this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2025
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Linux
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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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Most distributions are customizable. The reason why Arch has this reputation of being customizable is, because it comes barebones and you have to build your own distribution out of it, basically. That means you need to learn and understand Linux and how Arch works. With other distributions you can still customize them to lot of degrees, you just start with an already build and tested environment.
However, there is a new trend of so called "immutable" or sometimes also "atomic" distributions. These work a bit differently, where the system is protected and either updated as a whole or in a special way. So deep customization (depending on what you exactly want to do) can vary in those cases. An example of such a distribution would be SteamOS 3.
Then there is also the release model you choose: rolling release or LTS (also known as point release). Archlinux is in example such a rolling release, which means it gets updates and often has the newest software available. But this comes at a risk and often the user need to understand what is happening in case of a problem. Therefore I recommend a beginner to Linux a system that uses a point release system (or also known as LTS in example) instead. Ubuntu uses such a system, and many others. This means it gets security updates and little features over time, but not always the newest version of a software with the newest features. What you get instead is "stability" in the sense of not changing too much and being less risky as well.
If you are new to Linux and want an easy to use distribution that is much Arch, but a little bit easier with preconfigured environment, then I would look at EndeavourOS. But I really do not recommend an Archlinux system as your first distribution, if you want an easy to use system. There are lot of other choices to make too, like the GUI and so on. Looks like you already like KDE Plasma if you want Kubuntu in example. The question is, why are you looking for a different operating system than Kubuntu in example? Why don't you install Kubuntu. I ask, because the answer could help in finding the right one for you.
Kubuntu is my first choice, arch is like "I know how this works, lets try." If I need a daily driver I would choose Kubuntu. I think its pretty.
There is this concept of desktop environments on Linux. It's basically the GUI and lot of associated applications. Archlinux does not have one and starts with a terminal and you have to enter commands and know which GUI you want, and set it up yourself. You can install the same that is used in Kubuntu, it's called KDE Plasma. You can install KDE Plasma on most distributions, its part of what makes Linux customizable. But if you do so, you have to set it up, therefore I highly recommend a distribution like Kubuntu that has it already.
EndeavourOS in example has in the graphical installer the choice what you want to install, and one of them is KDE Plasma. So you would have Archlinux with an easy installer and configuration, with the GUI and toolset of Kubuntu.
Thanks, these coments were very good π
Not entirely, for example, Discover is only good for flatpaks in EndeavourOS.
Also not entirely ;-), for example Plasma Addons and Application Addons from KDE Store can also be managed this way. But overall I guess you are right, as its not recommended to manage (pacman) system packages with Discover. I don't even know how to set this up, if I wanted to. Half a point goes to you. :p
I didn't know it handled them (I've never used Discover) but yeah they're not system packages so they will be OK too.
10 points to Gryffindor :)