Linux. The third of the holy triumvirate of PC operating systems,
along with Windows and Mac OS. Each have their own pros and cons, and
each has their own identity. Linux could probably be best described as
the most rebellious of the three; it’s malleable and customizable (as
long as you have a strong
understanding of computers and Linux), with
dozens of different distros created by unique communities for different
uses. Plus, the Linux kernel and most distros are completely free, which
is a major selling point for the OS when compared to Mac OS and
Windows.
There are Linux distros for many different use cases. Whether you are
after an OS that is tailored for desktops, laptops, workstations,
servers, A/V editing, or gaming,
there is a distro out there for everyone. We are going to give you a
rundown of the best current Linux distros out there, paying particular
attention to those tailored for desktop use.
Ubuntu MATE
Ubuntu has been one of the most popular Linux distros since it was
first introduced in late 2004. Since then, it has become the most widely
used Linux distro available. Ubuntu has several “flavors” available —
nine to be exact — that come with their own programs, desktop
environments, and features.
The most recent is Ubuntu MATE (as in Yerba Mate tea), which offers
several important applications such as Firefox, Thunderbird email
client, LibreOffice, Rythmbox, Shotwell, VLC Media Player, and of
course, Steam. The most striking addition, however, is the use of the
MATE desktop environment. Couple this with Ubuntu’s famous ease of use
and installation, and you have a great OS for newcomers and Linux
enthusiasts alike.
openSUSE
openSUSE is another popular distro, mainly because of its interface
flexibility and simple file installation. openSUSE uses a program called
YaST, which is essentially a portal through which you can manage your
computer and tweak settings to your liking. YaST makes it easy to
install a large number of popular desktop interfaces — everything from
KDE and LXDE, to Gnome, Mate, and several others. These interfaces can
even be installed simultaneously via YaST, and switched to and from each
other on the fly.
YaST also makes adding third-party applications a cinch with quick,
one-click installations. Finally, openSUSE includes a feature
called Tumbleweed, which updates your system and applications
automatically so your system is always up to date. openSUSE is free to
download, but there is a paid physical addition that includes 90-day
installation support.
Mint
According to the the OS’s website, Mint is now the leading Linux
distro, surpassing Ubuntu and all other distros to become the main
competition against Windows and Mac OS. When you look at Mint’s
features, that claim becomes easy to believe. This free, open-source
distro installs quickly and easily from a USB or blank DVD, and offers
full multimedia support from the get go.
Mint makes an effort to straddle the line between stability and
power. It’s not too resource intensive, and it is conservative about
updates, meaning there is little chance of installing a broken or
unstable update that will require tedious system regressions. Mint
further mitigates headaches for users by using an update manager, and by
supporting many popular desktop environments like Cinnamon (by far the
most popular version of Mint), Mate, LMDE, and KDE, as well as native
support for a long list of applications.
Fedora
Don’t let the silly name of this distro fool you; it’s a flexible OS
with three separate options depending on your needs. A workstation,
server, and cloud-centric version are all available, and the workstation
version has further forks for specific needs such as gaming, design,
and even robotics, among several others. Fedora primarily uses the GNOME
interface, but versions using different desktop environments are
available.
Fedora is known for having frequent version updates, sometimes weeks
or months apart, integrating the latest programs and features available
for Linux systems. This makes the distro less reliable for those testing
new products due to the short cycle between versions, and increases the
risk of unstable builds. However, it’s great for those who want to be
on the leading edge of Linux development.
Debian
Debian is one of the longest standing Linux distros, which first
released back in 1996. Since then, it has served as the framework for
many other distros — namely Ubuntu and Mint — which have subsequently
gone on to inspire and inform numerous other distros, making Debian
something of a “grandparent” of today’s distro development. The modern
version of Debian offers versions with different desktop environments
integrated into it, though GNOME is the primarily supported interface.
Debian is a great choice for both workstations and server systems.
The workstation version comes with pre-installed programs like the
Photoshop alternative, GIMP; Iceweasel internet browser; LibreOffice
word processor; and VLC media player. Debian has three branches
available, “stable,” “testing,” and “unstable,” depending on how much
maintenance and/or testing you wish to put into your OS.
ElementaryOS
ElementaryOS is generally regarded as one of the most visually
attractive Linux distros available. It is different from many of the
other distros on this list because the design philosophy of the
development team has lead to a different user experience than what most
other distros offer. While most other Linux OSs include application
packages with open source programs and third party desktop environments,
the ElementaryOS has built much of that from the ground up to work
within its own interface.
ElementaryOS comes with proprietary software, such as the Midori web
browser and its own multimedia programs, that integrate visually with
the rest of the OS, and negates the need for managing separate programs.
Unfortunately, this limits the use of things like third party plug-ins
that can add other features and expand compatibility.
In many ways, ElementaryOS has more in common with Mac OS than Linux or even Windows. It’s a bit more
of a walled garden, especially when compared to your average Linux
distro, but what it lacks in customization options it makes up for with
its small footprint and elegant user interface.
Bonus: Steam OS
Steam OS is technically in beta, but it’s worth including on this
list. Developed by Valve, the kings of PC game distribution and
developers of beloved games such as the Half Life and Portal series, Steam OS aims to be the gamer’s choice of operating system. Valve’s general business
philosophy meshes well with the spirit of Linux distribution, and Linux
has been routinely praised and recommended by Valve’s founder and
managing director, Gabe Newell.
That said, Steam OS has a couple obstacles to overcome before it is
in a position to be the de facto OS for PC gamers. The biggest obstacle
is compatibility. Game support on Linux machines, while growing, is
still very small. Steam boasts over 1000 Linux-compatible games from
indie and AAA developers, but that number is minuscule compared to the
number of games on steam that aren’t Linux-compatible. Valve, of
course, is optimistic of Linux’s gaming future, and is working with
developers and publishers to get their games running on Steam OS.
The next obstacle is that Steam OS still is not officially released,
and therefore isn’t a fully-featured OS yet. Hopefully, once Steam OS
(and Steam Machines)
have officially been released, we’ll see a greater number of games with
native Linux support. Until then, while Windows is currently the best
choice for gaming overall, Steam OS offers a simple, efficient OS with a
small footprint, which means more resources for your games to take
advantage of.
Blogger Comment
Facebook Comment