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The Perfect Linux OS

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The Perfect Linux OS: If all Linux distributions and projects were to merge with the ultimate goal of making a perfect computer operating system, sort of like creating a "Super OS", there is a huge possibility that Microsoft's Windows will be defeated. But we all know that at the moment, a union among Linux distributions is far from reality. So I created my own "Dream Team", a combination of the best Linux distros, highlighting their utmost strengths and pointing out the features that I consider as the key elements of a perfect operating system.

Here is my starting line-up:


Ubuntu
A perfect OS must be easy to install and manage. There’s no doubt that Ubuntu has the best installer of all the Linux distros today. I installed ‘Gutsy Gibbon ‘ yesterday and was so amazed at how easy and fast Ubuntu’s installation has become. By now, I can safely say that it is more effortless and a lot quicker to install than Windows. Its ‘package management’ system is also very admirable. Synaptic painlessly download, install, remove and update software packages than ever before. In addition, Ubuntu’s online repo is very accessible and has plenty of updated and useful packages.


openSUSE
A perfect Linux OS should be easy-to use and should also look good. If there’s one distro that really values aesthetics and user-friendliness, it is openSUSE. They always have excellent artworks, themes and wallpapers in almost all of their releases. The menus and icons are well-arranged and are easily accessible for beginners. Plus, I find Compiz to work perfectly on openSUSE than any other distro that I have tried.


PCLinuxOS
Hardware support should be a key element of a perfect OS, and I think PCLinuxOS is now doing it better than the rest of the Linux distributions. To support my claim, you can read a good article here. A lot of people can also testify that their hardware devices just work in PCLinuxOS. It could be the main reason why it is considered as today’s top distribution.


Slackware
A perfect Linux OS must run extremely stable. If you want stability, Slackware will deliver as it is designed to be steady and smooth running. It is also considered as the oldest surviving Linux distribution, a proof of its long standing stability and value. In fact, most experienced Linux users still prefer Slackware for their day-to-day hacking. :)


Fedora
A perfect Linux OS should be highly secure. For server use, Fedora is on top of my list. Many web servers are still running Fedora or its Red Hat sponsor for its reliable security features. It even has a "Security-Enhanced Linux" feature that executes a range of security policies, including U.S. Department of Defense style mandatory access controls, through the use of Linux Security Modules (LSM) in the Linux kernel.


Conclusion:
So there you have it. To sum it all up, a perfect Linux OS must have an Ubuntu installer and package management system, the OpenSUSE look and user-friendliness, a PCLinuxOS hardware support, Slackware’s stability, and Fedora’s security features.

I’m just curious, what is your "Perfect Linux OS"?

9 comments

  1. A fine article jun. However I would disagree with OpenSuse as user-friendly. Linux Mint is the most easy to use distro right now.

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  2. ever heard of Mandriva ? ....

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  3. Since you've added Slackware, you basically can add any distro :-)

    Debian is super solid, super stable.

    Mepis is Debian with eye candy.

    Sidex is Debian on the cutting edge.

    :-)

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  4. simple.
    given the pure poularity of ubuntu, start there.
    driver support of corse, but since you are merging everyone that will just fall into place.
    GNOME vs KDE must end!
    KDE is more configurable, so go with that, and dumb it down if need be. KDE4...smooooooth.
    there also need to be some legality covered, so an EASY option to purchase codec, or sell the OS with that cost already in it.
    familiarity options...first thing that comes to mind is an option at setup to make your system look like OSX (dock and all already installed) or Windows.
    Compiz-Fusion...default...all the time...make it just work on any system at least 5 years old or newer.

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  5. You are forgetting Mandriva in your perfect OS. I have both MDV 2008.0 and Ubuntu 7.10 installed with Maya installed. So far MDV is a clear winner.

    As for user friendliness, I have found how to use compiz with MDV. How do you do that is Ubuntu ?

    You have mention PCLINUXOS for its popularity but it seems fake :
    http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20071022#experiment
    It is a great distro though.

    Mint is also a very user-friendly distro.

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  6. I'm a Mepis Linux user, but last week I made one installation of PCLinuxOS,was some trobles with my sound card CMedia,but now everithing works fine. I'm waiting for the Mepis 7 stable release and I'll use both PCLinuxOS and Mepis.
    I tried Open Suse 10.3 m but after I installed the Nvidia drivers, X crashed, honestly I'm a Debian or derivates distro user (PCLOS is using Mandriva packaging system but have a wonderfull apt-get installer like Debian distro's)

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  7. PCLinuxOS is Mandriva done well

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  8. I have just dumped SUSE in favor of Ubuntu, though PCLinuxOS remains my primary Desktop.
    Thanks for this nice compilation.
    You may view my Articles on PCLinuxOS,SUSE and Ubuntu at http://desktopos.blogspot.com/

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  9. I'm looking for SimpliX!
    You can view my effort to found a simplified linux at http://simplix.blogspot.com
    For now I prefer Mepis 7 that I use in the beta 6 release.
    It is solid like Debian Stable, it is high quality configured like only Warren Woodford do, and have useful utilities for desktop/laptop that I can't try without!

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