30 years of the Linux Distribution.

There are currently hundreds of active Linux distros, but only a few of them can be described as the mothers and fathers of everything else we know these days as Linux. According to "DistroWatch", 99% of all Linux distributions which exist today are at some point a derivative of one of these five.

Slackware Linux

Debian

Red Hat Linux

Arch Linux

Opensuse 

Those five distributions couldn't be any more different. However they do share all the same core: a "Linux kernel", "GNU" as well as various "desktops". 

Why are there so many money distributions today?

Well the number one reason is it's all free. “Free” does not refer to cost in this case. It is because anyone has the freedom to make and redistribute a peice of software that people can download for free. Software companies like Mac or Windows, don't provide free software. They provide service and support of their software and people use it as it is delivered by them. But in the free software world the Linux kernel, The core of the linux distro is not patented. So everybody owns the software not just the individual. Thus anyone is free to modify and build as own. Different people have different ideas and needs. For a skilled person it’s relatively easy to create their own, perfect distro. As stated before 99% of all distros in development today come from Slackware Linux, Debian, Red Hat Linux,Arch Linux, or Opensuse. That’s why there are so many distros. 

How to choose a distro

Choosing a Linux distribution is a personal thing. It greatly depends on what you want to do with it.

Mx Linux: Suitable for – Beginner to Advanced

Mx is currently the most popular of the Linux Distributions. MX Linux is a collaborative effort between the AntiX Linux distribution team and the MX Linux distribution team. It is built on the Debian core, but has a more regular release cycle. Debian takes a strict stance on free software. Therefore, you won’t find any proprietary software in a default Debian installation. By contrast MX Linux includes a very handy tool, named MX Tools. These can Install codecs and Nvidia drivers for example.

Pop!_OS: Suitable for – Beginner to Advanced

System76, a Linux computer retailer, develops Pop!_OS. This Debian and Ubuntu-based distro is perfect for beginners because of its easy interface and easy installation method. As a distro that comes with all the features necessary for a solid gaming experience, one edition of Pop!_OS is designed specifically for NVIDIA dedicated graphics cards. 

Linux Mint: Suitable for – Beginner to Advanced

Just like Pop!_OS, Linux Mint has the best from Debian and Ubuntu and can provide a people-friendly experience for beginners. If you are an avid Windows fan, then you will love the cinnamon desktop from Linux Mint. Cinnamon replicates Windows's look and feel, however keep in mind it is not windows. 

The Nobara Project Suitable for – Beginner to Advanced.

Nobara is a brand new distribution from Glorious Eggroll, also known as, Thomas Crider. Nobara describes itself as a Linux Desktop Gaming OS for content creators. It is a Redhat and Fedora based-based distro that is perfect for beginners because out of the box it includes essential graphics drivers, multimedia codecs and Steam. It also has additional software especially for streamers and content creators. 

openSUSE Leap and GeckoLinux Static Suitable for – Intermediate to Advance

openSUSE Leap is a easy system to set up for a non-technical friend or family member. openSUSE Leap is a Linux distribution is based on SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED). It is stable and highly tested. The software available is not the latest and greatest, but the most stable. Because a new revision is only released every 3 years. Codecs needed to play audio and video. They have to downloaded separately from a community site. GeckoLinux Static is a Linux distribution based on openSUSE Leap. Unlike Leap, GeckoLinux Static proprietary media codecs and other necessities are pre-installed by default. Neither distro is really good for people new to Gnu-Linux.

Slackware Suitable for – Advanced 

Slackware is oldest linux distribution. But it's not for regular people. It really is for geeks. It's very hard to install. It also uses .tar.gz packages rather than more popular .deb or .rpm systems. Is for people with advanced computer understanding and for those who like to tweak or for the server market looking to get every little ounce of server performance.

Arch Linux Suitable for – Advanced 

Arch Linux is what they call a DIY (Do It Yourself) operating system. You decide which desktop environment to use, which components and services to install. This granular control gives you a minimal operating system to build upon with elements of your choice. So like slackware it's not for regular people. 

Chrome OS Flex Suitable for – Beginner

Chrome OS Flex, is based on Gentoo Linux and CloudReady. No matter your experience level, you can sit down with a Chrome a Flex and immediately put it to use. Chrome OS Flex offers largely the same functionality as Chrome OS. This is Google's proprietary code, not to be confused with the Gnu open-source project, Chromium OS. What you lose in terms of open-source safety, you potentially make up for in ease of use. Also at this time, Flex doesn’t include native support for Android apps.

Final thoughts

If you're a professional or amateur content creator. The Linux desktop may not be for you. If you have to use proprietary hardware along with its companion software the Linux desktop may not be for you. When you go to the store to buy a laptop or desktop, the shelves will be filled with Windows based PCs The fact is industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Microsoft Excel, and many more apps are simply not developed for the Linux desktop. There are software alternative available in Linux, but they lack many of the features found in Windows software.

While Microsoft will support Windows 10 until 2025, what happens to people who want to hang on to their machines? I remember what happened with the end of of Windows XP and Windows 7 support. Installing Linux on older hardware that is no longer supported by from Apple and Microsoft will help keep them and other obsolete electronics out of landfills, where hazardous chemicals can leach into the soil, air, and water. So in other words it's good for the environment. Most of us are not professional multimedia content creators or use proprietary hardware for work. For those who are interested in a Linux distro for an older system. There are distributions that catered for a different set of needs. So, you can choose to install any of the available Linux distros according to your requirements.