Top 10 Linux Distributions in 2008
January 5, 2009david 8 Comments »Top 10 List
- Ubuntu. Based on Debian GNU/Linux, a popular Linux distribution. Its name comes from the Zulu word "ubuntu", translated as humanity, describing the ubuntu philosophy: "I am who I am because of those around me," a positive aspect of community. Ubuntu's goals include providing an up-to-date, stable operating system for the average user, with a strong focus on usability and ease of installation. Ubuntu has been rated as the most popular Linux distribution for the desktop, claiming approximately 30% of desktop Linux installations in 2007.
- openSUSE. After acquiring SUSE Linux in January 2004,Novell decided to release the SUSE Linux Professional product as a 100% open source project, involving the community in the development process. The initial release was a beta version of SUSE Linux 10.0, and as of December 2008 the current stable release is openSUSE 11.1.
- Linux Mint, is based on Ubuntu and the two distributions have much in common. Both distributions use the same software repositories. For instance, release 6 (“Felicia”) uses the package pools of Ubuntu “Intrepid Ibex” (8.10). Most packages are the same on both distributions. Most differences are on the desktop. Linux Mint has a stated focus on elegance, and it includes a number of applications that are not available in Ubuntu (see aforementioned Mint Tools). Support for popular sound and video formats is installed by default in Linux Mint. Ubuntu, and many other free GNU/Linux distributions, do not distribute these codecs with the initial install media due to patent encumberment issues. While Ubuntu has a vastly larger support community than Linux Mint, the majority of Ubuntu help and advice is also applicable to Linux Mint. Ubuntu supports more languages from the Live CD, and comes with better localization.
- Fedora. The Fedora Project was created in late 2003, when Red Hat Linux was discontinued. Red Hat Enterprise Linux was to be Red Hat's only officially supported Linux distribution, while Fedora was to be a community distribution. Red Hat Enterprise Linux branches its releases from versions of Fedora. Fedora is an RPM-based, general purpose operating system built on top of the Linux kernel, developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat. Fedora's mission statement is: "Fedora is about the rapid progress of Free and Open Source software.". Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux kernel, says he uses Fedora because it had fairly good support for PowerPC when he used that processor architecture. He became accustomed to the operating system and continues to use it.
- PCLinuxOS is distributed as a Live CD, which can also be installed to a local hard disk drive. When used as a Live CD, it can work with a USB flash drive, where the user's configuration and personal data are saved. The entire CD can be copied to and run from memory (if the system has sufficient RAM) increasing speed. PCLinuxOS uses the Advanced Packaging Tool (or APT), a package management system (originally from the Debian distribution), together with Synaptic Package Manager, a GUI frontend to APT, in order to add, remove or update packages. If there is enough memory on the machine and a network connection, the Live CD can update packages. PCLinuxOS is also designed to be easy to remaster after installation, creating one's own personalized CD, using the mklivecd tool. A Live USB of PCLinuxOS can be created manually or with UNetbootin.
- Debian. The primary form, Debian GNU/Linux, is a popular and influential Linux distribution. Debian is known for strict adherence to the Unix and free software philosophies as well as using open development and testing processes. Debian can be used as a desktop as well as server operating system. Debian is also known for an abundance of options. The Debian standard install makes use of the GNOME desktop environment. It includes popular programs such as OpenOffice.org, Iceweasel (a rebranding of Firefox), Evolution mail, CD/DVD writing programs, music and video players, image viewers and editors, and PDF viewers. There are pre-selected sets of packages for KDE and Xfce as well, and each set fits on its own CD. The remaining discs, which span four DVDs or over twenty CDs, contain all packages currently available. Another install method is via a net install CD which is much smaller than a normal install CD/DVD. It contains only the bare essentials needed to start the installer and downloads the packages selected during installation via APT.
- Mandriva Linux. Mandriva Linux (formerly Mandrakelinux or Mandrake Linux) contains the Mandriva Control Center, which eases configuration of some settings. It has many programs known as Drakes or Draks, collectively named drakxtools, to configure many different settings. Examples include MouseDrake to set up a mouse, DiskDrake to set up disk partitions and drakconnect to set up a network connection. They are written using GTK+ and Perl, and most of them can run in both graphical and text mode using the ncurses interface. Mandriva Linux is geared to use KDE or GNOME as the standard desktops, but includes others such as Xfce and twm. A unique theme provides consistency between applications and desktop environments. Mandrakegalaxy debuted in version 9.1 and Mandrakegalaxy II appeared in 10.0. A variant of Mandrakegalaxy is "Mandrakegalaxy Squared", which uses square window buttons rather than round ones. A new default theme named "Ia Ora" was introduced with the release of Mandriva Linux 2007, but "Galaxy" remains available as an option for those who prefer it. Mandriva Linux uses a package manager called urpmi, which functions as a wrapper to the RPM package management system. It is similar to apt-get or Yellow dog Updater, Modified in that it allows seamless installation of a given software package by automatically installing the other packages needed. It is also media-transparent due to its ability to retrieve packages from various media, including network/Internet, CD/DVD and local disk. Urpmi also has an easy-to-use graphical front-end called rpmdrake, which is integrated into the Mandriva Control Center.
- Dreamlinux is a Brazilian Linux distribution based on Debian. It can boot as a live CD, from USB flash drive, or can be installed on a hard drive. The distribution's GUI is similar to Mac OS X, with a centered animated toolbar. Dreamlinux comes with a selection of the best applications designed to meet most of your daily needs.
- Sabayon Linux (formerly known as RR4 Linux/RR64 Linux) is a Gentoo-based operating system created by Fabio Erculiani, and produced in Trentino, Italy. In April 2008 the NLnet Foundation announced it will offer funding to Sabayon Linux. On June 12, 2008, Sabayon Linux announced that it partnered with NetCraft Communications. Sabayon Linux uses Gentoo's Portage system for package management, and all updates and base characteristics are in synchrony with Gentoo's portage tree and other mechanisms. So, users can follow guides and articles written for Gentoo users. But "world updates" are discouraged for beginners or those new to Gentoo, as the structure is a little different and requires a slightly different method of execution. A guide has been written by a Sabayon Linux developer on how to do global updates and recompilation of all packages. Sabayon Linux is available with the KDE, Xfce and GNOME desktop environments, and Fluxbox. There are also an options to select only the core set of packages for server oriented deployment or configuration for Netbook computers.
- Damn Small Linux. Damn Small Linux or DSL is a free operating system for the x86 family of personal computers. It was designed to run graphical applications on older PC hardware—for example, machines with 486/early Pentium processors and very little memory. DSL is a Live CD with a size of 50 MB. What originally started as an experiment to see how much software could fit in 50 MB eventually became a full-fledged Linux distribution. It can be installed on storage media with small capacities, like bootable business cards, USB flash drives, various memory cards, and Zip drives.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
After trying a lot of distros my one-and-only since 2003 is Debian.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
In my experience using Debian is just asking for an excuse to waste your time. APT is all very nice and quick, but it doesn’t make the best decisions, and the general DESKTOP experience of debian is severely lacking in comparison to i.e. suse or fedora, which have comprehensive GUI tools for administration. Also, the multi arch support on debian systems is really very poor.
January 5th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I agree with the first one, but it goes downhill from there. Debian is number six? It does not deserve to be in the top ten. It has been a major disappointment and is losing relevance and fast. Delay after delay. Excuse after excuse. They argue and bicker about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin and other stupid inane things instead of getting the job done.
Also PCLOS is number five? Get real. Like Debian it has been a disappointment and even hardcore users have questioned its relevance. First the developer got sick. Then 2008 was delayed until it was became 2009. In other words 2008 did not happen, so how can it be in the top ten for 2008 when it skipped from 2007 to 2009?
Mandriva was very active in 2008 and produced a great release and is actively working on 2009 and it finished below Debian and PCLOS which took the year off. Were you really paying attention or did you just look at the Distrowatch rankings instead of doing your homework?
My top ten is: Number one is Ubuntu, unquestioned.
Number two is Fedora. Number three is Mandriva. Number four is Suse. Number five is Mint. Number six is MEPIS which got back in the game with a great new release. Number seven is Kubuntu which adopted KDE 4 before it was cool, but in the end will be the right decision. Look for KDE 4.2 to take off early this year. Number eight is Sidux which has made Sid cool. Number nine is Xandros for selling so many Linux desktops. Number ten is Sabayon for keeping Gentoo relevant.
Debian and PCLOS deserve a minus rating for taking the year off and screwing around with the loyalty of its user base. We expect better and did not get it.
Honorable mention goes to Puppy, DSL, Elive, gOS and OpenGEU for their innovation and daring to be different. Slackware deserves mention for being active.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:57 am
I have never seen a single technical reason to ever prefer fedora over suse, honestly. The desktop experience is spartan in comparison.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
[...] Top 10 Linux Distributions in 2008 Top 10 List [...]
January 15th, 2009 at 4:05 am
I Think sabayon is the perfect linux distribution to replace windows vista
February 21st, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Thanx! Obrigado!
I am starting to study the scenario in the Linux world and the characteristics of each of the major distributions.
Your list of distributions is an excellent starting point, added the information on Wikipedia.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
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April 6th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I just installed Linux Mint on an old pentium machine with no glitches. The desktop is very elegant and user friendly. I would rate this version of Ubuntu highly.
Thanks.