Which Linux distributions do you like best?
Which Linux distributions do you like best?
I hadn't realized Slackware was still around! It was the very first Linux I used in the 90s. It performed really well—you could easily run it on a 16MB RAM system with a 486 processor. The routers I built for myself were always based on Slackware. I switched when I began working in enterprise environments and required official support. RedHat and CentOS usually lead in this area.
I run Arch on my own devices now, previously used Ubuntu, Debian, and Gentoo, but time constraints make maintenance difficult. CentOS was challenging for work before, though I tried it in a VM recently—it worked better, but I still wouldn’t choose it. Antergos has been something I’ve been interested in trying for some time.
I started with Fedora in 2009 before Ubuntu existed. I experimented with ArchLinux and Linux Mint based on what I wanted to explore. Arch is great for diving deep into Linux or understanding operating systems. Today I’m heading back to my original choice: Fedora, and CentOS for server tasks.
Yes, Ubuntu was launched in 2004 and became a popular distribution by 2009.
Perhaps it was before 2009, my memory isn't sharp on that. I recall the period from 2006 to 2009—after I moved away, I studied using ArchLinux in IT school. I definitely ordered Ubuntu/Kubuntu CDs by mail, so it was familiar at the time. Fedora might have felt more modern or easier to use then. Or maybe the Fedora wiki was more thorough. I also tried Mandriva and OpenSuse during that time. Not important, but a memorable story: since I couldn't connect via Ethernet at my parents' house, I had to switch to Wi-Fi. But to download drivers with RPM, I had to move my desktop around the living room several times, so both Ethernet and the TV screen worked together using a poor S-Video connection.
I recently explored various distributions in virtual machines and found myself consistently returning to Xubuntu. I particularly appreciate the Xfce interface, supported by Ubuntu and its applications. While many favor Ubuntu with Unity, I personally don’t connect with Unity and prefer the stability of Xfce. Gnome was enjoyable for me, but Xfce remains my favorite.