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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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Who here uses a less popular Linux distribution? What made you choose it? (lemdro.id)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hey fellow Linux enthusiasts! I'm curious to know if any of you use a less popular, obscure or exotic Linux distribution. What motivated you to choose that distribution over the more mainstream ones? I'd love to hear about your experiences and any unique features or benefits that drew you to your chosen distribution.

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[–] [email protected] 33 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Not OP, but as someone using Ubuntu LTS releases on several systems, I can answer my reason: Having the latest & greatest release of all software available is neat, but sometimes the stability of knowing "nothing on my system changes in any significant way until I ask it to upgrade to the next LTS" is just more valuable.

My primary example is my work laptop: I use a fairly fixed set of tools and for the few places where I need up-to-date ones I can install them manually (they are often proprietary and/or not-quite established tools that aren't available in most distros anyway).

A similar situation exists on my primary homelab server: it's running Debian because all the "services" are running in docker containers anyway, so the primary job of the OS is to do its job and stay out of my way. Upgrading various system components at essentially random times runs counter to that goal.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I use Ubuntu LTS on my server because updates make me nervous. I can't just update it all willy-nilly. If something goes wrong during an update, I must stop what I'm doing and get it up ASAP.

A few months ago I accidentally deleted grub the morning before I went to an all day concert, and I had lots of unhappy people that were using services that I host. Luckily that was an easy fix.

My laptop, though? I use Opensuse Tumbleweed. I'm fine with the rolling release for my laptop. Just not my server.

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

Also not OP, but I learned about the pain of Nvidia drivers the hard way. No way in hell am I letting my system auto update on a work day