Versions of Linux

With a myriad of versions of Linux in the public domain, choosers of Linux must undertake a certain amount of research in order to find one that suits their specific purpose.

Different types of Linux are known as ‘distros’ (short for distributions) or ‘flavours’. They are all open source, contributed to from around the globe and some are sponsored by different companies. For example, Fedora is sponsored by Red Hat and Ubuntu by Canonical Ltd.

Linux distros include Mandriva, Ubuntu, Fedora, PCLinuxOS and Debian. These are some of the most popular variations of the Linux operating system, and each of them has its strengths and weaknesses. This is the primary reason why it is so important to research thoroughly the distro before you install it.

Examples of Linux distros and their strengths

Mandriva is known for its user-friendliness and is recommended for new users of Linux because it consists of the latest software. However, this can occasionally cause stability problems.

Fedora does not concentrate on one specific market so it is suitable for home users, programmers and corporate servers alike. Because it caters for all markets, it requires customisation for each instance in which it is used.

Polishlinux.org states: “Fedora Core stability is comparable to similar distros like Ubuntu or OpenSUSE. There are many efforts to make the software testing within Fedora Core even better by implementing an automated test system.”

OpenSUSE aims to provide the most user-friendly Linux system for the desktop. It is reported to have great support which makes it particularly stable. Debian is a stable, mature and popular operating system which does require some knowledge so it is not for new starters. It is very configurable and can be a very friendly OS after some work.

Debian has an outstanding package management tool and offers the largest free software repository. Ubuntu is one of the most stable and mature distributions available.

It is based on the Debian. However, the most important thing when choosing a Linux distro is to remember to find one which is stable. To make sure a distro is stable it should be thoroughly tested.

How is a Linux distro tested?

Firstly the distro is released to a closed group of testers who look at new changes and monitor how the software installs and performs on a variety of different hardware.

Next it is released as a beta for anyone to download and evaluate so more widespread testing can be performed, with more direct feedback from end users being sent in. Then, finally, a full release is issued.

How to qualify the stability of a Linux distro?

A stable distro has been through a rigorous testing and development period. It is known to be able to work on as wide a variety of platforms as possible. Any known bugs or issues on the software have been fixed and re-tested before release.

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