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A Mind Map of Linux Distributions

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the pics-for-your-cube dept.

Howard writes "All about Linux has posted a Mind Map of GNU/Linux distributions. This map of GNU/Linux hopes to throw light on the current GNU/Linux distributions and their relationships with each other. Though the map doesn't show the historically significant but now redundant distros like SLS, Yggdrasil and the erstwhile Red Hat, it shows many of the more prominent GNU/Linux distributions."

9 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. Nice diagram! by Whiney+Mac+Fanboy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Great diagram - it does a pretty nice job of showing distro lineage - it is very hard to show linux distributions in a hierarchical chart like this as the relationships between distributions is not necessarily hierarchical.

    For instance, the multi-lingual section does not show the parent distributions (with the exception of Vine linux) red flag (IIRC) was based on a version of red hat (as was mandriva).

    Still, that's just being picky - its a useful diagram, that shows many of the important relationships between distros.

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    There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
    1. Re:Nice diagram! by jasontn · · Score: 5, Informative
      You can try this:

      The Mother of All CPU Charts 2005/2006.

    2. Re:Nice diagram! by Danny+Rathjens · · Score: 4, Informative
      the multi-lingual section does not show the parent distribution

      Look again. See the legend in the upper right assigning colored dots to the major distros? See the colored dots on the cells for the multi-lingual distributions and the security related, and small distros?

      (this also answers another posters erroneous gripe about having groups unrelated to their parentage)

  2. Re:Linspire and Debian by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don;t be silly, of course Linspire isn't derived from Debian, its derived from Windows.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  3. Re:Linspire and Debian by brunes69 · · Score: 3, Informative
    This is from 2004, when it was still called "Lindows", but I don't think they have re-written everything from scratch since then!

    I've followed both the company and its flagship product, LindowsOS, since its introduction over two years ago. Lindows is based on the Debian version of Linux.

  4. Re:Linspire and Debian by Ajehals · · Score: 3, Informative

    Note the ever so small browny orange dot next to linspire, denoting its a debian deriv (I think guessing by the key...) This is similar to the dots on the multi lingual distros, so I guess it does show the same thing (i.e. Linspire as a Debian derived distro...)

    Not a great diagram as far as inclusion and hereditry (pedigree?) are concerned (but its not supposed to be for that so who cares) but certainly a useful one for new users.

  5. Those who ignore history are doomed to .... by Yonder+Way · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ....irrelevance?

    Unfortunately by leaving out the historical lineage, it doesn't really show how Fedora, SuSE, and Mandriva are all descended from Red Hat Linux. Others are grouped together by things like size or security rather than lineage. It's not very logical or consistent in its current layout. And by ignoring lineage, it has sacraficed its relevance.

  6. SELinux isn't even a distribution by Netsnipe · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It's really a series of kernel patches that implement mandatory access control.

    --
    -- "I can't tell the future, I just work there." -- The Doctor
  7. Mind Mapping Software by jallen02 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    That Mind Map appears to have been made with FreeMind. An excellent, open source, mind mapping solution. I advise folks to try it out.

    FreeMind

    Jeremy