From
http://beebom.com/linux-distros-you-should-know-about/:
It seems easy to create Linux distributions these days. Take your favorite distro, change the desktop environment, add a set of apps you find essential, maybe slap on some custom wallpapers, and call the final product your own Linux distribution. Many will argue that derivatives like those are not “real” Linux distributions. You’ll find discussions on this issue all over the Internet, where expert and not-so-expert users struggle to decide what makes a “real” Linux distro.
Every now and then, a new distribution will come out and the majority of users will agree it deserves praise. Many of those distros start out small, maintained by a single developer with an innovative vision. Sadly, they don’t always get attention from the tech press. That’s why we decided to present ten Linux distributions you should know about – whether it’s because of their original contribution to the FLOSS community, or simply because they look and work great.
1. AryaLinux
What’s special about this Linux distribution?
AryaLinux simplifies the LFS approach to help you build your own distro.
Has its own, albeit minimal, package manager called ALPS.
Uses Fusilli Window Manager as a Compiz alternative.
2. Qubes OS
What’s special about this Linux distribution?
Qubes OS achieves security by isolating apps from each other.
Apps are placed into multiple context-based virtual machines.
VMs can be based on different Linux distributions.
3. Endless OS
What’s special about this Linux distribution?
Endless OS is for people with no easy access to the Internet, so it has a huge amount of offline content.
The root filesystem is read-only, and the distro uses OSTree to perform software updates.
The company that develops it sells affordable computers with Endless OS preinstalled.
4. GeckoLinux
What’s special about this Linux distribution?
GeckoLinux makes openSUSE Leap easier to try out, install, and use.
It comes in seven different flavors, including Budgie and LXQt.
There’s an online version that you can test-drive in the browser.
5. Void Linux
What’s special about this Linux distribution?
Void Linux is written from scratch and has its own package management system.
It uses runit instead of systemd, LibreSSL instead of OpenSSL, and the default shell is Dash.
No proprietary software is installed by default.
6. Subgraph OS
What’s special about this Linux distribution?
Subgraph OS aims to be an adversary-resistant distribution designed to maximize users’ security.
Applications run in sandboxes and connect to the network via Tor.
The kernel is hardened with Grsecurity, and filesystem encryption is a must.
7. Nix OS
What’s special about this Linux distribution?
Nix OS lets you create a portable system where the entire configuration is described in a single file.
Apps are isolated from each other and you can have multiple versions of the same software run simultaneously.
You can easily revert the system to its previous state by loading an older configuration.
8. Guix SD
What’s special about this Linux distribution?
Guix SD has all the functionality of Nix OS, minus systemd and binary kernel blobs.
It uses the Scheme programming language to configure packages and the system.
Approved by the Free Software Foundation as a completely free distribution.
9. Bedrock Linux
What’s special about this Linux distribution?
Bedrock Linux brings together multiple Linux distributions into one system.
It can open apps from different distributions simultaneously.
You can choose which init system to use depending on the distributions you installed.
10. Maru OS
What’s special about this Linux distribution?
Maru OS is a Linux distribution for your Android phone.
It makes your smartphone completely context-aware, and lets you use it as a desktop computer.
You can access Android files on Linux and vice versa.
