[NTLUG:Discuss] Distribution Alternative to Ubuntu

[joe b]

Garuda Dr460nized

https://garudalinux.org/editions

Plasma desktop arch based

Garuda is very easy to use compared to other arch based distros
There are other lighter editions if that is what you are looking for

On Tue, Apr 28, 2026 at 1:03 AM Steve Litt <slitt at troubleshooters.com>
wrote:

> Leroy Tennison said on Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:48:17 +0000 (UTC)
>
> > Thanks for the reply Steve, I'm (still) downloading the Devuan
> > desktop DVD.  Supposedly I just upgraded to 1Gbit Internet with AT&T
> > fiber but both ends have to be fast - I'm about 2 hours out of
> > finishing a 15-20 hour download (if I'm lucky).
> >To answer your questions:
> >Dislike of Ubuntu: snap, systemd, future implementation of age
> >verification. KDE importance: I'm not getting younger and having to
> >invest lot's of time learning things I'm not really interested in
> >doesn't appeal to me (like having to learn about alternate SMS/MMS
> >message apps on my Android after Samsung dropped support of theirs).
> >I'm not saying KDE is the best, it's just I have a lot invested in it.
> >I'm not looking for a high level of user friendliness but, again,
> >don't want a learning curve about secondary things. Fortunately
> >hardware isn't Linux hostile. Opinion of:   systemd: mixed - has some
> >nice thnigs but major irritations as well   init: what I started with
> >- I guess neutral   Others: no knowledge Prefer a package manager but
> >have used snap and tried to use flatpak - not opposed to them other
> >than snap. My Linux machine is a productivity desktop other than
> >running KVM so I can spin up VMs to "play with new software and
> >configuration" on. Based on this, any additional thoughts?
>
> Yes. Devuan offers KDE Plasma, doesn't have systemd, and has training
> wheels but not to the ridiculous level of Ubuntu. So assuming you use
> KDE Plasma on Devuan, your only learning is going to be re-learning
> sysvinit. Personally, I'd suggest you transition from sysvinit to
> runit, but that can come later. I think flatpack and appimage work on
> Devuan.
>
> But snap doesn't work on Devuan because snap insists you use the systemd
> init system. Reminds me of the time in my twenties when I had two
> girlfriends. One demanded I see only her, so I dumped her and kept
> seeing the other one. I don't like getting pressured for exclusivity
> (or didn't before getting married).
>
> SteveT
>
> Steve Litt
>
> http://444domains.com
>
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