From Red Hat to Fedora and Beyond
My journey with Linux started way back in 1998 when I first got my hands on Red Hat Linux. At that time, Linux was still in its early days as a mainstream operating system, and I was excited to explore the world of open-source computing. The installation process wasn’t as user-friendly as today, but the flexibility and power it offered were worth the effort.
Exploring Lindows (2001) and Returning to Fedora
In 2001, curiosity led me to try Lindows (later known as Linspire). Lindows was marketed as an easy-to-use Linux distribution, aimed at bringing a Windows-like experience to Linux users. It was an interesting experiment, but ultimately, I felt more at home with a traditional Linux system. So, I moved back to Fedora Linux, which had become one of the most popular distributions following Red Hat’s shift toward enterprise-focused solutions.
Ubuntu, Kubuntu, and Edubuntu (2004): A New Linux Era
By early 2004, I was eager to try new distributions, and this led me to Ubuntu, Kubuntu, and Edubuntu. Ubuntu, with its focus on usability and accessibility, felt like a game-changer. Kubuntu provided the KDE experience, while Edubuntu was an interesting distribution focused on education.
One of the most memorable experiences during this time was the ability to request free Ubuntu CDs, which Canonical would ship anywhere in the world—including to Malaysia! I took advantage of this and distributed the CDs to friends, fellow students, and lecturers at UiTM Machang, Kelantan. It was an exciting time to spread awareness of Linux and introduce more people to open-source software.
Diving into OpenSUSE and Manjaro Linux
Over the years, I kept experimenting with different Linux distributions, including OpenSUSE and Manjaro Linux. OpenSUSE offered a powerful and enterprise-friendly environment with YaST as its unique configuration tool. Manjaro, based on Arch Linux, provided a rolling-release model with an easier installation process compared to vanilla Arch.
Back to Fedora: My Current Setup
After years of exploration, I have now settled back with Fedora Linux for my laptop and home server. Fedora’s balance of cutting-edge technology, stability, and strong community support makes it the perfect fit for my daily workflow. Whether it’s for development, server management, or just personal use, Fedora continues to be my go-to Linux distribution.
Final Thoughts
My Linux journey has been an exciting and ever-evolving experience. From the early days of Red Hat Linux in 1998 to experimenting with various distributions like Lindows, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, and Manjaro, I have seen the growth and transformation of Linux over the years. Now, using Fedora once again feels like coming full circle.
Linux isn’t just an operating system—it’s a passion, a community, and a way of life. If you’ve had a similar journey or are just starting out with Linux, I’d love to hear your experiences! Drop a comment and share your story.
If you’re interested in discovering new Linux distributions, checking release updates, or reading reviews, DistroWatch is a great resource. It provides news, rankings, and detailed information on various Linux distributions and BSD projects. Visit DistroWatch to stay updated with the latest in the Linux world!
