Although Fedora is not the most popular Linux OS, it is the most well supported
Although Linux is often considered to be the arch rival of Windows, there is no single definitive Linux alternative. In fact, there are quite a few Linux OS’s to choose from. For Linux users who prioritize technical software and the latest hardware, Fedora is the first Linux OS, and is used primarily for workstations, servers, and more. Here’s everything you need to know about Fedora.
What is a Fedora distro?
If you’re not familiar with Linux, you might think it’s like Windows except it’s open source, but that’s not true. In fact, there are many Linux operating systems out there, and they can be quite different. Linux operating systems are distributions, or distros, of Linux. And they distribute the Linux kernel, which defines the Linux OS as a Linux OS. The kernel is the core of the operating system, but it’s usually under the hood and not what you come into direct contact with. It’s a distribution function to add a frontend to the top of the kernel so that users have something to use besides the first command line.
Since its first release two decades ago, Fedora has been maintained by the Fedora Project, which has received contributions from the community as well as Red Hat, an IBM subsidiary. There are five versions of Fedora: Workstation, Silverblue, Server, IoT (Internet of Things), and CoreOS. Additionally, there are other direct versions available through Fedora Labs packages. Fedora is an upstream distro, or a distro that other Linux OSes take and use as a base. In particular, Fedora is the upstream distro of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
One of the key features of Fedora’s development is its limited release time. Each type comes out about every six months, and treatment takes about a year or more. Although this is good for people who want to continue to discover new things, the lack of support sucks for anyone who prefers to stick to one brand for a long time.
System requirements for Fedora
Fedora’s system requirements are very thin even by Linux standards, allowing it to be installed on smaller and more fragile devices. Here are the basic requirements:
- 2GHz dual-core CPU
- 2GB of RAM
- 15GB of storage
Although a PC from nearly twenty years ago would fit the bill here, however, for obvious reasons, you probably want to install Fedora on something more modern than that. Recommended features are:
- 2GHz quad-core CPU
- 4GB of RAM
- 20GB storage
Our recommendations still don’t require a high-end PC, meaning Fedora can run just about anything made in the last decade.
How to download and install Fedora
Fedora has a detailed installation guide, but before you go to try and install it, here are some important things you’ll need:
- Fedora download
- A DVD, flash drive, or other external storage device that is at least 8GB in size
- Fedora Media Writer
- A computer that meets the requirements mentioned above
Its installation is similar to Windows or Ubuntu, although apparently, creating and removing existing partitions can be difficult.
Fedora Experience: Linux-based OS for professionals
As a Linux operating system, Fedora has its pros and cons. The good thing about Fedora is that it benefits from the Linux environment and is open source, which means you don’t have to rely on a big organization to keep Fedora going. On the other hand, there are many programs that Linux is struggling with, such as games, drivers, and niche programs that are available on Windows but do not have a Linux port or equivalent.
The basic UI is very similar to most OS’s like Windows. You get the desktop, taskbar, and file manager. This is similar to how it works on Ubuntu as they both use the same software on the desktop portion of their OSes. However, there are different versions of Fedora called Spins, and these use different desktop layouts and software than the default versions.
As for default software, you only get essentials like LibreOffice, Firefox, and the Flatpak package manager (mainly the app store). To install more, you just use Flatpak, or you can install the Snap store instead. Fedora also uses the DNF package manager, which works on top of the Red Hat Package Manager (RPM), and you can also install programs using it. For example, to install Python using DNF, do the following:
sudo dnf install python3
Due to Fedora’s accelerated schedule and focus on the latest releases, Fedora will appeal to those who are most interested in the latest software. For this reason, it is often seen as an OS for hobbyists and professionals, and although you can play with it, it is not very good. Fedora only comes with open source graphics drivers, and this works fine for AMD and Intel, Nvidia’s open source drivers are not good. Official Linux drivers from Nvidia, which may be better in some cases, have to be installed manually if you want.
Can I buy a PC with Fedora?
Most OEMs don’t offer a Linux OS on their PCs, and since Fedora isn’t big on its own, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it seems that no PCs come with it pre-installed. Fedora, however, has some sort of partnership with Lenovo, and apparently, there were/are Thinkpads shipped with Fedora, but I couldn’t find anything on Lenovo’s website that offered Fedora as a replacement for Windows 11. Fedora on the 2022 ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 was apparently “suitable ,” according to a Lenovo employee, but that was posted in a thread years ago, and the X1 Carbon still doesn’t have Fedora as an option.
The only company that offers Fedora laptops is Think Penguin. Aside from the Think Penguin laptop (which on paper looks good enough), it doesn’t seem like you can buy a very good laptop with Fedora pre-installed. Ubuntu laptops, on the other hand, are not vaporware, and represent the best Linux laptop you can buy today.
A good OS for newcomers and veterans alike
While Ubuntu and its lower-level distros are focused on the Windows community, distros like Arch Linux are for die-hard Linux fans, Fedora has a middle-of-the-road approach that allows it to appeal to both Linux noobs and time users. Although one might argue that it is not aimed at casual users, it uses the same desktop environment as Ubuntu, so it is a good alternative.
Of course, you’ll want to use Fedora if you want it to update regularly, check for new features with each release, and not be as flashy as other distros. It’s probably not the best way to get familiar with Linux as a newbie, but it’s not a bad way, either.
Categories: Reviews
Source: thptvinhthang.edu.vn