Linux Distros for Everyone: Community, Desktop, Hardcore Geek...

Browse the full list of Linux distributions, or jump to the category based on the following list: Commercial, Community, Compact, Desktop, Graphics and Music, Hardcore Geek, Hardware Oriented, Live, Education, Philosophically Free, Security, Miscellaneous.

Hardcore Geek Distros

For purists steeped in the mystique of UNIX or determined to max out performance, the popular distros don't make it. Instead, they turn to distributions that take the do-it-yourself credo to the ultimate extreme. This distributions aren't for everybody, but if you're interested in learning all you can about GNU/Linux, you might consider trying at least one of them at some point.

Frugalware: Although advertised as aimed at intermediate users, Frugalware is listed here because it makes few concessions to new users. Based on Slackware, it features its own package management system and daily updates.

Gentoo: Some people describe Gentoo as not so much a distribution as a philosophy. With every package install customized for your hardware, Gentoo is ideal if you want to wring every last ounce of performance from your equipment -- but you need to be patient. Although some derivatives of Gentoo, such as Sabayon, use ready-made packages for different architectures, the truly hardcore often feel that this compromise is like playing a video game using the cheat codes: You can do it, but you miss the whole experience if you do.

Linux from Scratch: The geekiest of the geeky distributions, Linux from Scratch is exactly what it says: a distro in which everything is built from source code. Following the instructions takes time, but, when you're finished, you'll have learned a lot about the operating system, as well as having a compact and secure system.

Lunar: Lunar Linux installs a minimal system, then builds and installs additional packages from source, using its own package management.

Slackware: One of the oldest surviving distributions, Slackware has always emphasized simplicity and power over ease of use. Instead of using a custom package format, it uses zipped tarfiles instead, and the official repositories can be slow to include popular programs, especially ones with a reputation for code bloat like OpenOffice.org. A number of other distros are derived from Slackware, including Slax and Frugalware.