I feel like everybody at least has a Debian based distro they like unless they’re going out of their way to be an arch tryhard, even if it’s not their #1 overall.
I use it because it feels like the most Linux-ey of Linuxes (Linuxii??). I don’t know how else to describe it. It’s like, no bullshit, just Linux. Here’s the Lego pieces, go have fun.
As a long-time Debian user, I’d have to throw my vote behind Slackware for the title of most UNIX-y, which is I guess a bit different from most Linux-y.
Debian got me through grad school, but Slack got me through undergrad on a hopelessly underpowered old ThinkPad — Volkerding is a legend, and Slack will always be dear to my heart.
Never experienced Slackware so I can’t compare, sorry. When I got into Linux in like, 2002, I was using Mandrake before they died, and didn’t hear much of Slackware at the time.
I had a friend that was a couple years older that was running it on a home web server though. Back when people ran home web servers. This dude would sit there and use the keyboard the entire time even in OSes like Windows, he memorized every goddamn shortcut and macro that exists. Had a dusty mouse next to his system almost never being used. Probably just to satisfy the BIOS self test.
Debian is independent, OG, a base of so many distros, it is objectively the most stable Linux in existence, it has its own libre kernel…what’s not to love?
Exactly, same as Arch… which is why I used Arch for like 2 weeks and then hopped to Void. Sorry, but it was the same bullshit all over again, services not running properly, slow boot time, services stalling at shutdown… I’m sorry but, with the words of Garry Oldman, I haven’t got time for this Mickey Mouse bullshit!
Runit on the other hand… it just works. Set it and forget it!
I personally have little issues with systemd (okay, services can stall sometimes, true), but I appreciate brave minds who use other init systems and keep the variety for us to enjoy should we want to.
Just mentioned it as one of the few controversies surrounding Debian :D
But then, on the other hand, there’s Devuan for those folks as well…
I don’t really like debian. I can respect it as a good distro that’s based and all, but It doesn’t fit my use case of ‘just works’ the same way my steamdeck does (in regards to gaming and Windows similarly). For that I’ve found Bazzite or Kubuntu for their usage of KDE. (also manjaro was buggy 🤷♀️)
I still can’t decide if I want to use Arch based to be similar to my SteamDeck, or Ubuntu based because dealing with packages is confusing.
However I have semi-given up on Linux for my desktop PC because Nvidia sucks and I’ll try again on my semi-anually “ooo let’s try Linux again!” after Microsoft makes another dumb change. I’m gonna stick with it one day lol
That might just be your GPU. If you’ve tried different distros and had issues on others then you’re probably right but different Nvidia GPUs can have varying success. I use two machines with different Nvidia GPUs (both running endeavourOS) and one needs drivers from flatpak to play games at more than ~20fps.
I’ve successfully used a 1050 Ti and a 3060 Ti with Linux Mint and the proprietary drivers (selected through the GUI driver manager). So if anyone reading this is in a similar situation it might be worth it to try that.
Bazzite (fedora based) is actually more like steamOS than Arch is like steamOS, as both Bazzite and steamOS are immutable. I love Bazzite/Aurora/Bluefin because they have the option to include Nvidia drivers preconfigured out of the box. There have been some improvements in KDE for NVIDIA recently, so maybe check it out. One quick question, why is dealing with packages a pro point for Ubuntu?
I feel like most everyone* who cares about distros likes Debian. It may not be the right distro for your use case, but you’re glad it’s around.
*I’m sure even Debian has it’s haters. But I think it’s a minority.I feel like everybody at least has a Debian based distro they like unless they’re going out of their way to be an arch tryhard, even if it’s not their #1 overall.
I use it because it feels like the most Linux-ey of Linuxes (Linuxii??). I don’t know how else to describe it. It’s like, no bullshit, just Linux. Here’s the Lego pieces, go have fun.
As a long-time Debian user, I’d have to throw my vote behind Slackware for the title of most UNIX-y, which is I guess a bit different from most Linux-y.
Debian got me through grad school, but Slack got me through undergrad on a hopelessly underpowered old ThinkPad — Volkerding is a legend, and Slack will always be dear to my heart.
Never experienced Slackware so I can’t compare, sorry. When I got into Linux in like, 2002, I was using Mandrake before they died, and didn’t hear much of Slackware at the time.
I had a friend that was a couple years older that was running it on a home web server though. Back when people ran home web servers. This dude would sit there and use the keyboard the entire time even in OSes like Windows, he memorized every goddamn shortcut and macro that exists. Had a dusty mouse next to his system almost never being used. Probably just to satisfy the BIOS self test.
There is no self test for mouse, just keyboard.
Lineeses.
Debian is independent, OG, a base of so many distros, it is objectively the most stable Linux in existence, it has its own libre kernel…what’s not to love?
Ah, right.
systemd.
Exactly, same as Arch… which is why I used Arch for like 2 weeks and then hopped to Void. Sorry, but it was the same bullshit all over again, services not running properly, slow boot time, services stalling at shutdown… I’m sorry but, with the words of Garry Oldman, I haven’t got time for this Mickey Mouse bullshit!
Runit on the other hand… it just works. Set it and forget it!
I personally have little issues with systemd (okay, services can stall sometimes, true), but I appreciate brave minds who use other init systems and keep the variety for us to enjoy should we want to.
Just mentioned it as one of the few controversies surrounding Debian :D But then, on the other hand, there’s Devuan for those folks as well…
lol
Beware the false consensus. Not all birds are seagulls, but get a plate of chips and that’s all you’ll see.
That’s a new metaphor for me. I like it! And I want some chips now. Either the British or American kind.
Do seagulls even eat crisps? (I suppose I’m more interested in how they’d go about it)
They do it just like you do
So they ambush unguarded bowls of crisps at parties and game nights?
I don’t really like debian. I can respect it as a good distro that’s based and all, but It doesn’t fit my use case of ‘just works’ the same way my steamdeck does (in regards to gaming and Windows similarly). For that I’ve found Bazzite or Kubuntu for their usage of KDE. (also manjaro was buggy 🤷♀️)
I still can’t decide if I want to use Arch based to be similar to my SteamDeck, or Ubuntu based because dealing with packages is confusing.
However I have semi-given up on Linux for my desktop PC because Nvidia sucks and I’ll try again on my semi-anually “ooo let’s try Linux again!” after Microsoft makes another dumb change. I’m gonna stick with it one day lol
Give up on nvidia, IMO.
Try Fedora KDE spin next time. It handles my Nvidia GPU without any trouble.
That might just be your GPU. If you’ve tried different distros and had issues on others then you’re probably right but different Nvidia GPUs can have varying success. I use two machines with different Nvidia GPUs (both running endeavourOS) and one needs drivers from flatpak to play games at more than ~20fps.
I’ve successfully used a 1050 Ti and a 3060 Ti with Linux Mint and the proprietary drivers (selected through the GUI driver manager). So if anyone reading this is in a similar situation it might be worth it to try that.
Bazzite (fedora based) is actually more like steamOS than Arch is like steamOS, as both Bazzite and steamOS are immutable. I love Bazzite/Aurora/Bluefin because they have the option to include Nvidia drivers preconfigured out of the box. There have been some improvements in KDE for NVIDIA recently, so maybe check it out. One quick question, why is dealing with packages a pro point for Ubuntu?