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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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Why choice of Linux distribution matters (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 week ago by thingsiplay@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I see often people say that the distro you are using doesn't matter. One can turn any distro into another. And I do not agree with that. If that was true, why do we even have so many distributions? I always said, if distros don't matter...

... why distro hop?
... why don't you use Ubuntu then?
... why don't you recommend Archlinux to a newcomer?
... why don't you use Kali Linux as a server?
... why don't you use Batocera or SteamOS as your daily driver?
... why do you trust a community distro more than a corporate distro? (or vice versa)

I don't think that distros only matter to newcomers. Maybe it matters for experienced users even more.

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[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml -2 points 1 week ago (7 children)

Distro really and truly doesn’t matter at all. They all can do the same stuff as each other. It’s entirely all about taste and personal preference

So you say my personal preference and taste does not matter? A starting point does not matter and I should randomly pick something from Distrowatch, maybe the newest updated entry in their database? Just because it CAN be turned into a different distro, does not invalidate the value of having a good starting point that fits my needs perfectly. Also you are wrong that these are the only factors. There is also the factor if I trust the maintainers of the repository, and probably other factors important for choosing a distribution.

[–] ShortN0te@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago (2 children)

So you say my personal preference and taste does not matter?

The point is, the amount of time and effort it takes to tune any distro to your personal preference.

There are distros that fit your needs out of the box and there are distros that need hours of setting up and tuning to fit them.

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

There are distros that fit your needs out of the box and there are distros that need hours of setting up and tuning to fit them.

And that exactly is the reason why the distribution matters.

[–] ShortN0te@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 week ago

I think you heavily are misinterpreting the " The Distro does not matter" argument.

Usually ppl want a distro that "does x" and the answer will be "the distro does not matter, use the one that suits you the mkst".

The argument "The disteo does not matter" does not come from the user preferences site of things but feom the technical " i want to video edit, "i want to game" etc.

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