Linux is mostly known with its distributions or distros but the reality is that Linux is just a kernel or core of the operating system. All user space and some of the operating space related tools are provided by distributions. We can actually call distribution as a operating system.
Linux is very different from Windows where with its open and dynamic architecture we can create different type of operating systems with different tools and configurations. So geeks and professionals provides distros where most popular of them are listed and explained below.
Mint
According to Distrowatch Linux Mint is the most popular distributions. Mint is Ubuntu based distributions where most of the packages are the same. But Mint provides easy usage and traditional desktop interface.
Desktop Environments
- Cinnamon
- MATE
- Xfce
- KDE
Category
- End User
Mint can be downloaded from following link.
https://linuxmint.com/download.php
Manjaro
Manjaro is a fork of Arch Linux. As Arch Linux have some difficulties for end users Manjaro makes is a lot easier. Manjaro is also very popular in end user base.
Desktop Environments
- XFCE
- KDE
- GNOME
- Command Line
Category
- End User
Different desktop environments of Manjaro can be downloaded from following link.
https://manjaro.org/get-manjaro/
Debian
Debian is the grandfather of the a lot of different distributions. Debian is create Ian Murdock. Debian have free and open philosophy while providing its packages. Debian prefers to use free and open tools even for GPU and wireless chipsets. Debian is always popular in Linux community. Debian packages are mainly use in Ubuntu too.
Desktop Environments
- XFCE
- KDE
- GNOME
- …
Category
- End User
- Server
Debian can be downloaded from following link.
https://www.debian.org/distrib/
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is the most popular distributions in Linux world. Ubuntu is Debian based distribution where most of the packages are provided by Debian in deb format. Ubuntu is created by Canonical which a company providing opensource system and software support. Ubuntu also provides enterprise level support packages for a fee.
Desktop Environments
- XFCE
- KDE
- GNOME
- Unity
- Server
- …
Category
- End User
- Server
- Enterprise User
Ubuntu can be download from following link where two Desktop, Server, Cloud and Core editions are provided.
https://www.ubuntu.com/download
Fedora
Fedora is another popular distribution which is used for testbed of RedHat distributions. Fedora provides very recent packages and used to test them. But this doesn’t means it is unstable. Fedora was my long time distro while working with Linux Qemu and Kvm.
Desktop Environments
- XFCE
- KDE
- GNOME
- Unity
- Server
- …
Category
- End User
- Server
- Enterprise User
Fedora can be downloaded from following link which provides Workstation/Desktop, Server and Atomic editions.
RedHat
RedHat is a enterprise level Linux distribution. RedHat is an innovative company too where it is create 1 billion dollar economy in open source ecosystem. RedHat is also called RHEL which is RedHat Enterprise Linux. CentOS is the free clone of the RedHat which is called upstream.
Desktop Environments
- XFCE
- KDE
- GNOME
- Unity
- Server
- …
Category
- Enterprise Server
CentOS
CentOS is the clone of the RHEL or RedHat distribution. Everything is the same with RHEL where some artwork and subscription applications are different. Companies which doesn’t want to pay money for support generally prefers CentOS.
Desktop Environments
- XFCE
- KDE
- GNOME
- Unity
- Server
- …
Category
- Enterprise Server
CentOS can be downloaded from following link.
https://www.centos.org/download/
OpenSUSE
OpenSUSE is open source and next version of the SUSE Enterprise Linux distributions. SUSE provides different type of ecosystem which is not same with other Linux distributions
Desktop Environments
- XFCE
- KDE
- GNOME
- Unity
- Server
- …
Category
- Enterprise Server
OpenSUSE can be downloaded from following link.