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Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a free and open-source operating system based on the Linux kernel and Debian distribution. Developed and maintained by Canonical Ltd., it is one of the most popular Linux distributions for personal computers, servers, and cloud environments. Ubuntu is known for its user-friendly interface, stability, and extensive community support. It is available in various flavors like Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Lubuntu, each featuring different desktop environments to cater to different user preferences.

As an alternative to proprietary operating systems like Windows and macOS, Ubuntu provides a secure and efficient option. With its vast repository of software packages, development tools, and support for various hardware platforms, it is a preferred choice for many users, from casual users to developers and system administrators.

The operating system is released in two primary types:

• Long-Term Support (LTS) versions: These receive five years of standard support and updates, ensuring stability and security for critical deployments. An additional five years of extended security maintenance is available for selected releases.
• Interim versions: Released every six months, these receive nine months of support and provide the latest features and improvements.

The latest Ubuntu versions are:

• Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa): Released on April 23, 2020, with standard support until April 2025 and extended security maintenance until April 2030.
• Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish): Released on April 21, 2022, with standard support until April 2027 and extended security maintenance until April 2032.
• Ubuntu 22.10 (Kinetic Kudu): Released on October 20, 2022, with support until July 2023.

Debian

Debian is a popular, free, and open-source Linux-based operating system. It was founded by Ian Murdock in 1993 and has since grown into one of the most widely used Linux distributions. Debian is known for its stability, strong adherence to open-source principles, and a vast repository of software packages, making it a popular choice for servers, desktops, and embedded systems.

Debian follows a strict policy of only including free software (as defined by the Debian Free Software Guidelines) in its main repositories, and it is the foundation for many other Linux distributions, including the popular Ubuntu.

Debian releases are named after characters from the Toy Story movies and follow a stable, testing, and unstable branch model. The stable branch contains well-tested and reliable software, the testing branch consists of packages that are being prepared for the next stable release, and the unstable branch, also known as "Sid," includes the latest software packages that may be less stable.

Debian is developed by a large community of volunteers, and its development is guided by the Debian Project, which operates under the Debian Constitution and the Social Contract. These documents outline the principles and guidelines for the project, including the commitment to provide a completely free operating system for users.

Here's a list of the recent and upcoming Debian releases:

• The next release of Debian is codenamed "bookworm" — testing — no release date has been set.
• Debian 11 (bullseye) — current stable release.
• Debian 10 (buster) — current oldstable release.
• Debian 9 (stretch) — oldoldstable release, under LTS (Long Term Support) support.
• Debian 8 (jessie) — archived release, under extended LTS support.

Fedora

Fedora is a free, open-source Linux distribution developed by the Fedora Project, which is sponsored by Red Hat. Fedora is known for its cutting-edge features, as it often incorporates the latest advancements in open-source software, making it a popular choice for developers, enthusiasts, and other users who enjoy experimenting with new technologies. The Fedora Project also serves as an upstream testing ground for many features that are later incorporated into Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).

Fedora releases are made every six months and are supported for approximately 13 months, which means users need to upgrade their systems more frequently compared to some other distributions. This rapid release cycle enables Fedora to provide its users with up-to-date software and features.

Here's a list of the recent Fedora releases and their support details:

• Fedora 37: Released 4 months and 3 weeks ago (15 Nov 2022). Security support ends in 8 months (15 Dec 2023).
• Fedora 36: Released 11 months ago (10 May 2022). Security support ends in 1 month and 1 week (16 May 2023).
• Fedora 35: Released 1 year and 5 months ago (02 Nov 2021). Security support ended 3 months and 3 weeks ago (13 Dec 2022).

AlmaLinux

AlmaLinux is a free, open-source Linux distribution that was created as a community-driven, RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) fork in response to Red Hat's decision to shift focus from CentOS Linux to CentOS Stream. The name "Alma" means "soul" in Spanish, reflecting the community's intention to continue the "soul" of CentOS.

AlmaLinux was developed by CloudLinux, a company known for its commercial Linux distribution, CloudLinux OS. It is designed to be a 1:1 binary-compatible fork of RHEL, meaning that software built for RHEL can run on AlmaLinux without any modifications. The goal of AlmaLinux is to fill the gap left by CentOS Linux and provide a stable, enterprise-grade operating system for users who require long-term support and compatibility with RHEL.

AlmaLinux is community-driven and governed by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation, a non-profit organization formed to ensure the project's longevity and independence. The foundation's board includes representatives from various organizations and the wider Linux community.

Here's a list of the recent AlmaLinux releases and their details:

• AlmaLinux 9.1: Codename "Lime Lynx," General Availability Date 16 November 2022, Kernel 5.14.0-162.6.1.
• AlmaLinux 9.0: Codename "Emerald Puma," General Availability Date 26 May 2022, Kernel 5.14.0-70.13.1.
• AlmaLinux 8.7: Codename "Stone Smilodon," General Availability Date 10 November 2022, Kernel 4.18.0-425.3.1.
• AlmaLinux 8.6: Codename "Sky Tiger," General Availability Date 12 May 2022, Kernel 4.18.0-372.9.1.

Since its initial release in March 2021, AlmaLinux has gained traction as a reliable alternative for CentOS users who require a stable, enterprise-ready Linux distribution with long-term support.

Rocky Linux

Rocky Linux is a free, open-source, community-driven Linux distribution that was created as a fork of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) in response to Red Hat's decision to shift focus from CentOS Linux to CentOS Stream. The project was founded by Gregory Kurtzer, who is also the co-founder of CentOS. Rocky Linux aims to provide a stable, enterprise-ready operating system that is fully compatible with RHEL and serves as a suitable replacement for CentOS Linux.

Rocky Linux is designed to be a 1:1 binary-compatible fork of RHEL, which means that software built for RHEL can generally run on Rocky Linux without any modifications. The primary goal of the project is to fill the gap left by CentOS Linux and offer a long-term support and stable platform for users who require compatibility with RHEL.

Here's a list of the recent Rocky Linux releases and their details:

• Rocky Linux 8: Codename "Green Obsidian," Release Date June 21, 2021, End of Life May 31, 2029.
• Rocky Linux 9: Codename "Blue Onyx," Release Date July 14, 2022, End of Life May 31, 2032.

Rocky Linux is developed and maintained by a community of volunteers, with the support of the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF), a non-profit organization established to ensure the project's longevity and independence. The project has gained traction among CentOS users and organizations looking for a stable, enterprise-grade Linux distribution with long-term support since its initial release in June 2021.