Desktop
In GNU/Linux distributions, GNU supplies the core tools and libraries (editors, compilers, utilities) that run on top of the Linux kernel, which manages hardware and low-level system functions. A desktop environement (e.g., GNOME, KDE, Xfce) is a set of free-licensed graphical components that sit on top of GNU/Linux, giving users a complete, modifiable operating system.
Here are our recommended distributions.
Fedora Atomic
Fedora Atomic desktops are immutable systems based on Fedora Linux. They are designed for stability and reliability and use a read-only root filesystem for consistent installations, making them ideal for containerized applications, while enabling quick updates and easy rollbacks if needed.
Parabola
Parabola GNU/Linux-libre is a free-software-only fork of Arch Linux that removes all proprietary binaries, drivers, and firmware. This rolling release distribution ships with a strict libre policy, providing only software that follows the GNU Free System Distribution Guidelines.
We recommend using Parabola instead of Arch if your hardware doesn't require proprietary blobs.
Arch Linux
Arch Linux is a lightweight, rolling-release Linux distribution that gives you a minimal, up-to-date base and lets you build the rest exactly the way you want.
openSUSE
openSUSE Tumbleweed is a stable rolling-release distribution.
Tails
Tails (The Amnesic Incognito Live System) is a disposable system that runs entirely from a USB stick or DVD. It's designed to let you browse the Internet anonymously through Tor, read and write documents, and other tasks without leaving a trace on the machine you're using.
QubesOS
Qubes OS is a security-focused Linux distribution that isolates your work into separate, tightly-sandboxed virtual machines (VMs). The idea is that if one compartment gets compromised, the rest of your system stays protected.