31 Flavors of Linux

Flavors

Arch

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: Pacman
• Description: Arch Linux keeps it simple by being a lightweight and flexible distribution. It employs BSD-like techniques and is on a rolling release.
• Website: [1]

CentOS

• Difficulty: Advanced
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: RPM
• Description: Cent OS is “a free enterprise class computing platform” and is 100% compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
• Website: [2]

Crunchbang

• Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
• Desktop: Openbox
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Crunchbang is Ubuntu but with the lightweight Openbox desktop and GTK+ applications. It is designed for speed and functionality.
• Website: [3]

Damn Small

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Desktop: JWM
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Damn Small Linux is an extremely small, lightweight, and powerful distribution. It has everything needed for basic computer function and is excellent on older computers.
• Website: [4]

Debian

• Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Debian is one of the oldest and most reliable distributions. Many distributions are based on Debian and it has one of the largest software library.
• Website: [5]

Debian PPC

• Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Debian is one of the oldest and most reliable distributions. Many distributions are based on Debian and it has one of the largest software library.
• Website: [6]

Dreamlinux

• Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Dreamlinux is a Debian based distribution that mimics the look of Mac OS X.
• Website: [7]

Easy Peasy

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Easy Peasy is an Ubuntu based distribution designed for netbooks. It has a mixture of open source and proprietary software installed.
• Website: [8]

Edubuntu

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Edubuntu is Ubuntu but with a tightly integrated suite of education programs.
• Website: [9]

Fedora 11

• Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: RPM (yum)
• Description: Fedora is a general purpose distribution that was created by Red Hat.
• Website: [10]

Gentoo

• Difficulty: Advanced
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: SRC (portage)
• Description: Gentoo is a versatile distribution, with characteristics from BSD, that is designed for advanced Linux users. It has no pre-compiled software.
• Website: [11]

gNewSense

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: gNewSense is a FSF sponsored distribution that is entirely free (libre) and includes GNU programs.
• Website: [12]

Knoppix

• Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
• Desktop: LXDE
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Knoppix is a Live CD distribution that is capable of system rescue, everyday use, and more.
• Website: [13]

Kubuntu 8.04

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: KDE
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Kubuntu is Ubuntu but with the KDE desktop. It is 100% compatible with Ubuntu.
• Website: [14]

Kubuntu 9.04

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: KDE
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Kubuntu is Ubuntu but with the KDE desktop. It is 100% compatible with Ubuntu.
• Website: [15]

Kubuntu 9.04 64-bit

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: KDE
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Kubuntu is Ubuntu but with the KDE desktop. It is 100% compatible with Ubuntu.
• Website: [16]

Mandriva

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: KDE
• Package Manager: RPM (urpmi)
• Description: Mandriva, formerly known as Mandrake, is a well established distribution that is suitable for general purpose use.
• Website: [17]

Mint 7

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Mint is an Ubuntu based distribution that provides extras, proprietary and open source alike, to create a better “out-of-the-box” feel. It is 100% compatible with Ubuntu.
• Website: [18]

Mythbuntu

• Difficulty: Intermediate/Advanced
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Mythbuntu is Ubuntu but with added support for MythTV.
• Website: [19]

OpenSUSE

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: KDE
• Package Manager: RPM
• Description: OpenSUSE is a Novell sponsored distribution that aims to make itself the easiest to use and most popular distribution.
• Website: [20]

PCLinuxOS

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: KDE
• Package Manager: RPM (APT)
• Description: PCLinuxOS is a distribution designed for ease of use for homes and small businesses.
• Website: [21]

Puppy 4

• Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
• Desktop: JWM
• Package Manager: PET
• Description: Puppy Linux is a lightweight yet full featured distribution that can load the entire operating system into a computer's RAM.
• Website: [22]

Sabayon

• Difficulty: Advanced
• Desktop: KDE
• Package Manager: entropy
• Description: Sabayon is a Gentoo based distribution that offers pre-compiled software.
• Website: [23]

Slackware

• Difficulty: Advanced
• Desktop: KDE
• Package Manager: TGZ
• Description: Slackware is one of the oldest and most reliable distributions. It can serve nearly any operating system need.
• Website: [24]

Ubuntu 8.04 LTS

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Ubuntu is the most popular distribution. It is easy to use yet extremely versatile.
• Website: [25]

Ubuntu 8.04 LTS PPC

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Ubuntu is the most popular distribution. It is easy to use yet extremely versatile.
• Website: [26]

Ubuntu 9.04

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Ubuntu is the most popular distribution. It is easy to use yet extremely versatile.
• Website: [27]

Ubuntu 9.04 64-bit

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Ubuntu is the most popular distribution. It is easy to use yet extremely versatile.
• Website: [28]

Ubuntu 9.04 PPC

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Ubuntu is the most popular distribution. It is easy to use yet extremely versatile.
• Website: [29]

Ubuntu Studio

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Ubuntu Studio is Ubuntu but integrated programs for multimedia creation.
• Website: [30]

Vector

• Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: TLZ
• Description: Vector Linux is a lightweight distribution that can be customized to meet nearly anyone's needs.
• Website: [31]

Xubuntu 8.04

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Xubuntu is Ubuntu but with the Xfce desktop. It is 100% compatible with Ubuntu.
• Website: [32]

Xubuntu 9.04

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Xubuntu is Ubuntu but with the Xfce desktop. It is 100% compatible with Ubuntu.
• Website: [33]

Xubuntu 9.04 64-bit

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Xubuntu is Ubuntu but with the Xfce desktop. It is 100% compatible with Ubuntu.
• Website: [34]

Zenwalk

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: TGZ
• Description: Zenwalk is a Slackware based distribution that is “fast and slim.” It has one program for one purpose.
• Website: [35]

Glossary

Desktops

Xfce

• Description: Xfce is a desktop environment that is fast and lightweight. It resembles Gnome and is suitable for older computers.
• Website: