus&iax=images&ia=images
You want docks for one-click launching? There are several of those too, including the default dash.
27 • @22 (by James on 2025-01-14 06:57:34 GMT from United States)
@22 Since you’re look at Ubuntu MATE, there is the main Ubuntu based edition of Linux Mint, and you can have MATE as the default desktop environment- they have the Cinnamon, Xfce and MATE desktop environments- and you wouldn’t have to deal with the Debian old versions of anything.
Plus, Ubuntu MATE is just Ubuntu with a different desktop environment and still is like Ubuntu being heavy, bloated and inherits Ubuntu’s spyware. That’s the same for any of the other “flavors” of Ubuntu. With Mint, it doesn’t have any of that, because the developer cares about the community, listens to their thoughts and opinions and Linux Mint has none of the annoyances and frustrations of Ubuntu.
I agree with you on the Cosmic, Gnome and Xfce desktop environments.
One thing I never understood is why Ubuntu is recommended so often to Windows users curious to try out Linux and move away from Windows. It’s different in every way- the desktop environment isn’t similar, is counter-intuitive and a pain going through multiple menus and clicks to get where you need to go and Ubuntu and Gnome to me is the anti-thesis of Linux- making customization so difficult and always breaking the community’s workarounds and the hostility Canonical and Gnome embodies with their track record- and that’s just some examples! That sounds like Windows on Linux to me- which is exactly what people leaving Windows don’t need to deal with and don’t want.
Overall, Ubuntu and Gnome give Linux a bad name.
28 • GNOME's UI (by illumos on 2025-01-14 07:02:15 GMT from Japan)
@26 You've installed your distribution.
Let's get started!
For KDE, Xfce, LXDE, LXqt,MATE:
You'll find a menu at the top or bottom of the screen.
Click the Menu button.
Click the application you want.
Done! 2 clicks!
Whenever you want to run terminal, there is shortcut button in Menu Bar.
Great! 1 click only!
For GNOME:
There's no Menu bar.
Click the button at the top left.
Click Show Apps.
Oh... 3 clicks.
Whenever you want to run terminal, but there's not Menu bar and shortcut button.
You have to click Show Apps again.
wtf!? Endless 3 clicks!
GNOME's UI is nightmare...
29 • GNOME's UI is nightmare... (by mandog on 2025-01-14 07:43:53 GMT from United Kingdom)
Thats not true gnome has a menu actually more than one I use the drop down menu its just not installed by default for the masses
30 • @28, GNOME's UI (by Tasio on 2025-01-14 08:04:34 GMT from Philippines)
"You'll find a menu at the top or bottom of the screen. Click the Menu button. Click the application you want. Done! 2 clicks!" Actually, in most menus it's: Click the menu button, Scroll to the category. Click on the category (or hover sometimes). Scroll to the app. Click on the app. Done! 3 clicks and 2 scrolls. Just like in Windows of olden days.
I'd expect anyone who's willing and able to install an OS would also be willing and able to configure a desktop. That would include configuring menus if present to make it easier, or even installing a different menu, (Whisker menu for example in XFCE) and/or move the panel/bar to a preferred location. But for those who want it all pre-arranged, go for it! Use what pleases you. Me, I prefer a dock at the bottom with all my commonly used apps present near where the cursor sits. I don't have to move the cursor all the way to the top or bottom right corner and click on a menu. I just move the cursor a short distance and click on the app. Done! 1 click. Most DEs, including GNOME, are quite easy to set up.
Now even in bog-stock GNOME one can hit the Super key and click on a favorite app on the dash. Yes, that can include the terminal. In Ubuntu GNOME the dash is always visible. 1 click.
.
31 • DISTRIBUTION for daily use (by rhtoras on 2025-01-14 08:52:53 GMT from Greece)
To select a distribution you have to consider what you are doing. Checking repology or official site of the ditribution of the available packages and go on. I also use Openbsd along nosystemD linux. I also like to use tribblix which is the only real unix derivative as all illumos distributions. I recommend people trying tribblix and help it grow up. A general purpose distro should be just fine. Void linux which according to distrowatch is the #1 distro is my go to option.
p.s Gnome is $#!^
32 • Vanilla GNOME (by illumos on 2025-01-14 09:47:58 GMT from Japan)
@30 Why do I need to customize GNOME to do things that I can do right out of the box with KDE, Xfce, LXDE, LXqt, and MATE?
What is the point of sticking with GNOME instead of installing a different DE from the start?
33 • @32, GNOME (by Tasio on 2025-01-14 10:30:46 GMT from Philippines)
"Why do I need to customize GNOME to do things that I can do right out of the box with KDE, Xfce, LXDE, LXqt, and MATE?" You don't need to do anything. No one is forcing you to install, use, customize, or do anything at all with or without GNOME. Why is it that you object to other people doing things the way they want to do them? You don't like GNOME? Fine, use something else and let others enjoy what they use. I like and enjoy using GNOME and so do many other people. I am not telling you to use it or not to use the ones you do. Why is that so hard for you to follow?
I customize any distro I use with any DE. If it's too rigid for me, I may not use it, (Pantheon or Budgie for example) but I don't belittle it either. Some people may find it works for them. I change themes, remove and install apps, add backgrounds, adjust fonts, move panels, add docks, and quite a few other things. Yes, I can use GNOME as it comes, and I can do anything I can do with any other DE. It's different, but It doesn't take any more "clicks", as you claim. I just prefer to set my desktop, no matter what DE I use, my own way. A large part of the reason I use Linux is just that: Choice! You're welcome to use yours as you see fit.
34 • Mouse or Touch screen (by illumos on 2025-01-14 11:06:37 GMT from Japan)
@33 I'm just saying that for workstations and laptops the GNOME UI is a nightmare.
Also, I praise "This design is great for tablets with touch screens" as GNOME on tablets..
And I wrote:
"Some people counter this by saying that they can easily launch applications using keyboard shortcuts without a mouse.
But why use a DE if you want to use the keyboard instead of the mouse?
Such users should use i3 or sway.
GNOME is a nightmare for people who want a mouse-based experience."
35 • @34, Mouse or tpuch screen (by Tasio on 2025-01-14 11:45:42 GMT from Philippines)
"Some people counter this by saying that they can easily launch applications using keyboard shortcuts without a mouse. But why use a DE if you want to use the keyboard instead of the mouse? GNOME is a nightmare for people who want a mouse-based experience."
You can just as easily launch applications in Cinnamon, KDE and others using the keyboard instead of the mouse. Super key and start typing, just like in GNOME. And I keep repeating: I use GNOME and it gives me a perfectly fine "mouse-based" experience, as good as KDE and in some cases better. I seldom launch apps with the keyboard, although I do sometimes whether in GNOME or KDE makes no difference. Seems like you just want it to do things exactly your way. Fine. You win.
36 • Gnome (by Bob on 2025-01-14 14:11:56 GMT from United States)
Gnome made Xfce great again
37 • Gnome (by Otis on 2025-01-14 16:15:23 GMT from United States)
It might be a mood thing, with some users. I love AlmaLinux and learned to tweak the default DE to my liking, heading to the Gnome Shell Extensions page several times, and invoking Gnome Tweaks for a few other things.
Then it's done. BUT, I do see the irony, as several other DEs have default settings that are similar to what I do to Gnome to get it to my liking. Plasma has come a long way with regard to that and one of my other favorite distros, Nobara, has ditched the default Gnome in favor of KDE Plasma. So I have that on a machine, too.
Then there's MX Linux which, like many, a user can shape it to any DE they want or none at all. Linux choices are amazing. The "Gnome sucks!" meme flitting around forums and this page like a leaf in the breeze could well be true.. for you.. at times. Some like it as is, some do not.
Mess with it, I find it fun to do that.
38 • Gnome (KDE) problems (by Jan on 2025-01-14 22:32:00 GMT from The Netherlands)
I recently tested in live-usb Fedora-Gnome (again). Gnome (latest version) gives me a little bit smoother browser-behaviour w.r.t. KDE (and XFCE).
I added a Gnome extention to enable icons to the desktop. It did not work. I could nowhere find how to remove this unfunctional extension.
Then I added an extention to list added Gnome-extenstions. It did show up at the right-lower-corner. When I clicked on it, it disappeared.
So the Gnome-extensions to enhance the functionallity, seem to break at updated Gnome-DE. Something of which I found internet-messages (so it is not specific my problem).
However KDE also has an irritating problem. After installing some apps in some KDE-distros, the startup-icon is nowhere to be found. It also has some internet-messages. However I could get rid of those app's.
For the time being I think I have to resort to KDE-distros.
39 • nosuck (by vmc on 2025-01-16 01:02:37 GMT from United States)
Ubuntu, Mint, etc don't such its your lack of ability that sucks.
Been using both for years and they work as well as I make them work.
40 • abilities (by Josh on 2025-01-16 05:20:15 GMT from United States)
@39 That's not it. At all.
For example, I'm perfectly able to use Windows. I did for years. But do I want to these days? Hell no.
Am I able to use Ubuntu? Absolutely. Do I like it or want to? Not really. Would I rather use it than Windows? Oh, you bet your a$$.
41 • Details.. (by Friar Tux on 2025-01-16 17:58:29 GMT from Canada)
@40 (Josh) Just curious... what, exactly DO you find wrong with Mint to say it sucks? I've used it for about 10 years and never had an issue - as have countless other, here. I, personally, use it to do just about everything from writing to editing videos, play games, read, graphics design, and so forth. Please, details would be nice.
42 • mint (by Josh on 2025-01-16 23:36:43 GMT from United States)
@41 What's wrong with Mint? Next to nothing. I never said Mint sucked. @8 Was the one that kept saying "Mint sucks!" but never gave a single reason why, even though I asked.
BTW, I ran Mint for a while myself and had it on my elderly mom's laptop for a few years. I also ran LMDE on my main machine for several years. I still run it on my spare laptop, and now I have it on mom's laptop as well.
The only issue I ever had was in LMDE 5, where Cinnamon would occasionally crash when using the file manager. LMDE 6 has been fine.
43 • Humble Apologies (by Friar Tux on 2025-01-17 00:26:39 GMT from Canada)
@42 (Josh) Sorry, sir, I do apologize. I misread your #41 comment. It WAS #8 that actually said Mint sucked. And I DO wish people would say why. One of the reasons I love coming here is that when someone gives the details of the issues they have, there is always someone who can offer help from THEIR experience. Maybe Mint wouldn't suck so much if you could fix the issue with a bit of help.
44 • @41 Friar Tuck: (by dragonmouth on 2025-01-17 11:40:14 GMT from United States)
"I've used it [Mint] for about 10 years and never had an issue"
Which is neither here nor there. There are dozens of distros that other people have run "for about 10 years" that you claim are No Good because YOU couldn't make them work (they break after the first update). So don't get all hot and bothered when someone does not like Mint. Mint IS NOTt The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread. No distro is.
45 • Generalist or specialist (by Andra on 2025-01-17 14:18:40 GMT from Indonesia)
I prefer general purpose distro since I don't need any specialized distro. Using my laptop for working (non IT field). But I respect other choice that sometimes specialized distro helps a lot to keep them focused.
I use GNOME, and I prefer to use it. It doesn't have complete feature like Plasma (I used Plasma before), yet it tend to be more mature now.
No distro or DE sucks. It just doesn't work well for you.
Number of Comments: 45
Display mode: DWW Only • Comments Only • Both DWW and Comments
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| Archives |
| • Issue 1163 (2026-03-09): KaOS 2026.02, TinyCore 17.0, NuTyX 26.02.2, Would one big collection of packages help?, Guix offers 64-bit Hurd options, Linux communities discuss age delcaration laws, Mint unveils new screensaver for Cinnamon, Redox ports new COSMIC features |
| • Issue 1162 (2026-03-02): AerynOS 2026.01, anti-virus and firewall tools, Manjaro fixes website certificate, Ubuntu splits firmware package, jails for NetBSD, extended support for some Linux kernel releases, Murena creating a map app |
| • Issue 1161 (2026-02-23): The Guix package manager, quick Q&As, Gentoo migrating its mirrors, Fedora considers more informative kernel panic screens, GhostBSD testing alternative X11 implementation, Asahi makes progress with Apple M3, NetBSD userland ported, FreeBSD improves web-based system management |
| • Issue 1160 (2026-02-16): Noid and AgarimOS, command line tips, KDE Linux introduces delta updates, Redox OS hits development milestone, Linux Mint develops a desktop-neutral account manager, sudo developer seeks sponsorship |
| • Issue 1159 (2026-02-09): Sharing files on a network, isolating processes on Linux, LFS to focus on systemd, openSUSE polishes atomic updates, NetBSD not likely to adopt Rust code, COSMIC roadmap |
| • Issue 1158 (2026-02-02): Manjaro 26.0, fastest filesystem, postmarketOS progress report, Xfce begins developing its own Wayland window manager, Bazzite founder interviewed |
| • Issue 1157 (2026-01-26): Setting up a home server, what happened to convergence, malicious software entering the Snap store, postmarketOS automates hardware tests, KDE's login manager works with systemd only |
| • Issue 1156 (2026-01-19): Chimera Linux's new installer, using the DistroWatch Torrent Corner, new package tools for Arch, Haiku improves EFI support, Redcore streamlines branches, Synex introduces install-time ZFS options |
| • Issue 1155 (2026-01-12): MenuetOS, CDE on Sparky, iDeal OS 2025.12.07, recommended flavour of BSD, Debian seeks new Data Protection Team, Ubuntu 25.04 nears its end of life, Google limits Android source code releases, Fedora plans to replace SDDM, Budgie migrates to Wayland |
| • Issue 1154 (2026-01-05): postmarketOS 25.06/25.12, switching to Linux and educational resources, FreeBSD improving laptop support, Unix v4 available for download, new X11 server in development, CachyOS team plans server edtion |
| • Issue 1153 (2025-12-22): Best projects of 2025, is software ever truly finished?, Firefox to adopt AI components, Asahi works on improving the install experience, Mageia presents plans for version 10 |
| • Issue 1152 (2025-12-15): OpenBSD 7.8, filtering websites, Jolla working on a Linux phone, Germany saves money with Linux, Ubuntu to package AMD tools, Fedora demonstrates AI troubleshooting, Haiku packages Go language |
| • Issue 1151 (2025-12-08): FreeBSD 15.0, fun command line tricks, Canonical presents plans for Ubutnu 26.04, SparkyLinux updates CDE packages, Redox OS gets modesetting driver |
| • Issue 1150 (2025-12-01): Gnoppix 25_10, exploring if distributions matter, openSUSE updates tumbleweed's boot loader, Fedora plans better handling of broken packages, Plasma to become Wayland-only, FreeBSD publishes status report |
| • Issue 1149 (2025-11-24): MX Linux 25, why are video drivers special, systemd experiments with musl, Debian Libre Live publishes new media, Xubuntu reviews website hack |
| • Issue 1148 (2025-11-17): Zorin OS 18, deleting a file with an unusual name, NetBSD experiments with sandboxing, postmarketOS unifies its documentation, OpenBSD refines upgrades, Canonical offers 15 years of support for Ubuntu |
| • Issue 1147 (2025-11-10): Fedora 43, the size and stability of the Linux kernel, Debian introducing Rust to APT, Redox ports web engine, Kubuntu website off-line, Mint creates new troubleshooting tools, FreeBSD improves reproducible builds, Flatpak development resumes |
| • Issue 1146 (2025-11-03): StartOS 0.4.0, testing piped commands, Ubuntu Unity seeks help, Canonical offers Ubuntu credentials, Red Hat partners with NVIDIA, SUSE to bundle AI agent with SLE 16 |
| • Issue 1145 (2025-10-27): Linux Mint 7 "LMDE", advice for new Linux users, AlmaLinux to offer Btrfs, KDE launches Plasma 6.5, Fedora accepts contributions written by AI, Ubuntu 25.10 fails to install automatic updates |
| • Issue 1144 (2025-10-20): Kubuntu 25.10, creating and restoring encrypted backups, Fedora team debates AI, FSF plans free software for phones, ReactOS addresses newer drivers, Xubuntu reacts to website attack |
| • Issue 1143 (2025-10-13): openSUSE 16.0 Leap, safest source for new applications, Redox introduces performance improvements, TrueNAS Connect available for testing, Flatpaks do not work on Ubuntu 25.10, Kamarada plans to switch its base, Solus enters new epoch, Frugalware discontinued |
| • Issue 1142 (2025-10-06): Linux Kamarada 15.6, managing ZIP files with SQLite, F-Droid warns of impact of Android lockdown, Alpine moves ahead with merged /usr, Cinnamon gets a redesigned application menu |
| • Issue 1141 (2025-09-29): KDE Linux and GNOME OS, finding mobile flavours of Linux, Murena to offer phones with kill switches, Redox OS running on a smartphone, Artix drops GNOME |
| • Issue 1140 (2025-09-22): NetBSD 10.1, avoiding AI services, AlmaLinux enables CRB repository, Haiku improves disk access performance, Mageia addresses service outage, GNOME 49 released, Linux introduces multikernel support |
| • Issue 1139 (2025-09-15): EasyOS 7.0, Linux and central authority, FreeBSD running Plasma 6 on Wayland, GNOME restores X11 support temporarily, openSUSE dropping BCacheFS in new kernels |
| • Issue 1138 (2025-09-08): Shebang 25.8, LibreELEC 12.2.0, Debian GNU/Hurd 2025, the importance of software updates, AerynOS introduces package sets, postmarketOS encourages patching upstream, openSUSE extends Leap support, Debian refreshes Trixie media |
| • Issue 1137 (2025-09-01): Tribblix 0m37, malware scanners flagging Linux ISO files, KDE introduces first-run setup wizard, CalyxOS plans update prior to infrastructure overhaul, FreeBSD publishes status report |
| • Issue 1136 (2025-08-25): CalyxOS 6.8.20, distros for running containers, Arch Linux website under attack,illumos Cafe launched, CachyOS creates web dashboard for repositories |
| • Issue 1135 (2025-08-18): Debian 13, Proton, WINE, Wayland, and Wayback, Debian GNU/Hurd 2025, KDE gets advanced Liquid Glass, Haiku improves authentication tools |
| • Issue 1134 (2025-08-11): Rhino Linux 2025.3, thoughts on malware in the AUR, Fedora brings hammered websites back on-line, NetBSD reveals features for version 11, Ubuntu swaps some command line tools for 25.10, AlmaLinux improves NVIDIA support |
| • Issue 1133 (2025-08-04): Expirion Linux 6.0, running Plasma on Linux Mint, finding distros which support X11, Debian addresses 22 year old bug, FreeBSD discusses potential issues with pkgbase, CDE ported to OpenBSD, Btrfs corruption bug hitting Fedora users, more malware found in Arch User Repository |
| • Issue 1132 (2025-07-28): deepin 25, wars in the open source community, proposal to have Fedora enable Flathub repository, FreeBSD plans desktop install option, Wayback gets its first release |
| • Issue 1131 (2025-07-21): HeliumOS 10.0, settling on one distro, Mint plans new releases, Arch discovers malware in AUR, Plasma Bigscreen returns, Clear Linux discontinued |
| • Issue 1130 (2025-07-14): openSUSE MicroOS and RefreshOS, sharing aliases between computers, Bazzite makes Bazaar its default Flatpak store, Alpine plans Wayback release, Wayland and X11 benchmarked, Red Hat offers additional developer licenses, openSUSE seeks feedback from ARM users, Ubuntu 24.10 reaches the end of its life |
| • Issue 1129 (2025-07-07): GLF OS Omnislash, the worst Linux distro, Alpine introduces Wayback, Fedora drops plans to stop i686 support, AlmaLinux builds EPEL repository for older CPUs, Ubuntu dropping existing RISC-V device support, Rhino partners with UBports, PCLinuxOS recovering from website outage |
| • Issue 1128 (2025-06-30): AxOS 25.06, AlmaLinux OS 10.0, transferring Flaptak bundles to off-line computers, Ubuntu to boost Intel graphics performance, Fedora considers dropping i686 packages, SDesk switches from SELinux to AppArmor |
| • Issue 1127 (2025-06-23): LastOSLinux 2025-05-25, most unique Linux distro, Haiku stabilises, KDE publishes Plasma 6.4, Arch splits Plasma packages, Slackware infrastructure migrating |
| • Issue 1126 (2025-06-16): SDesk 2025.05.06, renewed interest in Ubuntu Touch, a BASIC device running NetBSD, Ubuntu dropping X11 GNOME session, GNOME increases dependency on systemd, Google holding back Pixel source code, Nitrux changing its desktop, EFF turns 35 |
| • Issue 1125 (2025-06-09): RHEL 10, distributions likely to survive a decade, Murena partners with more hardware makers, GNOME tests its own distro on real hardware, Redox ports GTK and X11, Mint provides fingerprint authentication |
| • Issue 1124 (2025-06-02): Picking up a Pico, tips for protecting privacy, Rhino tests Plasma desktop, Arch installer supports snapshots, new features from UBports, Ubuntu tests monthly snapshots |
| • Issue 1123 (2025-05-26): CRUX 3.8, preventing a laptop from sleeping, FreeBSD improves laptop support, Fedora confirms GNOME X11 session being dropped, HardenedBSD introduces Rust in userland build, KDE developing a virtual machine manager |
| • Issue 1122 (2025-05-19): GoboLinux 017.01, RHEL 10.0 and Debian 12 updates, openSUSE retires YaST, running X11 apps on Wayland |
| • Issue 1121 (2025-05-12): Bluefin 41, custom file manager actions, openSUSE joins End of 10 while dropping Deepin desktop, Fedora offers tips for building atomic distros, Ubuntu considers replacing sudo with sudo-rs |
| • Issue 1120 (2025-05-05): CachyOS 250330, what it means when a distro breaks, Kali updates repository key, Trinity receives an update, UBports tests directory encryption, Gentoo faces losing key infrastructure |
| • Issue 1119 (2025-04-28): Ubuntu MATE 25.04, what is missing from Linux, CachyOS ships OCCT, Debian enters soft freeze, Fedora discusses removing X11 session from GNOME, Murena plans business services, NetBSD on a Wii |
| • Issue 1118 (2025-04-21): Fedora 42, strange characters in Vim, Nitrux introduces new package tools, Fedora extends reproducibility efforts, PINE64 updates multiple devices running Debian |
| • Issue 1117 (2025-04-14): Shebang 25.0, EndeavourOS 2025.03.19, running applications from other distros on the desktop, Debian gets APT upgrade, Mint introduces OEM options for LMDE, postmarketOS packages GNOME 48 and COSMIC, Redox testing USB support |
| • Issue 1116 (2025-04-07): The Sense HAT, Android and mobile operating systems, FreeBSD improves on laptops, openSUSE publishes many new updates, Fedora appoints new Project Leader, UBports testing VoLTE |
| • Issue 1115 (2025-03-31): GrapheneOS 2025, the rise of portable package formats, MidnightBSD and openSUSE experiment with new package management features, Plank dock reborn, key infrastructure projects lose funding, postmarketOS to focus on reliability |
| • Issue 1114 (2025-03-24): Bazzite 41, checking which processes are writing to disk, Rocky unveils new Hardened branch, GNOME 48 released, generating images for the Raspberry Pi |
| • Issue 1113 (2025-03-17): MocaccinoOS 1.8.1, how to contribute to open source, Murena extends on-line installer, Garuda tests COSMIC edition, Ubuntu to replace coreutils with Rust alternatives, Chimera Linux drops RISC-V builds |
| • Issue 1112 (2025-03-10): Solus 4.7, distros which work with Secure Boot, UBports publishes bug fix, postmarketOS considers a new name, Debian running on Android |
| • Full list of all issues |
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blendOS
blendOS is an Arch Linux-based, rolling-release distribution which automates installing software from supported distributions (Arch Linux, Fedora and Ubuntu) into containers. blendOS tries to make software management in across containers feel native and provides access to the user's home directory for each container.
Status: Active
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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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