- Ubuntu vs Debian vs Fedora vs Arch vs Linux Mint
- Ubuntu is great
- The problem with Ubuntu
- Debian has a better philosohpy
- Misconceptions about Fedora
- Why Fedora wins
- What about Arch Linux?
- What about Linux Mint?
- Arch vs. Debian vs Fedora – Difference between Different Architectures of Linux
- Linux Distro
- Fedora
- Pros of using Fedora Linux
- Cons of using Fedora Linux
- A Little sneak peek into Fedora-Based Linux Operating Systems
- Debian
- Stable
- Testing and SID
- Pros of using Debian Architecture
- Cons of using Debian Architecture
- A Little sneak peek into Debian-Based Linux Operating Systems
- Arch
- Pros of using Arch Architecture
- Cons of using Arch Architecture
- A Little sneak peek into Arch-based Linux Operating Systems
- But what for a Beginner
- Linux for a Complete Beginner
- Linux for Intermediate
- Linux for Advanced
- Linux for Students
- Linux for Fun??
- Summary
- Want to Learn Linux
- Sharing is caring
Ubuntu vs Debian vs Fedora vs Arch vs Linux Mint
In search of the perfect desktop Linux distribution I have tried out quite a few and learned about the philosophies of each one. This is my comparison of some of the distributions I have tried over the years.
I will spoil it now and let you know that the winner in my book is Fedora!
Ubuntu is great
For a while, Ubuntu was my preferred desktop Linux distribution because it just seemed like the best supported most polished disto. I liked that it came with all of the codecs and things you would expect. It works great out of the box, there is no denying that! It’s also nice to know there is a dependable corporate backer behind it.
The problem with Ubuntu
The problem with Ubuntu comes with their stance on proprietary software and the things it comes installed with. It comes installed with Amazon software and does things like search 3rd parties with your personal desktop searches. I’m sure you can uninstall those things if you wanted, but it just makes me wary about what other kind of personal information they are willing to divulge. I just don’t like their stance on 3rd party software. They (Canonical) do not value free software and privacy the way I wish they did.
Debian has a better philosohpy
Debian, the base distribution for Ubuntu, has a philosohpy I agree with. Out of the box, it comes only with free software and there is a strong stance against proprietary software. Debian is also incredibly stable which is a big selling point. The only problem with Debian is that the packages are stale, the release cycle is slower, and out-of-the-box it needs a bit of configuration, especially with graphics drivers.
Misconceptions about Fedora
I had not tried Fedora since it was called «Fedora Core» versions 4 through 6. Fedora 30 is about to be released now and it comes quite a long way! All I knew before is that it used the yum package manage and was in the family line of Red Hat and CentOS, which are also known for stability and corporate backing. IBM is about to finalize the purchase of Red Hat so it will have an interesting future.
Fedora has a strong stance on free software and does not include any proprietary software without explicit opt-in to those repositories. Out-of-the-box, Fedora works great even with the open source drivers. Fedora also has a six-month release cycle and maintains very up-to-date packages.
Why Fedora wins
I realized that Fedora is what I always wished Debian was and what I wished Ubuntu had become. It is the perfect sweet spot where it has a corporate backer, but has a strong stance on free software, is stable, but also has regular release cycles with current packages. I have been using it for about a month at this point and I am very happy with Fedora 29!
What about Arch Linux?
I like Arch Linux, but I have used it as a desktop and as a server and if you want long-term stability, don’t use it. It’s gotten better over time but due to the nature of their rolling releases and cutting-edge versions, you never know when an update will break the whole system or require some extra steps during an upgrade. Even the downstream distributions like Manjaro and Antergos I have had the same problems.
Arch Linux also does not take a philosophical stance on software, and includes proprietary software in the core repositories without an opt-in feature. I think it would be nice if they separated the non-free software into a repository that had to be turned on manually the way Fedora does.
What about Linux Mint?
Linux Mint is a good choice, but is based on Ubuntu and so has the same problems. Linux Mint explicitly states they have no stance on maintaining free software only. With that said, I would trust Linux Mint a little better than Ubuntu when it comes to privacy but not by much.
Arch vs. Debian vs Fedora – Difference between Different Architectures of Linux
As a Windows or Mac user, you might have thought why are there so many distros available for Linux PCs, and why a huge number of distros? Why can’t they just merge all of them and develop the best, well-suited, customizable, and free Linux distro ever to unite all the Linux Users under one Linux Distro and Architecture?? Well in this article we’re going to talk about that only.
In Linux Operating Systems the most notable difference between all of the Distros are their package managers, the update cycle, and the community. There are not thousands but still hundreds of different Distros of Linux that a user can download and use for free. We cannot compare all of the different distros but we can compare their architecture. All of the different types of Linux are based on mainly three types of architecture.
These are the only architecture that acts as a base for all the different Linux distros available right now. We’ll talk about the one by one, but first, let’s see what is a Linux distro.
Linux Distro
A Linux Distro is an Operating system that acts as an Interface between the hardware and the software, by interacting with the Linux. Yes, you read it right. Linux is a Kernal. A Kernal is a computer Program at the core of the computer Operating System which has complete control over everything in the system. The what is a Linux Operating System??
A Linux Operating System is a Kernal with a custom graphical Program running at the top of the Linux Kernal. So that means you can install One Kernal but can use other Architecture’s Graphical Program to get the GUI of Others?? Yes, the good thing about the Linux Operating System is that you can customize everything in the Operating System just like you want it but you’ve to follow the architecture of your Kernal.
Now, after this let’s talk about the different architecture of Linux World.
Fedora
Fedora is a Linux Distribution that is developed by Fedora Community and is backed by RedHat itself. Fedora prioritizes being up-to-date rather than being stable. It is the fastest moving distribution that stays innovative by developing the latest and up-to-date software, libraries, and tool for the Open Source communities.
Fedora uses DNF, yum, and ZYpp as its package resolvers and rpm as its package manager.
Fedora is bleeding Edge and is a community edition of RedHat Linux. Some of the Major Operating System based on Fedora Linux is :
Pros of using Fedora Linux
- Always Up-to-date with the latest software but user-friendly.
- Availability of Proprietary Software
- RedHat and Susue provide support ( Paid ).
Cons of using Fedora Linux
- A Huge number of tasks of Post Installation e.g. setting up sudo, installing media codecs, setting up updating the app, etc.
- Less in number of Repositories when compared with Debian
- Doesn’t follow the Open Source theme strictly ( Some proprietary Apps ).
A Little sneak peek into Fedora-Based Linux Operating Systems
- Fedora Spin
- Nobara OS
- UltraMarine
Debian
Debian Distributions are the most stable in the Linux world, to be precise Debian follows the more stable path when compared to the other Architectures. Debian comes with three flavors in itself.
Stable
The Stable version of Debian Distribution is considered the most rock-solid distribution. It never breaks down and is the most recommended among the Debian Architecture community termed as LTS ( Long Time Support ) version.
Testing and SID
The Testing version as its name states that it’s more prone to bugs and can not be recommended to the beginner user. The same thing goes with the SID version too but the SID version is the least stable within the Debian Architecture.
Debian uses apt and apt-get as dependency resolvers and dpkg as its package management.
Debian is the most stable Linux Architecture you’ll find. Some of the most Stable but huge Major Operating System based on Debian is:-
Pros of using Debian Architecture
- Stable
- Availability of a Large number of supported packages.
- Follows Open Source theme strictly
- Biggest community support ever
- Huge Hardware Support ( TVs, AMD, Intel64, ARM, Intel86, MIPS, ARM)
Cons of using Debian Architecture
- You’ve to reinstall the new version of the OS every time there’s a new Major Update to the OS.
- Un availability of Software like Adobe Products, Microsft Office ( but there’s an alternative to every software).
A Little sneak peek into Debian-Based Linux Operating Systems
- Ubuntu
- Kali Linux
- Deepin OS
Arch
Arch Linux architecture is a rolling release Linux Distribution, which means you don’t have to reinstall the whole OS for a major Update like in Debian and also we don’t have Proprietary Software like in fedora. Instead Arch keeps Update size to a minimum by giving updates to the users as fast as possible with the bleeding edge of any new feature. Keeping the Arch users up-to-date with the latest software possible.
Arch uses Pacman for dependency resolver and package management.
Arch Linux is the most Updated Linux Distro out there. Some of the major Linux Distributions based on Linux are
Pros of using Arch Architecture
- Fastest in updates ( when compared to others like rpm and dpkg ).
- Good documentation for any Linux user by the Arch Community
- Availability of proprietary software.
Cons of using Arch Architecture
- Installation is very hard for a beginner user ( we’ll recommend Manjaro though it’s just simple as Installing Windows ).
- Less a number of the repository when compared with Debian ( Arch follows AUR support from the community ).
- Don’t follow the open Source motto Strictly
A Little sneak peek into Arch-based Linux Operating Systems
- Arch Linux
- Reborn OS
- Manjaro OS
But what for a Beginner
As a Linux user myself I can see there is a hard time choosing a Linux Distribution to learn from and get started in the Linux community.
Linux for a Complete Beginner
For a Complete beginner in Linux, We always recommend using Ubuntu as the starting and Primary OS, being the most stable and most software available. The best part of Ubuntu is its community, you can get thousands of users helping you just the moment you posted any problem on Stackoverflow.
Linux for Intermediate
Let’s get into Techy stuff, You want to learn Linux even further but not from the start. We recommend you pick up from Manjaro Linux, being based on Arch you can now develop your own Linux Distro by tinkering with that.
Linux for Advanced
You already have achieved some level of Linux experience. Head over to Arch Linux and make your path ahead.
Not able to Install?? rollback to Intermediate level. because you can install Arch Linux but after every update you’ve out on some settings, again and again, causing you a lot of trouble for even using it.
Linux for Students
Learning Linux as a Student is the most essential thing which you can do, because not only you’ll have to learn it after you land your job but after you’ve done any deployments you’ll have to use Linux for the Server Deployments.
If you’re a Student in Networking Try Ubuntu to learn the basics then switch to Kali Linux.
If you’re a Student then Try Ubuntu then Switch to Elementary OS or Linux Mint.
Linux for Fun??
Okay, I get it, you don’t want to dedicate yourself as a Linux user but first want to get a taste of Linux. I’ll recommend you to head over to the article Top 5 Linux Distributions to use as Your Virtual Machine to get to know more about this
Summary
Linux Operating System is very good for Developers, not because it’s built by developers for developers, but because the Developers built this Operating System with Free and Open Systems in mind. It enables you to take back control of your system from the heavy computing and Virus which is quite often in the Windows environment.
Every Software in Linux is free unless the company that developed the software is demanding a paid version of it. But there’s always an alternative.
There may be hundreds of Distributions of Linux, but they all are built with unique concepts in mind. All of them have to be under the architecture we discussed above. There’s always an alternative for one OS.
Any OS can be crafted by anyone which they can call their own Linux Distribution. Like I created my Distribution by Installing Manjaro OS and adding DWM by suckless giving me the power and stability to control my complete PC using just my keyboard and not getting into any crashes.
Want to Learn Linux
Learning Linux is the best decision I’ve made, and I’d like to pass this on to the Codedamn users too.
- Install Ubuntu Linux
- If you prefer Video lectures Try this Course we made Learn Linux CLI
- If you prefer articles Head over to this article for a detailed article about the commands you need to learn
Hope this information helped you understand the topic.
Thanks for reading
Happy Hacking
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