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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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what linux OS should I install on a backup notebook if my main one is debian? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 months ago by merompetehla@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I'm your regular end user. I use my computers to edit text, audio and video, watch movies, listen to music, post and bank on the internet...

my main computer uses now debian 12.5 after abandoning xubuntu.

For my backup notebook I have several candidates:

Simply install debian 12.5 again, the easiest choice.
Install linux mint, so I get ubuntu but without them throwing their subscription services down my throat. I'm unsure about other advantages, as ubuntu is debian based, maybe the more frequent program updates? Kernels are also updated more often than with debian as far as I know. Do you know of other advantages?
Go for FreeBSD: this might require a learning curve, because this is an OS I've never used. Are commands that different from debian?

other more niche linux OSs seem too much a hassle and I guess won't be as supported as the main ones.

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[–] c10l@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago

The main “instability” I’ve found with testing or sid is just that because new packages are added quickly, sometimes you’ll have dependency clashes.

Pretty much every time the package manager will take care of keeping things sane and not upgrading a package that will cause any incompatibility.

The main issue is if at some point you decide to install something that has conflicting dependencies with something you already have installed. Those are usually solvable with a little aptitude-fu as long as there are versions available to sort things out neatly.

A better first step to newer packages is probably stable with backports though.

https://backports.debian.org/