MXLinux is the most downloaded Linux desktop distribution, and now I know why

Source: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/mxlinux-is-the-most-downloaded-linux-desktop-distribution-and-now-i-know-why/
Published: Apr 8, 2021
Author: Horse
Post Date: 2021-04-08 14:24:27 by Horse
Views: 1778

Have you heard of it? If you're an ardent supporter of Linux on the desktop, you probably have. Otherwise, chances are pretty slim you've ever heard tell of this particular Linux distribution--there's a reason for that. MXLinux isn't Ubuntu, Mint or even Fedora (in a pinch). MXLinux doesn't have the brand recognition the other popular takes on the Linux distributions. More about Open Source

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It doesn't have the cachet of widespread familiarity. Then why is it the most downloaded Linux distribution on Distrowatch?

A bit of a sidebar: I realize that Distrowatch isn't the bellwether of Linux popularity. For those of us who've been around the Linux block for a few decades, it's an important indicator. When I see that MXLinux has the No. 1 download spot (over Manjaro, Linux Mint, Pop!_OS and Ubuntu), I take notice.

I downloaded the latest iteration of MXLinux and spun up a virtual machine to see what gives. I must say, I was not surprised by what greeted me.

SEE: Linux service control commands (TechRepublic Premium) MXLinux features a clean desktop ADVERTISING

If I had to describe MXLinux in a single word, that word would be "clean." The default Xfce desktop is quite appealing (Figure A); with a perfect mixture of simplicity, ease of use and appeal to more seasoned users.

Have you heard of it? If you're an ardent supporter of Linux on the desktop, you probably have. Otherwise, chances are pretty slim you've ever heard tell of this particular Linux distribution--there's a reason for that. MXLinux isn't Ubuntu, Mint or even Fedora (in a pinch). MXLinux doesn't have the brand recognition the other popular takes on the Linux distributions. More about Open Source

Linux: The 7 best distributions for new users (free PDF) Top commands Linux admins need to know (TechRepublic Premium) The Linux desktop is boring again--that's a good thing Open source shouldn't mean anti-commercial says Drupal creator Dries Buytaert

It doesn't have the cachet of widespread familiarity. Then why is it the most downloaded Linux distribution on Distrowatch?

A bit of a sidebar: I realize that Distrowatch isn't the bellwether of Linux popularity. For those of us who've been around the Linux block for a few decades, it's an important indicator. When I see that MXLinux has the No. 1 download spot (over Manjaro, Linux Mint, Pop!_OS and Ubuntu), I take notice.

I downloaded the latest iteration of MXLinux and spun up a virtual machine to see what gives. I must say, I was not surprised by what greeted me.

If I had to describe MXLinux in a single word, that word would be "clean." The default Xfce desktop is quite appealing (Figure A); with a perfect mixture of simplicity, ease of use and appeal to more seasoned users.

Post Comment   Private Reply

#1: NeoconsNailed    To: Horse (#0)

Somebody in a music forum was justelling me to use Linux. Do you? What's the learning curve like? Good to know it's there in cas I ever need it.

NeoconsNailed posted on 2021-04-08 14:27:34   Reply   Private Reply

#2: Pinguinite    To: NeoconsNailed (#1)

The graphic interface is as easy to use as any other graphic interface. There's no learning curve with it. You have desktop icons just like windows does, a tool bar which shows what's open, and a menu dropdown for finding any program installed, grouped by general purpose, like "Internet" and "Graphics" and "Games", etc.

And these days most windows programs can be run in Linux. There's really no reason to be isolated on Windows.

Pinguinite posted on 2021-04-08 14:33:53   Reply   Private Reply

#3: Horse    To: Pinguinite (#2)

What browser do you use in Linux?

Horse posted on 2021-04-08 14:57:20   Reply   Private Reply

#4: Pinguinite    To: Horse (#3)

Firefox, brave and chromium are all available and work fine.

Pinguinite posted on 2021-04-08 15:14:05   Reply   Private Reply

#5: NeoconsNailed    To: Pinguinite (#2)

Thanks -- am still lovin' Windows, havin' no problems AND downloadin' no updates.

NeoconsNailed posted on 2021-04-08 15:14:55   Reply   Private Reply

#6: Horse    To: Pinguinite (#4)

Brave works in Linux? Great. Chrome is always running script errors even when I am not using it. I think it likes to spy on my emails when I am in Firefox..

Horse posted on 2021-04-08 16:37:20   Reply   Private Reply

#7: Horse    To: NeoconsNailed (#5)

I refused Windows 10 so I can't update Windows 7. I had to quit 2 websites I love because my old setup can't meet their new specs.

Horse posted on 2021-04-08 16:39:09   Reply   Private Reply

#8: Pinguinite    To: Horse (#6)

Both Chrome and brave run for me without errors. Chrome does come with a mandatory login to use. It's a google product.

Pinguinite posted on 2021-04-08 16:42:41   Reply   Private Reply

#9: NeoconsNailed    To: Horse (#7)

Why not just go on using 7 till it finally isn't possible -- IF that day ever comes? I srsly doubt (knock head) that people are out there gunning for it.

NeoconsNailed posted on 2021-04-08 16:53:29   Reply   Private Reply

#10: Horse    To: NeoconsNailed (#9)

Because it no longer works at two sites I visit.

Horse posted on 2021-04-09 03:56:57   Reply   Private Reply

#11: NeoconsNailed    To: Horse (#10)

Do you care to tell us what sites they are?

NeoconsNailed posted on 2021-04-09 05:40:18   Reply   Private Reply

#12: Horse    To: NeoconsNailed (#11)

Why? I watch foreign TV. Don't own a TV.

Horse posted on 2021-04-09 06:51:39   Reply   Private Reply

#13: Lod    To: Horse (#10)

Is your internet download speed fast enough to properly render and display the sites' content?

speedtest.net

Lod posted on 2021-04-09 08:21:53   Reply   Private Reply

#14: NeoconsNailed    To: Horse (#12)

'Why?' So I could try accessing them meself. That sounds $ubscription driven tho.

NeoconsNailed posted on 2021-04-09 11:26:12   Reply   Private Reply

#15: Horse    To: NeoconsNailed, Lod (#13)

It is fast enough to play at other sites. Problem is that I cannot get compatible upgrades without upgrading to Windows 10. The sites are losing money and business by turning down subscribers.

Horse posted on 2021-04-09 12:37:17   Reply   Private Reply

#16: NeoconsNailed    To: Horse (#15)

Because customers are Win7 dieheards?

NeoconsNailed posted on 2021-04-09 12:51:28   Reply   Private Reply

#17: Lod    To: Pinguinite, Horse, anyone (#15)

I'll bet that Neil can walk you through the best Linux distro for your situation so that you can boot either OS and learn about Linux.

Lod posted on 2021-04-09 13:01:04   Reply   Private Reply

#18: NeoconsNailed    To: Lod (#17)

He says it's plug and play. I'm wondering if it could run the old WP 12 that I use to open old Wordstar documents. Have to have em.

NeoconsNailed posted on 2021-04-09 13:11:10   Reply   Private Reply

#19: Lod    To: NeoconsNailed (#18)

here are some current free alternatives

www.investintech.com/reso...cles/tenwordalternatives/

Lod posted on 2021-04-09 13:37:39   Reply   Private Reply

#20: NeoconsNailed    To: Lod (#19)

Thanks -- I use Libre every day. (Is it virtually identical to Open Office?) The problem is that WP12 is the only word processor I've found that can handle the old WS files. It's also the only one I've tried that permanently saves images. I'm certainly not going to edit or store documents online.

In search of a processor from which I could freely pass formatted text back and forth with Eudora (another dinosaur program on which my life depends) I recently took up free offers of TextMaker -- no luck.

I prefer LibreOffice to OpenOffice because the latter recently succumbed to the multicult fad by incongruously adding 'Apache' to its name. Had been marveling at that exact moment that it hadn't done so, then it did.

NeoconsNailed posted on 2021-04-09 14:02:37   Reply   Private Reply