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this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2026
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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I wouldn't say arch and arch-based are the same thing. If someone specifically asks about arch, I'd be inclined to advise them it's not suitable for people not interested in reading and learning a bit. But I also agree arch-based are pretty solid and much more beginner friendly.
I mean, Arch is a pretty nice place to start for someone who is interested in understanding how the system works and to get a glimpse of what is system administration. But if that is not the objective, and the person just wants to use the pc normally, then I guess any other distribution will be fine. At this point I feel there really is no point to all these different distributions. When Ubuntu came out it was the great new thing simple to use and friendly to new users. When Mint came out it was the brand new Ubuntu even better than before. But at this point... Pretty much any distribution is usable, do we really need so many?
There's some 5 arch based that came out past year, God knows how many Debian based and so on. I feel this has become futile. Just pick any distribution, it will be fine: arch may break a bit more often than the other ones, provided you can set it up; pick any derivative if you don't want to spend time setting it up. Debian may have packages that are a bit outdated, pick any derivative if you want a bit newer packages. Fedora will be in between. Suse will also be in between.
That's pretty much it: do you want something extremely stable? Debian. Do you want the latest update few hours after they've been pushed by dev? Arch. None of these constraints? Literally any other distribution.
That was a bit off piste wasn't it!
Yes, I'm tired of all this distro thing. Let's stop giving distro advice to new users. Tell them to just pick any as it doesn't influence their experience in the slightest.