this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2025
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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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I'm new to #Lemmy and making myself feel at home by posting a bit!

My first Linux distribution was elementary OS in early March 2020. Since then, I’ve tried Manjaro, Arch Linux, Fedora, went back to Manjaro, and since early January 2023, I’ve landed on Debian as my home in the #Linux world.

What was your first Linux distro?

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[–] Zahtu@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago

Ubuntu. For Work purpose in 2020 as a development VM.

Since then i moved privately to Zorin and now to Nobara. At Work it still is Ubuntu for me, but hopefully i will soon change positions and can shelve that stuff.

[–] nibbler@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 2 days ago

I believe it was slackware. it was gifted to teenage me ca 1994, was on the CD of some magazine.

I wanted to try it, so went dual boot. it (or I?) partitioned my 800MB hard disk into a 300MB and an 800MB partition. stupid young me thought this was great and I just gained 300MB. when I noticed date corruption, stupid young me started to copy over important data to the assumed good partition. things didn't end well.

I took a two year break from Linux afterwards 🤣

[–] iAvicenna@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

scientific linux. I failed to get most things running and switched to ubuntu. this was about 10 years ago

[–] DrunkAnRoot@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago
[–] Spider89@lemm.ee 19 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

Ubuntu > Mint > Manjaro > Arch > PopOS > Debian

(History, not ranking [Debian wins])

[–] spirinolas@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Same, but I skipped manjaro and popOS. And I used slackware at the college computers. Debian still wins for me, it came a long way.

[–] Xanza@lemm.ee 10 points 2 days ago

Debian wins

Testify, brother.

[–] Fijxu@programming.dev 7 points 2 days ago
[–] LaSirena@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Oof. I am pretty sure it was Mandrake in 97. I bounced around trying what was around before settling on Gentoo for a decade plus. Then both my laptop and desktop got too long in the tooth to make distcc even worthwhile and migrated to Arch. I figured it was the closest distro to Gentoo that I wouldn't have too many problems. I don't know howong it's been now, but I'm an Arch fangirl. I've installed it many times since on work computers as well. For remote systems though, it's always Debian stable.

[–] John@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 day ago

Ubuntu Lucid Lynx

Currently, I use Arch BTW.

[–] Unmapped@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I started with mint because of ppl recommending it. Absolutely hated it. Luckily I watched a YouTube video about installing arch. So then I tried it and loved it. Then manjaro for about 2 years. Then back to arch. Then finally Nixos, and I dont plan on ever switching again. I have Nixos on every system I own now, and a few friends machines. Those are just the main ones. I tried all the other popular ones out on my laptop. Except gentoo.

TLDR: Mint🙁>Arch😄>manjaro🙂>arch😄>NixOs😁

[–] TCB13@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] MOARbid1@lemmy.world 12 points 2 days ago

My first Linux install was Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy. Got those wobbly windows going and felt like a fucking king.

[–] Disgruntled@lemmy.ca 14 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Slackware 96 CD Case

Slackware96 from Walnut Creek purchased at Staples back when software came in boxes with manuals. Netscape Navigator 3.0 anyone?

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[–] kandykarter@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Corel Linux in the late 90s, but didn't actually go full time until Ubuntu in 05,followed by arch for a few years, now on mint.

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[–] MessyEh@lemmy.ca 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Mandrake 6.0 in 1998. The kernel was still 2.2, and KDE 1.1.1.

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[–] forgetful_fox@lemmy.world 9 points 2 days ago
[–] BlueEther@no.lastname.nz 13 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I started with Mandrake 6 when the there were lots of 9's or 0's in the year

Then bounced from Slackware/opensuse/Red Hat/Debian/Gentoo/BSD

Now running Kde Neon and MacOS (Debian and BSD as server OSs)

[–] starman2112@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Ubuntu, installed on a 256 gb flash drive as an experiment back in 2020. My first daily driver distro was Mint last year, then KDE Neon, and finally Kubuntu today

Distro doesn't matter to me anymore, I just like the Plasma DE and will use anything that uses it. Eventually I'm gonna have to try Arch with it and make my own Steam machine

[–] hornedfiend@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago
[–] Wilmo@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Ubuntu 8.10 in late 2008. while I didn't use Linux for that long due to a lack of understanding I did come back to it in in a few years to check out I think Ubuntu 10.04 in 2010 or and then Fedora 36 a few years ago and never plan to leave

[–] SVcross@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)
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[–] Mwa@lemm.ee 1 points 1 day ago

Pretty sure tails os :P

[–] Duke_Nukem_1990@feddit.org 3 points 1 day ago

Probably Knoppix on some Laptop my dad brought home at around 2001-2002. Still remember tinkering with it and having no idea what I am doing haha. Good times.

[–] normalexit@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

I ran slackware in college with fluxbox. I thought I was pretty darn cool.

[–] cygnus@lemmy.ca 12 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Ubuntu in the mid 2000s, but it's PopOS that made me a fulltimer ~2 years ago. I don't use it anymore but I'll always be thankful for it.

[–] somedev@aussie.zone 1 points 1 day ago

It was Ubuntu 14.10 (still had Unity) installed on a Mac mini to run a Plex server. I actually really liked Ubuntu then, it was all new and very different to Windows. I had it hooked up to a TV and used the DE to maintain it I.e console, update app etc.

There was this really annoying error that would occur every time it would boot which drove me to look elsewhere. Ended up trying Arch and didn't put a DE on there because I started to get comfortable with the terminal and SSHing in.

I eventually installed Arch on my desktop and dual booted for a couple years using XFCE. Once I discovered KDE there was no going back.

I haven't used Windows on any of devices for years, all running Fedora and KDE.

[–] Rawrosaurus@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

It was Slackware... Back in the late 90s. Do not ask me about how kid me managed that, all I recall is endless terminals, kernel panics and eventually getting a desktop through some arcane means I can't remember.

I didn't return to linux for many years after that experience.

I still have the 1996 edition of Slackware Linux Unleashed and the CD in my bookshelf as a reminder.

[–] emb@lemmy.world 9 points 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Ubuntu had a thing for a while where they would send you a CD if you asked for it. Friend of mine from school gave me one.

[–] vk6flab@lemmy.radio 11 points 2 days ago

Debian Slink

Before that, Windows NT, A/UX, Solaris and VAX/VMS.

Before that, Vic 20 and Apple II

Still using Debian every day whilst navigating the perils of MacOS.

[–] crabonhead@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago

Ubuntu - > Mint - > Manjaro - > EndeavourOS - > Nobara - > Arch

Those are the main ones, I've tried others too but all of those were my daily for a while

[–] adarza@lemmy.ca 10 points 2 days ago

my first 'distro' was slackware, on floppy disks. then debian or a flavour of, mainly, ever since. i've never really strayed too far from debian and apt over the years but i have tried most everything.

[–] 7arakun@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

I bought one of those Guide to Linux books back in like 2008 that came with an Ubuntu install disc. Installed it on an old family PC but I didn't really know what I was doing so I didn't get far.

Then in college I used Mint on my desktop and Peppermint on my Acer Aspire netbook. Around graduation I bought a Chromebook and ran Xubuntu in Crouton.

Went a few years without Linux and recently dual-booted with Pop OS on my gaming PC. Feels good.

[–] chrand@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago

Slackware, in the 90s, installed from floppy disks. I also used SuSE, Debian and now stick with Fedora.

[–] starshipwinepineapple@programming.dev 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Ubunutu for a server in ~2019 Arch for my workstation Jan 2025

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