this post was submitted on 14 Nov 2024
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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:

  1. No opt-out telemetry: I'm looking for a distro that doesn't collect any unique data by default.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!

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[–] Blxter@lemmy.zip 69 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I switched to EOS Endeavour OS. I don't think it has data collection

[–] lord_ryvan@ttrpg.network 37 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It doesn't, and offers an even friendlier experience than Manjaro IMO

[–] Classy@sh.itjust.works 17 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Endeavour has been an amazing distro for me, noob Linuxer. I started on Ubuntu Cinnamon, then tried Mint, and ended here on Endeavour and I love it.

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[–] Presi300@lemmy.world 57 points 2 months ago (1 children)

EndeavorOS. It's like manjaro but not bad.

[–] Rogers@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 months ago

Came here to say the same. Such a great distro, and it'll be an easy switch from manjaro.

I've been running it with btrfs and it has been rock solid stability wise. If you go btrfs I recommend grub btrfs for easy boot time snapshots and btrfs-assistant in the aur if you want a GUI to manage btrfs maintenance.

[–] OsrsNeedsF2P@lemmy.ml 40 points 2 months ago

Use Arch Linux. There's a script called "archinstall" you can use after connecting to the internet, and it's basically a guided installer

[–] eruchitanda@lemmy.world 36 points 2 months ago (1 children)

If you're already used to Arch-based systems, and enjoy the convenience of the AUR, what about EndeavourOS?

It's basically Arch with GUI install scripts, and a different wallpaper.

[–] eruchitanda@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I saw one commenter suggested Arch itself. IMO it's even a better idea than EOS.

archinstall doesn't have GUI, but it has very nice TUI (like what you have when you use htop), and you could finish selecting the options in very few minutes.

[–] potentiallynotfelix@lemmy.fish 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Maybe I'm a dumbass and it's my fault, but I find that archinstall always has an issue when you run it. It's easier to install arch manually than run the and troubleshoot.

[–] bennieandthez@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 2 months ago

same, my script didnt work

[–] MyNameIsRichard@lemmy.ml 31 points 2 months ago

Another vote for Endeavour OS here

[–] thingsiplay@beehaw.org 21 points 2 months ago (3 children)

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.

  1. No opt-out or opt-in telemetry.
  2. Same package manager and repository from Archlinux.
  3. 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.

[–] airikr@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 months ago

I second EndeavourOS. It's so good!

[–] naeap@sopuli.xyz 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

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 stuff

Hmm...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...

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[–] Aelis@lemm.ee 2 points 1 month ago

EndeavourOS is a good choice. I hopped from Manjaro to Endeavor myself a few years ago, never had an issue since. It's the kind of distro you set up once and then it's all done, you can forget about it, so much so that I hope I won't have to install it on another machine soon..because I really don't remember much about what I did back then xD

[–] icogniito@lemmy.zip 19 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Well if you don’t want plain arch I’d go with cachyos or just endeavouros

[–] Codilingus@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

+1 for Cachy, its Arch with cheat codes for speed.

[–] LavenderDay3544@lemmy.world 13 points 2 months ago

Hannah Montana Linux

[–] thepiguy@lemmy.ml 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

If you used manjaro before, then I will recommend endeavour. It is arch Linux (same as manjaro) with an installer. I found their support forums to be helpful as an arch user.

[–] TwoBeeSan@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

Switched from manjaro to endeavor. wholeheartedly recommend. Easy enough but still has arch experience. Yay is super easy and have only had a minor issue with 1 game specifically on an nvidia card.

[–] NewOldGuard@hexbear.net 11 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I would point you towards EndeavourOS. It's pretty much just preconfigured Arch, so you get the same rolling release packages as Manjaro and retain access to the AUR. Its a solid project, IMO it does everything that Manjaro claims and fails to but properly

[–] DieserTypMatthias@lemmy.ml 11 points 2 months ago
[–] eco_game@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 2 months ago

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.

[–] banazir@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

openSUSE Tumbleweed has served me well for some time now. Maybe give it a look-see?

[–] FrostyPolicy@suppo.fi 5 points 2 months ago

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).

[–] ikidd@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago

Fedora/Nobara.

[–] imogen_underscore@hexbear.net 7 points 2 months ago

i found endeavor to be nicer than Manjaro but tbh I'm at the stage where i just recommend installing arch. it's gotten a lot easier. endeavor is also arch based though so I'd go with that if you want super easy install / extra stuff installed ootb

[–] secret300@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 2 months ago

Is there any distro that automatically collect data? Every distro I've tried asked directly on install or at first boot

[–] markstos@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

This coverage provides an example of what is sent, and it includes neither MACs nor HDD serial numbers.

https://ostechnix.com/manjaro-data-donor/

[–] imperator@beehaw.org 5 points 1 month ago

Bazzite.gg

Upgrades didn't break your system. You can run Arch packages, AUR, flatpaks.

[–] tomsh@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 months ago

I think you are looking for a distribution with KDE and flatpak by default

[–] furzegulo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

cachyos is user friendly and based on arch

[–] GolfNovemberUniform@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 months ago (3 children)

It's not very stable though. It failed majorly in my case.

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[–] BRINGit34@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 2 months ago

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.

[–] Lawn_and_disorder@hexbear.net 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Peppermint OS, its what made me stop distrohopping . Debian based with extra on top, easy doesn't brake,

[–] interurbain1er@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 months ago

I don't understand the concept. It's Debian with xfce and a custom theme. Why is that a distribution. Seems like a meta package would be enough.

[–] prunerye@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 months ago

Garuda. It's even easier than Manjaro. The theming can be a bit much, though.

[–] jimmy90@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago
[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Take the plunge into the Void.

[–] Sarcasmo220@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 months ago

Let go your earthly tether Enter the Void empty, and become wind

[–] CairhienBookworm@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

I've been very happy on Fedora. It's been reliable and has up to date software and kernels.

[–] penguin202124@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I'd say Fedora KDE. It just works, the docs are good, it has a big community and large enough repos. You may have to install proprietary codecs though.

[–] dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 months ago (3 children)

I think maybe Fedora but probably less software available

[–] r3dw4re@hexbear.net 4 points 2 months ago

If your fedora is compatible with ELF64 (which it is) then you have 99% of total Linux compatible software available to you. Linux is Linux.

[–] LavenderDay3544@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Not at all with RPMFusion.

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[–] yum13241@lemm.ee 2 points 1 month ago

Garuda Linux. It's like Manjaro, in fact some utilities are forked from it, but done right.

You can also try EndeavourOS.

If you're into immutable distros, try Bazzite.

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