The Linux distribution CentOS is an official fork of RedHat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Because it’s community-driven, it has always been popular among developers who liked the stability and mandate of enterprise-class software without paying for it. After RedHat announced that they would be ending their support for CentOS 8 and instead focusing on their own built in stream version, this left everyone involved in an uncomfortable situation.
A Little History
The history of CentOS is that it started in 2004, and from early on each release of the commercial product Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) used to create a corresponding version of CentOS. The availability of open source CentOS Linux meant that anyone could rapidly install a free version of CentOS for any use, including development and production applications.
What Happened to CentOS?
The CentOS project has announced that their long term support will end as of 2020. We are past that time now. This means that users can no longer receive full updates
for the CentOS 7 operating system, now users will receive only maintenance updates. CentOS 8 will not receive any updates anymore as of December 21st, 2021.
CentOS was originally created as a free and open source alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It is based on the same codebase and is compatible with most Red Hat software. Many businesses choose CentOS for their servers because it is a stable and reliable platform. The end of long term support may cause some businesses to reconsider using CentOS in the future.
Cutting it shorter, it means that RedHat has decided to focus their energy on their other project, which is CentOS Stream (read further below) instead of working on keeping CentOS stable for production. Essentially, this means they are ending CentOS and it can no longer be used as a production environment.
What Was It Like Before The Announcement?
Before RedHat announced the end of life for CentOS as we know it, we had a cycle of rolling releases. What does it mean, actually? It means that before the announcment, RedHat Enterprise Linux is developed from Fedora through CentOS Stream. So, RHEL was developed from the upstream – Fedora, and then RHEL downstreamed to CentOS as we knew it.
Now, the situation is a little bit different. The main and most crucial difference is that now CentOS is becoming CentOS Stream, which is a development area, that is designed to develop and test new features for RHEL.
If you understand this right, your mind should scream a big no when you think of setting up CentOS Stream as your production operating system. If you are further intersted in this, then read more about it below.
What Should You Do?
If you’re using CentOS, you need to be aware that your system has reached its end of life. That means that there will be no more security updates or support for the operating system. So what should you do? The best option is to switch to a different operating system, and the sooner the better. But if you can’t or don’t want to do that, you can continue using CentOS, but you’ll need to be extra careful about security. Be sure to keep your software up to date and run a good antivirus program. Personally, we would advise you to move to a new and supported operating system.
What Are Your Options?
If you’re running CentOS 7, you may be wondering what your options for when it will reach its end of life. You can either switch to a different Linux distribution, or you can continue using CentOS 7 but without support or security updates. If you choose to stay with CentOS 7, you should take some steps to protect your system.
However, we do not recommend staying in an unsupported system. You have options to keep up your work without moving to RedHat Enterprise Linux, and we’re here to lay them out for you.
The cPanel Option
If you choose to move forward to a new and supported operating system, you should know your options. If you are using cPanel at the moment, we would recommend an operating system that is backed and recommended by cPanel, which is AlmaLinux.
AlmaLinux – almalinux.org
AlmaLinux is a community-driven project that picks up where CentOS left off. It is fully compatible with all of the existing CentOS software and infrastructure. AlmaLinux also offers Long Term Support for users who need stability and security. Bonus fact for cPanel/WHM administrators – It is backed by cPanel, and if you need to migrate from CentOS 8 to AlmaLinux 8, you’re in luck because cPanel has released a documentation to help you with that. If you’re not a cPanel user and you still like AlmaLinux, you can also migrate from CentOS 8 to AlmaLinux 8 easily enough with their migration guide. I know I did with my own production (Yes, the one hosting this site).
The Non-cPanel Option
Mainly, there are many alternatives to replace CentOS’s job as an operating system. We’re here to give you the most voted, backed and stable. For those of you who are not using cPanel, you can use Rocky Linux.
Rocky Linux – https://rockylinux.org/
Rocky Linux is a CentOS alternative that has been gaining traction lately. It was created in response to the end of life for CentOS. It was founded by Gregory Kurtzer, who was also the co-founder of CentOS. Rocky Linux aims to be binary compatible with CentOS so that users can easily transition to it. So far, Rocky Linux has been well-received by users and developers alike. Similarly to AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux also has its fare share of backers, between them you’ll find Google Cloud, arm, vmware, Microsoft Azure and many more.
The CentOS Stream Option
If you need to consider your options for a production environment, skip this part.
CentOS Stream is a new distribution that is used as a development platform for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It is based on Fedora, but with some modifications. CentOS Stream is designed to be used by developers who want to test new features before they are integrated into RHEL. It is also useful for users who want to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the Linux world.
Wrapping Up
The end of life for CentOS 7 is approaching. In January 2024, support for the operating system will officially end. That means that users will no longer receive security updates or patches. For those who rely on CentOS for their servers, this can be a major problem. Thankfully, there are a few options available. One is to upgrade to a newer version of CentOS, such as CentOS Stream. Another is to switch to a different Linux distribution altogether. The important thing is to plan ahead and make sure your servers are still supported after January 2024.
It is that time of year again when we take a look at which Linux distributions are the best to use in the upcoming year. This year there have been some big changes with some of the most popular distros switching to a new desktop environment or releasing a new version. So, without further ado, here are the 20 best Linux desktop distros for 2023!
Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux desktop distributions. Ubuntu is easy to use and comes with a wide range of applications. It includes the Unity desktop environment, which is easy to use. It also includes the GNOME desktop environment, which is more traditional.
Ubuntu is available in several different editions, including Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Xubuntu, andUbuntu Gnome. Each edition has its own unique features and applications.
Ubuntu is a collection of operating systems, each with a different desktop environment. Kubuntu is the KDE-based variation, Lubuntu is the LXDE-based variation, Xubuntu is the Xfce-based variation and Ubuntu Gnome is the GNOME-based variation.
Fedora is a popular Linux desktop distribution that is known for its stability and security. It is also one of the most user-friendly distributions, making it a good choice for beginners. Fedora comes with a wide range of applications pre-installed, so you will have everything you need to get started.
Fedora also has a very active community that provides support and helps to keep the distribution up-to-date. There are also a lot of helpful resources available online, such as tutorials and how-to guides.
Overall, Fedora is a great choice for anyone looking for a stable and secure Linux desktop distribution.
Mint is a popular Linux desktop distro for a number of reasons. First, it is based on the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution, so it has access to a wide range of software. Second, Mint is very user-friendly and comes with a number of features that make it easy to use, even for beginners. Finally, Mint is highly customizable, so users can tailor it to their own needs and preferences.
Mint is a great choice for anyone looking for a user-friendly Linux desktop distro. It is also a good choice for those who want to customize their desktop environment to their own liking.
Elementary OS is a great Linux desktop distro for those who want an operating system that is both easy to use and looks great. Elementary OS is based on Ubuntu, so it is very stable and comes with a lot of pre-installed software. The Elementary OS interface is very clean and user-friendly. It also has a built-in app store, so you can easily find and install new software.
Zorin is a great Linux desktop distro for beginners. It is based on Ubuntu, so it is easy to use and has a lot of the same features. Zorin also comes with a lot of software pre-installed, so you don’t have to go and find it yourself.
Zorin is also a very lightweight Linux distro, so it will run well on older computers. It is also very customizable, so you can change the look and feel of your desktop to match your personality.
Overall, Zorin is a great Linux desktop distro for beginners. It is easy to use and comes with a lot of software pre-installed. It is also very lightweight and customizable.
Solus is a Linux desktop distribution that is designed for ease of use. It comes with a simple, yet powerful, set of tools that make it easy to get started with Linux.
Solus comes with a variety of pre-installed applications, such as a web browser, office suite, and media player. It also includes a software center that makes it easy to find and install new applications.
Solus is available in two editions: Budgie and GNOME. The Budgie edition is designed for beginners, while the GNOME edition is more advanced.
Overall, Solus is a great Linux desktop distribution for beginners and advanced users alike. Its simple design and powerful tools make it easy to get started with Linux.
Manjaro is a great choice for those who want an easy-to-use Linux desktop distro. It is based on the popular Arch Linux distro and comes with all the same features. Manjaro is also suitable for beginners, as it is very user-friendly.
Personally, I recommend the Plasma desktop environment for Manjaro, it’s beauty and user experience is exceptional.
Deepin is a Linux desktop distribution that is based on Debian. It is one of the most popular Linux distributions and is used by many people around the world. Deepin comes with a beautiful user interface and a wide range of features. It is a great choice for people who want a powerful and user-friendly Linux desktop.
If you’re looking for a Linux desktop distro that’s user-friendly and comes with plenty of features out of the box, Pop!_OS is a great option. This distro is based on Ubuntu, so it’s relatively easy to use. It comes with a variety of applications pre-installed, including a web browser, office suite, media player, and more. Pop!_OS also has a custom desktop environment that’s designed for productivity.
Pop!_OS is a great choice for both beginners and experienced Linux users. If you’re new to Linux, you’ll find that Pop!_OS is easy to use and comes with all the apps you need to get started. If you’re an experienced Linux user, you’ll appreciate the custom desktop environment and the overall focus on productivity.
Peppermint is a lightweight Linux distribution that is based on Ubuntu. It is very user-friendly and comes with a variety of pre-installed applications.
Peppermint is ideal for users who want a fast and lightweight operating system. It is also perfect for users who want to use a variety of applications without having to install them separately.
Peppermint has a very active community that provides support and help with using the operating system. The community also releases new versions of Peppermint regularly, which keep the operating system up-to-date.
Overall, Peppermint is an excellent choice for users who want a fast, lightweight, and user-friendly Linux distribution.
Linux Lite is one of the best Linux desktop distros for a number of reasons. First, it’s lightweight and easy to use. It’s also very stable and comes with a wide range of software pre-installed. Additionally, it’s available in over 50 languages, making it a great choice for multilingual users.
Another great thing about Linux Lite is that it’s free to download and use. You can also get support from the community if you need help with anything. Overall, Linux Lite is a great choice for anyone looking for a lightweight and easy-to-use Linux desktop distro.
Ubuntu is a great all-around Linux distro that is perfect for beginners and experienced users alike. It is user-friendly and comes with a variety of features that make it a great choice for anyone looking for a good Linux desktop distro.
Mint is another great option for those looking for a good Linux desktop distro. It is based on Ubuntu, so it shares many of the same features. However, it also has a few unique features of its own that make it worth considering.
Elementary OS is a beautiful and user-friendly Linux distro that is perfect for those who want something that looks good and is easy to use. It doesn’t have as many features as some of the other options on this list, but it does have everything you need to get started with Linux.
Fedora is a great option for those who want a powerful and feature-rich Linux distro. It comes with a wide range of software and features, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to get the most out of their Linux experience.
