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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 3h

If it includes a one-way ticket only, sure!

Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 4h

An observation: -- posts about "wayland," and -- posts about "ubuntu" Regardless of whether they refer to the display protocol (as opposed to, say, Wayland, MA) or the distro (as opposed to the philosophy for which the distro is named), ALWAYS shows up on my Linux feed. God, I love Bluesky! 🥰

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 19h

Cool. I use a couple of Dells for Distro of the Week 👍

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Just curious: What hardware are you installing on?

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

That's the ticket. As a professional distro-hopper (I write the Distro of the Week column at, wait for it, distrooftheweek-dot-com 😀), rarely does a distro reboot post-install. They mostly hang, which requires the off/on treatment. Surprised this happened with Linux Mint but . . . 🤷‍♂️

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Interesting take. You realize, of course, that Debian's naming convention stems from characters in the "Toy Story" movie franchise, right?

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

If you're thinking about Arch, you'd probably be better off trying a distro based on Arch rather than "vanilla" Arch. Give CachyOS, Manjaro, EndeavourOS, or Garuda a try if you're leaning toward Arch. Also, distrowatch-dot-com is your friend. There are over 500 active distros available. Go crazy!

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Good point, Bruce. Two trains of thought here (more than two, but...): Make Linux more like Windows and allow users a familiar experience, or "change the rules," so to speak to have the user adapt to Linux. I don't fault VailuxOS for pursuing the former, but I am firmly in the latter's camp.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This week's Distro of the Week, a German distro based on Debian, has the noble purpose of helping Windows users convert. Along with this noble pursuit, VailuxOS is a fast and solid Linux distro which also caters to more experienced users as well. distrooftheweek.com/2026/10/06/9...

distrooftheweek.com

Distro of the Week: VailuxOS 1.6.1.4

German distro based on Debian opts to make it easy for Windows refugees By Larry Cafiero After a trying day last week while choosing a distro for this week’s column, augmented with an unusually wid…

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Well, it's official. Here's my listing for my talk on choosing a Linux distro at the Seattle GNU/Linux Conference later this month. Hope some of you can make it. pretalx.seagl.org/2026/talk/Q7...

pretalx.seagl.org

Choosing a Distro SeaGL 2026

This is a presentation about how to pick a Linux distribution. For new users, it can be a guide. For intermediate and experienced users, it can be a refresher as to what's out there.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

On the fence. As the Distro of the Week writer, I haven't really seen any drawbacks on the systemd-based distros I've test-driven. However, the arguments against it are valid. Where I actually DO put my foot down is immutable/atomic distros. Fine for servers, but overkill for laptops/desktops. 😡

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Good for you. My daily driver is based on Debian - BunsenLabs Carbon (Openbox WM atop Debian).

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Keep going! According to distrowatch-dot-com, you only have about, oh, 495 active distros to go. 🤣

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Good advice in this thread. If you're still on Windows, make a live USB with Rufus and then visit distrowatch-dot-com. Over 500 active distros there, but for beginners Ubuntu or Linux Mint are your best bet. Download an ISO, make a live USB, and go nuts! 😀

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

(I should also mention I am not a furry, albeit maybe physically, and also I'm not an IT person. I write a column called Distro of the Week and I've also used Linux for 20+ years 🤔)

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

If you prefer, by all means go for it. Just saying that -- generally speaking -- there are issues with some (not all) immutable distros around adding/updating software, especially adding with flatpak. But you do you, and good luck!

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Unless you're running a server, anything immutable is really overkill for laptops/desktops. Be that as it may, I'd give Bluefin a shot.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

A reader suggested to Distro of the Week to test-drive a Spanish distro based on Debian Testing. We obliged, and found that Soplos Linux Tyron exceeded our expectations in several ways. distrooftheweek.com/2026/09/29/d...

distrooftheweek.com

Distro of the Week: Soplos Linux Tyron

Spanish distro based on Debian excels on many fronts, could be good for new users By Larry Cafiero We get mail, part deux . . . where we take suggestions from our readership, and one reader comment…

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Reposted by Larry Cafiero

🍁🇨🇦Team Canada Forever🇨🇦🍁 @teamcanadaforever.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It’s a lot harder when you aren’t up against children, eh?

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

TL;DR - Much ado about nothing. Early in the auto industry, there were scores (hundreds?) of companies. Today? Not so much. The "market" takes care of this, and it eventually will with OSes. But why penalize Linux enthusiasts for their passion and creativity? www.linuxlinks.com/linux-too-ma...

linuxlinks.com

Linux Has Too Many Distributions - And Most New Ones Don’t Need to Exist - LinuxLinks

Linux offers huge choice, but many new distributions struggle to justify themselves beyond themes, package choices and branding.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Not for nothing, but I've been chosen by #SeaGL (the Seattle GNU/Linux Conference) to give a talk on how to choose a distro. SeaGL is Oct. 23-24 at the U of Washington, and I am scheduled on Friday 10/23. SeaGL is free but you are asked to voluntarily register here: cloud.seagl.org/index.php/ap...

cloud.seagl.org

SeaGL Cloud

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

How many auto manufacturing companies existed at the dawn of their existence? Scores. Perhaps hundreds. Now how many are there? Same with OSes: The "market" (whatever that might be) will probably thin the herd, so to speak. TL;DR Much ado about nothing.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

If you go to distrowatch-dot-com, there are about 500 distros currently active. But just for writing? All of the ones suggested so far are good. Fedora or Linux Mint would probably be your best bet. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Bits & Bobs, a feature of Distro of the Week, brings you a weekend wrap-up of Linux news on Saturdays. Today, we have a new Cosmic release, PeppermintOS changes, Mageia urging an upgrade, and AlmaLinux certifications explained. Enjoy! distrooftheweek.com/2026/09/26/b...

distrooftheweek.com

Bits & Bobs: Cosmic 1.9 released

Compiled by Larry Cafiero Marcus Nestor at 9 to 5 Linux reported on Thursday that the Cosmic 1.9 desktop has been released, with improvements including upgrades on the Cosmic Viewer, Cosmic OSK, an…

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Completely agree. Obviously a slow news week for Jack, and I would take Linux Mint all day & night.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Brazil: Not exactly a hotbed of Linux development, but nevertheless they do OK. This week's Distro of the Week takes a look at Mauna Linux 25.3 MATE, which is based on Debian and it's a standout in the country's Linux lineup. distrooftheweek.com/2026/09/22/d...

distrooftheweek.com

Distro of the Week: Mauna Linux 25.3

Debian-based distro from Brazil adds much to its nation’s rep in Linuxsphere By Larry Cafiero When it comes to creating and maintaining Linux distros, Brazil doesn’t jump out as the first place you…

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I vote for Linux, but it's your laptop. Do with it whatever makes you happy.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Bits & Bobs, from Distro of the Week, encapsulates the week's Linux news every Saturday. This week there's Gnome, Debian, and Fedora news, as well as seven old-school programs still thriving in the Linuxsphere. Enjoy! distrooftheweek.com/2026/09/19/b...

distrooftheweek.com

Bits & Bobs: Gnome 51 released

Compiled by Larry Cafiero Michael Larabel at Phoronix reported on Wednesday that Gnome 51 was released, complete with improved frame scheduling among it many improvements. “Gnome 51 debuted today w…

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Whoa nellie. Out of the 520 or so distros, roughly half are specialized, BSD-based, or other (Haiku?). Out of the these 260 or so, half of those are new or "atomic" or whatnot. So now we're down to 130 or so. Out of that field, you should be able to pick something out, no? One word: Perspective

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

What sets Artix Linux apart from its other Arch-based brethren is the complete lack of systemd, opting for either OpenRC or dinit in its latest iteration, 2026-08. Ladies and gentlemen, this week's Distro of the Week is Artix Linux Xfce. distrooftheweek.com/2026/09/16/d...

distrooftheweek.com

Distro of the Week: Artix Linux Xfce

Arch-based distro minus systemd making waves in the Linuxsphere By Larry Cafiero As of late, it seems that more and more distros are based on Arch Linux – by the way – than any other distro, which …

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Oh I most certainly will, once Fedora 45 comes out and is ready for prime time. 😀

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Good point, Bruce. I would think that much of that had to do with MS lobbyists in each government, but now that there are options (not that there weren't any in the past), it's easier for governments to transition. My 2 cents . . .

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Oh. I see. OK then, thanks for the explanation.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Serious as a heart attack. What implications make Red Hat (the Linux distribution) and Fedora (the Linux distribution) negative?

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

You'd assume wrong. Anyway just genuinely curious, nothing more, nothing less.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I wrote about SparkyLinux a year ago at FOSS Force and liked it. Fast-forward a year, and Distro of the Week features SparkyLinux 8.4 - code-named Seven Sisters, keeping with the distro's constellation motif - which made several improvements to be even better. distrooftheweek.com/2026/09/09/d...

distrooftheweek.com

Distro of the Week: SparkyLinux 8.4

Polish distro based on Debian continues to impress and is still a joy to use By Larry Cafiero When we last left SparkyLinux – back in July of last year reviewing version 7.7 for FOSS Force – the di…

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Glad to see BunsenLabs getting a shout-out. It's my daily driver.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

We get mail: Distro of the Week took a suggestion from a reader and test-drove Fluff Linux. Despite an "old-school" installer and a UEFI-only install, this Arch based distro was impressive on several levels. distrooftheweek.com/2026/09/02/d...

distrooftheweek.com

Distro of the Week: Fluff Linux

American distro based on Arch and featuring KDE Plasma stands out as a pleasant surprise By Larry Cafiero Today’s Distro of the Week comes from our proverbial mailbag, sort of. From time to time, w…

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Actually not. Bits & Bobs runs Mondays and Fridays. The 25th was a Tuesday, and therefore there will be a mention in Bits & Bobs tomorrow. Nice try, though.

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

This. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

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Larry Cafiero @lcafiero.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

1998 called and wanted its Linux joke back.

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