267: Are Specialty Distros Bad For Linux?

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I loved this content because as I was watching this I had my first issue with my KDE Neon install and I am done one issue with updating and it still is present. I am taking @MichaelTunnell his words and making the switch to OpenSuse. I have used many distros and a good majority of them were Ubuntu based I think its time for a change and OpenSuse has caught my eye. Don’t get me wrong I have been using Neon since the beginning and had no issues but none of my packages will update due to a libglib update being held back by the Ubuntu base. So again I thank you for this video. @dasgeek I was wondering if your cheat-sheet for tumbleweed is still relevant to use with the current snapshot of OpenSuse?

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So Sparky Linux also has these patterns that you can install.

They have the main distro, and the game spin and a few others I think.

If you download the standard edition and decide you want features in the games spin, no problem. One terminal command will download the Gaming “pattern” for you. They did not use term pattern but I will. Would be nice if this came with the level of customisation as OpenSUSE gives you on install. But not quite.

Alternatively a few Distro’s give you the option of a base or minimal install. Ubuntu has a minimal image download, or server image. Debian has net install. Manjaro has Architect. Arch has, well Arch.

You can install your minimal install and be very selective about which packages you install on top of it and pretty much make your own. Maybe not as easily as OpenSUSE Studio allowed, but still…

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You might also like to look at Gecko Linux.
Gives you some live images to look at and also makes OpenSUSE a bit easier with music codecs preinstalled, etc.

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@Craggles086 thank you for the feedback. I’ll definitely check those out but I like my Linux to hurt a little for I am a tinkerer.

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Just want to report back that I have made the move to openSUSE Tumbleweed and am really liking the whole experience.

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I have an entire site largely devoted to “openSUSE cheats”. Every time I need to take notes on doing a thing, I put it on my site.

If you have specific questions, I am more than happy to answer them. After all, I have an ALMOST unhealthy obsession with the project. :wink:

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Thank you, I will definitely be checking that out. I have been a Debian/Ubuntu user (mostly) for almost 20 years and now I am stepping into new territory as far as the terminal commands are similar yet different. I totally am enjoying YaST and all it offers.

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Thanks, everyone - fantastic show as usual. Especially enjoyed the funny little clips at the end too. @MichaelTunnell with unmarked keyboard - wow - that’s quite something. I struggle to avoid typos even with all of them labelled, not to mention trying to remember shortcuts :wink:

With the specialist distros, I think it’s Linux’s nature that enthusiasts in our community love to tinker and build things so I say great - do it - but also please don’t lose sight of sharing what you do, so yes, I’m all for sending useful work upstream again, for potential inclusion.

When it comes to newbies, I think they should be told that Linux is very diverse and if they want to enjoy its diversity, they should get to know it gradually; so introduce them via a small number of standard distros, or via known very useful specialist distros (like Ubuntu Studio) depending on their needs. I think once folks get to know and love Linux, they will naturally be drawn to whichever mainstream or niche suits their needs best.

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Update: It has been one week with openSUSE Tumbleweed and I haven’t looked back. I again thank you all for this video it really got me headed in a better direction. :slightly_smiling_face:

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I just installed tumbleweed about two hours ago. I knew there was something which put the idea into my head, it was this thread. lol.

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