/LearnLinux/main_page.html/LearnLinux/what_is_it_.html/LearnLinux/distibutions_distros.html/LearnLinux/downloads.html/LearnLinux/tutorials.html/LearnLinux/resources.html/LearnLinux/glossary.html/LearnLinux/certification.html/LearnLinux/magazines.html/LearnLinux/alternatives_to_installing_linux.html/LearnLinux/about_1.html

What is a distribution

A distribution is a coherent collection of software packages built for a Linux kernel on a particular architecture. It includes a methodology for getting and installing other packages as needed. (Too complicated an explanation?)

What are the different distributions

It is difficult to give a definitive answer.  There are many distributions (at least 180?), but most fall into certain groups or categories.  The most obvious grouping is free and non-free i.e commercial.  However, the water is muddied a little by the fact that you can purchase CDs that contain free distributions.  (The cost is to cover such things as collecting information, advertising, producing the CD etc.).

Red Hat, Suse, Mandrake/Mandriva, Knoppix, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora,

for a good/definnitive selection, visit http://www.distrowatch.com

a good book to give this kind of comparison is "The Linux Bible"  ISBN 0764579495 - I have a copy - it also gives a copy of about 10 distros - more info later

also information in "The Joy of Linux" - I have a copy

How do the distributions differ

    • also information in "The Joy of Linux"

    • kernel

    • GNU C Library

    • package management

    • software included

    • who maintains the distribution

    • file system used and/or supported

    • installation method e.g. graphical or command line

    • hardware detection - some distributions are better at finding and making usable some hardware

    • Example : Debian

      • (From the Debian FAQ:)Three key features distinguish Debian from other Linux distributions: 
      • The Debian package maintenance system: The entire system, or any individual component of it, can be upgraded in place without reformatting, without losing custom configuration files, and (in  most cases) without rebooting the system.  Most Linux distributions available today have some kind of package maintenance system; the Debian package maintenance system is unique and particularly robust. 
      • Open development: Whereas other Linux distributions are developed by individuals, small, closed groups, or commercial vendors, Debian is the only Linux distribution that is being developed cooperatively by many individuals through the Internet, in the same spirit as Linux and other free software. More than 120 volunteer package maintainers are working on over 700 packages and improving Debian GNU/Linux.  The Debian developers contribute to the project not by   writing new applications (in most cases), but by packaging existing software according to the standards of the project, by   communicating bug reports to upstream developers, and by providing user support. 
      • The Bug Tracking System: The geographical dispersion of the Debian developers required sophisticated tools and quick communication of bugs and bug-fixes to accelerate the development of the system.   Users are encouraged to send bugs in a formal style, which are quickly accessible by WWW archives or via e-mail.

Where can I get "vanilla" flavour Linux

 You can get the new kernel as produced by Linus here http://www.kernel.org/.  As the site tells you though, if you are new to Linux then you don't want to download the kernel becuase it is only a component in the working system of Linux.