Hello, fellow internet users. I am currently using Debian but would like a distro to try the new Gnome on. I have been using Debian for a while and I love the stability, but would like newer packages. I also, for no rational reason, would like to be able to use the default package manager exclusively. I used Fedora before and liked it more than Debian (apart from that it felt vaguely Windowsey) but I would like to distance myself from the whole red hat thing. What distro do you think I should get?
If you open to do some research - you should be able to stay on Debian and use nix the package manager https://hachyderm.io/@fasterthanlime/111099224022408403
Comes with some steep learning curve, almost a learning cliff though. But once past this - it’s good.
It sounds like you want a rolling release distribution. Which means the software repository will have versions close to upstream, or the latest versions shortly after they hit. There’s plenty of those.
The best entry level rolling release distribution is, in my opinion, EndeavourOS. It is based on Arch Linux, but provides a fully working desktop out of the box. It grants you a package manager with a rolling release repository.
Next up would be Arch Linux. Similar to above, but it comes with a minimal system and you have to explicitly install most applications that aren’t required to boot and start a terminal-only session, including your desktop environment.
Next up would be either gentoo or nixos. But I feel like the other two will cover your bases so I won’t talk about those unless you want me to.
Just use guix or NixOS. Last package manager you’ll need
Happy Nixos user here. Never looked back and after this ride I am not able to switch, cannot see the reason for imperativs anymore 😁
If you don’t mind learning a bit upfront (the installation process is low level but well documented) and want to experience a fantastic package manager, try Gentoo!
Just use a rolling release distro and call it a day. You have Arch if you want to get your hands dirty. Or you can run endeavorOS which is almost Arch. You have suse tumbleweed. I have been running endeavourOS for close to two years now and I love it.
I’d consider endeavor if I didn’t have dracut forced on me. Is there a way to install without it?
