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!
Void Linux. It's simple, lightweight (the base system doesn't come with much, only an installer you run from a TTY interface), and I like its package tree/templates system. Contributing to packages is pretty straightforward, however you need to be patient, as maintainers aren't as available as the ones from other (more popular) communities. Their IRC channel on Libera is also pretty helpful, when you run into problems.
I liked the install process for Void. I had a live USB and there were instructions to partition, install packages, and chroot. I could tell how it was getting set up and felt like I could easily make modifications to the install process if I wanted.