Hello, I’m looking for a new distro that aligns with my privacy preferences and offers a wide range of packages without requiring me to search for PPAs, similar to Manjaro. I’ve grown uneasy about Manjaro’s decision to collect unique data like MAC addresses and disk serial numbers by default, even if it’s for diagnostic purposes.
In light of this, I’d like to ask for your recommendations on a Linux distro that meets the following criteria:
- No opt-out telemetry: I’m looking for a distro that doesn’t collect any unique data by default.
- Access to a wide range of packages: I prefer a distro that offers a vast repository of packages, so I don’t have to search for PPAs or third-party repositories.
- User-friendly: I’m not a fan of complicated configurations or steep learning curves, so a distro with a user-friendly approach would be ideal.
I’m curious to hear any recommendations you might have. Thanks!
Fedora
Another vote for Endeavour OS here
openSUSE Tumbleweed has served me well for some time now. Maybe give it a look-see?
Second this. Tumbleweed is a great distro. Nearly everything you’ll need can be found in default repos. Then there are several endorsed (semi) official add-on repos, and if that fails there’s always OBS (opi is your friend for searching those).
Go to the source. Debian.
Source is LFS.
LFS isn’t a distribution. It’s documentation only. (I know you were joking, but as an ex Reddit user I remembered my origin where I came from and got triggered hard.)
EndeavourOS. I used Manjaro for 1.5 years before switching to EndeavourOS. (BTW before that I was also using Ubuntu for 13 years in row…) I couldn’t be happier. It’s closer to Archlinux and a bit more focused on terminal, but overall hassle free for me. Updates come quicker and not in batches like Manjaro did. Which means more often new versions of packages and no compatibility or other issues with AUR caused by Manjaro. What desktop environment did you use before? KDE is pretty good on EndeavourOS and what I would recommend.
- No opt-out or opt-in telemetry.
- Same package manager and repository from Archlinux.
- You have already experience with Manjaro and the Archlinux stuff, so going to a similar system like EndeavourOS makes sense. However its a bit more terminal oriented, with a few GUI related help.
Because of your prior experience with Manjaro, I think EndeavourOS is a good candidate you should have in mind.
I second EndeavourOS. It’s so good!
Is there something like an easy migration script, which would take packages and settings from my current install?
Ok, settings are mostly in my home anyway
Packages I can generate a list, and the manuals throw out the Manjaro stuffHmm…I’m having a laptop and a workstation running Manjaro and I really would like to make the switch, but can’t tolerate much downtime, because both are machines for my work
So I’m looking for something to quickly setup everything as I had, without the need to remember everything and do it manually…
You wouldn’t be first who asks this. There are attempts and instructions how to do this, step by step. But I’m not confident enough to recommend any of those. Maybe they are outdated or your machine requires some setup which is not covered. I do not recommend doing this, but if you have no time to setup a new OS from scratch, then at least make a backup before attempting any of this.
I would ask those on the official EndeavourOS forum, which is active and helpful: https://forum.endeavouros.com/
Well if you don’t want plain arch I’d go with cachyos or just endeavouros
+1 for Cachy, its Arch with cheat codes for speed.
cachyos is user friendly and based on arch
It’s not very stable though. It failed majorly in my case.
You probably shouldn’t be using an arch based distro if you want a user friendly experience.
I know there are things like manjaro and even endeavor os that are “arch but easy” but honestly I cannot in good faith recommend anything arch based for ease of use. Arch is a very fast moving distribution that usually has the newest packages but that isn’t always good. There will eventually be a problem come up, maybe not often and maybe not that serious but in my personal opinion it’s not worth it.
If you are wanting consistent ease of use and access to a lot of packages it’s hard to beat the mainstream distros. Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora, (personal favorite) etc… and if you need something from arch repositories just use distrobox. You get access to all arch packages without the headache.
Use Arch Linux. There’s a script called “archinstall” you can use after connecting to the internet, and it’s basically a guided installer
I think you are looking for a distribution with KDE and flatpak by default
Is there any distro that automatically collect data? Every distro I’ve tried asked directly on install or at first boot
nobara
I really like Pop!_OS, AFAIK it doesn’t have any telemetry. It’s basically a Ubuntu fork but without the stupid Ubuntu stuff, and they’re currently even working on their own Desktop Environment.
Garuda. It’s even easier than Manjaro. The theming can be a bit much, though.
Trisquel is a fully ‘Free as in freedom’ distro.
Zero telemetry now or in the future.
Ubuntu based, so large FLOSS package repository.
Mate UI, simple user friendly layout.
* You will need hardware that works with fully free hardware drivers (for printer, WiFi, GPU etc). Drivers with binary-blobs are not included, due to potential security risks or spyware.
Test your hardware with a bootable USB.
