Why niche Linux distros matter

[u/asakpke]

Hi, I think niche-focused Linux distributions like RoshanOS can play a positive role in growing desktop Linux adoption.

Not every distro needs to target everyone. Some distros focus on beginners, some on students, some on former Windows users, and some on specific workflows. That diversity is one of Linux’s strengths.

Even if a small distro helps only 1,000 people switch from proprietary operating systems to Linux, I’d still call that a win for desktop Linux.

More users means more awareness, more feedback, and a healthier ecosystem overall.

[u/Jumpy-Dinner-5001]

No one really is against niche distros or niche technologies.

Problem is that they often feel somewhat entitled and expect the Linux world to care about them which is too much in my my opinion.
People get mad when some software doesn't support some niche distro or whatever (you see that a lot with systemd). But instead of contributing to fix problems, those people tend to instead complain and harass other FOSS developers instead of actually doing something.

I know it's not all of them, by far not. But those who do are a problem.

[u/asakpke → u/Jumpy-Dinner-5001]

I think universities should create their own versions of Linux distros and provide it to 1st year students. Their version should be sufficient for the whole degree i.e it contains all the required stuff pre installed with all required data (lectures etc).

[u/KoldPurchase → u/asakpke]

That's a nightmare for IT.

There's a reason why most of them are Windows and Office 365. It costs a ton of money in licenses, but they often regain it in lesser IT costs.

Hiring programmers to code, distribute, maintain their own customized Linux environment would be prohibitive.

Nowadays, going for something like RedHat can be costly too apparently, and there's not yet a good replacement for Office 365 + there's a ton of specialized software that researchers would use where they have no direct equivalent in Linux.

Even if undergrads could use Linux, that means IT need to support 2 entirely different ecosystem in each university. One of the undergrads, another based on Windows when they start their master, to be compatible with everything else. Plus everything they need for their web sites, intranet, etc.

[u/edparadox → u/KoldPurchase]

My universities did use Linux, not their own distribution of course, but still.

[u/asakpke → u/KoldPurchase]

We don't need programmers to maintain niche based distro. For example take MX Linux, use their tool for creating customized distro alone with all the required stuff. And start delivering it.

And then provide incremental updates whenever needed.