this post was submitted on 14 Nov 2024
70 points (94.9% liked)

Linux

48315 readers
691 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Hello, I'm looking for a new distro that aligns with my privacy preferences and offers a wide range of packages without requiring me to search for PPAs, similar to Manjaro. I've grown uneasy about Manjaro's decision to collect unique data like MAC addresses and disk serial numbers by default, even if it's for diagnostic purposes.

In light of this, I'd like to ask for your recommendations on a Linux distro that meets the following criteria:

  1. No opt-out telemetry: I'm looking for a distro that doesn't collect any unique data by default.
  2. Access to a wide range of packages: I prefer a distro that offers a vast repository of packages, so I don't have to search for PPAs or third-party repositories.
  3. User-friendly: I'm not a fan of complicated configurations or steep learning curves, so a distro with a user-friendly approach would be ideal.

I'm curious to hear any recommendations you might have. Thanks!

all 49 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 days ago

Garuda Linux. It's like Manjaro, in fact some utilities are forked from it, but done right.

You can also try EndeavourOS.

If you're into immutable distros, try Bazzite.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 6 days ago (1 children)

If you used manjaro before, then I will recommend endeavour. It is arch Linux (same as manjaro) with an installer. I found their support forums to be helpful as an arch user.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago

Switched from manjaro to endeavor. wholeheartedly recommend. Easy enough but still has arch experience. Yay is super easy and have only had a minor issue with 1 game specifically on an nvidia card.

[–] penguin202124 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

I'd say Fedora KDE. It just works, the docs are good, it has a big community and large enough repos.

[–] [email protected] 66 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I switched to EOS Endeavour OS. I don't think it has data collection

[–] [email protected] 35 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It doesn't, and offers an even friendlier experience than Manjaro IMO

[–] Classy 16 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Endeavour has been an amazing distro for me, noob Linuxer. I started on Ubuntu Cinnamon, then tried Mint, and ended here on Endeavour and I love it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

I started on Kubuntu and am now very tempted by Endeavour... it helps that I've been tinkering with Arch as well.

[–] [email protected] 57 points 1 week ago (1 children)

EndeavorOS. It's like manjaro but not bad.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago

Came here to say the same. Such a great distro, and it'll be an easy switch from manjaro.

I've been running it with btrfs and it has been rock solid stability wise. If you go btrfs I recommend grub btrfs for easy boot time snapshots and btrfs-assistant in the aur if you want a GUI to manage btrfs maintenance.

[–] [email protected] 38 points 1 week ago

Use Arch Linux. There's a script called "archinstall" you can use after connecting to the internet, and it's basically a guided installer

[–] [email protected] 35 points 1 week ago (1 children)

If you're already used to Arch-based systems, and enjoy the convenience of the AUR, what about EndeavourOS?

It's basically Arch with GUI install scripts, and a different wallpaper.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I saw one commenter suggested Arch itself. IMO it's even a better idea than EOS.

archinstall doesn't have GUI, but it has very nice TUI (like what you have when you use htop), and you could finish selecting the options in very few minutes.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

Maybe I'm a dumbass and it's my fault, but I find that archinstall always has an issue when you run it. It's easier to install arch manually than run the and troubleshoot.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 week ago

Another vote for Endeavour OS here

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Well if you don’t want plain arch I’d go with cachyos or just endeavouros

[–] Codilingus 4 points 1 week ago

+1 for Cachy, its Arch with cheat codes for speed.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago

Hannah Montana Linux

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 week ago
[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I would point you towards EndeavourOS. It's pretty much just preconfigured Arch, so you get the same rolling release packages as Manjaro and retain access to the AUR. Its a solid project, IMO it does everything that Manjaro claims and fails to but properly

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 week ago

I really like Pop!_OS, AFAIK it doesn't have any telemetry. It's basically a Ubuntu fork but without the stupid Ubuntu stuff, and they're currently even working on their own Desktop Environment.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago

i found endeavor to be nicer than Manjaro but tbh I'm at the stage where i just recommend installing arch. it's gotten a lot easier. endeavor is also arch based though so I'd go with that if you want super easy install / extra stuff installed ootb

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

openSUSE Tumbleweed has served me well for some time now. Maybe give it a look-see?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

Second this. Tumbleweed is a great distro. Nearly everything you'll need can be found in default repos. Then there are several endorsed (semi) official add-on repos, and if that fails there's always OBS (opi is your friend for searching those).

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago

Fedora/Nobara.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

I think you are looking for a distribution with KDE and flatpak by default

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

This coverage provides an example of what is sent, and it includes neither MACs nor HDD serial numbers.

https://ostechnix.com/manjaro-data-donor/

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

Is there any distro that automatically collect data? Every distro I've tried asked directly on install or at first boot

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

cachyos is user friendly and based on arch

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It's not very stable though. It failed majorly in my case.

[–] penguin202124 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

I agree. Whenever I use Arch or Arch-based distros they are always very unstable. That is fine if you like a learning curve, but if you don't (like OP) then they probably aren't for you.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I wasn't talking about Arch based. I was talking about Cachy specifically. It's even more unstable. Good Arch based distros can be decent if you don't mind occasional troubleshooting. Also Arch is more stable than Windows.

[–] penguin202124 2 points 6 days ago

That's very true. However even still I don't think beginners should use distros which are unstable until they learn Linux a bit more.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

I've been very happy on Fedora. It's been reliable and has up to date software and kernels.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Take the plunge into the Void.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Let go your earthly tether Enter the Void empty, and become wind

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Garuda. It's even easier than Manjaro. The theming can be a bit much, though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (3 children)

I think maybe Fedora but probably less software available

[–] penguin202124 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Flatpak exists and even if you don't use them its repos are huge.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

If your fedora is compatible with ELF64 (which it is) then you have 99% of total Linux compatible software available to you. Linux is Linux.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Not at all with RPMFusion.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Peppermint OS, its what made me stop distrohopping . Debian based with extra on top, easy doesn't brake,

[–] interurbain1er 6 points 1 week ago

I don't understand the concept. It's Debian with xfce and a custom theme. Why is that a distribution. Seems like a meta package would be enough.

[–] pastermil 0 points 1 week ago

Debian or Linux Mint

Arch would actually stand a chance.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 week ago

Trisquel is a fully 'Free as in freedom' distro.

Zero telemetry now or in the future.

Ubuntu based, so large FLOSS package repository.

Mate UI, simple user friendly layout.

* You will need hardware that works with fully free hardware drivers (for printer, WiFi, GPU etc). Drivers with binary-blobs are not included, due to potential security risks or spyware.

Test your hardware with a bootable USB.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Source is LFS.