What are the differences between the 'base' of various Linux distributions?

Sunny' 🌻@slrpnk.net to Linux@lemmy.ml – 89 points –

I've been using linux desktop for a year or so now. One noteable thing i keep seeing is that one person will say I dont like XYZ distrobution because of its base. But I am still a little unsure what is meant by it. I am assuming the main difference between each base is the choice of package management(?). But what other factors/aspects that are important for the average user to know about each 'base'? This is probably quite a broad question to a rather technical answer, but appriciate any answers, and i'll try my best to understand and read up :)

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You can divide distros into two categories:

  • Independent distros; these are not forks of other projects (at least not in their current iterations). We may also refer to these as upstream-projects.
  • Derivative distros; these are forks from the earlier mentioned projects. We may also refer to these as downstream-projects.

E.g. Zorin OS is a derivative of Ubuntu, which itself is a derivative of Debian. After the gargantuan effort it takes to make Debian possible, Ubuntu's maintainers 'grab' Debian, apply a set of changes and ship it as Ubuntu. After which, Zorin OS' maintainers grab Ubuntu, also apply a set of changes and ship it as Zorin OS.

Of course, not all derivatives are created equal; sometimes a single change is applied that by itself constitutes the fork. And other times, the changes are so massive that they blur the lines between independent and derivative; Ubuntu's changes to Debian is a good example of this.

Derivative distros can't simply change everything as they see fit; some things are simply essential parts. In most cases, these include:

  • the release cycle of the base; rolling-release vs point-release, but also LTS vs bleeding edge and everything in between
  • the (base) packages of the base

But what other factors/aspects that are important for the average user to know about each ‘base’?

I was about to write a long ass dissertation, but it became very unwieldy. Consider asking for specific bases and perhaps I will respond for those.

On a final note, it's worth mentioning that differences between different distros have never been as blurry as they're today. With e.g. Distrobox, one can install whatever package from whichever distro they want. Thus, we aren't as tied to the packages provided by the base distro as we were used to. Furthermore, most distros have different 'variants' that allow access to different channels or release cycles. E.g. for those who want Debian packages but bleeding-edge; there's Debian Sid etc.

Sure, a lot more can be said; like how corporate interest plays into all of this. But what has been mentioned above should suffice for now.

I would kill to see this in graph form with popularity included.

the graph (not the popularity)

Great googly moogly!! I had no idea it was that perverse! Now I definitely need to see it culled by popularity.

It's not really that bad. Start from the end to see which ones are still existing today.

But yeah, it would be nice if that last column indicated the level of popularity somehow.

Unfortunately, perhaps understandably so, popularity is very hard to measure on Linux. Though, while far from representative, ProtonDB's measurements do exist and provide us some insights. As for the distros found on the chart:

  • Arch (base):
    • Endeavour
    • Garuda^[1]^
    • Manjaro
  • Debian (base):
    • Ubuntu
      • Linux Mint^[2]^
      • Pop_OS!
  • Fedora (base):
    • Nobara
  • NixOS
  • openSUSE

Note that Flatpak is not a distribution, but a packaging format.

BoilingSteam's article in which their thoughts and reflections are written can be found here.

  1. While it's technically not labeled, the blue-colored columns found right below openSUSE belong to Garuda; as can be seen here (from an earlier iteration of the graph).
  2. Technically, Linux Mint also has their Debian Edition. But, the vast majority of its users should be using the one based directly on Ubuntu.