This is a brief guide to the world of Linux distributions, primarily
aimed at individuals who are new to the Linux scene, and who are
thinking about taking the plunge
and trying Linux for the first time. To set the scene, let's
start with a very brief history into the origins of Linux.
The Linux kernel was started by Linus Torvalds in 1991, who was at the
time studying at the University of Helsinki. Linux was originally
intended to be a replacement for Minix, an operating system designed
for educational purposes. One of the most important
decisions ever
made by Linus was the licensing agreement that the kernel was released
under, the GNU General Public License (GPL). Using the GPL meant
that the programming code is freely-distributed and available to the
general public. This in turn encouraged thousands of developers
to submit their own contributions to the code. It is estimated
that 1.5-2% of the kernel has been written by Linus
Torvalds.
What is a Linux Distribution?
If you follow the IT press, you probably have heard of some Linux
companies such as Red Hat, Mandriva, SuSE, and Debian. These are
all organisations that have created their own 'distributions' (often
known as a distribution or abbreviated even
further to the term distro) of Linux.
A Linux distribution is more than just the kernel itself.
A typical desktop Linux distribution consists of various software
components including the Linux kernel, the GNU toolchain, and a
collection of free and open source software, such as office suites,
email clients, web browsers, instant messaging, graphics editors, video
players
and more. This software is released in both binary and source
code form, the former of which is code that the computer can
understand, the latter what humans can read. Having the source
code available means that other developers can legally modify the
software thereby providing a mechanism where the community can
contribute to the development of the software components. With
most distributions there is often some proprietory software included
where the source code may not be released. This may be due to
patent and licensing restrictions.
There are in excess of 700 linux distributions available, of
which more than half currently are being actively developed.
However, try not to be daunted by this vast number. This huge
number is partly a reflection of the fact that there is no barrier
preventing an individual or organisation from creating their own
distribution. Many distros were started simply because an
individual
felt that none of the existing distros met his specific
requirements. Furthermore, many of the distros are derived from
one of the 'major' distros, sharing the same base, even sometimes being
released at the same time. To illustrate, let's take the popular
Debian distribution. The following distributions are all based on
Debian:
Amber Linux, Bayanihan Linux,
BeatrIX Linux, LinEx, Loco Linux, NepaLinux, PingOO, Sun Wah RAYS LX,
Tuquito, Trisquel,
Additionally, some of these 'derived' distros have themselves also
spawned a whole raft of other distributions.
List of Distribtions based on Knoppix:
Barnix, Bioknoppix, ClusterKNOPPIX, Clusterix, Condorux, CosmoPBX, Damn
Small Linux, Danix, Dappix, DCC/Live, Dinux, distccKNOPPIX,
DistccPPCKnoppix, emKnoppix, FCCU GNU/Linux Forensic Boot CD,
eduKnoppix, Feather Linux, FREEDUC, GIS-Knoppix, grml,
Instant-Grid, Julex, Kazit, KernelKit, knopILS, Knoppel, Knoppix 64,
Knoppix-Mib, Kalango, Knosciences, Kuliax, Kurumin, Lin4Astro, Local
Area Security Knoppix, Linux Live Game Project, Luit Linux, Medialinux,
Mentoppix, Musix, Myrinix, NordisKnoppix, OGo Knoppix CD, Overclockix,
PaiPix, ParallelKnoppix, Parsix, Paipix, Penguin Sleuth Bootable CD,
Quantian, ROSLIMS, Shabdix, SLYNUX, StreamBOX-LiveCD, Toophpix,
Vigyaan, Vital Data Forensic or Rescue Kit (FoRK), Xarnoppix, Xfld,
ZoneCD
List of Distributions based on Ubuntu:
Edubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu CE (all official derivations);
andLinux, gNewSense, Gnoppix, Hiweed, Impi Linux,
As you can see, over 100 distributions are based on Debian alone!
What are the differences between Distributions?
Generally speaking, Linux distributions can be:
Targeted for a specific audience
Some distributions have paid extra attention to making a beginners'
journey into the world of Linux a more seamless transistion. This
can include extensive documentation including printed manuals, easy
installation and set up, eye
candy, configuration of the desktop to give a windows look and feel,
and good hardware detection.
Other distros are better suited for intermediate or advanced
users. They rely less on graphical configuration tools or
easy installation routines.
Designed for servers, desktops, or
embedded devices.
Distributions designed for the desktop will generally have a friendly
graphical interface, and a common set of applications, for installation
at home on a regular PC or laptop, whereas server editions are
predominately used in a business environment, often
being accompanied by a support contract charged at commercial
rates.
There are also distributions which are developed for specific hardware
such as PDA, mobile phones, smartphones, robots, tablets, thin clients,
smart devices, even gaming consoles. For example, the GP2X is a
dual CPU handheld gaming console which runs Linux.
Commercial or non-commercial
The vast majority of Linux distros can be downloaded over the internet
at no cost, or are available to be purchased on physical media (CD/DVD)
for nominal sums. There are a number of companies which provide a
free edition, but also sell a commercial variant with added extras,
technical support etc. For example, RedHat, Mandriva and Novell all
release a 'no cost' distribution, but sell editions which include
commercial software, offer phone and email technical support, provide
training etc. There are also a few Linux companies which only
produce commercial distributions e.g. Xandros.
General purpose or have a specialist
function
Linux can be installed on a machine for one specific function.
For example, the machine may act as a dedicated router/firewall, it may
function as a terminal server, or as a VoIP phone system.
Alternatively, the selection of software packages included in the
distro may specifically target a particular type of user. For
example, 64 Studio develops a distribution of free software for digital
content creation, which may appeal if you like to compose and mix music.
Designed for specific hardware
Most home PCs have an Intel or AMD processor inside. Like Windows,
there are different editions available in Linux for computers with 32
and 64 bit processors. Consequently, a user needs to choose a
distro that is actually able to run on their machine.
Furthermore, Linux doesn't just run on processors manufactured by Intel
and AMD. There are editions of some distributions available for
other architectures including SPARC 32, SPARC 64 (both developed by Sun
Microsystems), ARM (Arm Limited), HPPA (Hewlett-Packard), MIPS (MIPS
Technologies) , SH , S/390 (IBM zSeries), Alpha (DEC), and 68k
(Motorola). A distribution designed for one of these
architectures is not going to work on an Intel or AMD machine.
Installed to a hard drive or to other
bootable media
On your hard drive you have all your personal files, email, and
applications customised to your liking. Even if you have a
complete backup of this information (which you should have!),
installing Linux to that drive is going to require some effort.
There is a solution at hand. LinuxLinks.com lists approximately
200 LiveCD
distributions. The term 'live' refers to the fact that these
distros can be run from the media itself without installation to a hard
drive. This means that a user can test-drive a real Linux desktop
without affecting the existing operating system stored on the hard
drive. By using on-the-fly decompression, the CD can have up to 2
GB of executable software (and for DVD editions up to 8GB) available to
be tested. Obviously, running an operating system from a CD or
DVD is significantly slower than using a hard disk, but many of these
LiveCDs can be subsequently installed to the hard drive if you wish.
Besides CD and DVD media, Linux can also run from bootable flash memory
such as USB keys (which are faster than CDs). This lets you take
your full-featured Linux system anywhere you go; to the office, at
home, even to a foreign country, accessing all your own files.
It is even possible for Linux to run purely from RAM itself.
Installed with all the software you
need, or don't need
Ideally, the distro will come with all the types of programs you want
to run. Windows ships with a relatively small set of
applications, whereas many Linux distros come supplied with
thousands of applications covering office suites, internet
applications, games, utilities, programming tools, productivity tools,
and more.
However, this vast number of applications can be very confusing to a
newcomer, who not only has to contend with becoming familiar with
Linux, but also that some or all of the Linux applications are also
different to ones currently being used. With this in mind, some
Linux software companies have made a conscious effort to reduce the
number of applications that are provided in a distro, choosing only 1
or maybe 2 applications that cover a specific task. After all,
there is often little benefit to a newcomer being presented with 5
different web browsers, especially when Firefox is so popular.
Suitable for high or low spec machines
decided hat their distros are to reduce Consequently, some distros have
decided to limit the number of applications e.g. by only providing 1 or
2 web browsers, email clients, etc.
Targeted at
7) Targeted at specific user groups
8) Installed to a hard disk, or intended to be run from media such as a
CD, a DVD, a USB key, or even RAM itself.
9)
Distributions based on other distribution
>What differs from distribution to distribution is usually:
Installation Software (for installing software, or the operating
system)
General software: (Office Apps, Prog. Languages, Games, Web
Software etc)
Documentation and Manuals (Quality of, Lack of, Quantity of)
Cost - whether you pay nothing, a little, or a lot for a
distribution depends on what you need from it.
Quality of software (buggy or not buggy software, latest versions
of software)
Whether it is up to date or not
Whether the distributor offers a good channel of support or not
How easy it is to use overall.
Debian-Based Distributions
Knoppix-Based Distributions
Ubuntu-Based Distributions
any individual or organisation can assemble a distribution
a Linux kernel, GNU software, servers, desktop environment,
. The majority of the included software is free
software/open-source software, which is distributed in both binary and
soure code form. Having the source code available enables other
developers to modify the code for their own purposes. The vast
majority of distributions have some part (comprises the Linux kernel,
Understanding exactly what people mean why they refer to Linux is
A kernel is the core component of an operating system, managing the
system's resources and the communication between hardware and software
components.
The Linux kernel is one of the parts that make up a Linux
distribution.
What is removing some of the mystery for a user taking the plunge
Some distributions have no proprietory software at all:
gNewSense, Ututo, BLAG, Dynebolic, GNUstep, and Musix GNU+Linux
