this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2026
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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I see often people say that the distro you are using doesn't matter. One can turn any distro into another. And I do not agree with that. If that was true, why do we even have so many distributions? I always said, if distros don't matter...

  • ... why distro hop?
  • ... why don't you use Ubuntu then?
  • ... why don't you recommend Archlinux to a newcomer?
  • ... why don't you use Kali Linux as a server?
  • ... why don't you use Batocera or SteamOS as your daily driver?
  • ... why do you trust a community distro more than a corporate distro? (or vice versa)

I don't think that distros only matter to newcomers. Maybe it matters for experienced users even more.

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[–] dieTasse@feddit.org 2 points 1 day ago (2 children)

If the distros didn't matter nobody would have strong preference. Instead there are Distro wars raging for years now, with plenty of casualties.

For me the preference came from reliability. I tried many distros and they never worked well. They either had bugs or didn't work the way I wanted to. When I finally found what suits me, you can be damn sure I will tell everyone who listens that its the best distro on the whole planet.... FOR ME. But I will gladly recommend it as well 😊

I think the combo hardware + kind of person can create many unique preferences... almost distro-count amounts of preferences 😀

[–] ranzispa@mander.xyz 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Distro wars?

Most I see is "my Debian system is very stable" Vs "I can setup arch in 5 seconds while blindfolded".

Doesn't look to me like a vim Vs Emacs case.

[–] dieTasse@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago

Yeah its not that bad, was an overexageration.

[–] EddoWagt@feddit.nl 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm just gonna say that Fedora has completely solved my distro hopping, for me it has the right balance between cutting edge and stability.

It's been years since I changed distros

[–] dieTasse@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago

Exactly the same for me. Fedora is goat.