Top 10 Linux distro's of 2016

As a Linux user since last 5 years, I can see that open source operating systems has come a long way in the past 10 years. And, 2016 is going to be even more exciting. In this article, I have stated some of the best distros that are going to rock in 2016.

1. Linux Mint

Linux Mint is an Ubuntu-based distribution whose goal is to provide a more complete out-of-the-box experience by including browser plugins, media codecs, support for DVD playback, Java and other components. Linux Mint is the best operating system for desktops and powerful laptops. I will go as far as calling it the Mac OS X of the Linux world. Honestly, I am a  huge fan of Linux Mint and I personally have used it for quite sometime . Though the previous versions were unstable, but as soon as the developers chose to use LTS as the base, the distro has become incredibly stable. Because the developers don’t have to spend much time worrying about keeping up with Ubuntu, they are now investing all of their time in making Cinnamon better.

2. SLE/RHEL

Nearly six years into its lifecycle, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 continues to provide a stable, proven, and predictable foundation for organizations seeking to build and deploy large, complex IT projects with confidence. Enterprise customers don’t look for articles like these to choose a distribution to run on their servers. They already know where to go: It’s either Red Hat Enterprise Linux or SUSE Linux Enterprise. These two names have become synonymous with enterprise servers. These companies are also pushing boundaries by innovating in this changing landscape where everything is containerized and becoming software defined.

3. UBUNTU

Ubuntu is a Debian-based Linux operating system and distribution for personal computers, smartphones and network servers. It uses Unity as its default user interface .It is based on free software and named after the Southern African philosophy of ubuntu (literally, "human-ness"), which often is translated as "humanity towards others" or "the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity".^{Source: WIKIPEDIA.} This like the windows of the linux world. Its high gaining popularity is because of its userfriendliness and constant support from the open source community.

4.FEDORA 

Fedora has a reputation for focusing on innovation, integrating new technologies early on and working closely with upstream Linux communities.^[10] Making changes upstream instead of specifically in Fedora ensures that the changes are available to all Linux distributions. Linus Torvalds, the creator of linux kernel, uses Fedora on all his computers (now that is something!!). Fedora is developed by community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat.

5.openSUSE

The openSUSE project is a community program sponsored by SUSE Linux and other companies. SUSE, the company behind openSUSE, is the oldest Linux company. It was formed just a year after Linus Torvalds announced Linux.The two distros will share the code base to benefit each other -- SUSE will take what’s good in openSUSE and vice versa. With this move, openSUSE is also ditching the regular release cycle, and a new version will be released in sync with SLE. That means each version will have a much longer life cycle.

6.ELEMENTARY OS

Now this is a a fast and open replacement for Windows and OS X. Elementary OS is a Linux distribution based on the long term support version of Ubuntu. It has been designed to be easy to install and easy to use. It blends all the features of a good UI under one hat and at the same time doesn't go over the top. Some of its more interesting features include a custom desktop environment called Pantheon and many custom apps including Photos, Music, Videos, Calendar, Terminal, Files, and more. It also comes with some familiar apps like the Midori web browser and Geary mail.

7.ARCH LINUX

Arch Linux is a Linux distribution for computers based on IA-32 and x86-64 architectures. It is composed predominantly of free and open-source software. I've been using Arch Linux since more than 2 years now and let me tell you where Arch Linux won me over. It's sleek, unlike Ubuntu which is bloated with useless applications. You can build a fully customized system from scratch which suits your needs.
 

8.KALI LINUX

This is the mother OS of all hackers and wannabes. If you've ever tried to crack Wi-FI passwords or test for security vulnerabilities on your network, then you're likely familiar with Kali Linux(formerly known as Backtrack). It has got a whole load of preinstalled pen-testing and forensic tools which can be used to secure your network or perform vulnerabilty tests and auditing on others.

9.SOLUS

Now this operating system has made its way into the market out of nowhere and gained quite a poularity recently. It’s not a derivative of Debian or Ubuntu. It comes with the Budgie desktop environment.To enrich the end user experience, they focus completely on desktop. Its simplistic design and minimal complexity makes it a go for the newbies to linux. 
 

10.STEAM OS

SteamOS is a Debian-based Linux operating system in development by Valve Corporation. Gaming has been a weakness of desktop Linux. Many users dual-boot with Windows just to be able to play games.

SteamOS is designed primarily for playing video games in the living room. Users are able to stream games from their Windows, Mac or Linux computers to one running SteamOS, and it incorporates the same family sharing and restrictions as Steam on the desktop.

Conclusion

As years are passing by, more and more people are getting a taste of linux and more importantly enjoying it. It’s very exciting to see that there is something for everyone in the Linux world. Enjoy your Linux moments!