this post was submitted on 22 Jul 2023
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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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KDE neon is a distro. It's the long-term support version of Ubuntu as the base with the latest stable KDE software on top.
I've personally used it for years because I love the KDE software suite and that is pretty much the sole focus here.
PS: they say "most other software is not supported". Have you ever had any problem installing other programs? As examples, I'd prefer using Firefox to Konqueror, and other programs to KDE connect.
For that part, they're just saying that other desktop environments are unsupported. Back when I used KDE Neon I had no problems using it as a daily OS, it is technically less stable (in terms of the system changing with updates, not in terms of crashing) since all the KDE software is updated regularly, but the rest of the software is the same as regular Ubuntu LTS.
I'd say the best way to think of KDE Neon is "Ubuntu LTS, with the latest KDE software directly from them, with less guarantee of stability" imo.
Edit: They also say they're not "quite" a distro, it is by full definition a distro, but their goal is different. The only intent of KDE Neon is to have a stable base with up to date KDE stuff, while a "distro" as they are saying will have a goal of being a fully fledged OS (or similar). Neon can be used as a full distro, but that's just a side effect rather than the intent.
Thank you, very helpful! May I ask what you use now? Do you know if they add their software via snaps or flatpaks?
I use Debian now. And for kde neon they add their software via debs as regular packages, but you can add either snap or flatpak to it if you want (or both), can't remember if they preinstall flatpak or not.
Cheers! I've heard that one can install Debian and simply choose KDE there. I'm weighing my options... Undecided among Debian+KDE, Kubuntu, and KDE Neon. Although it also depends on how each deals with my machine. Will have to try some live disks...
Hope they work out for you!
Also, I'd say of the three, if you want the one that will "just work" the most, I would go with Kubuntu, mainly because you'll be able to search for stuff and problem fixes easier since there's a lot of info online for it, because it's the most commonly used of the three I believe. The other two are still perfectly fine options though, but I think Kubuntu would be the smoothest experience, as you said you were still a bit new to Linux in your post.
Advice much appreciated!
Both Flatpak and Snap are preinstalled but it defaults to debs/apt. Though through the command line they strongly recommend the pkcon command over apt itself.
Now I understand. Kubuntu instead makes modifications to the Ubuntu core. Although Neon must be somehow removing Gnome, I imagine.