Linux Distro Recommendations
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As a longtime user of GNU/Linux and other Unix-like computer operating systems, I occasionally get asked for recommendations regarding which distributions to try out for daily tasks. I've finally decided that I should write this down somewhere, with the obvious disclaimer that this is my opinion. I'm sure your favourite distribution of Linux or Unix-like is awesome. Go write about it somewhere and email me the link! With that being said, for everyday computing tasks such as browsing the web, reading email, editing photos and documents, my recommendation is...
Debian
Debian GNU/Linux is so old and reliable in the Linux distro landscape it's practically furniture. And that's a feature. Debian's stable releases do a great job of getting out of your way and letting you do what you need to do on your computer. With a new release about every two years, and two years of support for older releases past that (and then one year of community-driven support) if Debian suits your needs, you can comfortably roll with it for years without fuss. The downside (if you consider it as such) is that the software tends to run on the older side, especially as time goes on (stable means STABLE, aside from security patches, software versions generally don't change between operating system releases). If you desire something a bit closer to the cutting edge, but still friendly even to novice users, consider...
Fedora
Fedora Linux is a user-friendly desktop-oriented Linux distribution that isn't afraid to push the boundaries. Software available in their repository tend to stay close to the latest and greatest versions, but the cost of that is things tend to update rather quickly. Fedora desktops generally look like what most Linux desktops will be in the future. Backed by Red Hat (IBM), Fedora sits as a sort of upstream source for the more enterprise-friendly Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and support is generally great.
Debian and Fedora Are Both Pretty Great
For modern GNU/Linux desktops, Debian and Fedora exist as a sort of ying and yang to each other, with Debian's Testing branch serving as a kind of middle ground between the churn of new software releases and rock-solid stability. Both of them make for great desktops, and I've personally used both to great satisfaction. They both showcase just how comfortable and easy to use modern Linux desktops can be. But sometimes one yearns for the simpler days of Linux, when software was more lightweight and more closely followed the Unix Philosophy of doing "one thing and one thing well." If you're the kind of person who's aching for a Linux experience a bit more rooted in the past (this definitely isn't a bad thing!) I'd recommend checking out:
- Slackware Linux, if you're wed to the Linux Kernel. Slackware is the oldest distribution that is still being maintained. It comes with the modern KDE and XFCE desktops, as well as many classic window managers such as Blackbox and Windowmaker. Plus all the classic command-line tools you'd expect. It's a wonderful operating system with one foot in the modern world and one in the past. An excellent choice for those who want to remain somewhat up-to-date, but retain their comforts from yesteryear.
- FreeBSD, if you're looking to do more server-ish things with your computer. It works great on laptops, but it really shines as a desktop. Between native zfs support, and the power of jails and their built-in hypervisor bhyve, FreeBSD makes a great computing basis for homelabs and desktops alike. The software catalogue in their ports system is nearly as extensive as that of any Linux distribution.
- If your main goal is to keep your hardware out of the landfill for as long as possible, NetBSD has your back. With support for tons of CPU architectures and boodles of hardware, both old and new, NetBSD makes for a great lightweight Unix desktop to extend the life of your favourite machines.
Wrapping Up...
So there you have it. Modern Linux (and Unix-like) desktops have come a long way over the past 20 years since I've been using them. There's a ton of variety out there, and picking the distribution that's right for you is a personal thing. But if you're just jumping in, you can't go wrong with Debian or Fedora. And if you're looking for something classic, look to Slackware and the BSD's.