The word ‘Distro’ is short for distribution. Linux distributions come in many different names such as Debian, Arch Linux, Kali Linux, Ubuntu, etc. Sometimes as a potential Linux user, you may find it difficult to choose a Linux distribution. Several questions need to be asked:
• How do I use my computer?
• How well do I know tech stuff?
• Am I using this for business or personal use?
• What hardware is installed on my desktop?
With questions come many considerations that need to be put in place while choosing a Linux distro and they include:
1 Server versus Desktop.
Stability is a major concern when it comes to servers, hence you need to go for Linux distributions that are reliable and backed by a strong client support team. For servers, you also need to consider the distro's community support. Distros like Ubuntu have huge community support where you can always run for help in case things break down. Another consideration you would want to put in place for servers is ensuring that the distro has long release cycles. Some distros get updated more frequently than others. There’s a disadvantage in running new software all the time. Newly released software is not always the best and can cause things to break. You certainly do not want this for your server. You may want to consider distributions like Ubuntu, SolusOS, or OpenSUSE as they do not update as frequently, and they are not outdated either.
For a desktop environment, you need shorter update cycles to keep your apps updated with the latest version. Community support is a point of consideration too but is not as urgent as in for servers.
2 Beginner versus Advanced.
Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate, or an advanced user, there is always a Linux distribution waiting for you, and all you need is to make the best choice. For beginners, friendly distributions would be Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Elementary OS. For intermediate users, Solus, OpenSUSE, Fedora, and Debian would be a perfect choice. Advanced users are well suited to choose between Arch Linux, Kali Linux, and Gentoo. As an advanced user, you may also build your distro from scratch using Linux!
3 Hardware resources.
When choosing a Linux distribution, it is important to consider the hardware specifications of your whole computer system.
For instance, some Linux distributions such as Fedora, and Redhat do not support anything that is not open-source, and hence if your computer does not have open-source driver support from the manufacturer, running Distros like Fedora and Redhat would conflict with your system.
Moreover, if using an old machine, or a new one but with limited resources you need to go for lightweight distros such as Puppy Linux, Linux Lite, or Lubuntu. These will support a RAM between 128MB and 512 MB. For a system RAM between 512MB and 1GB, consider Bodhi Linux, Manjaro, and Linux Mint. For a RAM between 2GB and 4GB, consider using Ubuntu, Fedora, Mageia, and Peppermint OS. If your computer RAM is greater than 4GB, then use CentOS, Debian, or OpenSUSE.
4 Software repositories.
Another consideration that needs to be made is ensuring that the distro you choose has the software that you need. If you intend to use your desktop for daily tasks, Ubuntu would be a great choice, as it has a large software repository and huge third-party support.
In conclusion, each Linux distribution is unique and serves the purpose it was designed for. With so many Linux distributions present, there is no perfect one, but there is a most suitable one, highly dependent on your expectations, your personal preferences, requirements, your hardware, and expertise.
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