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!
I have yet to read of a truly obscure distribution, so here is mine: Parabola GNU/Linux-libre. It is Arch Linux minus non-free software - every bit of software considered not fully free is rigorously left out. In respect to other GNU/Linux distributions, its stance against non free software is very strict. It is one of a handful of GNU/Linux distributions endorsed by the Free Software Foundation. I have used it as my main operating system for more than ten years. The absence of proprietary firmware can be troublesome for most. While officially unsupported, it is technically possible to load proprietary firmware, but you may need to jump through hoops to install and use some proprietary software as is the case for proprietary firmware. Another downside is that some packages, especially from the KDE project, can be outdated due to lack of manpower.
I have a thinkpad that runs this. It’s a great little distro.
That sounds like true freedom, and also like something I wish deeply that I had time and energy to make my daily driver - I’m a purist, but I’m also a pragmatist and i can feel the burnout already.
Respect for using it as a daily driver - even for a personal only machine, that’s a pretty high bar, especially long term.
I appreciate your comment. You know, I have a typical x86-64 system and I need a proprietary firmware for my graphics card. You can use Parabola GNU/Linux-libre with proprietary software although this use case is explicitly unsupported. My rationale for using it this way is that at least I know that no non free software is supposed to slip by unnoticed. I try to stay purist to a pragmatic extent. My residential gateway that is also my home server and personal cloud runs completely on free software, wireless firmware included, with LibreCMC - no non free software there. My home computer, a typical x86-64-based system, has the usual bunch of stock non free firmwares inside and a firmware for my graphics card loaded by the kernel. I also play proprietary video games in an unprivileged container. Everything else is free software.