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!

  • tetris11
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    2 months ago

    I love dietpi. The entire software install is a huge 1000 line bash script. If that sounds horrific, it’s genuinely well structured and readable

    • ___@l.djw.li
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      2 months ago

      It does sound horrific, but mostly because it would be poorly executed by many devs.

      Well, and the seeming trend towards install commands that look like curl $file.sh | sh

      But if they’re not actively encouraging that, I see no issue with a well maintained install tool, created from well maintained toolsets that work on essentially any platform.

      • gerdesj
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        2 months ago

        Never heard of sh, I use bash and I call it as /usr/bin/bash (for security).