Posted on 07/19/2021 11:53:21 AM PDT by ShadowAce
There are hundreds of Linux distributions. Some are for general purpose usage, while some are specifically tailored for education, robotics, hacking, gaming and what not.
You’ll notice that most of them originate from Debian/Ubuntu, Arch and Red Hat/Fedora. If you like distrohopping and experiment with a range of distributions, you may soon get ‘bored’ out of it. Most Linux distributions would feel too similar after a point and apart from a few visual changes here and there, you won’t get a different experience.
Does that sound familiar? If yes, let me list some advanced, independent, Linux distributions to test your expertise.
You may argue against the use of term “expert” here. After all, ‘expert Linux users’ don’t necessarily need to use advanced Linux distributions. They can easily utilize their expertise on beginner-friendly distributions like Linux Mint.
The term expert here is intended for people who won’t easily get overwhelmed when they are taken out of their comfort zone and land in an unfamiliar environment.
Alright then. Let’s see which distributions you can use to test your expertise on.
NixOS Linux illustration NixOS is a unique distribution in the terms of how it approaches everything from the kernel to configuration to applications.
NixOS is built on top of the Nix package manager and everything from the kernel to configuration is based on it. All packages are kept in isolation from each other.
It ensures that installing or upgrading one package does not break other packages. You can also easily roll back to previous versions.
The isolation feature also helps you in trying new tools without hesitation, creating development environments and more.
Sounds good enough to give it a try? You call, truly.
Void Linux illustration Void Linux is another independent Linux distribution which was implemented from scratch. It is a rolling release distribution but it focuses on stability rather than being bleeding edge like Arch Linux.
Void Linux has its own XBPS package management system for installing and removing software with option to build packages from sources (from XBPS source packages collection).
Another thing that sets Void Linux apart from the crowd of other distribution is its use of runit as init system instead of systemd.
Can Void Linux fill the void in your distrohopping life? Find it out yourself.
Slackware Linux illustration The oldest active Linux distribution, Slackware, can surely be counted as an expert Linux distribution.
Which is amusing because once upon a time, many new Linux users started their Linux journey with Slackware. But that was back in the mid-90s and it is safe to assume that those newbies have turned into veteran with their neck beard touching the ground.
Originally, Slackware was based on Softlanding Linux System (SLS), one of the earliest Linux distributions in 1992.
Slackware is an advanced Linux distribution with aim to produce the most “UNIX-like” Linux distribution out there.
No slacking here. Be ready to use the command line extensively in Slackware.
Gentoo Linux illustration Gentoo Linux is named after the fast swimming Gentoo penguin. It reflects the speed optimization capabilities of Gentoo Linux.
How? It’s software distribution system, Portage, gives it extreme configurability and performance. Portage keeps a collection of build scripts for the packages and it automatically builds a custom version of package based on end user’s preference and optimized for end user’s hardware.
This ‘build’ stuff is why there are many jokes and meme in Linux-verse about compiling everything in Gentoo.
Can you catch up with the Gentoo?
Clear Linux illustration Clear Linux is not your general purpose desktop Linux distribution. It is an open source, rolling release distribution, created from the ground up by Intel and obviously, it is highly tuned for Intel platforms.
Clear Linux OS primarily targets professionals in the field of IT, DevOps, Cloud/Container deployments, and AI.
The package management is done through swupd but unlike regular package managers, versioning happens at the individual file level. This means that it generates an entirely new OS version when any software change takes place in the system.
Is it clear enough to try Clear Linux?
Linux From Scratch illustration If you think installing Arch Linux was a challenge, try Linux From Scratch (LFS). As the name suggests, here you get have to do everything from scratch.
From installing to using, you do everything at a low level and that’s the beauty of it. You are not installing a pre-compiled Linux distribution here. You build your own customized Linux system entirely from the source code.
It is often suggested to use Linux From Scratch to learn the core functioning of the Linux and it is indeed a learning experience.
Still scratching your head about Linux From Scratch? You can read its documentation in book format.
There are a few more independent Linux distributions. Mageia and Solus are two of the relatively more popular ones. I did not include them in this list because I consider them more friendly and not as complicated to use as others on the list. Feel free to disagree with me in the comments.
You and I are so on the same page it ain’t funny ....
How do you think the large multi-national bank got to the position of having the majority of our servers being Linux vs. MS Windows?
I've paid my dues advocating for free and open source software. I'm nearing 60 years old and retiring in another year or so. You need someone younger than me to help your noble cause (and I mean that sincerely.)
And with about 25 different versions across two download pages then I think Puppy was in a process of getting them more together.
Well... All I can say now is THANK YOU for your fight. You did good then. I will be 60 myself in November. I have 11 grandchildren and if it were not for them, G-Ma and I would be Galt right now on the hill and would not have to worry about any of this crap... :)
One thing I have found about life... Make the best of it as you can. Turn a chore into a treasure hunt, keeps life exciting!
:)
Lol, just the name scared me away Ace...
LOL! It’s definitely nothing more than a novelty.
If you want to run Microsoft Software, have at it. This is America. I chose not to. If you don’t want people discussing alternatives on a forum... maybe you ought to ignore it. I wasn’t addressing you personally.
Once again, you’ve done what liberals (and vegans) do: Mischaracterize my comments.
But you Linux geeks are too tiresome to continue any discussion.
It always goes like this:
Me: Linux may be a superior operating system, but in much less time Windows surpassed it and took over the planet.
Linux geek: “HA HA you are a total douchebag and windows lover - How much are they paying you?”
Me: *sigh* no, I am just pointing out how you Linux lovers cannot seem to accept that other people don’t agree”
You: “You’re a liar go kiss Microsoft ass.”
Me: Why can’t you just consider that while Linux may be far better for what it does (servers, highly technical OS stuff) but let Windows be far better at what it does- like let grandma get email of pictures of their grandkids?”
You: “But the latest 18 ‘distro’s let you work just like windows!!! YOU SUCK”
Me: “But Windows also lets you work just like windows...”
You: “If you want to run Microsoft Software, have at it. This is America. I chose not to. If you don’t want people discussing alternatives on a forum... maybe you ought to ignore it. I wasn’t addressing you personally.”
Me: “Wasn’t that MY point at the beginning? Without the smarmy insults?”
;-)
Started with Redhat, around 1997, Mandrivia a couple years later. Got into dependency hell after not very long.
On to Gentoo. Was not a terribly difficult transition, but I'd been fiddling under the hood for more than a decade by then. Not trivial, it takes a lttle bit of understanding and patience to work through technical jargon.
Still on Gentoo - and still working in the FVWM environment I'd spent time on since RedHat. Even then I had lots of navigation habits useful to me.
I'm not a Linux "purist" when it comes to the versions people run. I'm just a Linux fan and given what I do for a living, I'm far more productive on this platform than I ever was with Windows.
For those reliant on MS Office/Office365 and Windows-specific functionality I've no gripes. That's their use case and it works for them.
I’m mischaracterizing you any your calling me names. Right.
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