Arch is a well thought on Linux. Most flavors focus on compatibility and quality over pushing feature after feature. Arch in general is a hands on Linux, but the repository and packages have been repaired completely before release and kernels are all most completed before changing to next kernel number. So modules and kernels are much nicer in arch Linux
Arch is systemd
Artix is a systemd free fork of Arch.
If I thought I needed to mention artix i would have.
I'm an Arch user as well. I started in 1997 on Slackware and stuck with it for a long, long time but eventually the outdated packages got to be too much. I went to Gentoo after that, but compiling everything became brutal on some of my systems - I have a small fan less PC that runs what my bf calls my NAS, as well as Pi-hole, a print server, and a half dozen other odds and ends I can't live without.
Arch had a bit of a learning curve but I can always get it to do what I want and it is extremely well documented. I have no idea what year I stared using it but it's been a good long while now (at least ten years thinking back on moving out here and I was running it then) and I have no complaints.
I think the only devices in my home not running it would be my router (running OpenWRT) and my Steam Deck (although it might be an Arch derivative). My gaming PC is using VIFO to directly pass hardware to a Windows VM, although I'm guessing in just a couple years I won't need to do that. I almost don't have to now, but my VR stuff is currently less headache in the VM.
It also gives you total freedom, regarding package management. With PaMac, you can install repos, AUR, SNAPs, and flatpak, and have them all updated with one frontend.
Yup so friendly once setup
A. systemd isnt nearly as bad from an end user base as you might think. From a free software standpoint it is kind of evil, but nowadays so much stuff is written to work with it, it's tough to escape it unless your a Linux pro.
B. As far as distros go, for a standard userz arch is almost always my answer. However, base Arch isnt very friendly, so my personal choice for best distro is Manjaro. Basically anything with access to the AUR. Avoid anything Ubuntu based like a Nigger Jew
I saw a video on how shady Manjaro is a while back and it's given me a bad impression on the distro.
I had a love/hate relationship with Manjaro for a really long time also. Early on, updates would break my shit, then later their plans for office software seemed sketch. When I finally decided to jump off a Ubuntu distro when the whole SNAP shit started, I wanted something with access to the AUR because it's too good to passup. I decided to try Manjaro 1 last time. I've been on it now for 4 years, same install. I realize impressions can be a strong sway, but I'd urge you to at least give it a week test. Their software updater is on par with anything you'll use in any other "free" distro, their release cycle (usually) filters out the bugs that come with Arch, and if an issue does arise, you'll have access to the Arch wiki, instead of searching through Ubuntu or Debian forum posts hoping someone had a similar issue.
I never understood the problem with systemd. That being said I still stick with Debian.
About 6-8 years ago, it acted funny. Would break installs on updates, make programs run weird, change your settings, etc. I haven't had an issue using it since 2019, probably was just growing pains. That said, it WAS when I was using Ubuntu, and could have just as easily been the distro, given how Frankenstein those fucking niggerfaggots are with their update process and Kernel patching
That's why I don't use Ubuntu. Mint is a good distro but I won't use Ubuntu anymore. I have read some things saying it's backdoored like M$ Windoze is and they get the bulk of their funding from China I just don't bother with it.
I used aptosid for a while, and it was pretty good. These days I enjoy mxlinux.
I've got fedora loaded on my laptop currently, my favorite from back in the day was backtrack. Ubuntu is excellent for beginners and I usually recommend that for people sick of windows.
Manjaro is "Arch lite" ~ I'm on the LTS kernel(s ~ been using it long enough to have changed 3 times), have never had any kind of stability issues. It's transparent, it just fucking works without calling any attention to itself. Worst I can remember is that one update killed my dual-boot, but it was addressed within 24 hours (I didn't notice it for weeks, have little need to reboot and less to boot into Win7).
Slackware. Gtfo my lawn.
Fedora is clearly the frontrunner if you're looking to Linux as a career opportunity. I wouldn't suggest you install Redhat Linux as Fedora is free and RedHat is not. As an Ubuntu user that moves between RHEL, Ubuntu, AIX, Windows 10/11 - the biggest challenge I found was the package managers (apt, yum, winget), besides that they are so similar the learning curve is minimal, I don't even alias commands.
Personally - I have tried (and frequently virtualbox) many distros, but find Ubuntu LTS distros to be the best for my day to day home device.
If you're looking for something security based, TAILS is always a fun tinker, but I am not sure it's a daily driver TBH If you're looking for a mac type experience, Elementary OS is a nice desktop
Disclaimer - I am not endorsing any of these products, nor have I vetted the companies to make sure they meet any expectations, you're responsible for doing your own diligence before taking any action.
If you're a GenX member you might remember moving between MSDos, DRDos, and IBMDos - I feel like this is a fair parallel...
I've been on Artix for nearly a year now coming from Kubuntu. I dig it.
Whichever Linux distro works best for you is the best.
Excluding packaging formats and default desktop environments, they're all pretty much the same.
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