this post was submitted on 27 Oct 2024
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Linux

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Some basic questions about Linux (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 2 months ago by akilou@sh.itjust.works to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Can someone point me to a helpful beginners resource explaining some Linux basics? Like what is the difference between "distro", which is what, like Ubuntu, fedora, Debian (? Or is that a category of distro?) And desktop environment which is what, KDE, Lubuntu, gnome? Like I don't even know I have these categories right let alone understand why I'd pick one over another and what practical effects it will have- which apps will I/won't I be able to install, etc...

I'm not expecting anyone to answer these questions for me, but if you could point me to something already written, I'd appreciate it.

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[–] akilou@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago (3 children)

This article is conflating terms that I need help distinguishing between. The other commenter mentioned that Ubuntu is a type of Debian but this article lists Debian and Ubuntu as distributions.

[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 4 points 2 months ago

Debian is a base distro, in your example. Other distros can be based upon other ones. Think of it like another layer; the distro maintainers look at Debian and say, "I like these aspects, but I think we can build upon that and make something even better!"

This means those distros with a "base" are downstream of the upstream distro base, and any time the upstream distro gets updates, the downstream ones will benefit.

[–] stuner@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

This article is conflating terms that I need help distinguishing between. The other commenter mentioned that Ubuntu is a type of Debian but this article lists Debian and Ubuntu as distributions.

I'd say that the article is correct in calling them separate distributions.They are certainly related (both part of the Debian family), but I think most people would consider them to be separate distributions. Software built for Ubuntu 24.04 may work on Debian 12, but it might also not. For a beginner, I think it's most useful to consider them to be separate things.