erian-concept
Debian-based
Debian is a distribution that emphasizes free software. It is supported on many hardware platforms. Debian and distributions based on it use the .deb package format and the dpkg package manager.
Distribution Description
64 Studio Attempts to specialize in audio and video production on AMD64 workstations.
AbulÉdu For education purposes
Baltix For Lithuanian and Latvian languages
Bayanihan Linux 2006 A Linux server distribution from the Philippines.
BeatrIX A compact distribution from the Czech Republic that focuses on providing a user-friendly desktop environment.
Bharat Operating System Solutions A Linux distribution with Indian language support. It focuses on providing applications for use in government.
Bonzai Linux 180 MB distribution, KDE desktop. Documentation is mostly in German.
DeMuDi For multimedia production
Dreamlinux A Brazilian Linux distribution based on Morphix, Elive, Debian and Kanotix. It has a GUI that bears a strong similarity to that of Apple Computer's Mac OS X.
eBox Router/Firewall and NAS/PDC
Elive A LiveCD and Distribution featuring Enlightenment as the only window manager. Aims to be intuitive and easy to use.
Feather Linux Shares similar goals as Damn Small Linux, but not based on it (Feather is more closely related to Knoppix). Uses Knoppix-based hardware detection and the Fluxbox window manager. Compatible with Debian packages (.deb).
Finnix A small system administration Live CD that is available for multiple architectures.
Gibraltar Router/firewall distribution.
gnuLinEx A distribution promoted by the government of Extremadura, Spain.
Kanotix An installable live CD for desktop usage using KDE, focusing on convenient scripts and GUI for ease of use.
Knoppix The first Live CD (later DVD) version of Debian GNU/Linux.
Linspire Desktop-oriented distribution, previously called Lindows. Focuses on proprietary software applications.
MEPIS Focuses on ease of Installation.
NepaLinux A Debian and Morphix based distribution focused for desktop usage in Nepali language computing.
OpenZaurus Debian packages and ROM image for the Sharp Zaurus PDA.
Paipix Based on Knoppix and Kanotix for desktop usage. Developed in Portugal, but with localizations in other languages.
Parsix GNU/Linux Parsix is an installable live CD based on Kanotix and Debian sid.
PingOO French distribution aimed at local communities, public organizations, schools, etc. It comes in three editions: PingOO Communication Server, PingOO Secure Server and PingOO File Server.
Rxart Desktop-oriented distribution. Focused on providing proprietary software.
Satux Is a 100% Brazilian distribution. It was and is mainly developed by the Institute of Technology JRSC.
Skolelinux A distribution from Norway. It is provided as a thin client distribution for schools.
sidux Based on Debian unstable.
Symphony OS Includes the Mezzo desktop environment. Previous versions were based on Knoppix.
The Linux Router Project Router distribution
Trisquel A Debian based distribution, created in Galicia (Spain). It has support for old PCs, includes a 3D desktop with Compiz.
Tuquito Created in Argentina.
Ubuntu A distribution sponsored by Canonical Ltd as well as receiving major funding from South African Mark Shuttleworth. Aims to offer a complete and polished desktop on a single CD.
UserLinux Commercial distribution that would have included GNOME. It was never published.
Xandros Open Circulation Edition based on Xandros 3.0 Standard Edition with the exception of DVD burning being disabled and CD burning restricted to a maximum speed of 4X.
Xebian For the Xbox home gaming console.
Zen Linux A Live CD. Desktops available are GNOME and KDE.
Knoppix-based
Knoppix is itself based on Debian.
Distribution Description
Buildix For agile developers.
Damn Small Linux (DSL) Generally considered as the starter of mini distributions. A live CD designed for MiniCD with a hard drive install option.
Kaella The French translation of Knoppix.
Feather Linux Knoppix-based Linux distribution which currently fits in under 128 MB. It boots from either a CD or a USB Flash Drive, with a size suitable for a bootable business card.
Kalango Another Brazilian Knoppix-based distribution designed to have strong visual appeal.
KnoppMyth Specialized Knoppix distribution for easy setup of the MythTV PVR software.
Kurumin A version of the Knoppix distribution designed for Brazilian users.
Morphix A LiveCD distribution with different flavours, including GNOME. Used as a base for many other custom live distribution such as Clusterix, PHlAK or Gnix.
Musix A Knoppix/Debian based distribution, intended for music production, graphic design, audio, video editing, and other tasks. It is built with only free software.
PAIPIX A Debian "live" distribution based on Knoppix and Kanotix for desktop usage. Developed in Portugal, but with localizations in other languages.
Ubuntu-based
Ubuntu is based on Debian.
Distribution Description
Edubuntu Official derivative; designed for use in classroom
Freespire Distribution that focuses on obtaining streaming media from the Internet.
gNewSense Free general purpose operating system, it is built with only free software.
Gnoppix Intended to offer the GNOME desktop environment on a Live CD. Discontinued.
Gobuntu Free general purpose operating system.
gOS Rocket gOS or "Green/Google OS" is based on Ubuntu 7.10 and the Enlightenment window manager, and designed for a US$200 Wal-Mart computer.
Guadalinex An Ubuntu-based distribution promoted by the local government of Andalucia, Spain for home users and schools (cf. EduLinux, Skolelinux).
Hiweed A distribution for the Chinese language.
Impi Linux A South African based distribution that targets users in Africa
Kubuntu Official derivative; uses the KDE desktop environment.
LinuxMCE Distribution designed to allow a computer to act as a Home Theater PC.
Linux Mint Distribution focused on multimedia. Contains Beryl.
Mythbuntu Designed to simplify the installation of MythTV on a home theater PC.
nUbuntu Includes tools used for penetration testing of servers and networks.
Ubuntu Christian Edition Oriented towards Christians
Ubuntu Studio Geared toward multimedia applications
Fluxbuntu Lightweight distribution using the Fluxbox window manager
Xubuntu Official derivative; uses the Xfce desktop environment.
Gentoo-based
Gentoo is a distribution designed to have highly optimized and frequently updated software. Distributions based on Gentoo use the Portage package management system with emerge.
Distribution Description
Gentoox An adaptation of Gentoo for the Xbox.
Knopperdisk A new distribution aimed at USB sticks.
Kororaa A distribution which aims at easy installation of a Gentoo system by using install scripts instead of manual configuration.
Pentoo Penetration-testing Live CD distribution.
Sabayon Linux Live DVD which includes a wide range of desktop environments and open-source software applications. Like Knoppix, Sabayon Linux can be installed on the hard drive.
SystemRescueCD System rescue Live CD version of Gentoo.
Ututo A distribution made in Argentina.
VidaLinux A distribution which uses Anaconda as its installer.
RPM-based
Red Hat Linux and SUSE Linux were the original major distributions that used the RPM file format, which is today used in several package management systems. Both of these later divided into commercial and community-supported distributions. Red Hat Linux divided into a community-supported distribution sponsored by Red Hat called Fedora, and a commercially supported distribution called Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Fedora-based
Distribution Description
Aurox Young Polish distribution with emphasis for multimedia, graphics, localization and education.
Aurora SPARC Linux A distribution that brings a modified Fedora to Sun's SPARC architecture
BLAG Linux and GNU A Free Software-based distribution designed for basic home computing tasks.
Fox Linux An Italian distribution designed for basic home computing tasks.
K12Linux and K12LTSP A distribution for educational purpose. K12LTSP comes with LTSP support.
Linux XP Distribution that focuses on ease of installation and use. Last release December 19 2005.
Yellow Dog Linux A Fedora-based distribution for the PowerPC platform. Also the official supported Linux for the PlayStation 3[citation needed]
Red Hat Enterprise Linux-based
Distribution Description
Asianux A distribution co-developed between Red Flag Software Co., Ltd., Miracle Linux Corp. and Haansoft, INC., focused on Chinese, Japanese and Korean supports.
CentOS Community-supported distribution that aims to be compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux without the inclusion of proprietary software.
SME Server Based on CentOS and targeting Small and Medium Enterprises.
ClarkConnect Router/firewall distribution
Pie Box Enterprise Linux Aims to be compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux by introducing minimal changes to the upstream packages.
Scientific Linux A distribution co-developed by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), which aims to be compatible with and based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
White Box Enterprise Linux A distribution designed to be compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Others (RPM-based)
Distribution Description
aLinux A distribution for home use designed to be equivalent to Windows XP Home (formerly known as Peanut Linux).
ALT Linux Several distributions including Master, Compact, and Junior. Provides support for Cyrillic languages.
Annvix A security-focused server distribution. Originally based on Mandrake 9.2 but has diverged a lot.
Ark Linux A distribution focused on ease of use and ease of learning.
Berry Linux A medium-sized Fedora-based distribution that provides support in Japanese and English.
Caixa Mágica A Portuguese distribution.
Caldera Linux Caldera bought SCO then took the SCO name and no longer produces a Linux distribution. Last release: 3.1.1 - Jan. 30, 2002
cAos Linux A general purpose distribution. Designed to have low overhead, run on older hardware, and be easily customizable
EduLinux A distribution for educational purposes (cf. Guadalinex, Skolelinux).
EnGarde Secure Linux Server-only distribution designed to be secure.
LiMux An ISO 9241 industry workplace certified Linux distribution, deployed at the City of Munich, Germany.
Linkat A distribution promoted by the government of Catalonia, Spain.
Mandriva Linux Free Free
MCNLive A Mandriva-based distribution designed to run from CD or USB Flash Drive, focused on multimedia, internet, graphics.
PCLinuxOS A Live CD distribution. Originally based on Mandrake 9.2.
PLD Linux Distribution Targets advanced users.
QiLinux Made in Italy, completely from scratch. The QiLinux staff has developed a desktop and live version as well as a server and advanced server version.
Red Flag Linux A distribution developed in China and optimized for the Chinese market.
Red Hat Linux Split into Fedora Core and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The last official release was Red Hat Linux 9 in March 2003.
SAM Linux A live and installation CD based on PCLinuxOS 2007 and Xfce.
Sharif Linux A bilingual Persian-English distribution for the Iranian market.
SUSE Linux A desktop-oriented Linux distribution supplied by Novell, Inc.. SUSE is one of the most popular distributions in Europe. Like Red Hat Linux, it is a large distribution on several CDs/DVDs. Free Eval versions are available for the SUSE Linux Enterprise versions.
* openSUSE - A branch developed by the community and sponsored by Novell. openSUSE maintains a strict policy of insuring all code in the standard installs will be from Free/Libre/Open-Source Software solutions, including Linux kernel Modules. Novell's enterprise Linux products are all based on the codebase that comes out of the openSUSE project.
* SUSE Linux Enterprise Server - A server-oriented Linux distribution supplied by Novell, Inc. and targeted at the business market.
* SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (previously branded Novell Linux Desktop) - A desktop-oriented Linux distribution supplied by Novell, Inc. and targeted at the enterprise market.
* SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time - A specialized version of the SUSE distribution from Novell designed to support low latency for time critical operations.
Trustix A distribution focused on security.
Turbolinux Based on Red Hat Linux.
Vine Linux A Japanese distribution based on Red Hat Linux.
YOPER A desktop distribution from New Zealand that focuses on optimizing system performance for workstation use.
Slackware-based
Slackware is known as a highly customizable distribution that stresses ease of maintenance and reliability over cutting edge software and automated tools. Generally considered a distribution for advanced users, it is often suggested to those who want to learn the inner workings of a Linux operating system.
Distribution Description
Austrumi A business card size (50MB) bootable live CD Linux distribution developed by Latvian programmers.
easys GNU/Linux Slackware based enterprise Desktop equipped with KDE.
Frugalware A general purpose Linux distribution designed for intermediate users.
GoblinX A live CD that features multiple customizable desktop environments.
HostGIS HostGIS Linux is a Slackware based distribution specifically made for handling GIS information.
Plamo Linux A Japanese Linux distribution designed for reliability and simplicity.
Slackintosh An unofficial port of Slackware to the PowerPC architecture.
Slamd64 An unofficial port of Slackware to the x86-64 architecture.
SLAX A very popular live CD which aims to provide a complete desktop for general use. Permanent installation of SLAX is not recommended or supported, it is designed for "live" use only.
Topologilinux Designed to run from within Microsoft Windows, Topologilinux can be installed without any changes to the user's hard disk.
Vector Linux A lightweight distribution designed to be easy to use even for new users. Generally considered well suited for older hardware.
Zenwalk Linux Originally a minimal version of Slackware, Zenwalk has evolved into a very different operating system; however, compatibility with Slackware is still maintained.
SLAX-Based
SLAX's modularity and reputation of quality have made it a popular base for other live CD projects.
Distribution Description
Arudius An information assurance suite that includes many vulnerability assessment utilities and source code auditing tools.
BackTrack A network security suite developed by RemoteExploit.org. It includes many penetration testing utilities and development tools. While BackTrack is principally used as a live CD, it can also be installed permanently.
DNALinux A small distribution designed for running bioinformatics software, including BLAST and EMBOSS.
SLAMPP Designed to be used on a home server.
Others
The following distributions either use another packaging system, do not use any, or are simply not categorized.
Distribution Description
Arch Linux An i686-optimized Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. Uses pacman utility to update packages.
BeatrIX A discontinued compact (200M) distribution from the Czech Republic. Providing a user-friendly desktop is a chief design goal.
Coyote Linux Router/firewall distribution.
CRUX CRUX is a lightweight, i686-optimized Linux distribution targeted at experienced Linux users. The primary focus of this distribution is "keep it simple", which is reflected in a simple tar.gz-based package system, BSD-style initscripts, and a relatively small collection of trimmed packages
Damn Small Linux (DSL) Generally considered as the starter of mini distributions. A live CD designed for MiniCD with a hard drive install option.
DD-WRT Embedded firewall distribution.
DeLi Linux A desktop based mini distribution with office suite, webbrowser and other graphical programs to run on a 486. Built from scratch with some influences from Slackware and CRUX.
Devil-Linux firewall/router/server distribution running from CD.
DSLinux Version of Linux designed for the Nintendo DS.
dyne:bolic LiveCD geared toward multimedia (audio and video) production, but comes with other non-media specific application (eg: word processor, desktop publisher). It is completely free software as defined by the Free Software Foundation.
Familiar Linux Distribution for iPAQ handhelds.
Fli4l a single floppy ISDN, DSL and Ethernet-Router.
Foresight Linux A distribution built around the Conary package manager.
FREESCO A free replacement for proprietary routers supporting up to 10 network cards and up to 10 modems.
GeeXboX LiveCD media center distribution, mainly to play special-encoded video files (eg: .ogg, XVID) on home theater.
GoboLinux An alternative Linux distribution which redefines the entire file system hierarchy by installing everything belonging to one application in one folder under /Programs, and using symlinks from /System and its subfolders to point to the proper files.
Hikarunix A distro solely for studying and playing the game of Go.
IPCop Router/firewall distribution.
iPodLinux Embedded Linux firmware for the Apple iPod based on the µCLinux kernel.
Jlime Distribution for the HP Jornada handhelds.
Jurix One of the earliest distributions, developed from 1993-1999; SuSE 4.2 was based on it.[citation needed]
Lunar Linux A source code-based distribution descended from Sorcerer GNU/Linux.
Lycoris Desktop/LX: Fell down to one employee and then acquired by Mandriva.
MCC Interim Linux MCC Interim Linux, possibly the first Linux distribution. Created by the Manchester Computing Centre in February of 1992.
MkLinux A distribution for PowerPC systems that runs the Linux kernel as a server on top of the Mach microkernel.
Mobilinux By Montavista for smartphones.
MontaVista Linux Embedded systems distro by MontaVista Software.
NASLite a floppy-based Linux designed to turn an old computer into a simple Network Attached Storage device.
NimbleX A modular distribution intended for non-experienced users. It runs from the CD/USB.
Nitix Developed by Net Integration Technologies Inc., Nitix claims to be the first autonomic Linux-based server operating system.
Pardus Developed in Turkey. It uses PISI as package manager, COMAR as configuration framework.
PS2 Linux Sony Computer Entertainment distribution released officially for the PlayStation 2 video game console.
Puppy Linux A mini distribution which boots 2-3 times faster than other mini distributions due to its own built-from-scratch boot procedure[citation needed]. Runs well under low-end PCs - even under 32MB RAM. Includes Slackware 12 support.
Rocks Cluster Distribution A distribution for building a High-performance computing computer cluster.
rPath A distribution built around the Conary package manager.
Sentry Firewall A firewall, server or intrusion detection system distribution.
SmoothWall Router/firewall distribution.
Softlanding Linux System One of the earliest distributions, developed from 1992-1994; Slackware was originally based on it.
Sorcerer A source code-based distribution.
Source Mage GNU/Linux A source code-based distribution, descended from Sorcerer.
Tinfoil Hat Linux Bootable floppy distribution focusing on extreme security.[citation needed]
tomsrtbt Root boot disk.
Tuga Commercial desktop distribution made in Italy, based on QiLinux.
Yggdrasil Linux One of the oldest Linux distributions, not updated since 1995.