There are hundreds of GNU/Linux distributions around, each with its strengths and weaknesses. One that stands out from the masses is Debian. It is the only major distribution not developed (or even backed) by commercial vendors, but by a group of volunteers around the world. Its main features are robustness, great software package management, a huge software collection consisting of more than 15,000 pre-compiled packages ready to install and run, and a transparent and always helpful support system based on mailing lists and a bug tracking system.
But, there is something else that makes Debian special: No other distribution has seen as many offspring distributions as Debian has. Among them you’ll find customized Linux distributions for regional markets like LinEx (a government-driven project in Spain), or the shooting star Ubuntu (developed by a commercial vendor). The reason for this popularity is obvious: The Debian distro is not only free, but boosts flexibility and transparency.
If you use another Linux distribution and you are interested in changing, after you read this article you should install Debian for sure…
