Linux Distributions

Ubuntu? Debian? Centos? Arch? Kali? Bhodie?

Which do I choose? What do these names even mean? I thought Linux was just called Linux. Just like “ice cream” is a type dessert, Linux also comes in just as many flavors.

If you’re curious about the history of Linux, the Wikipedia article covers that pretty well. In a nutshell, if it isn’t Windows or MacOS, it’s probably some variety of Linux. This includes all of your smart speakers, networking devices, Android phones, and your Roku or Fire Stick. If you’re feeling brave, you too can run Linux as your daily driver.

My very first foray into Linux was following a guide to build a retro console emulator on a Raspberry Pi. I didn’t know anything about Linux at the time, but I was able to follow the setup guide without any real hiccups. Quite honestly, most of learning Linux is just following guides and correcting your mistakes as you go.

Outside of work, my next Linux project begin with the desire for a laptop that wasn’t my work laptop. At the time, I didn’t want to invest a ton into a new laptop, and I also wanted something more substantial than a Chromebook. I ended up finding a somewhat older but still-capable Dell Latitude E7450 on eBay for roughly $150 shipped. It had Windows 10 installed on it, which I immediately stripped away and replaced with Linux Mint.

Linux Mint is a snappy little distribution based on Ubuntu, and has a very “Windows-like” feel to it. It booted surprisingly fast on this old hardware, and handled nearly everything I could throw at it for my basic needs. I even managed to play Stardew Valley with upwards of 80 mods with no trouble. I’ve since wiped Mint off the system and replaced it with Pop!_Os which is honestly probably even more beginner-friendly.

The options for what distro to run are nearly limitless at this point, but if you’ve got an old laptop laying around collecting dust, it might be worth your while to just give it a try.