Most major distros are divided between stable and unstable. If you install the Long-Term Support (LTS) versions, you're doomed to have only old packages from a couple of years ago. If you install the unstable repositories, you're doomed to have stuff exploding in your face without explanation and losing hours asking Google about your problem.
Now, it seems that Arch figured out the exact right level of confidence between stable and cutting-edge. Arch Linux is an independently developed and optimised Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It keeps pushing the most recent version of software without breaking everything else all the time. It uses 'Pacman', its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking.
Based on the awesomeness of the Arch, Manjaro Linux is a fast, user-friendly, desktop-oriented operating system. It was developed in Austria, France, and Germany, it provides all the benefits of the Arch operating system combined with a focus on user-friendliness and accessibility. Manjaro uses a Rolling Release Development Model, whereby rather than being replaced, the same core system will instead be continually updated and upgraded. As such it is not, nor will it ever be, necessary to re-install a later release of Manjaro in order to enjoy the very latest and most up-to-date system possible. Manjaro was first released on July 10 2011. And by mid-2013, Manjaro was in the beta stage.
Like Arch, it uses Pacman as its package manager and uses three sets of repositories: the unstable repositories contain the most bleeding edge Arch packages, possibly one or two days delayed; the testing repositories contain packages from the unstable repos synced every week, which provides an initial screening; and the stable repositories contain only packages that are deemed stable by the development team. To keep Manjaro stable for end users, Manjaro team tested all the packages, then roll out the updates, which delay the updates for 1-week max but keep your system stable than any other Arch Linux.
As per DistroWatch, right now Manjaro is the most popular Arch Linux and 3rd most popular Linux distro. Within very short time, Manjaro getting more popularity than any other Linux distro due to its user-friendliness and stability.
Features of Manjaro Linux
- Manjaro Linux comes with both a CLI and a graphical installer.
- The rolling release model means that the user does not need to reinstall the whole system to keep it all up-to-date inline with the latest release.
- Package management is handled by Pacman via command line (terminal), and frontend GUI package manager tools called Pamac (for its Xfce edition) & Octopi (for its KDE edition).
- It can be configured to be either a stable system (default) or bleeding edge in line with Arch.
- Manjaro Xfce is delivered with Manjaro's own dark theme as well as the Xfce desktop.
- Manjaro GNOME became the third official version with the Gellivara release and offers the GNOME desktop along with a version of the Manjaro theme.
- The repositories are managed with their own tool called BoxIt, which is designed like git.
- Manjaro KDE is delivered with Manjaro's own dark KDE Theme as well as the current KDE Plasma, KDE Apps and KDE Framework.
- Manjaro includes its own GUI settings manager where options like language, drivers and kernel version can be simply configured.
- Certain commonly used Arch utilities such as the Arch Build System (ABS) are available but have alternate implementations in Manjaro.
- Manjaro Architect is a CLI net installer which allows the user to choose their own kernel version, drivers and desktop environment during the install process.
- Both the official and the community edition's desktop environments are available for selection.
- While not official releases, Manjaro Community Editions are maintained by members of the Manjaro Team. They offer additional user interfaces over the official releases, including Budgie, Cinnamon, Deepin, i3, LXDE and MATE.
If you still don't use Manjaro, try today and share your experience. Also, let us know your favorite Linux distro.
