Write Access
Write Access

© Stefan Habersack, Fotolia
Distros
While I am not new to Linux, I still have some confusion. My dilemma is: "What distro to use and why?" I have tried various flavors of Linux, but I am still a little baffled about which distro I should choose. One of my hurdles is my laptop, because it has a broadcom chipset for the wireless card, but I did get it working once with Fedora, so I know it is possible. What really makes one distro better than the other? They all use the same basic kernel, KDE, or Gnome, have a package manager, etc., right?
So, which distro and why?
BTW, love your magazine.
Jeff Gillivan
LM
As a magazine for the whole Linux community, we try to avoid choosing sides in the great distribution debate.
The choice of a favorite Linux flavor is often a matter of taste. Some distros offer access to a huge variety of applications out of the box, and others attempt to add value by simplifying the menus to reduce clutter. Some are targeted for home users, whereas others are outfitted for business. And each Linux has a distinctive visual style.
The installers are getting better at finding hardware, so some of the hardware detection differences between the distributions are disappearing. Still, getting Linux to work with your devices is one of the biggest challenges, so if you have a distribution that works well with your hardware, and you are satisfied with it, why not keep using it?
If you feel like experimenting, the Live boot option included with many Linux variants will provide a convenient preview of how the Linux release will work with your system.
Security Practices
I noticed that there were no sections solely dedicated to security practices for desktop and server usage as a whole, although you do have some articles pertaining to security lessons in the Sysadmin section.
It would be nice to have a "Security Practices" section for the casual desktop user and the beginner/novice system administrator.
Joshua Ebarvia
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
MNT Seeks Financial Backing for New Seven-Inch Linux Laptop
MNT Pocket Reform is a tiny laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and ships with Debian Linux.
-
Ubuntu Flatpak Remix Adds Flatpak Support Preinstalled
If you're looking for a version of Ubuntu that includes Flatpak support out of the box, there's one clear option.
-
Gnome 44 Release Candidate Now Available
The Gnome 44 release candidate has officially arrived and adds a few changes into the mix.
-
Flathub Vying to Become the Standard Linux App Store
If the Flathub team has any say in the matter, their product will become the default tool for installing Linux apps in 2023.
-
Debian 12 to Ship with KDE Plasma 5.27
The Debian development team has shifted to the latest version of KDE for their testing branch.
-
Planet Computers Launches ARM-based Linux Desktop PCs
The firm that originally released a line of mobile keyboards has taken a different direction and has developed a new line of out-of-the-box mini Linux desktop computers.
-
Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak
In a move that probably won’t come as a shock to many, Ubuntu and all of its official spins will no longer ship with Flatpak installed.
-
openSUSE Leap 15.5 Beta Now Available
The final version of the Leap 15 series of openSUSE is available for beta testing and offers only new software versions.
-
Linux Kernel 6.2 Released with New Hardware Support
Find out what's new in the most recent release from Linus Torvalds and the Linux kernel team.
-
Kubuntu Focus Team Releases New Mini Desktop
The team behind Kubuntu Focus has released a new NX GEN 2 mini desktop PC powered by Linux.