The best Linux in Russian. The best Russian Linux distributions

Let's face it, Linux can overwhelm almost any complexity for new users. But then, it is not Linux that brings this complexity, it is most likely the “newness” factor that causes such feelings.

This article is especially for those who have no idea what else you can use on your computer instead of Windows or Mac OS.

The best distributions for new users

Please remember that this is a list in no particular order. The main criteria for compiling this list are ease of installation out of the box, ease of use and availability of software packages.

If you've ever been interested in Linux on the Internet, then it's very likely that you've already come across . Ubuntu is one of the leading Linux distributions. And it's almost the perfect distro to start your Linux journey with.

Ubuntu has been labeled as Linux for the people. This is because Ubuntu has already put a lot of effort into universal usability. Ubuntu doesn't require you to be a prodigy. It breaks the concept of the Linux line - for programmers, and this is one of the main points.

Ubuntu offers a very convenient installation procedure. The installer simply says, “in what language do you want to install me?” You can even try Ubuntu before you start the installation procedure. The installer provides simple options:

• Erase disk and install Ubuntu
• Installation Ubuntu nearby from an existing OS (a choice is given at each startup to select the OS to boot).
• Setting up sections for users who know what they are doing.

Initial tip: Choose the second option if you are not sure what to do.

The user interface in Ubuntu is called Unity. This is a very simple desktop shell. Launch and favorite applications in the dock on the left side (the so-called “Dash”) and search for applications, which is carried out by clicking on the Super button (Windows) or by clicking on the Ubuntu logo. It couldn't be simpler, could it?

There is no hassle in installing drivers in Ubuntu, which comes with a hardware detector that detects, downloads and installs the optimal drivers for your PC. Moreover, the installed system comes with all the basic software such as music player, video player, office suite and other useful programs.

Ubuntu has great documentation and public support. The Ubuntu and Ask Ubuntu forums provide significant quality support in almost all aspects related to Ubuntu. And it is very likely that any question you want to ask may already have been answered by someone.

If you decide to install Ubuntu, then you can download this distribution on the official website.

Linux Mint Cinnamon

Most computer users are Windows users. And when a Windows user gets Linux, there is a fair amount of 'unlearning' that the user must go through. A huge number of operations have been recorded in our muscle memory. For example, the mouse goes to the bottom left corner of the screen (Start), you probably want to launch the application every time. I can only recommend a distribution that alleviates all these problems on Linux, and half the battle is won. Look at .

Zorin OS is an Ubuntu-based distribution with a highly polished Linux distribution that is well suited for users coming from Windows. Although almost every Linux distribution can be used by everyone, some people are very uncomfortable with seeing someone else's desktop, and Zorin OS will make this transition easier for you.

Package managers at first seem like something supernatural to Linux newbies. That's why Zorin OS comes with a huge (and I mean really huge) list of pre-installed software. Everything you need is already installed in Zorin OS.

Zorin OS comes with an amazing theme changing feature. It offers some heavy customization options with presets to make your OS look like Windows 7, XP, 2000 or even Mac.

These features make Zorin OS the best Linux distro for beginners, right?

Go to the official website to download it yourself latest version Zorin OS.

Since we looked at distributions for Windows users, let's see something for MacOS users. very quickly rose in the rankings, and is now always included in the list of the best distributions, all thanks to its aesthetic essence. Inspired by the look of MacOS, Elementary OS is one of the most beautiful Linux distributions.

Elementary OS is another Ubuntu-based distribution, which means that the operating system itself is undoubtedly stable. Elementary OS comes with the Pantheon desktop environment, and you can immediately notice the similarities with MacOS. This is an advantage for MacOS users who are moving to Linux, as they will feel very comfortable with this distribution, and it really makes the process of coping with the change easier.

The menu is very simple and customizable according to user preferences. The operating system is not intrusive, so you can really focus on your work. It comes with very little software pre-installed, so any new user won't be distracted by the huge bells and whistles, but will have everything they need out of the box. For additional software, Elementary OS provides a neat AppCenter that is accessible and easy to use. Everything in one place. You can get all the software you want and update in just a few clicks.

You should try it. You can download Elementary OS on the official website.

A large number of people who come to Linux are looking to revitalize old computers. In the operating room Windows system 10, many computers that had decent performance just a few years ago have become incompetent. And if you are looking for a distribution that will resurrect your old computer, then look towards Linux Mate.

Linux Mint Mate A very lightweight, not demanding, but still polished distro. It can work smoothly on weak computers. The desktop environment won't bring you bells and bells. But it is in no way inferior in functionality to any other desktop environment. The operating system is not intrusive and allows you to work productively without loss of quality.

Again, Linux Mint Mate is based on Ubuntu and takes advantage of Ubuntu's huge solid software repository. It comes with a minimum number of essentials that are pre-installed. Easy installation of drivers and management of system settings is very accessible even for beginners.

You can run Linux Mint Mate even if you have 512 MB RAM and 9 GB free space on your hard drive (the more, the better).

If you have already made your choice, then you can download Linux Mint Mate on the official website.

Before you say that you shouldn't guide a newbie to such a complex distribution as ArchLinux, listen to me first.

Arch is considered an expert distribution only because of its very complex installation procedure. Manajro and Arch Linux have a common origin. But they are pretty much different in every other way.

Has a very beginner friendly installation procedure. Many things are automated, such as driver installation using Hardware Detection. With Manjaro, you will forget about searching for manuals for installing drivers, which plagues many other Linux distributions. And even if you have questions, Manjaro has amazing community support.

Manjaro has its own software repository which maintains the latest software and this is one of the priorities for the users. One of the main differences between Arch and Manjaro is that Manjaro delays package releases to ensure that they are completely stable and will not cause regressions. You can also access the Arch User Repository on Manjaro, which has everything you need available.

You always want the system to work as stable as possible, to never break down or glitch. Unfortunately, this is not possible, but nevertheless, not all operating systems, including Linux distributions work equally reliably. Some contain proven software in which most of the problems have already been fixed, while others consist of completely new software, which is quite prone to various errors and problems.

In this article we will look at the most stable Linux distributions. Our list will include both enterprise-level distributions and those developed by the community. By using these distributions, you have the least risk of getting any problems with the system. But in most cases, the price for stability is the use of old versions of software that were released a year or a year and a half ago. If you're ready to go for it, let's get started.

This is one of the most popular distributions among power users and for servers. During its development, it is positioned as the most stable Linux distribution. And for good reason. At the same time, this is one of the oldest distributions. In fact, before being included in the distribution repositories, software is tested for a long time and thoroughly by users and developers. So carefully that we receive new versions of programs with a delay of one to one and a half years.

But these programs are completely stable and most of the known errors have already been fixed. The system receives security updates very quickly, so you don’t have to worry about this aspect. Because of this approach to software stability, Debian has gained popularity on servers, but it is not used so often among home users, due to the fact that everyone wants new versions of programs. Debian has unstable repositories and you can install new software from there, but using them loses all the benefits of this stable system.

2. Red Hat Enterprise Linux

This is a commercial-grade system being developed for use on servers by Red Hat. You can download and install the distribution for free, but for updates and technical support will have to pay. The company takes money for the fact that you will receive all security and software updates in a timely manner, as well as for maintaining the system in working order. And they cope with this task with a bang. Updates come out quite often.

But there remains a problem inherent to Debian, you end up with slightly older versions of the software. Yes, usually the versions of programs here are newer than in Debian, but nevertheless, turning off the program in the repository should take place certain time. As for stability, the distribution works no worse than Debian. If in Fedora all new technologies are only tested, then here they already come fully debugged.

3. CentOS

It is a community supported distribution but built on top of Red Hat. It's essentially Red Hat, only it's completely free and periodically syncs with the Red Hat codebase to keep you updated with software and security updates. Here you get the same stability as in Red Hat, since all the branding is just cut out of the system, and everything else is almost identical.

CentOS is most often used on servers, but is also popular as a distribution for home computers, since the repositories have everything you need for regular user The software and system are quite stable.

4.OpenSUSE

The OpenSUSE distribution is developed by Novell and is based on the developments of the SUSE Linux Enterprise distribution. It is not as stable as previous options because it contains newer software. But this can be a golden mean for those who want new software on the one hand, and a fairly stable system on the other.

Since the developers are simultaneously working on the commercial version, errors and bugs are fixed fairly quickly. Perhaps after the release you can find a couple of errors and bugs in the system, but after some time everything will be fixed and you will get a completely stable system with fairly new software.

Conclusions

I would like to also mention Ubuntu, Linux Mint and other excellent distributions in this list, but no. They lack stability. About regular version There is nothing to say about Ubuntu, it is full of bugs and problems after each release, with the LTS version things are a little better, but not as good as in Debian or Red Hat. The Linux Mint distribution also uses new software and is not always sufficiently tested, so it cannot be positioned as the most stable Linux distribution 2016.

These were the most stable Linux distributions in my opinion, but your opinion may differ from mine. Which distributions do you consider the most stable? Write about it in the comments!

To finish, I offer you a video about the most beautiful Linux distributions:

Today I want to present a translation of the article 10 most popular Linux distributions in 2015 from the resource tecmint.com

2015 is coming to an end, and so it’s time to see which distributions were the most popular this year. Comparing this data with last year will help us understand whether their popularity is actually increasing. Ready to get started? Let's move on to the list.

To determine which distributions were the most popular, we will use the Distowatch service and the rating page. This way we can select a wide range of time periods, which will allow us to compare the popularity of Linux and BSD distributions over different periods.

First let's take a look at comparison table, which lists the positions of the top 10 distributions for this year and 2014:

As you can see, there have been no significant changes this year. Now let's look at the top 10 distributions with highest rating by Distrowatch, in descending order.

As the developers say: "it's fast and open Windows replacement and MacOS X." Elementary OS is a cute, Ubuntu LTS-based system that first appeared in 2011, and has now reached its third stable release with code name Freya.

Since Elementary OS is based on Ubuntu, it is fully compatible with its repositories and packages. Nevertheless, it already has its own package manager, although it is still at the development stage. This is probably one of the most promising distributions.

9.ArchLinux

One of the most striking features ArchLinux, there is something that is independent source code, that is, it is not based on any other distribution. And yet it remains a favorite of thousands of Linux users.

ArchLinux follows the rolling implementation model. This means that you can get the latest version of the software simply by doing regular updates systems using the pacman package manager.

Arch Linux is not recommended for inexperienced users, this is primarily due to the complex installation process. There is no installation wizard and you need to have some knowledge of Linux to manually install the system.

There are several other Arch-based distros that are more beginner-friendly: Apricity, Manjaro, AntegerOS, VeltOS.

8. CentOS

Community ENTerprise Operating System is the most well-known and popular server operating system. But its desktop version continues to improve.

Its stability, reliability and 100% binary compatibility make CentOS an excellent alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux - specifically designed for cloud VPS.

Based on ArchLinux, it aims to use all of it strengths and provides more easy installation, work, as they say, out of the box. Aimed at both new and more experienced users.

Manjaro comes pre-installed with a variety of desktop environments to choose from, as well as many popular applications, including software center and multimedia codecs.

Launched in 2010 as a fork of the now-closed Mandriva, Mageia Linux has gained popularity, becoming a well-known, secure and stable operating system for servers and desktop computers. Supported by a non-profit organization.

One of the most interesting features of Mageia is that the full installation DVD allows you to select the desired desktop environment for installation.

At the moment, new versions of Mageia are released every 9 months and are supported for a year and a half.

Developed and maintained by the Fedora Project (and Red Hat contributors) and a global community of volunteers and developers. Fedora continues to be one of the most used distributions over the past few years, with three major versions of Workstation, desktop, server, and cloud. There is also an ARM version.

A special feature of Fedora is that it always includes the latest versions of packages and new technologies in the distribution. And also the latest releases of Red Hat Enterprise and CentOS are based on Fedora.

Available in two versions - rolling releases and fixed regular releases. OpenSUSE is a distribution for developers system administrators and users of various experience levels (both beginners and professionals). On top of it all is the renowned and award-winning SUSE Linux Enterprise, which is based on OpenSUSE.

This distribution probably doesn't need any introduction. Canonical has spent a lot of effort to make it popular and widespread. Therefore, now you can see it on smartphones, tablets, PCs, servers and cloud VPS.

Moreover, one of the advantages of Ubuntu is that it is based on Debian and is very popular among novice users. Perhaps this is the reason for its steady growth over time. Although not included in our ranking, Ubuntu is the basis for such offshoots as Kubuntu, Xubuntu and Lubuntu.

In addition, the installation image contains the opportunity to try Ubuntu without installing directly to the disk. True, almost all modern distributions already have such a function, but at the beginning of Ubuntu’s development it was a big advantage.

This is the most stable Linux distribution, new versions are released every two years, but you can be sure that everything has been thoroughly tested.

At the time of writing this article, the Debian repositories are current stable version contains 43,500 packages, making it one of the most comprehensive Linux distributions.

Most often Debian is found on servers. But the desktop version is also lately received many improvements, including improved appearance.

1. Linux Mint

Linux Mint is known for its motto - from freedom to elegance, and these are not just words. It is an Ubuntu based, stable, powerful, complete and easy to use Linux distribution. And that's not all its advantages.

Among the main features of Linux Mint are its own Cinnamon desktop environment, a lot of pre-installed software, drivers, and branded programs to solve the most frequently encountered problems.

Founder and site administrator, I am passionate about open source software and the Linux operating system. I currently use Ubuntu as my main OS. In addition to Linux, I am interested in everything related to information technology and modern science.

Modern GNU/Linux is more than a set of programs and an installer. Rather, it is the implementation of a certain ideal OS, as a specific development team sees it. But even the most popular distributions are far from perfect, which is why many Linux systems are in constant search. We will also look for alternatives.

Mageia 3

Base: Mandriva
Project website: mageia.org/ru
License: GPL
Hardware platforms: i586, x86_64

Kernel 3.8.13, Glibc 2.17, systemd 195, X.org 1.13.4, KDE 4.10.2, GNOME 3.6, Xfce 4.10, LibreOffice 4.0.3

Mageia has a lot in common with its ancestor; working with it is in many ways similar to Mandriva and is understandable even for a novice user. There are no problems with localization. The interface has been translated into 167 languages, and the project website is available in several languages.

The desktop is made traditionally, everything is in its place. Configuration is carried out using standard tools, such as KDE System Settings. Among the specific applications we can mention Mageia Control Center, based on Mandriva Control Center. Here you can configure software sources, equipment and network connections, system and security management, importing documents and settings from Windows, and so on. Programs are installed using graphical package managers RPMdrake and Apper. The capabilities of the first one are similar to Synaptic; all applications are well structured. Although the lack of a rating like in the Ubuntu Software Center makes the choice a little more difficult for a beginner. Apper Manager is a little simpler; to get to the program, you need to go through several windows or use a filter. Although it is interesting that Apper sometimes sees updates that RPMdrake does not show.

The repository is divided into three parts: Core (main storage with free license), Nonfree (free closed-source packages, drivers, etc.), Tainted (packages with a free license, but capable of violating the laws of a number of countries, codecs). Only Core is connected by default. If the installer detects the need for proprietary drivers, Nonfree and Tainted are installed automatically (in version 3, previously you had to do this manually). Most equipment is recognized correctly without user intervention.

The hard drive installation program is very simple and is completely copied from Mandriva. In version 3, the ability to install the system on the Btrfs file system was added, the appearance was updated, and the ability to restore the system from an SMB partition appeared.

It is also worth noting the presence of the Digidoc portal client, which allows you to sign documents, check the validity of the signature and provide access to other portal users. For the convenience of security settings, ready-made profiles are used (installed in the control center) that make settings easier: standard, netbook, secure, fileserver, webserver and audit_daily/weakly. Each of them is accompanied by a detailed description.

There are several images available for download. For traditional installation: x86 and x64 DVD, containing the most complete set of software, as well as a “dual” architecture CD with a minimum set. In addition, Live images of the GNOME and KDE desktops and network installation images are offered.

The project provides relatively little instruction and guidance, but many questions can be answered on the community forum or in the official Mandriva documentation.

Arch Linux 2013.10.01

Base: from scratch
Project website: archlinux.org
License: GPL

System requirements: Intel Pentium II, 512 MB RAM, 6 GB
Kernel 3.11.2, systemd 208, Glibc 2.18, X.org 1.14.3, Openbox 3.5.2, LibreOffice 4.1.2

Arch is installed as a minimum basic system(internet connection required) and then tailored to the specific task, with installation only necessary components, and not by removing unnecessary ones, as is usually the case. Given that the process uses the current repository, updating immediately after installation is not required. The distribution will be in the form the user configures it; in case of failure, problems will also arise (unstable operation, brakes, etc.). All this, of course, requires some experience, attention and perseverance, but the result is worth it.

Arch is built on a rolling release principle, so it is updated as needed, and the user uses the latest software. Although the risk of getting an unstable system is quite high, so before global update It is advisable to check the forum.

Unlike Gentoo, the main way to install applications here is using binary packages (essentially, pkg.tar.gz archives, which contain all the information, including dependencies), this significantly speeds up the process and does not require a powerful computer for compilation . The basis is the pacman package manager, which allows you to install packages and completely update the system with one command.

For those who prefer to build applications from source, the Arch Build System is provided, which is reminiscent of the BSD port system. All operations are performed with one makepkg command, the created packages (unlike FreeBSD, the package is created anyway, as in CRUX) are then monitored using pacman. Therefore, you can use both methods in parallel. Another feature: packages are usually compiled without patches or with a minimum number of them.

In addition to the official repositories, a custom AUR (Arch User Repository) is also supported, in which you can find PKGBUILD scripts for building packages from sources.

There is a big plus - extensive and up-to-date project documentation, which covers all the issues and subtleties. Therefore, Arch can be recommended to all those who want to thoroughly learn Linux. The answer can be found on any Arch community resource and IRC channel.

The installation comes with a dual-boot ISO image that can be used on 32- and 64-bit systems.

Manjaro Linux 0.8.7.1

Base: Arch Linux
Project website: manjaro.org
License: GPL
Hardware platforms: i686, x86_64
Recommended system requirements: 1 GHz CPU, 1 GB RAM, 30 GB HDD
Kernel 3.10.11, Glibc 2.18, systemd 204, X.org 1.14.2, Xfce 4.10, Openbox 3.5.2, LibreOffice 4.1.1

Like Arch, Manjaro uses a rolling release scheme, meaning the system is updated as needed, without a complete reinstallation. To install applications, the package manager from Arch - pacman and the graphical frontend pamac (something like a simplified Synaptic) are used; updates are monitored by the Update Manager. At the same time, Manjaro is compatible with AUR repositories from Arch (they can be connected if necessary), but uses its own. The distribution is officially in beta, and there are still various inconsistencies when updating the distribution, setting hardware parameters (for example, adjusting screen resolution) and running something complex like Compiz. But the project is developing quickly, and the unpleasant moments are becoming less and less.

Currently implemented are the Manjaro Installer graphical installer (taken from Linux Mint), the console device management utility mhwd (Manjaro HardWare Detection), the Manjaro Welcome screen with basic settings (as in Mint), and the Manjaro Settings Manager control center. The latter still provides installation language packs, changing locale and keyboard layout, account management. The list of available kernels can be requested using the mhwd-kernel -li command. Out of the box there is full support for multimedia codecs.

At the moment, the mhwd utility is under development and can automatically install drivers and required parameters V configuration files only for PCI devices. For devices operating via USB, all operations will probably have to be done manually. A detailed list of all devices and available drivers can be obtained as follows:

$ mhwd -lh -d $ mhwd -la

Manjaro Installer does not cause any difficulties in operation; all steps are clear and logical. The default file system is ext4, the disk is automatically divided into root and swap. At manual setting partitions is called by GParted. It is possible to install the distribution not only in graphical mode, but also in text mode.

Working environments are officially supported: XFCE, Openbox and the so-called Minimal Net Edition, containing minimum set Software, without graphical environment. The Xfce desktop is organized traditionally and looks elegant. Optimization has been carried out, and the system does not consume many resources. Thunar is used as a file manager. All the customization tools for this environment are present, so the appearance can be easily changed. Additionally, the community in Community Editions powers: E17, MATE, LXDE, Cinnamon/Gnome-shell and KDE/Razor-qt.

Of course, you can call Manjaro a distribution for a beginner, but only with some stretch, a lot of things will have to be done manually to configure correctly and for yourself, but an experienced user will certainly like it. A big advantage of the project is a good selection of documentation. After loading the system, a PDF file is available on the desktop containing all the basic information so that the user can quickly navigate. The root password in Live mode is manjaro.

Zorin OS 6.4/7

There is no localization out of the box, but it’s easy to make the system “speak” Russian. When loading, a settings window appears in which you can select desired language, after which recommendations for further actions will be given (you need to install langpack_ru). Here I would like to note the community of Russian-speaking followers of PuppyRus Linux, which offers its builds (localized), various manuals and support on the forum.

PCLinuxOS distribution

The project by Bill “Texstar” Reynolds, launched in 2003 based on additions to Mandrake (now Mandriva), at the time of its appearance offered work in the Live version and multimedia codecs installed out of the box. Since 2007, PCLinuxOS has used its own codebase and is not affiliated with Mandriva in any way. Aimed at both beginners and advanced experienced user. The main desktop was and remains KDE initially (in DVD - Full and CD - MiniMe versions), but the community is developing spins builds with LXDE, Openbox and WMii, which have smaller system requirements: from 384, 256 and 128 MB respectively. FullMonty Desktop is also available, which is a DVD with the maximum amount of software.

For a long time, the project released only 32-bit builds, for which it was constantly criticized, but starting from 2013.04, a version for x86_64 is also available.

RPMs are used as packages, but there are two interesting facts here. The first is that APT and Synaptic are used for installation (at the time of the creation of the distribution, URPM had just appeared). Second, the distribution is implemented as a rolling release. This requires some discipline - the system needs to be updated constantly (at least once every two weeks), otherwise large number updates can easily crash the OS. Unlike other distributions that use a similar scheme, in PCLinuxOS an update does not mean “getting everything new.” Several people are involved in the assembly, and all packages are thoroughly tested. Therefore, updates arrive with a delay, but with less risk of disrupting performance. In addition to its own packages, the repository may contain modified packages from Fedora, openSUSE, Mageia and Mandriva; patches from other projects (Arch, Ubuntu, Debian, PLD and others) are used during assembly.

The package includes a large number of drivers, including closed-source ones (for example, for ATI cards).

Localization carried out on high level. The KDE version supports 85 languages. In addition to KDE System Settings (called Configure Your Desktop), the distribution is equipped with several specific tools: PCLinuxOS Control Center, NTFS Configuration Tool and Live USB Creator (mylivecd), designed to take a “snapshot” of the current installation and save it to a CD/DVD ISO. This makes it very easy to create your own assemblies or back up data.

The installation process on a hard drive is very simple and does not cause any problems. The project provides good documentation and produces its own electronic magazine PCLinuxOS Magazine. You can get support on the forum or mailing list.

The password for the root user in Live mode is root.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Linux world is diverse, and you can always choose the most suitable solution for yourself based on aesthetics, convenience or tasks.

It's time to take stock as the year comes to an end. There have been many truly great and interesting releases in the Linux world, some distributions have received new versions, others have changed their development vector, and others have even started developing a new concept for their products. There are many accomplishments, but keeping track of them all is a difficult task, and perhaps even incomprehensible to some. However, here and now we have collected for you top 5 best Linux distributions for 2017 according to GitJournal. Naturally, our opinion is purely subjective and does not claim to be the ultimate truth, but nevertheless, if you want to add or refute something, write about it in the comments. You can also check out and.

The best Linux distributions of 2017

Manjaro Linux

No matter what anyone says, this distribution confidently takes the first place in Distowatch. In 2017, Manjaro quickly jumped to 3rd place, and perhaps in 2018 it will become the leader of this rating.

The Arch-like distribution is famous not only for its completeness and stability, but also for its responsiveness to beginners, as well as improved hardware support. It was thanks to all these nuances together that Manjaro began to enjoy popularity, which ultimately brought it to the leading positions of many of the top best Linux distributions.

Officially, Manjaro Linux comes with three graphical shells. It's fast XFCE, beautiful and feature-rich KDE, and elegant and sophisticated GNOME. But you can also use community versions, which currently include the following graphical shells: Mate, LXDE, LXQT, Cinnamon, Budgie, DDE. There is also an assembly with the i3 tile window manager, but this is for special connoisseurs.

More detailed information You can find information about this distribution on the official resource. There you can also find links to download Manjaro images, or if you want, you can use the button below, which will take you directly to the download page.

Linux Mint

In the same ranking, Distroarch Linux Mint has been ranked first for many years now. But this is far from the only reason why this distribution is in our top 5.

Mint is an Ubuntu-derived version of GNU/Linux (more precise than just Linux) that specializes in providing users with a convenient and efficient operating system. . That is, immediately after installation the computer will be ready for use.

Developers use and support their own graphical shell, Cinnamon, but Linux Mint is also available in other editions. For example, you can use versions with XFCE, KDE and MATE. There may be versions with other shells, but they are already being developed and supported by the community.

The distribution is great for work and simple home use, it has proper stability and does not require constant monitoring by users.

For the rest of the information, you can go to the official Linux Mint resource, as well as the developers' blog. There, among other things, you will find release announcements and changelogs. And to go to the download page, click on this button:

Ubuntu

What top would be complete without the orange giant. Ubuntu is the ancestor of hundreds of other distributions, and it is deservedly considered one of the best.

2017 was a turning point for Ubuntu. Just two months ago, Ubuntu 17.10 was released. A distribution that uses GNOME as its default desktop environment. Canonical decided to abandon Unity, which was a rather painful act for a huge number of fans. But is it all that bad? Yes, now Unity will not be used as a standard shell, but .

Custom GNOME in corporate colors and style looks quite nice. Many users note that given environment more convenient and practical. And again, there is the possibility of using other versions, as they say, choose as much as you like. The Ubuntu family has distributions with almost all known graphical environments, so you definitely won’t get bored.

We must not forget that, like previous distributions, Ubuntu is a fairly friendly system. Many people fell in love with this system, to say nothing, they even recommend this distribution, positioning it as “the most beloved.”

You can get acquainted with this system in more detail on the official Russian-language website. You can also read the article:. And the beautiful orange button below will take you directly to the download page:

Arch Linux

It’s probably worth starting with the fact that this distribution is definitely not for beginners. Arch Linux is not user-friendly, and many may have difficulty installing and configuring it. However, if you can still do this, as a reward for your efforts you will receive a stable, virtually indestructible system for home and work.

As already mentioned, installing Arch is quite complex. It is worth remembering that it is reproduced using console commands and configs, which you will edit throughout the installation. Naturally, all these commands, their sequence and nuances are available in the official documentation. By the way, it is even in Russian. In the Installation guide you can find answers to all your questions. There, the installation and configuration process is literally described point by point, following which you will certainly come to the result. However, it is worth saying that you should first try installing this system on virtual machine, and only then to the real one. This way, at least you won’t waste time restoring your PC in case you make a mistake somewhere.

The Arch Linux philosophy implies that the user must independently control the operation of his PC. This means that logically the system should be more difficult to use. But no matter how it is. Using this distribution, you will very quickly master the basics of Linux administration. You will learn the necessary commands, learn how to work with the terminal and settings, and, in principle, you will be ready for any surprises. And although everything looks complicated and incomprehensible at first, you will soon begin to understand how your system works.

It’s also worth noting here regarding graphical shells: you are free to install absolutely any environment, because installing this distribution is comparable to assembling a constructor. At a certain stage, you only need to select the one you need, and then, based on this, continue installing the system.

More information can be found at