GNU/Linux distributions

A Linux distribution, often simply distribution or distro, is a member of the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems comprising the Linux kernel, the non-kernel parts of the GNU operating system, and assorted other software. Here is a list of the GNU/Linux distros recommended by PolishLinux.org. By clicking on specific distro you will get more details about it.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a free GNU/Linux distribution f(o)unded by Mark Shuttleworth and sponsored by Canonical Ltd. It focuses on ease-of-use, hardware support and functionality, but is still devoted to free software ideals. It is currently one of the most popular GNU/Linux flavors with very strong online community.  Read more »

Mandriva

Mandriva Linux (earlier Mandrakelinux) became extremely popular among new users of Linux, switching from MS Windows, mainly due to its ease of use. Mandriva is a very up-to-date distribution, it consists of the latest software which can occasionally cause stability problems. For desktop use it is acceptable for most users and it's a simple tradeoff for being very up-to-date.  Read more »

openSUSE

The openSUSE project is a worldwide community program sponsored by Novell with the goal to serve the most usable and userfriendly desktop Linux system. openSUSE (earlier known as Suse or SuSE) has been a top Linux distribution for quite a while (first appeared in 1992 as S.u.S.E). Formerly a business-only solution, now concentrates on home user's desktops and workstations. Read more »

Debian

Debian is a stable, mature and popular operating system. It offers an outstanding package management tool -- APT and the largest free software repository of all operating systems out there. Very configurable and (after some work) a very friendly OS. It does however require some knowledge.  Read more »

Fedora

Fedora is a general purpose system — it does not concentrate on one specific market. It is suitable both for home users, programmers and the corporate server. In each case it requires some customization however. It is the price that needs to be paid for trying to be good for everyone.  Read more »

Slackware

Slackware is the oldest, still maintained Linux distribution. The first version was released on July 13th, 1993. Slackware's motto is "because it works" and it is devoted to the "keep it simple" principle. Distro for advanced users who demand control and are not afraid of the command line.  Read more »

Gentoo

Gentoo is one of the most configurable and extensible Linux systems. It lets the user decide about each part of the system. And thanks to the Portage (a BSD-like software management tool) the whole system or only some of its packages may be automatically optimized for custom hardware which increases the robustness of the OS.  Read more »

MEPIS

MEPIS was founded in 2002 by Warren Woodford, who at the time was unhappy with the way Linux for desktops was offered by the existing distros. Warren created a very user friendly, KDE based distro with some unique features, which surpised many users at the time.  Read more »

Arch

Arch Linux is an independent lightweight i686-optimized community distribution for intermediate and advanced GNU/Linux users who aren't afraid of the command line. It offers great flexibility and control over what software you want to have on your system and how you want it configured. Like Slackware, it follows the "keep it simple" philosophy and is very fast to boot and run.  Read more »

Aurox

Aurox is a Polish (don't mistake it with polished) Linux distribution, originally based on RedHat Linux and now on Fedora. The distribution is, easy to guess, completely localized for Polish users, but it also delivers great translations for other languages, concentrating on the Central and Eastern European countries. Currently unmaintained  Read more »

KateOS

KateOS is a free and non-commercial distribution developed in Poland. It is designed for intermediate users, oriented towards desktop usage and multimedia. KateOS is similar to Slackware but its package manager updateos resolves dependencies.  Read more »

PLD

PLD is a GNU/Linux distribution developed in Poland. The default installer and system language is however English. PLD took some best features from couple of other distributions: RPM format from Red Hat (but PLD uses RPM-s capabilities much more efficiently), package management system (poldek) is very similar to Debian's apt-get in features and functionality. Most configuration is done in the text mode by configuration files editing (as in Slackware).  Read more »

Yoper

Yoper is advertised as the fastest operating system on Earth, out-of-the-box. There is something in it. Speed and responsiveness are their trademarks, but thers is more to Yoper than this.  Read more »

Pardus

Pardus is a Turkish distribution that comes with KDE as the default desktop. It is however not just another pack of known open source apps. Pardus comes with its own, original GUI system installer, a package management system — PISI and system settings applet — TASMA, as well as a few additional goodies.  Read more »

PCLinuxOS

PCLinuxOS (PCLOS) is one of many GNU/Linux systems belonging to the family of Desktop distributions. Its aim is to be a friendly and simple to use operating system. It was forked from Mandrake Linux (Mandriva at present) in 2003. It’s now a fully independent distro, although it does take advantage of a few of Mandriva’s technologies.  Read more »

Xandros

A commercial Linux distribution (although a free as a beer version called "Open Circulation Edition" is available through BitTorrent) based on Debian. Xandros is worth considering especially for the newbies in the Linux world. It's goal is to make Linux as simple and friendly and Windows-like as possible. Installation is just four mouse-clicks. The OS after installing is ready for use and requires minimal customization. A very good choice for a frustrated Windows user to migrate to Linux without a trouble.   Read more »

Zenwalk

Zenwalk is a small and fast GNU/Linux distribution aiming at providing a complete development/desktop/multimedia environment. Zenwalk doesn't aim at being a distribution, but rather a Linux Operating System. Along with this only one application for each task is a philosophy used for the ISO. This is efficient and rational.  Read more »

Freespire

Freespire is a community-driven, Linux-based operating system that combines the best that free, open source software has to offer (community driven, freely distributed, open source code, etc.), but also provides users the choice of including proprietary codecs, drivers and applications as they see fit.   Read more »

If this is not enough, here are some more links that may be interesting for you: