Appearance
Linux
What is Running
To see what distribution is currently running on your system:
lsb_release -alsb_release -aor
cat /etc/*-releasecat /etc/*-releaseor
hostnamectlhostnamectlKernel details are available with:
uname -auname -aUbuntu
Ubuntu
Ubuntu Server
Ubuntu Version
Ubuntu is an open source linux operating system.
Once you have your copy of Ubuntu, boot your computer with it and Ubuntu should load into a "Live" instance. This is a fully functional Linux system. Cooool. With enough memory, the only noticable performance hit comes when the system needs to access a program from the source media.
At this point you are also able to install Ubuntu to a local drive. Whether you run live or install to disk, that's up to you.
more details on installing a new Ubuntu system
Desktops / Window Managers
As if it wasn't enough to choose a distribution, you may also want to choose the window manager. Typically this choice is made by the specific distribution you run, but some (e.g. arch) allow you to choose as part of the installation process.
Gnome3 in newer versions of Ubuntu is a solid choice. I enjoy the 'overview' feature where you can see all windows for a given workspace.
Xubuntu ships with XFCE, which is another good choice.
Ubuntu Studio is built on top of Xubuntu. https://ubuntustudio.org/
Servers
For servers, ubuntu server is good
This is a good local mirror for ubuntu: (don't think xubuntu is there) http://ftp.ussg.iu.edu/linux
CentOS is another popular distribution that tracks Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Raspberry Pi
Create Bootable Media
This process is the same for all systems.
Whatever you choose, start by downloading and burning an image of the operating system (OS) of your choice from their site.
To transfer image for use, see creating a bootable usb.
Other Distributions
There are many linux distributions available. Which one you run is a matter of personal preference. Communities create a distribution as a standard collection of linux applications and configurations. Notes about what happens before the Operating System (OS) is running
When downloading an image, torrents are a good way to share bandwidth. This supports a good cause! Be sure to use a network that you have adequate bandwidth quotas.
Elementary OS
Based on Ubuntu? Debian? Gnome 3? This is one I've been interested to try out.
https://elementary.io/
The thoughtful, capable, and ethical replacement for Windows and macOS ⋅ elementary OS
https://elementary.io/docs/installation#installation
Installation
https://github.com/elementary/os/wiki/elementary-OS-6.1-Jólnir-FAQ
elementary OS 6.1 Jólnir FAQ · elementary/os Wiki
https://store.elementary.io/
Store ⋅ elementary Store
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=elementary+os+ubuntu+22.04&ia=web
elementary os ubuntu 22.04 at DuckDuckGo
https://9to5linux.com/elementary-os-7-will-be-based-on-ubuntu-22-04-lts-offer-gtk4-apps-and-power-profiles
elementary OS 7 Will Be Based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Offer GTK4 Apps and Power Profiles - 9to5Linux
Nix OS
https://nixos.org/
Nix: reproducible builds and deployments
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NixOS
NixOS - Wikipedia
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=nix+os&hps=1&atb=v343-5ja&ia=web
nix os at DuckDuckGo
Arch Linux
https://www.google.com/search?q=arch+linux arch linux - Google Search https://www.archlinux.org/download/ Arch Linux - Downloads
Security
Qubes OS
https://www.google.com/search?q=qube+os qube os - Google Search https://www.qubes-os.org/intro/ An Introduction to Qubes OS | Qubes OS https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/ Documentation | Qubes OS https://www.qubes-os.org/downloads/ Download Qubes OS | Qubes OS
Kali Linux
https://www.kali.org/downloads/
Official Kali Linux Downloads | Kali Linux
https://docs.kali.org/category/introduction
- Getting Started | Kali Linux
https://docs.kali.org/introduction/should-i-use-kali-linux
Should I Use Kali Linux? | Kali Linux
https://www.google.com/search?q=secure+linux&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-ab
secure linux - Google Search
https://fossbytes.com/secure-linux-distros-privacy-anonymity/
10 Most Secure Linux Distros For Complete Privacy & Anonymity | 2017 Edition
Privacy
https://boingboing.net/2018/01/30/happy-data-privacy-day-a-turn.html
Happy Data Privacy Day! A turning point for anonymity, privacy, and the tools that deliver them / Boing Boing
Whonix
Tails
https://tails.boum.org/install/download/index.en.html
Tails - Download and verify
https://tails.boum.org/index.en.html
Tails - Privacy for anyone anywhere
To get this to boot with a VM in VirtualBox, I needed to run the following:
Click settings before starting the VM
Goto to System
Look at Extended Features
Click "Enable I/O APIC"
If the screen appears locked with a clock, slide the screen up to unlock it.
To create a disk image from an img file:
system/virtualization/img_files.md
Finally, needed to do the following to boot:
In order overcome the above error and proceed with booting TAILS from an older SanDisk Cruzer stick, hit the <TAB> key at the boot prompt. You’ll see, at the foot of the screen, a series of default switches passed to the boot loader. Arrow key back to the media=removable option and delete it. Ensure you keep the space between successive parameters. Hit <RETURN> and TAILS should continue booting per usual. It can be a little slow to boot, particularly from older USB sticks, so be patient.
Custom Distribution
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/
Welcome to Linux From Scratch!
https://www.google.com/search?q=build+custom+linux+distribution build custom linux distribution - Google Search https://www.maketecheasier.com/create-linux-distro/
Create Your Own Linux Distro with Ubuntu Imager
https://github.com/Distroshare/distroshare-ubuntu-imager
GitHub - Distroshare/distroshare-ubuntu-imager: Creates an installable live CD from an installed Ubuntu or derivative distribution
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MakeALiveCD/DVD/BootableFlashFromHarddiskInstall
MakeALiveCD/DVD/BootableFlashFromHarddiskInstall - Community Help Wiki