Distro Hopping for better commercial cross platform App Support
Looks like I am a terrible notorious mainstream Distro Hopper.
My experience so far showed that I have far less problems with
current "stable" Rolling Releases like Manjaro (= Arch Linux + Testing)
than with any other "outdated" LTS Distributions I tried.
(Although I can't keep myself from using latest 5.0.x Kernel instead
of the latest stable and recommended Kernels)
So that I personally think Rolling Releases are the way to go now,
and even more in the future.
Although I am still more than 100% happy with my rolling
KDE Manjaro Main System in itself,
there are still some concerns about Distribution Support of my
commercial 3D Pro Apps (Modo and Bricscad in that case)
Looks like Arch based Distros like Manjaro are not on top of the
Supported List.
The list of Rolling Ditros choice isn't endless long either but there
would be an option that is at least RPM Package compatible :
Open Suse Tumbleweed.
(With which I seem to be compatible too,
so I have an eye on Tumbleweed, which may be a bit more
compatible with Bricscad)
I am really curious about what the next Bricscad V19 and Shape
will look like once it is finally released. If it will really be available
as flatpack, snaps or such.
With all bells and whistles of Distribution independence,
Auto Updates, System integration and all.
But current state is that Bricscad Installation isn't much fun or
newbie friendly on a System like Arc, Shape not even available.
The easiest Support you will get is still an Ubuntu or basically
a Debian package.
So here is my newest proposal that I lately heard of for the first time :
MX Linux
Which isn't a "real" Rolling" Release, but something in between, as it
uses far more latest (but stable only) Kernels and Software Versions
than any LTS Distributions.
As being Debian based, is very compatible.
It is a very slim Distribution with quite low Hardware needs.
It is also absolutely beginner friendly in many ways.
MX Linux is my first Installation Experience that includes a
Documentation that explain what the different settings really do.
It is generally very well and extensive documented.
Their Settings Tools are the most beginner or switcher friendly
I have seen so far.
Very interesting is their Snapshot Tool that allows you to create easily
bootable Backup Copies of your Installation including all Settings,
which makes it also easy to transfer it to a new SSD, new Computer
or just carry it around on a USB Stick.
Or Tools to help you with proprietary GPU or NAT drivers
So no wonder it is climbing the Distro Watch ranking rapidly.
One thing I am a bit concerned about is that they are mainly
concentrating on the (slim) XFCE desktop environment.
Where I think Gnome or KDE are better for overall compatibility.
And I prefer and use KDE's extended customization options.
It is possible to install additional KDE or Gnome Desktops but
so far I have no experience if that's a good idea.