this post was submitted on 28 Jun 2023
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Linux for Leftists
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I'd recommend Mint. I've been using that for a while, but recently switched to Debian. Debian 12 seems promising and can have proprietary firmware on it easier set up for new users now. Debian is what people prefer for stability.
Id recommend just finding an old laptop and putting something like mint on it if you are starting. Some people like Manjaro for the newish packages. Some people like Arch linux for the actually up to date packages.
If you really want to go security hipster, use Alpine linux
if you want to have lots of useful tools to make rich people's lives interesting install Kali Linux
If everything seems to easy for you and you like a challenge, try Gentoo.
If you want to have all of the options available when you install it, use linux from scratch.
One of my friends swears by Nix OS, I think that has some interesting implications.
if you care more about security use some variant of BSD
If you really like rust use Redox OS.
If you want something open source but can run windows programs, use React OS.
I wouldn't recommend ReactOS for daily use unless it's seen massive improvements in the last year or so
I've seen this OS mentioned before and I can't help but think of some shitty OS written in javascript using react to render the desktop.
Sorry for mentioning React OS. I just think it is funny and amazing the divercity of work has been done in the open source community. Yes I know not all of them are stable and well tested. That is why i recommended Mint. The other stuff is harder to use or best used for edge cases.
I know nothing about ReactOS, I just can't see the term "react" in a software related context without thinking of facebook's javascript UI framework.
When you talk about proprietary firmware, does that make Debian more stable with e.g. a better range of graphics cards, printers, mice, etc?
Security-wise, a standard set up that keeps out phishers, keyloggers, 'hackers', etc, out will do.
So with, rust/Redox, does that use a different language for the terminal than other distros?
Thanks for all the other info!
Edit: typo
It means that the RedoxOS system is written in Rust (Kernel, Drivers, Userspace, etc.). Redox itself is still just a POSIX compatible UNIX-like System similar to Linux. Which means you can run things like Bash on Redox just like on Linux. But unlike Linux or BSD, both of which are Monolithic, Redox follows a Micro-kernel design. For the average user this doesn't mean much really. But I wouldn't use RedoxOS as it is right now since it's still in its early stages of development. It runs on a limited set of hardware and is still pretty rough around the edges.
If you just want an OS to use for things like web browsing, programming or writing documents then any up-to-date Linux distro will be your best bet. They all use the same software, with some minor exceptions. The difference is in the design.
Thanks for explaining.
This is the kind of insider knowledge I was hoping for! Front-end design-wise, I'm probably happy with something that looks like an early OSX or Windows 95. Newer OS's have become at once very simple and yet so complicated that no files or settings can be found.
If you'd like to have something that looks identical to a Windows 9x setup, check out Chicago95. It's a project that aims (and succeeds!) at making the XFCE4 desktop environment look as close to as possible to Win9x! I use it personally because that is my preference, and I have to say it looks amazing! Here's screenshots!
Memories! Look at that tiled background and the file manager! Beautiful. If I installed that, I'd be tempted to connect a floppy disc drive, too, for real authenticity.
If you want something open source but can run windows programs, [use any Linux distro and wine]