My Search For The Perfect Linux OS Just Ended — With An Unexpected Surprise

[steven36]

By  Jason Evangelho

 

 

A few Linux distros to choose from

 

I began my Linux journey 16 months ago with only one certainty: I didn’t want to use Windows for the rest of my life. I’ve remained in a constant state of exploration and discovery in the pursuit of finding that “forever distro.” You know, the one to rule them all. The perfect Linux OS that’s stable, checks all those feature boxes, slides effortlessly into every scenario and is just plain fun to use on a daily basis.

 

I greet you today with a sobering and unexpected conclusion: it doesn’t exist. At least not for me.

 

This is obviously a subjective statement, but give me a few minutes to explain what’s changed my mind, and why I’m starting to view this “distro hunt” mentality through a different lens.

 

Part 1: The Ubuntu Phase

Ubuntu was my doorway into the wide world of desktop Linux and it remained my distro of choice for quite some time. It was rock solid and attractive. The ability to find an answer to a burning question was effortless thanks to such a massive community, and it “just worked” on every device I installed it on.

 

Ubuntu 18.04 on my Dell XPS 9370 Jason Evangelho

 

So, why not just stay with Ubuntu? Personal curiosity took over. What else was out there? Could a different combination of distro + desktop environment (Xfce, Budgie, Pantheon, KDE, LXDE) affect my workflow, my productivity, my sheer enjoyment?

 

Professional curiosity also seeped in. I was becoming influential within the Linux community, and there’s no denying that regularly covering Linux at Forbes was beginning to make a dent in mainstream perceptions too. If I had more knowledge and more hands-on time with everything else out there, perhaps I could make more personalized recommendations to fit an individual’s needs or wants.

 

Ubuntu was all I knew. It was time to distro hop.

 

Part 2: The Distro-Hopping Phase

I started devouring the lesser-explored alternatives. The elegance of elementary OS, the modern slickness of Deepin, the raw power of Intel’s Clear Linux, the rewarding challenge of a pure Arch installation.

 

Xfce hooked me with how fast and lean it was. MATE and Budgie lured me in too (through Ubuntu MATE and Solus, respectively). KDE Plasma seduced with me its endless customization yet surprisingly low system requirements.

 

Like the entire cast of Seinfeld treated their significant others, there was always something to nitpick, but I appreciated everything that was brought to the table.

 

I just felt unsettled, unable to find that perfect distro that not only looked fantastic out of the box and ran like a champ, but also catered to the Linux gaming crowd in various ways.

Then I discovered Pop!_OS from System76.

 

Part 3: The System76 Phase (Ongoing!)

My System76 Oryx Pro Jason Evangelho

 

I fell in love with Pop!_OS (and in fact I still love it). Much more than just a “reskin of Ubuntu,” System76 injected a personality into its distro. The company beat Ubuntu and many other distros to the punch by offering a great solution for hybrid graphics laptop users.

 

Little things like downloading the Vulkan 32-bit and 64-bit libraries when you installed Steam, offering Lutris in their software center, and being the first to solve the AMD Zen 2 boot issue before even motherboard manufacturers could issue a BIOS update.

 

They like to ease user friction, and I’m on board with that.

 

System76 is a nimble company with a vested interest in keeping their distro stable but on the bleeding edge (the 18.04 LTS version of Pop ships with kernel 5.3); after all, they also sell a variety of hardware Pop!_OS needs to run flawlessly on.

 

When I adopted the wonderful Oryx Pro laptop as my daily driver, it cemented everything. I threw Pop!_OS on every device I owned –- multiple notebooks and desktop PCs.

I was content. Pop!_OS became my new daily driver for 7 months.

 

Part 4: The Peppermint Predicament

 

Then Peppermint OS happened.

 

To fully appreciate the situation with Peppermint OS, I strongly suggest listening to Episode 16 of Linux For Everyone:

 

 

If not, please settle for the short version: It all started when I put Peppermint OS on an ultra-budget laptop and it just screamed compared to Windows 10. It didn’t hurt that it was so polished right out of the box (something many “lean and light” Linux distros fail at despite best efforts).

 

Then I nuked Pop!_OS from my Dell XPS 13 in favor of Peppermint OS, and was welcomed with dramatically longer battery life. I work away from the wall frequently, and battery life remains my holy grail.

 

My 'forever distro' mentality in a single photo. . .Jason Evangelho

 

That’s when the “forever distro” mentality crept back in. “Maybe this could be the one?” I wanted Peppermint OS on everything. The serious hurdle was replicating the same great experience I had with the synergy of System76 software + hardware.

 

Peppermint OS CEO Mark Greaves graciously spent hours with me on Telegram – voluntarily – troubleshooting, suggesting various approaches, continuing to research after I had given up (those details are on the podcast and too nuanced for these pages). What a trooper!

 

That’s still a quest I’m pursuing, but the outcome is irrelevant to the point I’m about to make.

 

I was adamant on using the same distro for everything, until I learned about how Peppermint OS was “Frankensteined” together.

 

Linux is all about choice. It’s modular. Like the Borg, it adapts to any situation. So why try to force a square peg into a round hole? Peppermint CEO Mark Greaves cherry-picked the best elements of the LXDE, Xfce and Cinnamon desktop environments! He used both the Mint and GNOME software centers. Multiple package managers.

 

On paper, Peppermint OS should be a disaster, but it’s brilliant. It’s just not the ideal distribution for one of my machines (without putting some serious effort in, anyway).

 

That’s when it all came into focus. I use Linux because Windows users don’t have this kind of flexibility. You want a version of Windows 10 that runs like a dream on your crappy dual-core laptop with 4GB of RAM? Sorry, not an option.

 

But with Linux, I can use the same exact software across any distribution I choose! I can effortlessly make a backup on my Oryx Pro running Kubuntu, and restore that on my XPS 13 running Peppermint OS. We have the tools to adapt; to make it a seamless experience while using the absolute best distro that fits our needs based on the unique scenario.

 

How awesome is that? I suppose I hadn’t realized this simple truth until Peppermint OS gave me that unexpected nudge.

 

I don’t need to find a “forever distro.” I can keep distro hopping for years until I reach the end of the road.

 

All I need is Linux itself.

 

Source

[PLASMA]

Indeed with Linux you can resurrect your old-dead pcs, as for the distro hopping....that's the joy of it, you never get bored....

[steven36]

Well you have to take in consideration .Jason Evangelho job is  to write about Linux  and gaming . If he really stop distro hoping  he would run out of things to post about  .  I  been using Linux a few  more years than he has . A little over 4 years now . I stop distro  hoping in  Apirl 2017. I dont even turn my testing  machine  on in years . I dont get paid to test software  I tested cracked Windows software for years  and it got me no were except for me and  my friends didn't have to buy software . Well on Linux most all apps are free  already so after you learn it  there is else nothing to do .  .Jason Evangelho 1st choice was Ubuntu and then Pop OS and Peppermint  is based on Ubuntu too so there no real learning curve there . 

 

Windows 10 is not boring  yet  it lots of work  trouble shooting  bugs  and new versions coming out  you can even be a insider  if you like . But is not very consumer friendly  Windows 10 home  that comes on Stock PCs is a PITA  and most consumers dont know how to trouble shoot that the reason they used windows  with  10 years support using the same OS with very little over head.  Most people who visit  Tech forums and read the PC  centric news know how to work on computers  or they are learning how  . But thats just  a small percentage  of people on the internet.  What I'm saying sometimes boring is good  . I've been using the same setup for almost 2 years now  i dont have time to be testing software  24/7 anymore if you do ether you have to much time on your hands and it's just a hobby  and you will burn out sooner or latter or your  being paid . I got burn out  on testing Win 32 apps back in 2011 and after i learn how to use Linux  there it was nothing much else to  do i have less troubles than i had with Windows 10 because i use only LTS Linux for almost 2 years now.

 

[Ryrynz]

If only everyone worked together.

[mp68terr]

13 hours ago, steven36 said:

Ubuntu was all I knew.

I was becoming influential within the Linux community... regularly covering Linux at Forbes...

 

Many of nsane forumers could be considered as influential experts and write for this mag then.

 

[halvgris]

i have been using linux for 13 years on and off.

first i would always go for ubuntu but then as

always i found myself drown in all apps that i

had no intention of using.

 

i have now settled with mx linux slim with the

minimum programs i do use even more at

hand if i wish to explore.

 

my tip for any new linux users. remember the

passwords. try a usb distro first so you know

wifi and other things work. installing drivers is

a bit more complicated on linux.

 

 

[steven36]

9 hours ago, mp68terr said:

 

Many of nsane forumers could be considered as influential experts and write for this mag then.

 

I doubt it because  because  hes a Gaming Technician he covered Gaming and Tech at Forbes  for over a decade. Hes a  Senior Contributor he been writing news longer than  many people that are active on the forums today even been members . You need a Bachelors degree in journalism, and prior experience  to even write for Forbes.

 

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in journalism, English, communications, or another appropriate field.
• At least five years reporting and writing or editing experience.
• Experience covering the technology industry as a journalist or engaging in other activities that build knowledge about the subject.

 

 

 

[dhjohns]

If you want to try out an absolutely amazing linux distro, go here:  https://www.linux.com/tutorials/deepin-linux-gorgeous-it-user-friendly/

[Avitar]

So everyone is just forgetting about Kali Linux?

 

THE definitive distro with all the tools built in?

[steven36]

41 minutes ago, dhjohns said:

If you want to try out an absolutely amazing linux distro, go here:  https://www.linux.com/tutorials/deepin-linux-gorgeous-it-user-friendly/

The guy in the OP covered  that Chinese Distro  so did most every other linux  site . It ranks #10  at  distrowatch .   It comes with outdated apps and has a EULA  so i wouldnt touch it. as far as Linux goes/

 

Its looks nice  but im not agreeing to   when install linux here are other caveats 

 

Con

Deepin store apps not up to date

Con

Team doesn't know what to do

Deepin has changed the base 4 times, and the name 3 times. The Desktop Environment also has been changed 4 times.

 

Con

Customization is a bit hidden

GUI is not straight forward for changing GTK+ or QT themes.

 

Con

Slow default repos

Download speed for packages from the default repos, is abnormally slow if you don't choose the correct sever.

 

Con

Cannot customize desktop environment.

Because the developers have locked down desktop customization is A HUGE detractor against the idea of setting things up how you want.

 

Con

Based in China

Very slow installer

Because the servers are in China.

 

Con

Installer lacks features

 

I consider  Deepin articles to be all hype about eyecandy but it crippleware  compared  to others

[mp68terr]

57 minutes ago, steven36 said:

I doubt it because...

Maybe now... but I was referring to what he wrote in the article: just knowing ubuntu and considered as having influence in the linux community while covering linux in forbes.

[dhjohns]

40 minutes ago, steven36 said:

The guy in the OP covered  that Chinese Distro  so did most every other linux  site . It ranks #10  at  distrowatch .   It comes with outdated apps and has a EULA  so i wouldnt touch it. as far as Linux goes/

 

Its looks nice  but im not agreeing to   when install linux here are other caveats 

 

Con

Deepin store apps not up to date

Con

Team doesn't know what to do

Deepin has changed the base 4 times, and the name 3 times. The Desktop Environment also has been changed 4 times.

 

Con

Customization is a bit hidden

GUI is not straight forward for changing GTK+ or QT themes.

 

Con

Slow default repos

Download speed for packages from the default repos, is abnormally slow if you don't choose the correct sever.

 

Con

Cannot customize desktop environment.

Because the developers have locked down desktop customization is A HUGE detractor against the idea of setting things up how you want.

 

Con

Based in China

Very slow installer

Because the servers are in China.

 

Con

Installer lacks features

 

I consider  Deepin articles to be all hype about eyecandy but it crippleware  compared  to others

all  this is just your opinion, not based on any facts, and simply not true.  How is based in China a detriment.  You have an issue with the Chinese?  Also, all software has EULA, and the rest of your comments are total BS.  Even Forbes says this is  the best there is!

[steven36]

2 minutes ago, mp68terr said:

Maybe now... but I was referring to what he wrote in the article: just knowing ubuntu and considered as having influence in the linux community while covering linux in forbes.

He used more than  just Ubuntu in VMs  for his articles just he runs Ubuntu based  for  his installed media .  Nothing wrong with that i used others Debian and Arch based  before  when i had problems with drivers  but  i went back to Ubuntu. We dont really have many Linux users  at this site  its  mostly Windows based site . Before Windows 10 came out you never  . If it was not for me and few others they not even be nothing about Linux here. 

[steven36]

5 hours ago, dhjohns said:

all  this is just your opinion, not based on any facts, and simply not true.  How is based in China a detriment.  You have an issue with the Chinese?  Also, all software has EULA, and the rest of your comments are total BS.  Even Forbes says this is  the best there is!

Yes  when it comes to what i use my opinion is all that matters  and yours dont .  As far  as what Jason Evangelho said about at Forbes i take what he said as a hype post.

 

1. He only tested it in a vm not a real machine

2. If its the best why do he chose to use POP OS and Peppermint instead ?

3. Just like all the other sites that post Linux news that  praised it  but  no journalist i know actually use it as a daily driver.

4. If they dont even use it why i take  should there word for it?

5. They get paid to praise Linux Distros and see it in a positive light  when most of the Linux community are volunteers and  shed light on any problems it may have.

6. Even the Distro i use gets slammed for things and if its wrong i don't defend it . And i hold no alliance to Ubuntu if they ever go to far like Microsoft did  i will switch Distros in a New York minute . I make my own choices .

7. Actuality I dont use  Deepin just like  i dont use any other Distros made by small companies . I  stay with the bigger Distros only . Nothing I wrote about it is of my own opinion it all came from reviews , videos  , and what i read other Linux users say about it witch led to me forming my own opinion about it . But I would not use if it was made by a friend even because I dont want to  use something and they close shop  on me because they got burnt out plus i dont trust there security .

 

The security team has decided not to continue reviewing deepin related packages until the overall security of deepin has improved. This particularly means upstream needs to be more closely involved, we need a security contact and they need to follow a security protocol to fix issues in a timely manner. […]

Most of those packages still have major security issues that have not been acted upon. […]

In its current shape the deepin software suite is not fit for openSUSE:Factory. A different security culture is needed upstream both on the implementation side and on the process side.

https://bugzilla.opensuse.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1136026#c1

 

8. You must  dont even use GNU Linux and have it confused with Windows. There is no such thing for most of it, only for the proprietary parts, eg flash, nvidia drivers, skype, etc etc that dont come installed  on GNU Linux by default   . You have to enable and  agree to use non free  packages are install  a non free ISO but your only agreeing to terms of  a piece  of closed source software you need. .  there are different versions of GPL, LGPL, BSD and several other licenses, none of which have or need a standard EULA.  Open source software only has a license  in the install folder unless  you plain  to redistribute it  dont  matter you own it and you can  do as like with  it. 

 

You don't agree  to anything for most open software one exception is VLC  they prompt you do you want opt out of  them logging . Any Firefox will ask you do you want to opt out or not of servile things but dont have ELUA . you must agree to them logging you or not . But MPV  and other players dont even Log .  If you chose to use Closed Source software on Linux  you have to agree to each vendors EULA were you cant hold them labile and they can  do what they want , but they can hold you liable for altering it.

 

Debian and Firefox fight for 10 years over the fact Firefox had a   ELUA  saying they couldn't   use  Debian Patches with it so they forked Firefox into ICE Weasel tell Firefox gave in  and the Firefox logo was released under the free copyright license so there EULA  means nothing since  2016.

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3036509/iceweasel-will-be-renamed-firefox-as-relations-between-debian-and-mozilla-thaw.html

 

Moonchild / Palemoon act the same way as Firefox use to so there not really open-source  and no distro will host there packages they have there own Linux installer .

[jango]

My thought is nobody's perfect in this world even the God in the bible the Creator he make flood of his first creation because there is bug and error? Even Boss Bill Gates believe in God, But maybe we can fix the bug and error code to make a almost perfect OS ?