OSNews

While all open source software can be installed on all Linux distributions, the crisis arises when you have to install, update, remove or manage libraries on your system. Some Linux distributions are better than others at doing this, hence a reason for the review.

In addition, many Linux distributions are packaged with needless and redundant software or services. It is not unusual for distros to install as many as 12 editors on your system by default. Or even have 15 deamons running in the background without the users knowledge. Reviews like this serve to remind frustrated users that there exists distributions like arch or slackware when users have maximum control over how their operating environments function.

Finally, different users have desparate needs. Programmers, developers, power users and geeks usually work in environments that aren't mainstream, or designed for your average user. These environments have been tweaked for their productivity and sometimes awkward habbits. Distributions like arch and slackware give these knowledge users enormous control over what should or shouldn't tick. In other words, they are clean, lean and mean distributions for users who know what they are doing, or who seek maximum control.

I believe there are better distributions that slackware or arch for the above mentioned criteria, but that is another story all together. However, users need to know, or be reminded that Linux distributions like arch or slackware, or others in their category exist. It is true that all Linux distributions are essentially the same. In fact, the only thing that differentiates a good distro from a horrible one, in my mind, is the package manager. But other people have their own criteria.