Guys, MX-Linux Is The Dark Horse In The Race

I recently tried out MX-Linux. Wow, I am really impressed. So far, it is the only distro which can give Ubuntu (and buntu derivatives) a run for its money in terms of polish and end-user experience. It is directly based on Debian Stable so its not yet another Ubuntu derivative distro out there in the wild. Currently, MX-Linux 19 is based on Debian Buster 10.

I know r/linux continues to disregard MX-Linux and says they are gaining popularity due to gaming distrowatch rankings but I really don't think that's the case. As a Ubuntu user I think these are the strong points of MX-Linx.

1) INIT Freedom - You can choose Systemd or Sysvinit as your init (default init is sysvinit), and due to systemd shim all your softwares remain fully functional. It is BY FAR the most polished, mature and stable Sysvinit distro out there currently. In fact, considering how polished, stable, fast and nimble MX-Linux currently is, this point alone brings in to question the supposed benefits of the beast known as systemd. Really, MX-Linux boots and shuts down faster than Fedora Gnome, Fedora KDE and Kubuntu and as is at least as fast as (if not faster) than Ubuntu Gnome, Pop OS and Linux Mint.

2) Debian Base - I know, I know you love a "We are NOT Ubuntu" distro but the fact that MX-Linux is NOT based on Ubuntu really sets it apart from the crowd. And unlike many Ubuntu derivatives, MX-Linux serves a very real purpose.

3) Serves A Real Purpose - Actually it serves multiple purposes: i) If you want to use Debian without systemd your only options at this point are Antix, MX-Linux and Devuan. And out of the 3, MX-Linux is the most polished and suitable one for the desktop. You can also use systemd if you wish to do so.

ii) MX-Linux hosts their own repository in addition to the Debian Stable repository with lots of useful and proprietory software. If any software is missing (say you like something from a Ubuntu PPA) you can request packaging the software in the forum and it will packaged and be available for download in the repository within a couple of days.

iii) The hardware support, polish and attention to detail is excellent. If your hardware is having trouble with Debian Stable there's a high chance that it will work without a hitch with MX-Linux. It's not just polished Debian XFCE, a lot of work and care has gone in to it and there's a reason finicky dedoimedo repeatedly gave it stellar reviews.

iv) Comes with own in-house system management tools.

v) Best Snapshot Backup and Persistent Live Solution: It's a big one. Thanks to some tools they have developed, you can make your own bootable and installable ISO of your own system in a USB. It will be persistent, live and installable. Definitely a big deal when you are dealing with sensitive data which you can't backup in the cloud.

vi) Great community - The community is active, friendly and welcoming. Definitely strikes the right balance between size, activity, friendliness and homely comfort.

4) Secure Future - MX-Linux is attracting significant support and donations due to their init freedom effort. While many distros are struggling MX-Linux is doing really well due to faithfully serving the sysvinit niche. Always helps when you know that an excellent distro won't vanish anytime soon.

Inspite of the extreme bias and irrational prejudice of r/linux against Canonical, I really really like Ubuntu and going to stick with it for now but I will keep my eyes out for MX-Linux.

MX-Linux Overall Experience - 10/10