About Different Linux Distribution
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DIFFERENT LINUX DISTRIBUTION
A Linux distribution is a collection of components packaged to work together as a complete system. A package is the collection of components (tools, software, utilities, devices, etc.) put together by an individual or group to make up a distribution. Each package (and therefore distribution) can use a package manager, which is a tool that installs and maintains a Linux package. For example, the RPM family of Linux distributions uses the Red Hat package manager (RPM).
The following table lists the most popular Linux distributions and their characteristics
RPM
- An RPM distribution uses the Red Hat package manager (RPM). RPM distributions are the most common commercially-available distributions.
Example: Red Hat (most common in the United States) SUSE (most common in Europe)
Mandrake.
Debian
- Debian distributions use the Debian package manager. The Debian family contains the largest number of packages (software and tools) because it is the most open of the Linux families.
Example: Xandros Linspire (formerly Lindows)
.tar.gz/.tgz/Slackware - This Linux family doesn’t use a package manager; rather, its installation and management is done through tarball or gzip tarball files.
Example: CollegeLinux VectorLinux SLAX BuffaloLinux
Source-based distributions
- The distributions in this family are designed to work from source code. The user compiles the kernel and software from source code prior to installing the software.
Example: Gentoo
If you are just starting out with Linux, you should probably choose a commercial distribution to take advantage of easy setup and possibly technical support (for a fee). As you learn Linux, you likely will not need copies of the source code for the kernel and other components. Common places to get a Linux distribution include:
• Purchase from a computer retailer
• Download from the vendor Website
• Purchase installation media from sites such as www.linuxmall.com
After you have some experience with Linux, you might then want to experiment with source code versions of Linux. A good source for information is www.tldp.org which is the community supported ‘The Linux Document Project’, a site full of Linux resource information.