Linux is one of the most shared open-source programs in the world of computing. With its fast growing user base and ever increasing reliability, Linux is slowly replacing other commercial programs today. Developed about a decade ago by a young software engineer from Helsinki, Linux started out as a simple operating system similar to UNIX.

As years went by, Linux continued to get better, enough to rival other operating systems, such as Microsoft’s multi-billion dollar Windows. With multinational computer companies and computer systems giants the likes of HP and IBM backing the operating system, the success of the Linux is inevitable. To illustrate the growing popularity of Linux, below is the top ten list of its most distributed operating system versions.

1) Ubuntu

Before Ubuntu was even launched in September 2004, people were already anticipating its release. Ubuntu took off like no other projects did before, and soon enough it was on the top of the list of Linux users and developers. Up until now, Ubuntu still remains to be the most popular desktop Linux distribution. Financed by the company of a South African multimillionaire, the Ubuntu had all the programming and marketing edge other Linux distros did not have before.

Ubuntu Desktop

2) OpenSUSE

OpenSUSE was first introduced back in 1992 by four German Linux enthusiasts. OpenSUSE was originally launched under the name SuSE, which stands for Software und System Entwicklung, Linux. The program was written on floppy disks with the German edition of Slackware Linux, until May 1996 when it became an independent distribution. SuSE Linux was acquired by Novell, Inc. in 1993 and has underwent major changes since then, such as in the development, licensing and distribution. The popularity of the OpenSUSE is attributed to its frequent releases, easy availability across Europe and North America, and excellent printed documentation.

OpenSUSE Desktop

3) Fedora

Fedora was formally launched in September 2004, although it has it origins to 1995. It was originally launched by two young Linux visionaries under the name of Red Hat Linux, which was the company’s first product. In 1997, Red Hat was released with a new RPM package management system and other advanced features, greatly contributing to the program’s quick road to popularity. Before the Ubuntu, the Red Hat was the most used Linux distribution in the world. After the release of Red Hat Linux 9, the company introduced Fedora, although it retained the Red Hat trademark for its commercial products. Fedora is a community-oriented distribution designed with the Linux hobbyist in mind. After a series of quality releases, Fedora became one of the best-loved operating systems on the market, with Red Hat becoming the most profitable Linux company in the world.

Fedora Desktop

4) Debian GNU/Linux

First announced in 1993, Debian was founded by Ian Murdock. With the help of hundreds of volunteer software developers working on the project in their spare time, the Debian was the biggest non-commercial software project. In less than a decade, Debian became the largest Linux distribution amidst great skepticism from many consumers. Attributing success to its ingeniousness, Debian’s progressive integration and stabilization of its packages and features make it one of the most widely used non-commercial projects of all time. Debian’s well-established quality control mechanisms also gave it the reputation of being the most bug-free and excellently-tested Linux distributions available on the market today.

Debian Linux

5) Mandriva Linux

Launched in July 1998 under the name of Mandrake Linux, Mandriva Linux was founded by Gaël Duval. It was originally an edited version of the Red Hat Linux boasting of a more user-friendly KDE desktop. After subsequent releases, other user-friendly features, such as improved hardware detection, a new installer, and intuitive disk partitioning utility, were added. With the introduction of these features, Mandrake Linux became a success. Primarily a desktop distribution, the most loved features of the Mandriva Linux are its superb system administration suite, known as DrakConf; its excellent implementation of 64-bit editions; and its extensive worldwide support.

Mandriva Linux

6) PCLinuxOS

PCLinuxOS was first announced by Bill Reynolds, also known as "Texstar", in 2003. Initially based on the Mandrake Linux, PCLinuxOS had several significant improvements for greater usability. The program aimed to be more Linux beginner-friendly, have better browser plugins and media codecs, and have more support for proprietary kernel modules. After a few years and several development releases, the PCLinuxOS approached it intended goals. Most Windows-to-Linux users loved the program as it gave them what they expected from a new operating system. A KDE-oriented distribution, PCLinuxOS has a customized and always updated versions of the desktop environment.

PCLinuxOS User Desktop

7) MEPIS Linux

First announced in 2003 by Warren Woodford’s company, MEPIS LLC, the main idea behind the MEPIS Linux was to create a Linux beginner-friendly distribution from the unstable branch of the Debian Linux. With this goal in mind, it incorporated greater support for popular media formats, a complete set of automatic hardware configuration, and the latest software packages. This program started the concept of an live CD that is easy to install. All the user needed to do was to boot the CD, check the contents, and then install it to a hard disk. There are currently two versions of the desktop-oriented SimplyMEPIS: the 32-bit and 64-bit editions.

MEPIS 7.0

8) KNOPPIX

KNOPPIX was first released in early 2003 as the first Linux live CD that needed no manual configuration. All that was needed is to place the disk in the CD-ROM drive, then after a few minutes after boot, the computer would run the KNOPPIX with all its included applications. It does not need to install anything on the computer’s hard disk, making it highly convenient. Created by Klaus Knopper, the KNOPPIX went further than any other developer-made Linux as it contained a scripting hardware auto-detection and auto-configuration routine that is better than any other commercial scripts produced by Linux companies.

KNOPPIX

9) Slackware Linux

Created by Patrick Volkerding, Slackware Linux was first released in 1992. It is known today as the oldest surviving Linux distribution. Its popularity decreased when the Red Hat Linux, as well as other more user-friendly Linux distributions where released. Slackware Linux, however, still remains as one of the most downloaded Linux operating systems, particularly for technically-oriented system administrators. Not for the new Linux user, Slackware Linux is highly technical, although it has a clean distribution and only a few custom utilities. It has a comparatively primitive package management system which cannot resolve software dependencies, making it clean and relatively bug-less.

Slackware Linux

10) Gentoo Linux

Daniel Robbins, a former Stampede Linux and FreeBSD developer, was the first to conceptualize the Gentoo Linux. His exposure to FreeBSD was what gave him the idea to create the ‘portage’ on Gentoo Linux, as based on the ‘ports’ of the FreeBSD. Developing a Linux distribution that allow users to compile applications and the Linux kernel from source codes, directly to their computers, was his main goal. The result was a highly-optimized and always updated operating system. In March 2002, after Gentoo’s first release, it was considered a better alternative than other binary package management systems. Designed mainly for power users, the Gentoo Linux has an extensive set of configuration options, an almost fool-proof security, and an ability of conveniently keeping the system updated without the need for re-installation.

Gentoo Desktop

(After learning the most shared open source operating system, time to know the Top Ten Open Source Software Alternatives, the Essential Computer Software Programs and ways to Optimize Your Old PC.)