Summarize the basic introduction and download address of the most popular Linux distribution, hoping to be useful to everyone.

Linux Mint

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Debian, Ubuntu
  • Origin: Ireland
  • Architecture: i386, x86_64
  • Desktop: Cinnamon, GNOME, KDE, MATE, Xfce
  • Category: beginner, desktop, life

Linux Mint was released by the Linux Mint Team in 2006. It is a Linux distribution based on Debian and Ubuntu. Its goal is to provide a more complete immediate experience, which includes providing browser plug-ins, multimedia codecs, support for DVD playback, Java and other components. It also adds a set of customized desktop and various menus, some unique configuration tools, and a web-based software package installation interface. Linux Mint is a user-friendly and powerful operating system. The purpose of its birth is to provide a free, easy-to-use, comfortable and elegant desktop operating system for home users and enterprises.

Official website: http://www.linuxmint.com/
Download address: http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

Fedora

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Independent
  • Origin: America
  • Architecture: arm, i686, powerpc, s390x, ppc64, x86_64
  • Desktop: Cinnamon, GNOME, KDE, LXDE, MATE, Openbox, Xfce
  • Classification: desktop, server, life

Fedora is a well-known Linux distribution, which is a fast, stable and powerful operating system for daily applications built by global community enthusiasts. It allows anyone to use, modify, and redistribute freely, now or in the future. It is developed by a powerful community, whose members provide and maintain free, open source software and open standards with their unremitting efforts.

Official website: http://fedoraproject.org/
Download address: http://fedoraproject.org/zh_CN/get-fedora

Mageia

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Independent (formerly a branch of Mandriva)
  • Origin: France
  • Architecture: i586, x86_64
  • Desktop: GNOME, IceWM, KDE, LXDE, Openbox, WMaker, Xfce
  • Classification: desktop, life, server

Mageia was originally a new distribution based on Mandriva Linux. This is a community driven product and will not rely on any company. At present, they are setting up a non-profit management organization to manage members of this community. Mageia is a branch of Mandriva Linux formed in September 2010. It was founded by former employees and contributors of the popular Linux distribution from France. Different from Mandriva, the business entity, Mageia is a community project and a non-profit organization. Its goal is to develop a free Linux based operating system.

Official website: http://www.mageia.org/zh-cn/
Download address: http://www.mageia.org/zh-cn/downloads/

Ubuntu

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Debian, Ubuntu
  • Origin: Isle of Man
  • Architecture: i686, powerpc, x86_64
  • Desktop: Unity
  • Classification: beginner, desktop, server, life, netbook

Ubuntu (Youbang Tuo) is a Linux operating system based on desktop applications. Its name comes from the word "ubuntu" in Zulu or Hausa in southern Africa, which means "human nature" and "I exist because everyone exists". It is a traditional African value, similar to the idea of "benevolence" in Chinese society. Ubuntu is based on Debian distribution and GNOME desktop environment. The difference between Ubuntu and Debian is that it releases a new version every six months. The goal of Ubuntu is to provide ordinary users with an up-to-date and stable operating system mainly built by free software. Ubuntu has a huge community power, and users can easily get help from the community. On January 3, 2013, Ubuntu officially released its mobile operating system for smart phones.

Official website: http://www.ubuntu.org.cn/
Download address: http://www.ubuntu.org.cn/download

openSUSE

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Independent
  • Origin: Germany
  • Architecture: i586, x86_64
  • Desktop: Blackbox, GNOME, IceWM, KDE, LXDE, Openbox, WMaker, Xfce
  • Classification: desktop, server, life

The openSUSE project is an open source community project initiated by Novell. It aims to promote the widespread use of Linux. OpenSUSE.org provides a free and simple way to obtain the world's best Linux distribution, SUSE Linux. The openSUSE project provides Linux developers and enthusiasts with everything they need to start using Linux. The original name of openSUSE is SUSE Linux. SUSE Linux after 10.2 is renamed openSUSE. The openSUSE project is sponsored by Novell. The openSUSE operating system and related open source programs will be used by Novell as the basis of Novell Enterprise Linux (such as SLES and SLED). In short, openSUSE is completely free for individuals, including use and online updates.

Official website: http://www.opensuse.org/zh-cn/
Download address: http://software.opensuse.org/122/zh_CN

CentOS

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Fedora, Red Hat
  • Origin: America
  • Architecture: i386, x86_64
  • Desktop: GNOME, KDE
  • Classification: desktop, life, server

CentOS (Community Enterprise Operating System) is one of Linux distributions. It is compiled from the source code released by Red Hat Enterprise Linux according to the open source regulations. Because they come from the same source code, some servers that require high stability use CentOS instead of the commercial version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The difference is that CentOS does not contain closed source software.

Official website: http://www.centos.org/
Download address: http://mirrors.163.com/centos/

Debian

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Independent
  • Origin: Global
  • Architecture: armel, hppa, ia64, i386, mips, mipsel, powerpc, s390, sparc64, x86_64
  • Desktop: AfterStep, Blackbox, Fluxbox, GNOME, IceWM, KDE, LXDE, Openbox, WMaker, Xfce
  • Classification: desktop, life, server

Debian is an operating system (OS) that can be installed on a computer. An operating system is a series of basic programs and utilities that allow your computer to work. Debian uses the Linux Kernel (the core of the operating system), but most of the basic operating system tools come from the GNU project, so it is also called GNU/Linux. Debian GNU/Linux comes with more than 29000 software packages. These pre compiled software are packaged in a good format for installation on your machine. The work to enable Debian to support other kernels is also ongoing, and the most important one is Hurd. Hurd is a group of daemons that run on a microkernel (such as Mach) and provide various functions.

Official website: http://www.debian.org/
Download address: http://www.debian.org/distrib/

Arch Linux

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Independent
  • Origin: Canada
  • Architecture: i686, x86_64
  • Desktop: Blackbox, Fluxbox, GNOME, IceWM, KDE, LXDE, Openbox, WMaker, Xfce
  • Classification: desktop, server

Arch Linux (or Arch) is a Linux distribution designed to be lightweight and simple. Its development team adheres to the design principles of simplicity, elegance, correctness and code minimization. The Arch Linux project was inspired by CRUX and started by Judd Vinet in 2002.

Official website: https://www.archlinux.org/
Download address: https://www.archlinux.org/download/

FreeBSD

  • System: BSD
  • Based on: Independent
  • Origin: America
  • Architecture: arm, armel, i386, ia64, mips, mipsel, sparc64, pc98, powerpc, powerpc64, ps3, x86_64, xbox
  • Desktop: AfterStep, Blackbox, Enlightenment, Fluxbox, GNOME, IceWM, KDE, LXDE, Openbox, WMaker, Xfce
  • Classification: desktop, firewall, server

FreeBSD is a UNIX operating system, which is an important branch of Unix developed from BSD, 386BSD and 4.4BSD. FreeBSD provides different levels of support for computer systems with different architectures.

Official website: http://www.freebsd.org/
Download address: http://www.freebsd.org/where.html

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Fedora
  • Origin: America
  • Architecture: i386, ia64, powerpc, s390, s390x, x86_64
  • Desktop: GNOME, KDE
  • Classification: desktop, server

Red Hat is the world's largest open source technology manufacturer, and its product Red Hat Linux is also the most widely used Linux in the world. Red Hat is headquartered in North Carolina, USA. It has 22 branches worldwide.

Official website: http://www.redhat.com/
Download address: https://access.redhat.com/downloads/

Gentoo Linux

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Independent
  • Origin: America
  • Architecture: i486, i586, i686, x86_64, alpha, arm, hppa, mips, powerpc, ppc64, sparc64
  • Desktop: AfterStep, Blackbox, Fluxbox, GNOME, IceWM, KDE, LXDE, Openbox, WMaker, Xfce
  • Classification: desktop, server, source code center

Gentoo Linux is a general, fast and completely free Linux distribution, which is aimed at developers and network professionals. Different from other distributions, Gentoo Linux has an advanced package management system called Portage. In the tradition of BSD ports, Portage is a true automatic import system. However, Portage in Gentoo is written in Python, and it has many advanced features, including file dependency, fine package management, OpenBSD style virtual installation, security uninstallation, system framework files, virtual software packages, configuration file management, and so on.

Official website: http://www.gentoo.org/
Download address: http://gentoo.aditsu.net:8000/

Slackware

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Independent
  • Origin: America
  • Architecture: arm, i486, s390, x86_64
  • Desktop: Blackbox, Fluxbox, FVWM, KDE, WMaker, Xfce
  • Classification: desktop, server

Slackware Linux operating system, founded by Patrick Volkerding in 1992, is the oldest existing Linux distribution. The SLS project has been stopped since now. Slackware 1.0 has used 24 floppy disks, and the Linux kernel version 0.99pl11- α above. It quickly became the most popular Linux distribution, and some people even estimated that its Linux installation market share reached 80% in 1995. The sharp decline in its popularity is related to the release of Red Hat Linux and other easier to use distributions, but Slackware Linux is still a highly appreciated system that is more oriented to system administrator technology and desktop users in business.

Official website: http://www.slackware.com/
Download address: http://www.slackware.com/getslack/

Snowlinux

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Debian, Ubuntu
  • Origin: Germany
  • Architecture: i386, x86_64
  • Desktop: Cinnamon, Enlightenment, GNOME, KDE, LXDE, MATE, Xfce
  • Classification: desktop, life

Snowlinux is a set of Linux distribution based on the latest stable version of Debian, which features four desktop environments: GNOME, KDE, LXDE, and Xfce. Its purpose is user friendliness, integration of a variety of useful adjustments and carefully selected applications. The project also develops an Ubuntu based style, which features MATE desktop (a branch of GNOME 2).

Official website: http://www.snowlinux.de/
Download address: http://www.snowlinux.de/download

SolusOS

System: Linux
Based on: Debian
Origin: England
Architecture: i386, x86_64
Desktop: Consort
Classification: desktop, life

SolusOS is a beginner friendly desktop Linux distribution built on Debian Linux. It uses GNOME 2 desktop, from Debian's "backports" own information base and projects, a complete set of multimedia plug-ins, customized GNOME menu update applications, and a good choice of default applications for intuitive graphical installation programs.

Official website: http://solusos.com/
Download address: http://solusos.com/download/

PCLinuxOS

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Independent
  • Origin: America
  • Architecture: i586
  • Desktop: Enlightenment, Fluxbox, GNOME, IceWM, KDE, LXDE, Openbox, Xfce
  • Category: beginner, desktop, life

PCLinuxOS is a completely open version of Linux. Through the unremitting efforts of the PCLinuxOS development team, it is increasingly attracting the attention of Linux enthusiasts. Adhering to the concept of "easy to use, secure", PCLinuxOS has gradually grown into a stable and mature version. Without the help of large companies, the development team of PCLinuxOS miraculously pushed such a civilian Linux version to the peak of the Linux world, and also let Linux's open source and free spirit shine.

Official website: http://www.pclinuxos.com/
Download address: http://pclinuxos.com/?page_id=10

CrunchBang Linux

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Debian
  • Origin: England
  • Architecture: i386, x86_64
  • Desktop: Openbox
  • Classification: desktop, netbook, low configuration old computer

CrunchBang Linux is a Debian based distribution, which features lightweight Openbox window manager and GTK+applications. The release was created from a minimal Ubuntu system and was customized to provide a good balance between speed and functionality. CrunchBang Linux is currently available on a self booting CD. However, it is recommended to install it on the hard disk for the best performance.

Official website: http://crunchbanglinux.org/
Download address: http://crunchbanglinux.org/downloads/

Magic Linux

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Fedora
  • Origin: China
  • Architecture: i386
  • Desktop: KDE
  • Classification: desktop, life

Magic Linux is a new Linux distribution, referred to as MGC, which is a version for Chinese people. It is a Chinese Linux distribution produced by community members of the Chinese Linux Commune and Linux enthusiasts. It is now modified based on Fedora. The purpose of Magic Linux is very simple: let everyone really use Linux, rather than go one after another to Chinese Linux. Magic Linux's slogan is: There is no dream that cannot be realized.

Official website: http://www.magiclinux.org/
Download address: http://www.magiclinux.org/download

Linux Deepin

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Debian, Ubuntu
  • Origin: China
  • Architecture: i386, x86_64
  • Desktop: GNOME
  • Category: Desktop

Linux Deep is currently the most active Linux distribution in China. Linux Deepin always insists on providing a stable and efficient operating system for everyone, emphasizing safety, ease of use and beauty. Its slogan is "avoid the pain of novices and save the time of veteran". With the participation of the community, "making Linux easier to use" has also become a touchable reality. This is due to the strong support from its business support company, Shenzhidu Technology.

Official website: http://linuxdeepin.com/
Download address: http://www.linuxdeepin.com/download

StartOS

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Independent
  • Origin: China
  • Architecture: i386
  • Desktop: GNOME
  • Classification: desktop, life

StartOS is an open source operating system issued by Dongguan Wali Network Technology Co., Ltd., which conforms to the use habits of Chinese people and preloads commonly used high-quality software. The operating system has the characteristics of fast operation, security and stability, beautiful interface, simple and clear operation, etc. StartOS uses a new package management and a new operating interface. It is a desktop operating system that is easy to use, safe, stable, easy to expand, and more consistent with Chinese operating habits. The security and stability of Linux system is well-known. StartOS will stick to its own characteristics in the direction of ease of use.

Official website: http://www.startos.org/
Download address: http://www.startos.org/

Red Flag Linux

  • System: Linux
  • Based on: Asianux, Fedora
  • Origin: China
  • Architecture: i386
  • Desktop: KDE
  • Classification: desktop, life

Hongqi Linux is a series of Linux distributions developed by Beijing Zhongke Hongqi Software Technology Co., Ltd., including desktop version, workstation version, data center server version, HA cluster version, Hongqi embedded Linux and other products. At present, CD versions can be purchased in various software stores in China, and the official website also provides free download of CD images. Hongqi Linux is one of the larger and more mature Linux distributions in China.

Official website: http://www.redflag-linux.com/
Download address: http://www.redflag-linux.com/d/iso/

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