There are many forms
of Linux. Each form is called a distribution (distro) or a flavor (this is
rare). Linux distros are classified by the package manager they use, the
standard software they ship with, and the distro they have forked. The first
and third points are the most important in classification. For instance, Ubuntu
is a Debian system because it uses the Debian installation files and it is a
branch off of Debian Linux.
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As time goes on,
Linux distros evolve. Some distros merge while other split. They start to
become more different and serve the needs of different people as the distros
change and adapt. Some distros like Ubuntu are popular while others (like
Midori or Storm are obsolete and no longer supported).
For instance, Ubuntu
has many users and many branches (commonly called forks). There is a Ubuntu
distro for the main desktop environments – Xubuntu (XFCE), Lubuntu (LXDE), and
Kubuntu (KDE). There is even a special Ubuntu distro specifically designed to suit
the needs of China called UbuntuKylin.
All distros have one
piece of software in common - the Linux kernel (there are other pieces in
common, but by definition, the Linux kernel defines Linux). The rest of the
software is different which makes up a Linux distro. Distros can use different
versions of the Linux kernel, but if they use a kernel that is not Linux, then
the operating system is no longer a Linux distro. Android is a Linux distro
because it uses the Linux kernel. In summary, Android, Fedora, Linux Mint,
MeeGo, and Ubuntu are Linux distros because they have a Linux kernel, but
FreeBSD, ReactOS, and and OpenSolaris are not Linux because use different
kernels.
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There are three main
branches of Linux distros - Debian (deb), Red Hat (rpm), and Slackware (slp).
There are also some smaller branches and some individual distros that have
their own structure and setup. Some of these branches of Linux have large
subgroups. For instance, Ubuntu is a large family of Linux distros within the
Debian group. Some distros may stray far from their original group. For
instance, OpenSUSE came from SUSE which came from Slackware. So, OpenSUSE is a
descendant of Slackware, although OpenSUSE now uses RPM packages like
RedHat-based Linux systems. So, that would make OpenSUSE a RedHat-based system.
Some new major branches are forming. The Arch branch is starting to become as
large as the three main branches of Linux distros.
An
SVG image on Wikipedia clearly demonstrates these branches of the Linux system
here (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Linux_Distribution_Timeline_with_Android.svg). This nice chart shows how the distros evolved and changed. It
shows the main branches as trees. As many will see, numerous Linux distros come
from Debian, Red hat, and Slackware. Many individual distros exist and some are
starting to make new trees like Arch, Android, and Enoch (now Gentoo).
Even though many
distros may be very different, they are largely the same. To make a new distro,
logos are changed and applications are added or removed. For instance, Ubuntu
Studio is Ubuntu with extra graphics software. ChromeOS is a derivative of OpenSUSE.
The earlier versions still had the OpenSUSE logos (during non-graphical
boot-up).
Debian: Debian
Linux will be well-suited for those who need stability. Debian Linux uses older
software that is known to be stable. Generally, hospitals that use Linux will
use Debian on important systems. Debian is usually a wise choice for a server
system because the software is usually stable. The recommended system
requirements are 1GHz processor, 512MB memory, 5GB hard-drive. http://www.debian.org/distrib/
Ubuntu: For those
that like Debian, but want the latest software and an interface with better
graphics, Ubuntu is a common choice. Ubuntu is stable, but many Linux users
recommend Debian for critical systems. The average mainstream desktop/laptop
user will probably want Ubuntu. The recommended system requirements are 800MB
memory, 1GHz processor, and 5GB hard-drive. http://www.ubuntu.com/download
Kubuntu: Same as
Ubuntu, but uses KDE. Users that dislike Unity may prefer Kubuntu. The
recommended system requirements are 1GHz processor, 10GB hard-drive, and more
than 1GB memory. http://www.kubuntu.org/getkubuntu
Xubuntu: Xubuntu is
a lightweight Ubuntu system for older hardware or hardware with less resources.
Xubuntu uses the XFCE interface instead of Unity. The recommended system
requirements are 512MB memory and 5GB hard-drive (tyr Lubuntu for something
more lightweight). http://xubuntu.org/getxubuntu/
Linux Mint: For
people that want a Debian-based system, but dislike Unity may be interested in
Linux Mint. Linux Mint may come with the MATE, Cinnamon, XFCE, or KDE interface
(user's choice). The recommended system requirements are 1GHz processor, 1GB
memory, and 10GB hard-drive. http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
BackTrack (Kali):
BackTrack is a Ubuntu-based high-security system while Kali is newer and based
on Debian. BackTrack (now called Kali) is often used for hacking into other
systems. Although, that is illegal unless you are hacking into a computer of
your because you forgot the password. BackTrack/Kali is also used to evaluate
security. Some companies may use BackTrack/Kali to find security flaws in their
own system. http://www.kali.org/downloads/
Slackware:
Slackware is a simple lightweight system. Usually, Slackware is preferred among
advanced users due to Slackware being less of a user-friendly system compared
to other distros. The recommended system requirements are i486 processor, 256MB
memory, and 5GB hard-drive. Advanced users wanting a lightweight system may
prefer Slackware. http://www.slackware.com/
Arch: Arch Linux is
a minimalistic system that is supposedly very simple. It is also a lightweight
system that is used among advanced Linux users. Advanced users that dislike
Slackware may like Arch. https://www.archlinux.org/download/
Fedora: Some Linux
users may say Fedora is the RedHat counterpart of Ubuntu (Debian system).
Fedora is perfect for many mainstream desktop/laptop users. Fedora handles
graphics well and uses appealing interfaces. The recommended system
requirements are 1GB memory and 10GB hard-drive. http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-fedora
Red Hat Enterprise Linux: RedHat is usually
used as a server system. Fedora is the client/desktop system while RedHat is
the server “version”. So, if you would like to use Fedora as a server or need a
system that is more stable than Fedora, then use RedHat.
Puppy Linux: This
is a very lightweight system that is usually used on older systems due to the
light requirements. Puppy Linux may not have the best-looking interface, but it
is still easy to use. The recommended system requirements are 333MHz processor,
64MB memory, 512MB swap, and 1GB hard-drive. http://puppylinux.org/main/Download Latest Release.htm
AnitaOS: This is a
form of Puppy Linux developed by @Darren Hale intended for old hardware. AnitaOS uses old kernels while the
mainstream Puppy Linux uses the newer kernels. http://sourceforge.net/projects/anitaos/ | http://www.linux.org/threads/anitaos-a-diy-distro-you-build-it-yourself.4401/
Damn Small Linux (DSL): This is a lightweight Linux system that requires 8MB of memory and
at least an i486 processor. People needing a lightweight system may want DSL if
they dislike Puppy Linux. http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/download.html
CentOS: CentOS is
often comparable to Linux Mint, but CentOS is Red-Hat-based instead of
Debian-based. In fact, CentOS is RHEL without the branding. Basically, if you
want RHEL, but do not want to pay for it and support, then get CentOS. People
who like Linux Mint, but want a Red-Hat system may be interested in CentOS. The
recommended system requirements are 256MB memory and 256MB hard-drive. http://www.centos.org/modules/tinycontent/index.php?id=30
OpenSUSE: OpenSUSE
is a RedHat-based distro that has YaST and ZYpp. OpenSUSE is available as a
rolling release or a stable version-by-version basis. The minimum requirements
include 2GB memory, 5GB hard-space, AMD64 or Intel 2.4GHz. http://www.opensuse.org
If
a distro containing no closed-source software anywhere in the system is needed,
then check out GNU.org's list of 100% open-source GNU/Linux operating systems -
https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.en.html
Compiled from the articles written by DevynCJohnson for http://www.linux.org/
