You classified distros as poor with some pretty broad categories, leaving few in an undefined group you apparently prefer. After eliminating those you describe, I'm not sure I'd opt for what's left.

Though I disagree with your views, I welcome your opinions. That is, after all, how open-source selection works. Lots of choices and suggestions, and the global community picks/develops what they want or what works best. At the heart of this is diversity and choice, something your list argues against. In fact, a fundamental principle might be to encourage even more distros of all types, rather than fewer.

"Ones to avoid are CrunchBang, INX and LormaLinux."

I use Crunchbang and I love it for its simplicity. Who needs whistles and bells? From Boot to working in about 30 seconds. My second favorite is Kubuntu.

Worst distribution? How about "Hannah Montana Linux" ? http://linuxtracker.org/index.php?pa...4c0481ec86868b

I appreciate your opinions and thoughts on this subject but you are way, way off on just about everything that you wrote. I wish there was a magical way of getting the 5 minutes back that I wasted reading this article. I think it's time to start a list of the top 10 worst Linux articles and put this one at number 1.

What a waste of time......

@cmccullough
The thing is...that you said that I'm way, way off...and that is your opinion, is it not?

It's funny how EVERYONE assumes that they are correct and that their opinion is the standard by which all others are judged.

I too disagree with you and agree with many of the other responders.
What a waste of time....
I was looking forward to a useful description of distros to stay away from.
And reasons why.... not only do you slag/dis several good distros, but also some of many of the advantages of Linux... the variety of distros, the speciality distros, and the ability to build your own (if you can't find the one that suits your need, or as a learning experience) Guess you are not that familiar or interested in Linux.

Maybe I am mistaken?

@lazlong, et al.

I think some of you are missing the point here.

I was an early adopter of Linux (1995), started the local Linux Users Group, and have done much work within the Linux community. If people would read what I wrote in the actual tone in which it was written, you'd understand it better. For example, lots of people think I'm dissing Ubuntu...and I'm not. I'm saying that to label a distribution as a Microsoft Killer is bad and Ubuntu has been listed in many places as a Microsoft Killer. That puts it at the top of the list of the worst in that respect.
Security: Astaro is a great distro. However, as I stated, when you label something with "Security", it becomes a target. Check the distros I listed there to see when they were last updated. A secure distro...to remain secure must be updated almost constantly.

What a waste of time and bytes. Still, an ... "interesting" way to challenge into discussion.

Maybe I am mistaken?

What I think I see is you trying to be humours (in ways)?

I don't think any distros label themselves "MS Killers" that comes from writers, bloggers/responders or their editors specious headlines.

Do you still use Linux in you day to day work & Play?

I too started to play with Linux in '94, started using it on servers & appliances in '97 for commercial web sites, '01~02 as my primary desktop/laptop/workstation tool.

10. Security
While I have heard of these (that you mention) I have no direct experience.
Depending on one's need/use, there is SELinux, or just a properly set-up firewall. iptables/firestarter etc (of course there is more, if needed)
Still if for a network, a stand alone appliance maybe appropriate.
There are things like, ClarkConnect, IPCop, etc, or devices like the Yoggie gatekeeper/pico, etc, all of which even help secure Windows & Mac systems as well.

9. Super-specialised Distributions
Why you mention Zenwalk in this category I am not quite sure?
GeeXBox has developed into a good media/htc system as well as something for the Xbox.

8. Minimal Desktop
I generally agree, yet some may find them useful or a better fit, then building or stripping from scratch.

7. Foreign Language Distros
Why worry if they don't fit your need.....
At one point I found Parsix (an Iranian Distro) to be the better Live Debian distros.

6. Create Your Own Distribution Distributions
Some of these like LFS is more for the learning experience.
Others have tools to remaster & create your own specific live CD/USB like DreamLinux (Brazilian)

5. Unfinished Symphony Distros
Not sure what you mean by Symphony? I would guess you are not talking about the Symphony DE, but a complete system. Like maybe Sabayon or others?

4./3./2. Embedded/Mobile/Appliancees
These are all relatively the same, and unless you are a developer/hacker/DIYer you would use the device as is. Phone, Smartphone, GPS, DVR, TV, Router, home automation, etc, etc.

1. MS Killer
As I said before, none are presented that way. Yet many can be an alternative for many to MS, if made aware and had parity in the market.


So in summary
It looked like you were complaining about the variety of Linux.
Maybe I took you too seriously and it was a tongue~n~cheek look at some of the Linux advantages.

@lazlong

Now, you're getting it! The foreign language one was kidding...I said that Red Hat should have kept redneck...and there is no Eskimo Linux...at least I don't think there is.

The article is meant to do what it did, start discussions and lead to knowledge transfer. Thanks for reading. Check out my other posts...like The 10 Best Linux Distributions...that one is 100% serious though you might not 100% agree with it.

After your previous response & reading
http://www.daniweb.com/search/search...+Distributions

I see nothing to disagree about (in that one)

Debian has always been my favourite since discovering it (dpkg, apt-get) @
'02~03 during the early Morphix/Knoppix days of liveCd's
I enjoyed the derivatives/compilations as well. Kanotix, Mepis, GeniOS etc.
Back in those days I was pulling for UserLinux, but Ubuntu (and its many derivatives, K, X, Mint etc) have come a long way and agree for general use it is the better if not the best for general/casual use for most. But if aware and/or interested there are others.

Slack & Gentoo & their derivatives, are worth looking at for some.
DistroWatch Weekly has an interesting story & forum on old lost/defunct distros. http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20090713
And a good reference for major distros. http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major