Gentoo
It wouldn't be wrong to
claim that the current crop of Linux distros expend far too much effort to
appear more pleasing to new users. From installation to package management,
everything is aimed at being more user friendly. What's more, most of these
distros aim to take much of the control away from users.
With Gentoo, users can
exert their influence in building the system from the ground up. It's one of
the most configurable distros, and expects you to compile the kernel after
tweaking it according to your needs during the installation.
The distro packs an
awesome package management system in Portage which you must use to fetch every
package you wish to install. The Gentoo DVD, although not an installation
medium, can be used to come to terms with the Portage system.
You will encounter a
steep learning curve as you're introduced to critical Linux internals and
several new technologies native to Gentoo, such as the USE flags system.
Thankfully, the Gentoo Handbook is a detailed guide that is a must read before
you begin your Gentoo journey.
Unlike most other
distros, a Gentoo installation can take several hours and even days, depending
on your needs and system resources. The rolling release nature of the distro
means that updates are provided from time to time.
Verdict: Highly customisable distro which gives complete control to the
users. Recommended only for experienced and patient users eager to learn Linux
internals.
Rating: 9/10
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