this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2025
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Linux
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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You can narrow it down further by looking at the reviews for each suggestion at distrowatch.com - I think these reviews are often spot-on!
Also, a lot of smaller distributions are derived from a few larger ones. Therefore, they are usually not very different.
In the end, it is more important to try, after gathering a reasonsble amount of information!
Why am I using the tool if I then have to read through several reviews anyway?
Yes, that’s the point. That’s why if a newbie asks, recommend one of the big ones.
People who know nothing about Linux need a clear choice. If you’re giving them dozen suggestions, than the tool didn’t help them in any way.