Ask HN: What is your current Linux distro and why did you choose it?
53 comments
Arch Linux.
Why?: It's simple and how you want it to be. The wiki is great and the Arch Repo is great. With AUR and official repo, you will never need to look elsewhere for packages and it's very simple, unlike, Ubuntu's PPA.
And, even with the rolling release, it's pretty stable.I used Ubuntu previously and had a lot of problems with stability. I have been more than a year now on archlinux.
Couldn't agree more (mostly on the part that Pacman and the AUR are amazing).
I was so intimidated by the whole "build your own system" philosophy, that I never tried, and it was only after asking on HN for advice[0] that I finally gave it a shot.
Software-wise the best decision of my life so far.
It also taught me that "RTFM" is often the best solution, and that man pages are there for a reason.
[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14437632
I was so intimidated by the whole "build your own system" philosophy, that I never tried, and it was only after asking on HN for advice[0] that I finally gave it a shot.
Software-wise the best decision of my life so far.
It also taught me that "RTFM" is often the best solution, and that man pages are there for a reason.
[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14437632
That's pretty much my sentiment on Arch, too. I have another point, however, that is also very important to me:
If I break something, I can fix it. Guaranteed. That's not completely due to the experience you gather doing the "manual installation of everything" dance, but also due to how this process works. I've never had to reinstall my Arch system - there's always a way to save a botched installation.
As someone who likes to tinker with my systems sometimes (and who's reinstalled more screwed up Ubuntu/Fedora setups than I can count), that is really valuable to me.
If I break something, I can fix it. Guaranteed. That's not completely due to the experience you gather doing the "manual installation of everything" dance, but also due to how this process works. I've never had to reinstall my Arch system - there's always a way to save a botched installation.
As someone who likes to tinker with my systems sometimes (and who's reinstalled more screwed up Ubuntu/Fedora setups than I can count), that is really valuable to me.
Yeah, it's really easy to fix things in Arch. Once, during 'pacman -Syyu' install, the linux kernel didn't install correctly and left the system broken. I just chrooted via a Arch live USB and reinstalled linux and was good to go again. This kind of issues hasn't happened since.
Around 2 years ago, I wanted to tinker and understand linux distros and have installed most of them. But, when I tried Arch, I settled with it,no more tinkering. However,I find it painful to install. I installed Arch successfully in third time.
Around 2 years ago, I wanted to tinker and understand linux distros and have installed most of them. But, when I tried Arch, I settled with it,no more tinkering. However,I find it painful to install. I installed Arch successfully in third time.
NixOS on my laptop, my Hetzner dedicated server, and my EC2 instances.
Configuring NixOS is done declaratively, so I can easily inspect how my computers are configured, and I know that when I get a new computer, I can just copy the configuration.
Its way of performing upgrades and configuration changes is the new state of the art. You could say it's like React for your whole userland.
The configuration syntax and the package definition syntax are one and the same functional programming language, which makes the system very flexible. And the whole package hierarchy is just a Git repo.
The package server maintained by NixOS also happens to have binary builds for nearly all Haskell packages, which saves me a lot of time.
Configuring NixOS is done declaratively, so I can easily inspect how my computers are configured, and I know that when I get a new computer, I can just copy the configuration.
Its way of performing upgrades and configuration changes is the new state of the art. You could say it's like React for your whole userland.
The configuration syntax and the package definition syntax are one and the same functional programming language, which makes the system very flexible. And the whole package hierarchy is just a Git repo.
The package server maintained by NixOS also happens to have binary builds for nearly all Haskell packages, which saves me a lot of time.
Any resources you would recommend for getting started?
So far I've found this[0] which seems like a good introduction.
[0] https://ebzzry.io/en/nix/
So far I've found this[0] which seems like a good introduction.
[0] https://ebzzry.io/en/nix/
Yeah, that seems good!
The NixOS manual is also a good resource.
I'll also mention that EC2 can spin up a NixOS instance from an existing public AMI, which can be a convenient way to get started.
While reading up on the basic semantics of the Nix language, you can also poke around in the Nixpkgs repository on GitHub to see how packages are typically defined and composed.
And there's an IRC channel on Freenode that's nice and helpful.
The NixOS manual is also a good resource.
I'll also mention that EC2 can spin up a NixOS instance from an existing public AMI, which can be a convenient way to get started.
While reading up on the basic semantics of the Nix language, you can also poke around in the Nixpkgs repository on GitHub to see how packages are typically defined and composed.
And there's an IRC channel on Freenode that's nice and helpful.
Awesome, thanks!
About 10 years ago I discovered Arch Linux, and never looked back. What I like most about it is that it comes with no bloat, you install exactly what you need.
I'm using it with i3wm, which is also a beautiful piece of software.
I'm using it with i3wm, which is also a beautiful piece of software.
Ubuntu. Back in the day I only had access to really expensive and painfully slow Internet connection. Ubuntu was the only distro I could get my hands on thanks to Canonical's free CD shipping program. It mostly just works and I've stuck with it ever since.
Arch Linux. Once you know how to use it you never feel comfortable with Debian/Ubuntu. With AUR having every package under the sun and usually no dependency problems. A Wiki which is detailed and a minimal install I love it. I sometimes use Antergos so I don't need to deal with as many problems installing.
I am tempted to use Antergos now but last time when I tried the cnchi installer gave me trouble. Guess it's stable now.
Ubuntu mostly since I haven't had a reason to change, and it got me to try it when it had boot/run from USB. And it's just on every server hosting service.
This is the real reason why I've stayed with Ubuntu for many, many years. It was my first entry into Linux years ago and I've never had any reason to switch to another distro.
I also like that I can use the same OS on my servers as my desktop. It just makes server setup/maintenance simple for me, as I never have to "learn" a new way of thinking or flow of processes.
I've never had issues with Ubuntu, no crashes, no issues with drivers (even with nVidia graphics cards etc...). I recently purchased a dell XPS laptop which came with Ubuntu pre-installed. It was more as a vote for "yes Dell, this is a good thing" rather than "I can't be bothered installing ubuntu myself".
I also like that I can use the same OS on my servers as my desktop. It just makes server setup/maintenance simple for me, as I never have to "learn" a new way of thinking or flow of processes.
I've never had issues with Ubuntu, no crashes, no issues with drivers (even with nVidia graphics cards etc...). I recently purchased a dell XPS laptop which came with Ubuntu pre-installed. It was more as a vote for "yes Dell, this is a good thing" rather than "I can't be bothered installing ubuntu myself".
Ubuntu the community is very big and supportive, if I have an issue an answer is usually just a Google search or two away. On other distros, that is not always the case.
Manjaro, it's a no-hassle arch distro.
I used to use Kubuntu. But trying to upgrade to the latest version was a nightmare (latter realizing it's because the distro is abandoned). Tried other KDE, ubuntu based distros - always the same story. Buggy as hell.
Finally listened to my friends and moved to arch. Manjaro (kde edition) has been fantastic. Yet to see a bug or non-functioning feature in >6 months of use. Thinking of switching to tiling desktop tho.
I used to use Kubuntu. But trying to upgrade to the latest version was a nightmare (latter realizing it's because the distro is abandoned). Tried other KDE, ubuntu based distros - always the same story. Buggy as hell.
Finally listened to my friends and moved to arch. Manjaro (kde edition) has been fantastic. Yet to see a bug or non-functioning feature in >6 months of use. Thinking of switching to tiling desktop tho.
How about Antergos, isn't it a better choice for new users? Technically it's just Arch and should just work. When I tried Manjaro I found it slightly confusing, also being shunned by Arch community for using it is a Majjor Majjaro drowback.
I haven't tried Antergos yet, but for me, Manjaro just worked out of the box. It's also technically just Arch, and I can't say I've ever experienced being shunned for using it. Sounds to me like you just had the unfortunate experience of running into some pricks on the internet. I can't see how said pricks would react any differently if you told them you were running Antergos... (But if it persists, perhaps you'd find it easier to just say you're running Arch. :)
Xubuntu. It has a lot of support and community knowledge, since it is a *buntu distro, feels very snappy, never had stability issues and looks fine just out of the box, no tweaking required. I'm not motivated to look elsewhere, although if I do, I'll opt for XFCE again.
For servers I kinda prefer CentOS, but a lot of people around me prefer Ubuntu, so I usually use Ubuntu. I have no proper metrics around this, it's just a feeling.
For servers I kinda prefer CentOS, but a lot of people around me prefer Ubuntu, so I usually use Ubuntu. I have no proper metrics around this, it's just a feeling.
Try Fedora xfce if you do look elsewhere, I was xubuntu for years and then switched to Fedora XFCE respin (needed hardware support for new hardware).
Other than 5 minutes setting it up, everything was pretty much the same and I like DNF.
Other than 5 minutes setting it up, everything was pretty much the same and I like DNF.
GalliumOS. Pruned for Chromebook hardware, so no excess packages and booting in few seconds. Unfortunately Made In Inchland USA, so world standard DVB-devices not supported. But I have solved this issue by myself: https://github.com/GalliumOS/galliumos-distro/issues/308
Arch Linux for me. The AUR is fantastic, and the wiki is obscenely detailed. I also love being able to have it operate exactly how I’d like.
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Debian testing. It's similar enough to Ubuntu that instructions and suggestions (e.g. how to get $program to work on Ubuntu) are generally still applicable. Packages are far more up-to-date than Debian stable. Rolling release means (almost) never having to perform a show-stopping upgrade or reinstall.
Arch or Antergos. I couldn't go back to a non rolling release OS.
Most of the time these days I use the Antergos installer and clone my dotfiles but my personal laptop (T430) still runs Arch.
I recently tried a number of distro's including Ubuntu, Fedora and Suse and while they were all great in their own way they make life too difficult. Why have more than one package manager or way to install software? Yast is still horrific. The lack of rolling release and single package manager has limited Linux on the desktop. While it's not a problem for most Linux users it has stunted everyday users.
Most of the time these days I use the Antergos installer and clone my dotfiles but my personal laptop (T430) still runs Arch.
I recently tried a number of distro's including Ubuntu, Fedora and Suse and while they were all great in their own way they make life too difficult. Why have more than one package manager or way to install software? Yast is still horrific. The lack of rolling release and single package manager has limited Linux on the desktop. While it's not a problem for most Linux users it has stunted everyday users.
With my desktop I have been on the Mandrake/Mandriva/Mageia bus for years, while solid and easy ( I do not like to solve puzzles with my desktop OS ) It became more and more appearant that they can't keep up, so parts of their distro are hopelessly outdated. Now I use an Arch based distro that is somewhat, but not very unstable, called Manjaro.
It is not as suave as the Mageia distro but it does have a really massive Arch knowledge base, if you google problems with some part of linux then 9 out of ten times you see Arch based problem solving as top links.
Ubuntu 16.04. It just works. Upgraded to 17.04-17.10 and had the dreaded issues which made me fall back on the tried and true. I don't recall all of them but they were painful.
Upgraded 15.10 to 17.04 on my laptop. Went from working stable system to slower, less stable system -
Firefox causes full system lockdown every hour.
I used to use Debian unstable because it had all the packages regular Debian was missing, but it was a bit, well, unstable. Then Ubuntu came out about 12 years ago and it was exactly what I had always wanted: a stable distribution of everything missing from Debian. Since then Ubuntu has been my default choice of Linux and the LTS versioning has served well for long-running servers.
Arch, on laptop and server. I like having very nearly the latest release of everything. I used to use Slackware, but then I'd get played by the huge jumps in version numbers - config files changed drastically, GCC #pragma changed, etc etc. I prefer getting those changes gradually and incrementally with Arch.
Ubuntu
Reason: It just works.
Reason: It just works.
Used Fedora before but switch to Ubuntu, as a developer, there are more tutorials using Ubuntu than other OS.
Fedora, you'll need to cope with GNOME if you want Wayland but the underlying distro is rock solid compared to what it was just a couple of years before. I'm surprised no-one mentioned Solus yet, to me it seems to be a runner up distro one should keep an eye on.
Agree, Solus 3 looks pretty amazing! I am using GNOME edition.
Ubuntu for everyday, friends and family. Linux Mint for development. Ubuntu server in the cloud.
Debian (for servers)
• Good package management + vendor repos.
• Sane defaults
• config packages: https://debathena.mit.edu/config-package-dev/
• truly community run
• Good package management + vendor repos.
• Sane defaults
• config packages: https://debathena.mit.edu/config-package-dev/
• truly community run
openSUSE Tumbleweed. Mainly because it runs on pretty much any hardware, has RPMs for everything, is easy enough to use, and updates easily. Also up to date with all the newest stuff, and bug free.
Ubuntu
Reason: I can install it using wubi, can easily find solution if stuck, dabian based
Reason: I can install it using wubi, can easily find solution if stuck, dabian based
I just started using Devuan.
Generally like Debian, don't particularly like systemd. So I thought I'd try it out. Seems pretty good so far, a bit easier than installing Debian then removing systemd.
Generally like Debian, don't particularly like systemd. So I thought I'd try it out. Seems pretty good so far, a bit easier than installing Debian then removing systemd.
I use Ubuntu Mate (17.04 now). Ubuntu is rock solid and very friendly, and Mate is my favourite desktop. That team works like a charm (prior to that I used Debian for a lot of years).
Ubuntu LTS on both desktops and servers. Alpine Linux on small servers, e.g. systems with older 32 bit CPUs (I reuse a lot of old computers for various tasks).
Kubuntu. It offered the best out-of-the-box compatibility with the programs I use, and it's not at the center of a desktop environment debate.
For dev work machine I use Fedora and Debian. On the server CentOS and Debian and at home some might find it interesting a MacOS ( looking for good laptop with trackpoint to replace Mac Air and get either Fedora or Debian on it ).
I find my dev workflow best on Debian ( probably just used to it ) but lately using Fedora as well. CentOS on the server just because it is available everywhere but where I can I choose Debian for the server due to like already said being familiar most familiar with it.
I find my dev workflow best on Debian ( probably just used to it ) but lately using Fedora as well. CentOS on the server just because it is available everywhere but where I can I choose Debian for the server due to like already said being familiar most familiar with it.
Ubuntu 1604 server, easy install and plenty resources to look into and already had some experience with Ubuntu on accident.
I use Crux.
It's a source-based distribution similar to Gentoo but far, far simpler.
And that's why I use it: It's simple.
It also has a great community. :)
It's a source-based distribution similar to Gentoo but far, far simpler.
And that's why I use it: It's simple.
It also has a great community. :)
On the majority of my servers I am running Red Hat , because of the support , even tough personally I am an unix guy
Fedora, better Ryzen support back in June.
Been using Linux 20 years so at this point, the distro is just back ground noise for me.
Been using Linux 20 years so at this point, the distro is just back ground noise for me.
Sparky Linux. It's a Debian 9 based OS. It has all the benefits of Debian: stable and have the largest software compatibility. But makes it working out-of-the-box.
So in some way it's like Ubuntu but slimmer(faster) and more stable. I've tested so many distros and in the end Sparky (Debian9) is the most stable, fast and productive distribution on my hardware (dell rugged laptop).
So in some way it's like Ubuntu but slimmer(faster) and more stable. I've tested so many distros and in the end Sparky (Debian9) is the most stable, fast and productive distribution on my hardware (dell rugged laptop).
Debian (yes, stable) for laptops, desktops, VMs, bare metal servers, containers. Everything.
- It's a solid and trustworthy distro.
- It's general and universal, and adaptable for most uses.
- I have tons of Ansible tasks and roles developed for Debian, so pretty much anything is automated and standardizing helps a lot.
- It's a solid and trustworthy distro.
- It's general and universal, and adaptable for most uses.
- I have tons of Ansible tasks and roles developed for Debian, so pretty much anything is automated and standardizing helps a lot.
Gentoo ~amd64 - because I can customise it exactly how I want, the packages are relatively new and the *BSD-ports-inspired package management makes sense to me. I even maintain my own package repository for version bumps and new packages: https://github.com/stefantalpalaru/gentoo-overlay