| No one can question the tremendous functionalities that come bundled in Linux. And that is why, Linux is poised to grow even big in 2014. People across the globe are now willing to try Linux and open source, embracing the goodness of the medium with arms wide open. The popularity of Linux desktops has increased like never before with each day. 2014 will be no different! |  |
Here are the top 10 distros as of current stats:
1. Linux Mint
-Referred to as an 'improved Ubuntu' or 'Ubuntu done right', however, we remind you it's not just an Ubuntu with a new set of applications and an updated desktop theme!
-Pros: Unmatched set of in-house 'minty' tools, hundreds of user-friendly enhancements, multimedia codecs, and the fact that it is open to users' suggestions make it stand out of the crowd.
-Cons: The alternative community editions don't always come with the latest features. Mint also does not issue security advisories.
-Software package management: APT with mintInstall using DEB packages (compatible with Ubuntu repositories).
-Available editions: Main edition (with GNOME), secondary editions (with KDE, Xfce and Fluxbox). Further, there is also a rolling-release with GNOME or Xfce called Linux Mint Debian edition.
2. Ubuntu
-Based on Debian 'Sid' (unstable branch), Ubuntu comes with a a predictable 6-month release schedule. There is of course an occasional Long Term Support (LTS) release that is supported with security updates for a period of 3-5 years (depending on the edition).
-Pros: Fixed release cycle and support period, excellent for beginners, boasts of a wealth of documentation (both official and user-contributed). Thanks to its wealthy founder Mark Shuttleworth, Ubuntu has been able to ship free CDs to all interested users.
-Cons: Incompatibility with Debian, frequent changes that are prominent tend to drive criticism.
-Software package management: Advanced Package Tool (APT) using DEB packages.
-Available editions: Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu (desktop with LXDE), Edubuntu, Ubuntu Studio and Mythbuntu for 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (x86_64) processors.
3. Fedora
-Although largely controlled by Red Hat Inc. and often seen as a test bed for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora is still undoubtedly one of the most innovative distributions available today.
-Pros: Comes with outstanding security features, boasts of a large number of supported packages, adheres firmly to the free software philosophy.
-Cons: Tends to lean towards enterprise features, some bleeding edge features (such as early switch to KDE 4 and GNOME 3) are a concern.
-Software package management: YUM graphical and command line utility using RPM packages.
-Available editions: Fedora for 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (x86_64) processors; Red Hat Enterprise Linux for i386, IA64, PowerPC, s390x and x86_64 architectures; live CD editions with GNOME, KDE, LXDE or Xfce desktops.
-Developed by over 1,000 volunteer developers, Debian GNU/Linux software repositories contain 20,000+ packages.
-Pros: Stability, includes over 20,000 software packages, supports far more processor architectures than any other Linux distribution out there.
-Cons: Due to its support for many processor architectures, newest technologies are not always included; slow release cycle with one stable release in every 1-3 years.
-Software package management: Advanced Package Tool (APT) using DEB packages.
-Available editions: Installation CD/DVD and live CD images for 11 processor architectures, including all 32-bit and 64-bit processors from Intel, AMD, Power and others.
5. openSUSE
-Pros: Intuitive configuration tool; large repository of software packages, excellent web site infrastructure and printed documentation.
-Cons: Its desktop setup and graphical utilities are often seen as bloated and slow.
-Software package management: YaST graphical and command-line utility using RPM packages.
-Available editions: openSUSE for 32-bit (i386), 64-bit (x86_64) processors (also installable live CD edition); SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop/Server for i586, IA64, PowerPC, s390, s390x and x86_64 architectures.
6. Arch Linux
-In addition to its rolling-release update mechanism, Arch Linux is also known for its fast and powerful package manager called 'Pacman'.
-Pros: Excellent software management infrastructure; noteworthy customisation and tweaking options; online documentation.
-Cons: Occasional instability and breakdown risk.
-Software package management: "Pacman" using TAR.XZ packages
-Available editions: Minimal installation CD and network installation CD images for 32-bit (i686) and 64-bit (x86_64) processors.
7. PCLinuxOS
-KDE-oriented distribution, with a highly customised and up-to-date version of the popular desktop environment.
-Pros: Out-of-the-box support for graphics drivers, browser plugins and media codecs; rolling-release update mechanism.
-Cons: Lack of out-of-the-box support for non-English languages; absence of security advisories.
-Software package management: Advanced Package Tool (APT) using RPM packages.
-Available editions: KDE, KDE Full Monty, KDE Minime, LXDE, LXDE Mini, Openbox, Openbox Bonsai, Phinx, Phoenix for 32-bit (i586) processor architectures, KDE for 64-bit (x86_64) processor architectures.
8. CentOS
-Often seen as a reliable server distribution, CentOS comes with the same set of Linux kernel and software packages as Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
-Pros: Well-tested, stable and reliable; free to download and use; comes with 5-years of free security updates.
-Cons: Lacks latest Linux technologies.
-Software package management: YUM graphical and command line utility using RPM packages.
-Available editions: Installation DVDs and installable live CDs (with GNOME) for i386 and x86_64 processors; older versions (3.x and 4.x) also available for Alpha, IA64 and IBM z-series (s390, s390x) processors.
8. Mageia
-Pros: User friendly for beginners; central configuration utility; out-of-the-box support for a number of languages; installable live media.
-Cons: Criticised following its fork from Mandriva.
-Software package management: URPMI with Rpmdrake using RPM packages.
-Available editions: installation DVDs for 32-bit (i586) and 64-bit (x86_64) processors; installable live CDs for 32-bit (i586) processors.
-Oldest surviving Linux distribution.
-Pros: Highly stable, clean and largely bug-free, adheres firmly to UNIX principles.
-Cons: Limited number of officially supported applications.
-Software package management: "pkgtool" using TXZ packages.
-Available editions: Installation CDs and DVD for 32-bit (i486) and 64-bit (x86_64) processors.
10. FreeBSD
-Indirect descendant of AT and T.
-Since it is distributed under a much less restrictive license, its source code could be re-used and modified unrestricted for virtually any purpose. So much so that even Apple's Mac OS X is actually derived from BSD.
-Pros: Highly stable; 21,000+ software applications available for installation; excellent documentation.
-Cons: Limited availability of commercial applications; absence of graphical configuration tools.
-Software package management: Using either binary packages or source-based 'ports' (TBZ).
-Available editions: Installation CDs for AMD64, ARM/ARMEL, i386, IA64, MIPS/MIPSEL, PC98 PowerPC, SPARC64 and Xbox processors.
