Linux is, in simplest terms, an operating system. It is the software on a computer that enables applications and the computer operator to access the devices on the computer to perform desired functions. The operating system (OS) relays instructions from an application to, for instance, the computer's processor. The processor performs the instructed task, then sends the results back to the application via the operating system.
Linux is very similar to other operating systems, such as Windows and OS X. Unlike Windows and Mac OS, In Linux, you have a lots of choice to make your Operating system based on your Interest.
We have collected and filtered out the best of the Linux Distros of the year from the huge list of Linux Distributions out there for Linux world.
Best Linux Distributions
# Day-to-day use (General Purpose) Distros
Ubuntu and Kubuntu
Ubuntu is the Popular Linux Distribution out there and has followed by the most users after the Proprietary Operating systems like Windows and Mac OS. Ubuntu is based on Debian. It has its own collection software repository. One can easily install any Linux Software Applications using the terminal or Ubuntu Software center. Kubuntu is the Official derivative of Ubuntu Operating system which uses the KDE Based desktop environment instead of the Ubuntu’s Unity GUI.
Linux Mint
Linux Mint is the most Loved Linux Distribution among the New Users. It is because, Mint is elegant, modern and comfortable and offers some Proprietary software packages for media Playback. Mint offers two GNOME based Desktop environments: Mate and Cinnamon. The Mate is designed from the Outdated GNOME 2 desktop and cinnamon is modern and gives neat menus and awesome Nemo which is much like Windows explorer. It is based on Ubuntu and Debian.
Debian
Debian Linux is the one of the most Popular Linux Distribution for Servers and Personal computers. Many Linux Distros derived from the Debian operating system. Because, it is considered as the solid Linux. Debian Project offers the Software repository which has a wide range of Free Linux Software applications in one Place.
Fedora
Fedora is developed by the Fedora Community and owned by the Red Hat. Fedora has very short life cycle, every 6 months new version will be release and maintenance period in only 13 months. Last few years, it has come with many server oriented features rather desktop oriented. That makes many beginners t switch over to the other Linux Distributions. It has developed its own Linux Software applications and uses them before any Linux Distros.
OpenSUSE
OpenSUSE is general-purpose operating system for every people, though it excels in the Enterprise environment. This OpenSUSE project is supported by Open-Source community and sponsored by SUSE and other companies. OpenSUSE supports thousands of free Linux Applications. It offers many Desktop environments such as GNOME, KDE, LXDE GUI’s. SUSE includes an installation and administration program called YaST which handles hard disk partitioning, system setup, RPM package management. Although the Package installer is not easy like Ubuntu.
Slackware
Slackware is one of the earliest operating system that built-on top of the Linux kernel. This Distro is not New Linux users, because it requires some Knowledge of Linux. So the Advanced users can use this Operating System effectively. Slackware is stable in design and simple, and it is more likely provide the Unix-like Linux Distro. It doesn’t provide any GUI based Administration tools and so you have to use the command-line to modify any changes. Linux distributions have switched to the more advanced GRUB, but the Slackware simply sits on LILO which is a simple Linux Boot Loader.
PCLinuxOS (PCLOS)
PCLinuxOS is the free Linux Distribution that developed from Mandriva Linux Package. It mainly targets personal computer users and provides ease of use interface, applications. You can use the apt-rpm and the Synaptic Package Manager to install RPM Packages in your system. You can play any multimedia files in PCLOS, all media codes pre-installed.
Mageia
Mageia is forked from the Mandriva Linux distribution. It was developed by the former Mandriva employees and other users, supporters of Mandriva. KDE is the default desktop environment, however you can choose the GNOME as your Desktop GUI. You can install RPM Packages in Mageia.
Gentoo
Genoo is not recommended for Linux Beginners. This Operating system built on top of Linux kernel and based on the portage package management system. Unlike traditional software distribution, You have to compile the software packages in your own system based on your configuration. Installing the Gentoo Operating system is very time-consuming process. Because It download all the package source codes from the internet for you to compile locally. If you select many packages during the installation, then it may take hours to days for the installation.
