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DistroWatch VS MidnightBSD

Compare DistroWatch VS MidnightBSD and see what are their differences

DistroWatch logo DistroWatch

9 hours ago - It does include a proprietary software set optimized for business users, students, researchers and developers." A list of features and further details can be found in the company's release announcement.

MidnightBSD logo MidnightBSD

MidnightBSD is a new BSD-derived operating system developed with desktop users in mind.
  • DistroWatch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-26
  • MidnightBSD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-05

DistroWatch features and specs

  • Comprehensive Database
    DistroWatch provides a thorough list of active Linux distributions, which is helpful for users seeking to explore various options and find the right one for their needs.
  • Distribution Popularity Ranking
    The site features a page hit ranking system that gives an indication of the popularity of distributions, which can guide users toward more widely supported and updated options.
  • News and Updates
    Regularly updated news and release announcements keep users informed about the latest developments in the Linux and open-source software world.
  • Reviews and Summaries
    DistroWatch offers reviews and summaries for many distributions, providing insights into their strengths and weaknesses without needing to test each one individually.
  • User Resources
    The site includes links to official distribution sites, download mirrors, forums, and documentation, making it easier for users to find support and further information.

Possible disadvantages of DistroWatch

  • Popularity Metrics Limitations
    The page hit ranking may not accurately reflect a distribution's true popularity or quality, as it only counts page visits rather than usage metrics.
  • Overwhelming for Beginners
    Newcomers to Linux might find the vast array of distributions and information overwhelming and challenging to navigate without guidance.
  • Community-Driven Content
    Information and reviews on DistroWatch largely rely on community contributions, which can lead to variability in the quality and reliability of the content.
  • Niche Focus
    While DistroWatch is highly valuable for Linux enthusiasts, it has limited appeal to users not interested in open-source operating systems, narrowing its audience.
  • Outdated Information Risk
    Some distribution pages might not be frequently updated, leading to potential issues with outdated information or dead links.

MidnightBSD features and specs

  • Focus on Desktop Use
    MidnightBSD is designed with a focus on desktop users, making it more user-friendly and accessible for those who are not server administrators or power users.
  • Mports System
    MidnightBSD uses its own package management system called 'mports', which offers a wide range of applications and utilities and is designed to be simpler for desktop users compared to some other BSD ports systems.
  • BSD Legacy
    Built on the BSD legacy, MidnightBSD benefits from robust security features, a stable environment, and advanced networking capabilities, which are hallmark features of the BSD family of operating systems.
  • Customizability
    Like many BSD systems, MidnightBSD allows a high degree of customizability, enabling users to tailor the system according to their specific requirements and preferences.
  • ZFS Support
    MidnightBSD offers support for the ZFS file system, providing advanced features like snapshotting, data integrity verification, and efficient data compression.

Possible disadvantages of MidnightBSD

  • Limited Hardware Support
    Compared to more mainstream operating systems, MidnightBSD may have limited support for modern hardware, which can be a barrier for users with newer devices.
  • Smaller User Base
    MidnightBSD has a smaller user and developer community, which can lead to fewer resources, less frequent updates, and limited third-party support.
  • Software Availability
    While the mports system provides a variety of applications, there might be fewer packages available compared to larger operating systems like Linux, potentially making it harder to find specific or niche software.
  • Learning Curve
    Users coming from other operating systems, especially those less familiar with Unix-like systems, might find the transition to MidnightBSD and its management tools challenging at first.
  • Development Pace
    The development of MidnightBSD can be slower compared to larger projects, with updates and new features being introduced at a more measured pace.

Analysis of DistroWatch

Overall verdict

  • DistroWatch is generally considered a good resource for users interested in exploring the diverse world of Linux distributions. Its comprehensive database and news updates make it valuable for both new and experienced Linux users. However, the site should be used as a starting point for research, and users are encouraged to seek multiple sources to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of each distribution.

Why this product is good

  • DistroWatch is a well-known website for tracking the popularity, releases, and news related to Linux distributions and other open-source operating systems. It provides insights into various Linux distributions, helping users make informed decisions about which distro might suit their needs. Additionally, it offers reviews, detailed information about each distribution, and a ranking system based on page hits, which can be indicative of a distribution's popularity or current interest levels.

Recommended for

    DistroWatch is recommended for anyone interested in learning about and comparing different Linux distributions, including newcomers to Linux, system administrators, hobbyists, and open-source enthusiasts. It is particularly useful for those who want to stay updated on new releases and trends within the Linux community.

DistroWatch videos

Measuring Distro Popularity And Why Distrowatch's Page Hit Rankings Suck.

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Choose Your Linux Distribution - Distrowatch.com
  • Review - Let's talk Distrowatch!

MidnightBSD videos

MidnightBSD 1.1 Quick Look - Oh Dear...

More videos:

  • Review - How-to Install MidnightBSD 8.5 plus XFCE desktop
  • Review - MidnightBSD 2.0 update

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DistroWatch and MidnightBSD)
Linux
95 95%
5% 5
Operating Systems
93 93%
7% 7
Linux Distribution
93 93%
7% 7
OS & Utilities
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DistroWatch seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 286 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

DistroWatch mentions (286)

  • DevOps Setting
    I'm currently operating and developing on an International Business Machines (IBM) LeNovo ThinkPad in a GNU Not GNU (GNU) / Free Libre UNipleXed Information X11 Computing System (Linux) XForms Common Environment (XFCE) based Ubuntu (Xubuntu) distro with only free libre open source software (FLOSS) under combined open source licenses and ethical source licenses, specially the Do No Harm Hippocratical License and... - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • By Default, Signal Doesn't Recall
    Maybe not, but also polishing of the Linux desktop has happened regardless of this. In fact, it is what drove SteamOS. Please refer to the items on [1] as literally the top 8 distros were developed for this explicit purpose (making Linux more user friendly). [0] We can determine it to be true or false. [1] https://distrowatch.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Practical Guide to Switching to Linux
    This, but here are some things I've learned to do: * Use a .local directory under my home directory instead of ~/bin. That's a great prefix when installing from source or tarball at the user level, keeps the top-level of the home directory from getting cluttered with /share /lib /include /etc /lib etc. etc. * Reach for the package manager first when installing new software, unless there is a good reason not to. It... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Warm Welcome to Linux P2
    Picking a starting distro is like playing a game, it does not take long for us to stay in our starting town. With various informative sites like DistroWatch, and even a testing site like distro test, our options are endless. Beginners should not get too hung up on deciding which game they want to play as there are tons available. Sooner or later in life, some even leave their starting towns, and even their countries. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Warm Welcome to Linux
    The common sense I advocate mainly revolves around DistroWatch. High ranking distributions (indicated by the hits per day chart) are generally more favorable for many reasons; stability, support, user-friendliness, friendliness of other users and so on. Over the past few years, I have usually recommended the three major M named distros; Mint, Manjaro, and MX. They have had high favorability over the past decade. A... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
View more

MidnightBSD mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of MidnightBSD yet. Tracking of MidnightBSD recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing DistroWatch and MidnightBSD, you can also consider the following products

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SUSE Studio - Modernisieren Sie Ihre Infrastruktur mit SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, OpenStack Cloud-Technologie fรผr IAAS und softwaredefiniertem Storage von SUSE.

NomadBSD - NomadBSD is a persistent live system for USB flash drives, based on FreeBSD.