Linux Distributions

If you end up participating in online Linux discussions through mail lists, newsgroups, or Internet relay chat (IRC) channels, or even if you just read Linux publications such as Linux journal, there is one term you will undoubtedly see repeated: Linux community.
 Despite the incredible evolution Linux has experienced over the last few years, there is still a very real sense of community surrounding Linux and its users. The spirit of sharing and helping others without asking for anything in return is still prevalent and has even won the Linux community awards for providing the best technical support in the computer industry. The majority of Linux users believe that by sharing with others, they will ultimately be rewarded in other ways. The same applies to commercial distributions of Linux results in the production of more contributions to Linux development.
 In some realms of the Linux community, the term community can be stretched a bit. Arguments over whose distribution is better have been elevated by some to the level of religion. This has proven to be somewhat unhealthy for Linux in general, especially when articles that are not favorable to one distribution or another are written. A rather vocal minority of Linux users have tended to respond with an unfair degree of venom, causing yet more bad press and creating a snowball effect.

Although a great deal of community spirit is felt within the Linux community, this same community can be is own worst enemy when dealing with individuals who use or advocate any other operating system. The animosity displayed toward users of alternative operating systems does more harm than good to the Linux community overall. If you become a Linux advocate, please read the Linux AdvocatevHOW-TO (https://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/mini/Advocacy.html) before becoming embroiled in a "get a due" debate. This same tolerance should be displayed for those using alternative distributions as well as alternative operating systems.

 It is with this in mind that I say that you must not read the following as implying anything detrimental toward any particular Linux distribution. Comparisons made here are just that-comparisons. Linux users are members of the Linux community, and as members they acknowledge that part of what makes Linux so great is that there is variety, and that whatever  helps one distribution will ultimately help others. The differences give users choices, and choice is what differentiates Linux from the rest of today's popular operating systems. This is something to celebrate, not something to be used to fuel fires.