Chapter 2: Linux Distributions and Types of Installations


You may have no clear answer if you are asking for the best Linux distributions since, in one way or the other, there are several numbers of Linux distributions, and coming up with an exact amount also can be quite tricky. As some of them appear to be unique, others are simply a clone of one another. Well, that is the beauty of Linux, even if its a mess. However, you don’t have to worry because, below, you will find the list of the best Linux distributions even when there are thousands of them around. Since there is always something for everyone, we must categorize these distributions.


Linux distribution for multi-purpose
For both servers and desktops, as an advanced/beginner-friendly OS, you can utilize some Linux distributions. Thus, you will read below about a separate segment of these distributions, and they are:


Debian:
As an excellent distribution itself, Debian has its base on Ubuntu. Debian tends to be working correctly for not only the desktop but also the servers. Though by scanning through the official documentation, you can quickly get started, it may not be the ideal operating system for beginners. There are some necessary enhancements and several changes introduced by the recent release of Debian 10 Buster. So, test-drive it for you to see!


Manjaro:
The Arch Linux provides the source for Manjaro. For newbies, Manjaro makes it quite easy to use Arch Linux even though it is tailored for advanced users. So have no worries. This Linux distribution is indeed beginner-friendly and straightforward. There are a bunch of useful built-in GUI applications, as well as a fantastic user interface. While downloading Manjaro, theres an option of selecting a desktop environment. For Manjaro, most people have a preference for the KDE desktop.


Fedora:
The two editions that Fedora provides are separate. It offers for servers and also for laptops/desktops. Those are Fedora Server and Fedora Workstation. Well, Fedora may be your option if you wish to opt for a user-friendly with a possibility of a learning curve for a snappy desktop OS. Anyways, your server can get a fresh breath of a new life when you choose Fedora if you are looking for an operating system for Linux.


Advanced users best Linux distributions
First, before you begin your exploration into Linux distributions that are designed for advanced users only, you need to get comfortable troubleshooting your way to resolve issues with the different package commands and managers. Indeed, there will be a need for you to collect specific requirements if you are a professional. However, it will worth your while to check out these distributions if, as a standard user, you have been using Linux for some time.


Slackware:
Though still delighting in the preference of many people, one of the oldest Linux distributions is Slackware. You may want to consider using Slackware for setting up an ideal environment for yourself if you intend to develop or compile software. Slackware tends to be a fantastic choice for advanced users, even with a significant decrease in the number of developers and users utilizing it. Also, it is believed that Slackware will continue to carry its flagship as one of the best Linux distributions out there with the current news of it getting a Patreon page.


Gentoo:
Gentoo Linux is quite compulsory for anyone who knows how to compile the source code. Though there is a required necessary technical knowledge to make it work, Gentoo is a lightweight distribution. If you need to know some information about it, you can obtain it through the official handbook. However, to make the most of it might take you a lot of time to figure if you are not sure of what you are doing.


Arch Linux:
This distribution comes with a huge learning curve even though it is a powerful yet simple distribution. Everything you need may not be installed at a time, much unlike others. You will have to add packages required as you configure the system. Also, without GUI, there are a set of commands you will need to follow when you are installing Arch Linux. Also, it may be quite essential to have a clear understanding of some critical things to do after you install Arch Linux if you wish to go ahead with the installation. Its indeed useful to say that there is an active community behind Arch Linux in addition to all the simplicity and versatility. As such, you wont have any need to worry if you run into a problem.


Older computers best Linux distributions
You can make use of some of the best Linux distributions available if you don’t wish to upgrade your system or have an old one lying around. Here are some of the best distributions you can use for your old computers.


Sparky Linux:
For low-end systems, based on Debian, Sparky Linux tends to be a perfect Linux distribution. Different users can enjoy several special editions or varieties provided by Sparky Linux, as well as a fast streaming experience. For example, it rolls releases specific to a group of users while offering a stable version with varieties. For gamers, one familiar type for them is the Sparky Linux GameOver since a bunch of pre-installed games is included in it.


antiX:
As a lightweight Linux distribution and partially responsible for MX Linux, both new and old computers can use antiX. Though working quite correctly, the UI of antiX is not that impressive. Without the need to install it, antiX can be utilized as live CD distribution, and it is based on Debian. For you not to lose settings with every reboot, you can save the settings as opposed to some other distributions. Not only that, using its feature of “Live persistence,your root directory can also have some changes saved by you. As such, antiX can be your choice if you intend to offer a snappy user experience on old hardware with the use of a live-USB distribution.


Bodhi:
Though it runs well on older configurations, unlike Ubuntu, it is well on top of Ubuntu that they designed and built Bodhi Linux. As a continuation of the Enlightenment 17 desktop, Bodhi Linuxs Moksha Desktop is its main highlight. The fast and intuitive streaming is the typical experience users will get for using it. On your older systems, you can as well give it a try even though peoples opinion of it is not for personal use.


Solus Budgie:
It is an impressive lightweight desktop OS with Solus 4 Fortitude as a recent major release. Desktop environments such as MATE or GNOME are natural for this when you want to opt into them. However, while being light on system resources, as a beginners full-fledged Linux distribution, Solus Budgie happens to be one of the favorites of so many people.


Puppy Linux:
One of the smallest distributions you can see out there is Puppy Linux. If you want your outdated system to have a quick system execution, you can give it a try. With the addition of several new useful features, the user experience has improved over the years.
As for some of the lightweight Linux distributions, other options you can try out in this category are Peppermint, Lubuntu, and Linux Lite.


Best distributions of Linux server
Enterprise support, performance, and stability are all that are essential when it comes to a Linux distributions choice for servers. However, you need to pay attention to some of these recommendations, whether the purpose is for something crucial or a web server when installing it.


CentOS:
For RHEL, you will need to subscribe. Nevertheless, since the sources of Red Hat Linux have been derived from it, RHELs community edition is quite similar to CentOS. Also, it is a free and open-source as well. For sometimes now, it tends to be an excellent preference. It is considerably less parallel to the number of hosting providers using it. However, people’s opinion of CentOS is that of a reliable Linux distribution since its software packages are the latest. On several cloud platforms, CentOS images can be found. You can as well decide on the CentOS image that is self-hosted, which it offers if you don’t.


SUSE Linux enterprise server:
Theres a need to separate this distribution from OpenSuSE, and as such, theres no need to worry. Maintained by the community, OpenSUSE is an open-source distribution even when everything comes under a standard brand “SUSE.For cloud-based servers, one of the most popular solutions is the SUSE Linux enterprise server. And to manage your open-source solution and to get priority support, you may need to go for a subscription.


Linux Red Hat:
For organizations and businesses, the top-notch platform is the Linux Red Hat. For servers, the highly prevalent range may not be Red hat if we go by the numbers. However, Lenovo, for instance, is among those that have their reliance on RHEL as the primary selection of enterprise users. Technically, there is a correlation between Red Hat and Fedora. And for RHEL to have it on it, anything that Red Hats supports gets tested on Fedora. For you to be sure it will suit your needs, the official documentation of the distribution is worth checking.


Ubuntu servers:
Your server can get unique options depending on where you want it. Ubuntu Cloud may be the perfect ideal for an optimized solution to run Google Cloud Platform, Azure, AWS, and some others. In either case, you can have it installed on your server if you want to opt for Ubuntu Server packages. However, judging by the number, when it comes to deployment on the cloud, the highly popular Linux distribution is Ubuntu. And unless you have particular requirements, the recommendation will be the LTS editions.
As options for a few of the distributions mentioned above, Debian and Fedora are some of the distributions to explore.


Beginners best Linux distributions
This segment deals with a list of distributions that are quite easy to use. Without the requirement of knowing any tips or commands, you can begin using it right away, and there’s no need to dig deeper.