Do we have too many Linux distros, and is it really an issue?

Today, I'd like to tackle something that is very often cited as one of the major problems of the Linux ecosystem.
"Linux is too fragmented, there are too many distros, people don't know what to choose, time and efforts are wasted."
Let's see if that opinion has any truth to it!

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00:00 Intro
01:31 Is Linux Fragmented?
02:28 "One single distro" won't happen
03:15 Fallacy of Added Time
05:40 It's confusing for users
08:59 Is it an issue?

## Too many distros

It's undeniable that the Linux world is fragmented into many, many distributions. There is a list called the LWN.net list, that lists 275 distributions. They do have Alma Linux and Rocky Linux in there, which are relatively recent, so the list must be at least somewhat reliable.
Distrowatch lists 273 distros as well, so let's assume the number is in that ballpark.

That's an enormous number. People are right to assume that newcomers wouldn't know where to look or where to start.

## That won't happen

Except that won't happen. We can get that out of the way immediately: the very nature of Linux and the open source community means that anyone that is so inclined can fork anything and make their own stuff, including gathering a bunch of packages, and releasing a new distribution, based on something else.

## The "addition of time" fallacy

One of the main arguments to defend the "we have too many distros" opinion is that it's wasting valuable developer time and resources, that could be put to better use if they were pulled into a single project.

And this is untrue, in my opinion.

First, there is the fact that a lot of people who create their own distros are unpaid volunteers, so you can't force them to do anything. They have to be willing to contribute to an existing project.

Second, there is the common idea that more people working on the same set of tasks, will always make things faster. This is untrue as well, as anyone who has ever worked in software development will be able to assess.

Third, people who create distros don't necessarily have the skills to contribute to something else.

## It's confusing

Another argument is "newcomers don't know what to choose, and that prevents them from trying out Linux".

This argument has a lot of truth to it. Too many choices can lead to choice paralysis, and no choice at all.
A newcomer to Linux can definitely be lost when deciding to move to Linux. Once they have understood that the Linux desktop isn't a unified, single system, and that there are tons of choices, they'll generally go around the internet asking "what is the best distribution".

This question of course, isn't the right one. It should be "What is the best Linux distro for MY NEEDS".

Because this is one of the main reason why we have so many distros: a lot of them answer to completely different needs, in terms of stability, updates, user interface, default programs, what packages are available, what kernel they use... There is no one size fits all.

And that's even more confusing, because in the proprietary world, this is the way it's done. You have a single OS, that tries to answer ALL the users' needs, which means that all users will get the same default experience, and will have to choose the tools they want to use to customize it afterwards.

## So, do we have too many Linux distros?

So, do we have too many distributions?

Yes, definitely. It's Linux's biggest blessing, and biggest curse. It provides a ton of choice and tons of ways to make your personal computer be personal. But for newcomers, it adds a huge burden of seeking out information, wasting time looking for answers, trying stuff out, and failing along the way.

Does it prevent the major Linux distros to move along at a rapid pace? Of course not. The Arches, OpenSUSEs, the Manjaros, Ubuntus, Fedoras, Mints, elementary OSs of the world would surely love some more contributors to help. Would restricting Linux to just these distros mean that they would explode in popularity and that they'd progress even faster? Nope.

[muddyexport]

I am a retired application programmer with 42 years of working experience. Experience in the MS world when it came about as I mostly worked on big iron. I am glad there is a multitude of distros. I tried many in a VM environment to find one I liked. Then I decided to just pick one and then make it what I wanted. The freedom to do my own thing is liberating. Thanks to all the volunteers that are way smarter than I will ever be. What a great ecosystem. Still having fun in retirement.

[AmidMajd]

Suicide Linux: misspell a command => wipe your entire hard drive

[nosherkhan]

Great to hear you're going full-time in October. The very best to you and the channel, Nic!

[Alexander-isjo]

Do we have too many Linux distros? Well yes
Should linux elitists stop recommending their favorite distro to newcomers and hating on Ubuntu? By all means
Do we need more Nick in our lives? Of course! Hit that subscribe buttom!

[Lestibournes]

That's like asking if we have too many foods, or too many books.

*We* don't have too many distros because each distro belongs to its developers, not each one of us.

[soham]

How do you manage time to make these good quality videos almost every day and also work full time for a company? I mean how much estimated time one videos takes to make?

[InventorZahran]

More people in a single project = more time spent debating/disagreeing = less time to actually work on things.

A competent leader can identify which tasks best suit each worker, and assign them duties appropriately. This can increase productivity, but only when there is a clear goal and established steps to reach it. However, creating that goal is a lot easier to do with one person or a small team, as large groups tend to be more fragmented and less capable of all agreeing on one idea.

[InventorZahran]

What we really need is an interactive online quiz that can recommend you the best distro based on your needs, uses, software preferences, prior experience, and other factors.

[xylian]

The amount of distros is not a issue. But that many distros are too similar that is an issue. I think also that many distros are useless compared to the better ones.

[orgrpyc]

"A project manager is a person who believes 9 women can deliver a baby in 1 month"

[mkyprm]

“People saying that this thing is trash and orher people saying it’s the best thing ever”: anybody said arch? lol

[phrtao]

The problem is that there are very few people who have any amount of transferable skills with computers. I know lots of people who claim to be competent with computers but what they really mean is that they learned how to use a specific version of MS Windows (usually XP or 7). When Xerox designed graphical 'WIMP' systems the brief was to have one single sheet of paper with the basic instructions on it and then some one could use any software product with a little practice. Schools could teach all the skills required so that people could use any computer software or OS but they don't because most teachers don't even possess those skills let alone the ability to pass them on to others. It is so sad and I really don't see how to change it.

[enkiimuto]

I don't think it changes contributor time because most of those are just pretty wrap ups rather than building something specific or forking an annoying default feature, like nautilus' zoom.

[pulkitkumawat]

More people =! more speed

This feels so wrong from a programmer's perspective 😅😅

[lingux_yt]

some desktop environments have the same problem. they have great ideas, like Cosmic, but the endless subdivisions tire me

we need 4 DEs: light GTK - Xfce
modern GTK - Gnome
light Qt - LXQt
modern Qt - KDE
and I'm not even considering TWMs 😂

[mariorezende]

As someone that just entered the Linux world - and that isn't really tech savy - I highly recommend Fedora (I had a weird experience with Manjaro). And I agree with you, diversity in distros is something awesome that should be stimulated! Great video!

[lingux_yt]

your example of more people and more speed was very interesting

[jb]

_We have 275 distros_
There are too many distros. I should take my time to go through them all, taking the best of each and discarding the chaff, and create one distro that's best for everyone.
_Soon: We have 276 distros_

[KuruGDI]

I wouldn't say _too many distros_ but _not enough guidance_ . Linux distros are so versatile that there is one that fits you. And if there isn't you can customise one - if you like, you can have one with a wallpaper of 'blackjack and hookers'.
Linux needs a reliable and well known, entry level _fire and forget_ distro that you never have to care about after clicking the install button. Once you are in the Linux universe it will be much easier to learn new options. The hard step is to get out of your old system. Even you know it's hell where you are (Windows), it's at least a hell you know and learned to navigate. To just stick to it is much easier than to go into the unknown.
(Leaving aside the still lacking support for many hardware devices)

[lingux_yt]

that will never change, but I have some pet peeves like Kubuntu x KDE Neon, or Ubuntu Cinnamon x Linux Mint. the difference is too small. come on guys, work together 😂