31 Flavors? Yum!

Which would you prefer? Chocolate day in and day out or a new flavor every day of the month? Much maligned, the smorgasbord of Linux distributions is really quite delicious.

Martin Streicher

Thursday, September 15th, 2005

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Last year, I suggested that Linux distributions and applications standardize several areas that cause the greatest amount of work or confusion (or both) for Penguinistas (see the July 2005 “Booting Up,” available online at http://www.linux-mag.com/2004-07/booting_01.html). Specifically, I wanted a unified package format and consistent system administration across all distributions, interoperable user interfaces between desktops, and expansive, universal support for consumer devices.

Looking back at what I wrote, I still stand by my opinions. In many cases, the diversity of Linux — from kernel mods to the organization of system files — “… makes some things easy and many things hard.” On the one hand, you can find the distribution that suits your needs; on the other hand, you have to find the distribution that suits your needs.

Since I wrote that column last year, the number of Linux distributions has only increased. There are “live” distributions; floppy distributions; a distribution that makes the file system downright Macintosh- like (Gobo Linux); several Linux bundles aimed at clusters (see the “Extreme Linux” columns of the past few months); and any number of user-friendly variations. Indeed, every time I speak to “Do It Yourself” columnist Scott Granneman, he’s found some new Linux that I just have to try. And even a curmudgeonly old salt like “On the Desktop” columnist Jason Perlow can find a new Linux to get excited about — read about Ubuntu, his newfound love, on page XX. While many distributions orbit…

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