this post was submitted on 14 Nov 2024
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Hello, I'm looking for a new distro that aligns with my privacy preferences and offers a wide range of packages without requiring me to search for PPAs, similar to Manjaro. I've grown uneasy about Manjaro's decision to collect unique data like MAC addresses and disk serial numbers by default, even if it's for diagnostic purposes.

In light of this, I'd like to ask for your recommendations on a Linux distro that meets the following criteria:

  1. No opt-out telemetry: I'm looking for a distro that doesn't collect any unique data by default.
  2. Access to a wide range of packages: I prefer a distro that offers a vast repository of packages, so I don't have to search for PPAs or third-party repositories.
  3. User-friendly: I'm not a fan of complicated configurations or steep learning curves, so a distro with a user-friendly approach would be ideal.

I'm curious to hear any recommendations you might have. Thanks!

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If you used manjaro before, then I will recommend endeavour. It is arch Linux (same as manjaro) with an installer. I found their support forums to be helpful as an arch user.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

Switched from manjaro to endeavor. wholeheartedly recommend. Easy enough but still has arch experience. Yay is super easy and have only had a minor issue with 1 game specifically on an nvidia card.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago

Bazzite.gg

Upgrades didn't break your system. You can run Arch packages, AUR, flatpaks.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I'd say Fedora KDE. It just works, the docs are good, it has a big community and large enough repos.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 2 days ago

Another vote for Endeavour OS here

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 days ago

Hannah Montana Linux

[–] [email protected] 55 points 3 days ago (1 children)

EndeavorOS. It's like manjaro but not bad.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 days ago

Came here to say the same. Such a great distro, and it'll be an easy switch from manjaro.

I've been running it with btrfs and it has been rock solid stability wise. If you go btrfs I recommend grub btrfs for easy boot time snapshots and btrfs-assistant in the aur if you want a GUI to manage btrfs maintenance.

[–] icogniito 19 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Well if you don’t want plain arch I’d go with cachyos or just endeavouros

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago

+1 for Cachy, its Arch with cheat codes for speed.

[–] Blxter 65 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I switched to EOS Endeavour OS. I don't think it has data collection

[–] [email protected] 36 points 3 days ago (1 children)

It doesn't, and offers an even friendlier experience than Manjaro IMO

[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 days ago

Endeavour has been an amazing distro for me, noob Linuxer. I started on Ubuntu Cinnamon, then tried Mint, and ended here on Endeavour and I love it.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 3 days ago (1 children)

If you're already used to Arch-based systems, and enjoy the convenience of the AUR, what about EndeavourOS?

It's basically Arch with GUI install scripts, and a different wallpaper.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I saw one commenter suggested Arch itself. IMO it's even a better idea than EOS.

archinstall doesn't have GUI, but it has very nice TUI (like what you have when you use htop), and you could finish selecting the options in very few minutes.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Maybe I'm a dumbass and it's my fault, but I find that archinstall always has an issue when you run it. It's easier to install arch manually than run the and troubleshoot.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

same, my script didnt work

[–] [email protected] 39 points 3 days ago

Use Arch Linux. There's a script called "archinstall" you can use after connecting to the internet, and it's basically a guided installer

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 days ago
[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I would point you towards EndeavourOS. It's pretty much just preconfigured Arch, so you get the same rolling release packages as Manjaro and retain access to the AUR. Its a solid project, IMO it does everything that Manjaro claims and fails to but properly

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

I've been very happy on Fedora. It's been reliable and has up to date software and kernels.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 3 days ago (3 children)

EndeavourOS. I used Manjaro for 1.5 years before switching to EndeavourOS. (BTW before that I was also using Ubuntu for 13 years in row...) I couldn't be happier. It's closer to Archlinux and a bit more focused on terminal, but overall hassle free for me. Updates come quicker and not in batches like Manjaro did. Which means more often new versions of packages and no compatibility or other issues with AUR caused by Manjaro. What desktop environment did you use before? KDE is pretty good on EndeavourOS and what I would recommend.

  1. No opt-out or opt-in telemetry.
  2. Same package manager and repository from Archlinux.
  3. You have already experience with Manjaro and the Archlinux stuff, so going to a similar system like EndeavourOS makes sense. However its a bit more terminal oriented, with a few GUI related help.

Because of your prior experience with Manjaro, I think EndeavourOS is a good candidate you should have in mind.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

EndeavourOS is a good choice. I hopped from Manjaro to Endeavor myself a few years ago, never had an issue since. It's the kind of distro you set up once and then it's all done, you can forget about it, so much so that I hope I won't have to install it on another machine soon..because I really don't remember much about what I did back then xD

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 days ago

I second EndeavourOS. It's so good!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Is there something like an easy migration script, which would take packages and settings from my current install?

Ok, settings are mostly in my home anyway
Packages I can generate a list, and the manuals throw out the Manjaro stuff

Hmm...I'm having a laptop and a workstation running Manjaro and I really would like to make the switch, but can't tolerate much downtime, because both are machines for my work

So I'm looking for something to quickly setup everything as I had, without the need to remember everything and do it manually...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

You wouldn't be first who asks this. There are attempts and instructions how to do this, step by step. But I'm not confident enough to recommend any of those. Maybe they are outdated or your machine requires some setup which is not covered. I do not recommend doing this, but if you have no time to setup a new OS from scratch, then at least make a backup before attempting any of this.

I would ask those on the official EndeavourOS forum, which is active and helpful: https://forum.endeavouros.com/

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 days ago

Fedora/Nobara.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 days ago

I really like Pop!_OS, AFAIK it doesn't have any telemetry. It's basically a Ubuntu fork but without the stupid Ubuntu stuff, and they're currently even working on their own Desktop Environment.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago

I think you are looking for a distribution with KDE and flatpak by default

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago

Is there any distro that automatically collect data? Every distro I've tried asked directly on install or at first boot

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago
[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

openSUSE Tumbleweed has served me well for some time now. Maybe give it a look-see?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago

Second this. Tumbleweed is a great distro. Nearly everything you'll need can be found in default repos. Then there are several endorsed (semi) official add-on repos, and if that fails there's always OBS (opi is your friend for searching those).

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 days ago

i found endeavor to be nicer than Manjaro but tbh I'm at the stage where i just recommend installing arch. it's gotten a lot easier. endeavor is also arch based though so I'd go with that if you want super easy install / extra stuff installed ootb

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Take the plunge into the Void.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago

Let go your earthly tether Enter the Void empty, and become wind

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago

This coverage provides an example of what is sent, and it includes neither MACs nor HDD serial numbers.

https://ostechnix.com/manjaro-data-donor/

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

cachyos is user friendly and based on arch

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

It's not very stable though. It failed majorly in my case.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I agree. Whenever I use Arch or Arch-based distros they are always very unstable. That is fine if you like a learning curve, but if you don't (like OP) then they probably aren't for you.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I wasn't talking about Arch based. I was talking about Cachy specifically. It's even more unstable. Good Arch based distros can be decent if you don't mind occasional troubleshooting. Also Arch is more stable than Windows.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

That's very true. However even still I don't think beginners should use distros which are unstable until they learn Linux a bit more.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Peppermint OS, its what made me stop distrohopping . Debian based with extra on top, easy doesn't brake,

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 days ago

I don't understand the concept. It's Debian with xfce and a custom theme. Why is that a distribution. Seems like a meta package would be enough.

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