At the beginning of August I released an article listing the 5 linux distributions that I would recommend for the Everyday Linux User
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The distributions I listed in the article were Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Peppermint, Manjaro and PCLinuxOS. These are great multipurpose Linux distributions that are easy to install, easy to use and they are updated regularly.
I asked you to submit a list of the distributions you would recommend to the Everyday Linux User . You can continue to submit your list at that site although only the people who have submitted up until the end of August will be considered for the Amazon gift cards.
The response has been really good although many of you submitted a list without saying why you would recommend the distributions.
In this article I am going to analyse the results of the lists that were sent through.
The Most In Depth Submission
The most in depth submission
was from David Bley who presented a list containing Lubuntu for lightweight computers, Ubuntu MATE for a main computer and DSL as a tiny Linux distribution.
Ubuntu MATE could easily have made my own list and it is a matter of choice as to whether you prefer MATE as a desktop or Unity.
With regards to Lubuntu I feel that Peppermint actually gives you a better experience and I would even consider LXLE over Lubuntu. Lubuntu has been a lifesaver on older netbooks though.
It Takes Some Convincing
He finally settled on Android and Netrunner as the last 2 options.
Click here for the Kamal's reasons for making his selections .
Common Themes
The reasons were given as follows:
1- Korora KDE Very complete package. Stable base. Easy to alter to your own requirements. Rolling release.
2- Manjaro Cinnamon - A very complete package. Very easy to install and another rolling release.
3.- Mint 18 Cinnamon - Another easy to install complete package, but no rolling updates
4- Ubuntu Mate - Easy to install on a stable base. Good selection of applications. Not rolling.
5- LXLE - Good package for older computers. Pleasant interface, but not rolling release.
Trends started to appear even after just a few entries. Manjaro, Mint, Ubuntu MATE were suggested multiple times.
For those who are unawareKorora is a remixed version of Fedora. It is to Fedora what Ubuntu is to Debian. Korora provides easy access to things like multimedia codecs and commonly used packages. I have to admit that I haven't looked at it in a while.
LXLE is like Lubuntu on steroids . Basically you get some really nice wallpapers and a selection of applications installed such as LibreOffice. It is definitely worth checking out.
Prasad Kumar Manigaradi provides a list containing Linux Mint, Ubuntu MATE, Elementary OS, Solus and Ubuntu.
The reasons given were as follows:
Linux Mint Cinnamon - For newer systems. Preservers most of traditional UI
Ubuntu Mate - Fast, sleek and works well on older systems without any radical new UI
Elementary OS - For those who want to have perfection given to each tiny pixel on screen
Solus OS - New to the race, but this distro is more focused on speed while being a desktop focused distro implementing all the latest technologies.
Ubuntu OS- Finally Ubuntu. If community support is what you are looking at, then there is no better solution than Ubuntu. Although they are known to make some radical andnonsensicalchoices, they have a very active community where almost any issue can be resolved pretty quickly.
Whilst there was the odd curveball distribution suggested, most people came up with the same names over and over again. Linux Mint, Ubuntu MATE, Manjaro, Zorin and Ubuntu.
Going The Extra MileJuan Martinez didn't stop at just five distributions. Maybe it isn't that easy to break down. I know I struggled.
Juan's list consisted of Kubuntu, OZ Sapphire?, CentOS, Mint, Ultimate Edition, Ubuntu Studio and Luninux.
I'm not sure what OZ Sapphire is but the comment that comes with it is as follows:
Oz Sapphire turbo charged Ubuntu 14.04. running with gnome-flashback and a mac like Docky. Like Ubuntu but better.
The rest of the reasons given by Juan were as follows:
1. Kubuntu 14.04 KDE 4.11, my go to for development, most customizable and most stable.
2. Oz Sapphire turbo charged Ubuntu 14.04. running with gnome-flashback and a mac like Docky. Like Ubuntu but better.
3. CentOS 7 KDE Because it is good, stable and long support. Codecs and all were easy to install.
4. Mint 17.2 Cinnamon because it is so stable and beautiful.
5. Ultimate 4.9 KDE awesome take on Ubuntu with tons of great software installed.
6. Ubuntu Studio 14.04 and 16.04 XFCE, this would be more awesome with a 5 year LTS version. My favorite for media.
7. Luninux 12 my previous favorite with gnome flashback style and a Docky. Needs a current update to 16.04. Elegant, Beautiful!
Most of the suggestions were Ubuntu in one way or another but kudos has to go out for suggesting Luninux.
Luninux was one of the first distributions I ever reviewed and I did it via a guest post to Duck Duck's website, Linux Notes From Dark Duck.
Juan Martinez wasn't the only person to submit more than just 5 distributions. Emanuele Carrea also gave me some bonus content.
Emanuele's main list of 5 consisted of Linux Mint, Deepin, Manjaro, RemixOS and Netrunner. There were some extras added called Siduction and Semplice but he admits they are just his personal choices and rough around the edges.
1 Linux Mint - thanks to deb system and mate/cinnamon desktops is easily manageable for new users
3 Manjaro - Install it and forget it. Arch rolling release is revolutionary approach for newbies, but is very easy and pleasent to get used to (personally, used gnome edition). Be up to date and never reinstall 4 Remixos - Android on your PC, easy and familiar for android phone users 5 Netrunner - Again, a rolling distro, arch/manjaro based, but with an attractive KDE interface This is