The Linux ecosystem is vast and diverse, offering a multitude of distributions to suit every need and preference. With hundreds of distros to choose from, it’s a pity that most are rarely mentioned while the popular ones are constantly being regurgitated.
This thread aims to celebrate this diversity and shine a light on smaller projects with passionate developers. I invite you to pitch your favorite underappreciated distro and share your experiences with those lesser-known Linux distributions that deserve more attention.
While there are no strict rules or banlists, I encourage you to focus on truly niche or exotic distributions rather than the more commonly discussed ones. Consider touching upon what makes your chosen distro unique:
- What features or philosophies set it apart?
- Why do you favor it over other distros, including the popular ones? (Beyond “It just works.”)
- In what situations would you recommend it to others?
Whether it’s a specialized distro for a particular use case or a general-purpose OS with a unique twist, let’s explore the road less traveled in the Linux landscape. Your insights could introduce fellow enthusiasts to their next favorite distribution!
Dietpi for me. It is meant for sbc’s, but it can (also) be installed on x86 pcs. And its focus is on minimalism – as much as possible.
I love dietpi. The entire software install is a huge 1000 line bash script. If that sounds horrific, it’s genuinely well structured and readable
It does sound horrific, but mostly because it would be poorly executed by many devs.
Well, and the seeming trend towards install commands that look like curl $file.sh | sh
But if they’re not actively encouraging that, I see no issue with a well maintained install tool, created from well maintained toolsets that work on essentially any platform.
Never heard of sh, I use bash and I call it as /usr/bin/bash (for security).