Assalammu'alaikum wr. wb.
See you again with Inzaghi's Blog! There are several reasons why people prefer Linux over Windows, whether it's because of inadequate specs or it's hard to run Windows. However, if you want to switch to Linux, you have to know a lot about the types of Linux distributions (Distros). Let's take a good look at this article.
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| Illustration of Linux Distribution Logos |
Article Sources : Kompas.com (Sejarah Perkembangan Linux), Teksnologi.com, and Bitlabs.id (Blog)
A. History of Linux Development
Reporting from the Linux Fundamentals Book (2017) by Agipitra, Linux is a Unix-like operating system. Unix is a computer operating system developed by AT&T Bell Labs in the 1960s and 1970s.
Linux is a derivative of Unix based on the GNU GPL (General Public License). Unix is an operating system that can adapt to many laptops or machines and has Multitasking and Multiuser capabilities.
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| Linus Torvalds |
Linux was designed by a student from Finland named Linus Torvalds for the Intel 80386 architecture in August 1991.
Then Linus wanted to make Minix (a project of his class, which resembled a Unix-like system) free and customizable. Until finally the Linux Kernel appeared. Linus then released his work on the mailing list, with the aim of offering the source code he had made and inviting programmers to participate.
On Saturday, 5 October 1991 (26 Rabi' al-Awwal 1412 H), Linus released Linux Version 0.02. Linus Torvalds and his team continue to try to adjust the kernel to function on GNU components to produce a maximum operating system.
In full, Linux (GNU/Linus) was released on Monday, 14 March 1994 (1 Shawwal 1414 H), after three years of experiencing a period of development.
Until then, Linux was usually packaged with programs from GNU or other programs into one called the Linux Distro.
The Penguin logo on Linux
The Penguin logo is iconic and the hallmark of a Linux program. This logo is taken from Linus' experience when he was walking around in a park.
Suddenly Linus is bitten by a penguin and has a fever for days. Until finally came the idea of a penguin character for the program.
Linus wants Linux users to become addicted and enjoy exploring Linux.
B. Types of Linux Distributions
Do you sometimes get bored when you see this look and feel of a desktop operating system? If so, maybe you should try Linux with hundreds of the best distros!
This distro is different from the theme. For example, if you change the theme of your phone, the interface will change while the system settings will remain unchanged.
While each distribution usually has its own distinct look and feel, they also have different modules, systems, and even applications.
Because of the variety they have, distributions often have specific user designations. There are several for beginners, privacy seekers, general users, older system users, and more.
1. Ubuntu
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| Ubuntu 22.10 Kinetic Kudu |
Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions in the Linux world. From novice Linux users to advanced users, you should be familiar with the operating system. Because of its popularity, Ubuntu is also widely used by various variants of Linux distros that exist today.
Ubuntu is not only available on Computer Devices but also on smartphones like Ubuntu Touch. And, Ubuntu also has many types and variants, including Ubuntu Unity, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Cinnamon, etc.
Apart from general users, Ubuntu is also commonly used to create cloud-based network servers. Ubuntu is developed on the Debian Linux platform by British developer Canonical Ltd.
2. Linux Mint
Linux Mint is quite popular and has many active users. It looks modern, elegant and easy to use. The system performance is quite stable and light to run on laptops with low specifications.
Linux Mint supports several multimedia codecs that are included in it. Linux Mint was developed based on Ubuntu and Debian by an Irish developer. Developers from Linux Mint are quite innovative in developing various special software that are used as built-in features of Linux Mint.
3. Debian
Debian can be considered as one of the oldest Linux distributions. It has been an inspiration for many distributions to this day.
Debian provides you access to 50,000 software packages. Most of the software is open source and free. For paid software, you can only download and install them from the store. Like Mint, you can customize the environment according to your preferences here. You can find KDE, Xfce, and LXDE from the Start menu.
4. Arch Linux
Although many Linux distributions are suitable for beginners, Arch is not included in the list.
This distribution is more suitable for developers and proficient Linux users. While generally anyone can use it, Arch is intended for advanced users.
You will find many tools and options for customization. In fact, you also have the option to choose which packages to install or remove. Developers generally prefer this freedom.
5. Fedora
Fedora is built and developed by the community involved in The Fedora Project. This project is sponsored by Red Hat, a well-known open-source technology company.
Officially, Fedora offers two classes of operating systems, Fedora Workstation and Fedora Server.
Fedora Workstation can be used by anyone, whether on a laptop or desktop PC to support productivity. Meanwhile, Fedora Server is used by those who want to build a Linux server-based cloud network.
Fedora uses the GNOME desktop environment. Fedora is independently developed by developers from the United States.
6. Lubuntu
Lubuntu is one of the lightest Linux distros. The system is adjusted so that everything works efficiently. What do you use it for?
So if you have Old-school hardware or a laptop that just doesn't have enough power to get the job done, this is your best OS choice!
Lubuntu uses LDXE for its environment. Known as the lightest version, it is designed for efficiency, low RAM usage, and speed.
7. Kali Linux
A development of Debian, Kali Linux mainly focuses on security aspects. It provides users and developers with the best environment for evaluating Security Systems or Penetration Testing.
Kali has many security tools and security analysis including DHCPig and BBQSQL. Still not enough?
If you are engaged in digital forensics, there are also Binwalk and Volatility tools that you can use. Kali updates a complete list of compatible tools on its website.
8. Deepin OS
It looks great and is easy to use. Installing various applications is also very easy. Everything is available in Deepin AppStore.
The appearance of the theme can also be customized. You can change as many colors as you want. Performance is quite stable. Deepin has developed its own desktop environment which it calls DDE (Deepin Desktop Environment). Deepin was developed by Chinese developers using the Debian Linux platform.
Also, the appearance of Deepin OS (Version 20 and above) is similar to Windows 11 because the Taskbar is also in the middle. So, Deepin OS is a Linux distribution that combines Windows with macOS in terms of appearance. Maybe later, the appearance of Windows 12 is more similar to Linux Deepin OS.
9. Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS is an operating system designed to make life easier for users, especially for those who frequently have many application windows open on a large screen.
Its features are designed to help users manage workspaces easily by quickly navigating using different keyboard shortcuts.
Pop!_OS was developed from the Ubuntu Linux platform by Retailer System76 from the United States.
Also, Pop!_OS is more similar to Windows 11, because its Dock (Like Taskbar) is in the Middle which is also similar to macOS.
10. Manjaro
Manjaro is a Linux distribution that provides fast, lightweight, stable, and user-friendly performance.
The functions of tools are made more automatic to speed up operations and reduce manual intervention.
Manjaro is developed from the base of Arch Linux by developers from three countries: Austria, Germany, and France.
11. Zorin OS
It looks clean and elegant. Zorin OS is quite innovative in bringing some features to its system.
There is Zorin OS Education, which is a specially designed operating system for students. It includes various educational applications to facilitate learning for students.
There is also Zorin OS Lite. The trimmed-down version is specifically designed to run on old computers or laptops with low hardware specifications. It can even run with only 512 MB of RAM.
Another unique built-in feature is Zorin Connect, which can connect the computer to an Android smartphone as a remote control for presentations.
There is also a GameMode feature that optimizes game performance, automatically activated when the user plays games from the Steam platform. Zorin OS is developed from the Linux Ubuntu platform by Irish developers.
In my opinion, Zorin OS is one of the Linux distributions that is similar to Windows 7 and 10.
12. Elementary OS
Elementary is undoubtedly one of the trendiest Linux distributions. It resembles a visually appealing and smart macOS.
This distribution uses the Pantheon desktop environment, which is built from GNOME software. The current version and future updates will follow a design philosophy called the Human Interface Guidelines.
In the latest version, Loki 0.4, Elementary has its own application installer called AppCenter.
13. CentOS
The explanation of CentOS is a bit complicated here. But simply put, it is the "free version" of a distribution that is usually the enterprise standard. Because it primarily serves business needs, CentOS is not suitable for personal computers, although it can still be used.
For personal use, CentOS is most suitable for home servers. Additionally, in the 7.0 version released in 2014, CentOS supports the x86-64 instruction set.
14. openSUSE
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This is a popular Linux distribution among system administrators and developers worldwide. It is not only lightweight and powerful but also adds additional layers of security protocols. These additions allow developers to work in the background without fear of attacks.
openSUSE offers two release versions: first is openSUSE Tumbleweed, which automatically provides regular system updates, and the other is openSUSE Leap, which is more stable and suitable for commercial use.
It also has its own system management program called YaST (Yet Another Configuration Tool) that handles special functions such as firewall configuration, RPM package management, disk drive, etc.
And many more Linux Distributions. Because of the many Linux Distros, it might be up to hundreds. To see this Article in Indonesian, can be see in here.
And usually, Windows or Mac Users who want to switch to Linux mostly go to Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Kali Linux, etc. And usually, Linux is also a more suitable Operating System for those who want to work in Cybersecurity. In fact, Android itself is also made of Linux.
Thank you 😄😊👌👍 :)
Wassalammu‘alaikum wr. wb.