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.
• Screenshot: [1]
• Website: [2]

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.
• Screenshot: [3]
• Website: [4]

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.
• Screenshot: [5]
• Website: [6]

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.
• Screenshot: [7]
• Website: [8]

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.
• Screenshot: [9]
• Website: [10]

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.
• Screenshot: [11]
• Website: [12]

Dreamlinux

• Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Dreamlinux is a Debian based distribution that mimics the look of Mac OS X.
• Screenshot:
• Website: [13]

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.
• Screenshot: [14]
• Website: [15]

Edubuntu

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Edubuntu is Ubuntu but with a tightly integrated suite of education programs.
• Screenshot: [16]
• Website: [17]

Fedora 11

• Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: RPM (yum)
• Description: Fedora is a general purpose distribution that was created by Red Hat.
• Screenshot: [18]
• Website: [19]

Gentoo

• Difficulty: Advanced
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: Portage
• Description: Gentoo is a versatile distribution, with characteristics from BSD, that is designed for advanced Linux users. It has no pre-compiled software.
• Screenshot: [20]
• Website: [21]

gNewSense

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: gNewSense is a FSF sponsored distribution that is entirely free (libre) and includes GNU programs.
• Screenshot: [22]
• Website: [23]

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.
• Screenshot: [24]
• Website: [25]

Kubuntu 8.04 LTS

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: KDE
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Kubuntu is Ubuntu but with the KDE desktop. It is 100% compatible with Ubuntu.
• Screenshot: [26]
• Website: [27]

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.
• Screenshot: [28]
• Website: [29]

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.
• Screenshot: [30]
• Website: [31]

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.
• Screenshot: [32]
• Website: [33]

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.
• Screenshot: [34]
• Website: [35]

Mythbuntu

• Difficulty: Intermediate/Advanced
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Mythbuntu is Ubuntu but with added support for MythTV.
• Screenshot: [36]
• Website: [37]

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.
• Screenshot: [38]
• Website: [39]

PCLinuxOS

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: KDE
• Package Manager: RPM (APT)
• Description: PCLinuxOS is a distribution designed for ease of use for homes and small businesses.
• Screenshot: [40]
• Website: [41]

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.
• Screenshot: [42]
• Website: [43]

Sabayon

• Difficulty: Advanced
• Desktop: KDE
• Package Manager: entropy
• Description: Sabayon is a Gentoo based distribution that offers pre-compiled software.
• Screenshot: [44]
• Website: [45]

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.
• Screenshot: [46]
• Website: [47]

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.
• Screenshot: [48]
• Website: [49]

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.
• Screenshot: [50]
• Website: [51]

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.
• Screenshot: [52]
• Website: [53]

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.
• Screenshot: [54]
• Website: [55]

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.
• Screenshot: [56]
• Website: [57]

Ubuntu Studio

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Gnome
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Ubuntu Studio is Ubuntu but integrated programs for multimedia creation.
• Screenshot: [58]
• Website: [59]

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.
• Screenshot: [60]
• Website: [61]

Xubuntu 8.04 LTS

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Desktop: Xfce
• Package Manager: DEB
• Description: Xubuntu is Ubuntu but with the Xfce desktop. It is 100% compatible with Ubuntu.
• Screenshot: [62]
• Website: [63]

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.
• Screenshot: [64]
• Website: [65]

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.
• Screenshot: [66]
• Website: [67]

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.
• Screenshot: [68]
• Website: [69]

Glossary

Difficulty

• Beginner: when you hear RAM you start running
• Intermediate: when troubleshooting is no longer trouble
• Advanced: RMS is on speed dial

Desktops

Desktops create the appearance of the operating system. Different desktops will give different appearances and features.

Gnome

• Description: Gnome is a desktop environment created by the GNU Project. It is made up of entirely free software and looks similar to the classic Mac interface.
• Screenshot: [70]
• Website: [71]

JWM

• Description: JWM is an extremely lightweight desktop environment that resembles Windows 98.
• Screenshot: [72]
• Website: [73]

KDE

• Description: KDE is a desktop environment created the KDE Project. It is resembles the Windows interface and features many eye candy effects. It uses more computer resources when compared with Gnome.
• Screenshot: [74]
• Website: [75]

LXDE

• Description: LXDE is a lightweight desktop environment that is similar to KDE. It is designed to keep the computer resource usage to a minimum.
• Screenshot: [76]
• Website: [77]

Openbox

• Description: Openbox is a lightweight and fast desktop environment that is designed for more advanced users.
• Screenshot: [78]
• Website: [79]

Xfce

• Description: Xfce is a desktop environment that is fast and lightweight. It resembles Gnome and is suitable for older computers.
• Screenshot: [80]
• Website: [81]

Package Managers

• DEB: was originally developed for Debian. It allows for easy installation of software without adding any software repositories. [82]
• Entropy: uses the source code from software in the Portage package manager but compiles the software first to make installation easier. [83]
• Pacman: is designed for advanced users with large deployments. It is controlled through the command line or through a graphical user interface. [84]
• PET:is a small package manager for Puppy Linux. [85]
• RPM: was originally developed by Red Hat. It is the file format for LSB. [86]
  • APT: is a front end for DEB and RPM that simplifies software dependency for the user. [87]
  • URPMI: is a tool developed for Mandriva to simplify software installation, removal, updating, and locating. [88]
  • YUM: is a command line tool for updating software. [89]
• Portage: is a BSD style package manager that offers wide support but the software must be compiled from the source code. [90]
• TAR: is a type of file format used for Unix, Linux, BSD, and other Unix-like operating systems that often contains the source code for software. [91]
  • TGZ: stands for gzip. It is a type of compression. [92]
  • TLZ: stands for LZMA. It is a type of compression. [93]

Miscellaneous

• 64-bit: is a processor technology that improves performance. It will only work with 64-bit processors, but is usually backward compatible with 32-bit.
• BSD: is a Unix based operating system that is similar to Linux. There are three major versions: OpenBSD, NetBSD, and, FreeBSD.
• FSF: stands for the Free Software Foundation, an organization that advocates the use of free (libre) software.
• GNU: stands for GNU's Not Unix, is a project that tries to make free (libre) versions of all necessary (and unnecessary) software for computers.
• Libre: is a more descriptive term for free software. It refers to free as in liberty not price.
• Live CD: an operating system that is able to boot off the cd-rom drive without installing anything on the hard drive.
• LSB: is the Linux Standard Base. It is a joint project lead by the Linux Foundation to standardize the software system structure.
• LTS: stands for Long Term Support. Ubuntu 8.04 LTS will be supported until April 2011.
• MythTV: is a media center front end for Linux that is similar to Tivo or Windows Media Center.
• PPC: the PowerPC architecture. Common PPC computers include the Apple G3, G4, and G5 Macintoshs.
• Unix: an operating system that was developed in 1969 that still exists in variations (Linux, BSD, etc.) today

Links

• Ubuntu new user FAQ