Did you know that Linux Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel,
uses Fedora?
Behind every Linux distro, there’s a principle. I’m not talking about
the tagline but a higher aim that their respective developers try to
achieve. For example, for Ubuntu, it’s providing a better, free, easy to
use OS for everybody. For Debian, it’s unconditional stability. For
Arch Linux, it’s simplicity and absolute user control.
Fedora Project is a group of Free Software community members
distributed across the globe. They work together on and produce various open
source software, one of which happens to be Fedora
OS.
The Fedora Project’s mission is “to lead the
advancement of free and open source software and
content as a collaborative community”. That’s powerful
right there. Fedora does not aim to provide an OS for
this target base or that target base, but rather, aims to
lead the advancements of free and open source
software movement.
Fedora is enthusiastically faithful to its mission. I want
to bring this topic to you in 3 phases. Lead, open-source,
community. Let’s dive right in.
1.Lead
Fedora has always intrigued me. Back in the day when
I used to energetically participate in distro wars, I’d find
it hard to logic against Fedora. Because Fedora is more
principle-driven. And if you argue principles vs logic,
principles always win.
Factually too, Fedora is really a leader. Fedora led the
Linux world to implement Systemd.
Even Wayland display server was distributed on
Fedora in its early days. I suppose it was Fedora 24.
Fedora even understands the urgency and the need for
having one package management across all Linux
distros and along with Gnome, stands as the best ally of
Flatpak.
Of course, these are just some major examples that I
wanted to bring about. Fedora has been involved in a
huge number of open source projects and has been
working towards making a positive impact on desktop
Linux.
2.Open Source
If there’s one thing that Fedora doesn’t compromise on,
it’s open source. Fedora is completely open source. It
neither incorporates nor encourages the use of
proprietary code. Let me elaborate on this point.
Most Linux distros are not a cent percent open source.
They do have proprietary elements such as graphic
drivers incorporated in them. They are prioritizing
performance and user experience (I’m not saying that
it’s wrong). But Fedora does not consent for this
tradeoff in it’s OS.
Sure you can install proprietary graphic drivers in
Fedora. But they are not officially supported nor there
is a simple way to do so.
I believe this stance of Fedora is very crucial for open
source software community. A giant standing for such
a cause enables others to believe in open source
software. It also negates the idea that proprietary
software is an essential part of Linux for optimal
performance. Just download a Fedora ISO and check
out its performance output.
3.Community
Fedora has always given a high priority to community
expectations and needs. Fedora is a true “from the
community, for the community project”. Although
RHEL is behind Fedora, it does not influence the
decisions regarding the development of Fedora.
Decisions driving Fedora are community-centric.
Many major softwares falling under the Linux domain
have done changes that were not appreciated by the
community. Unity by Ubuntu, changes of Gnome 3 by
Gnome to name some.
But Fedora has never brought about any changes that
were criticized by the community. Never. It has always
been pro community.
Fedora is fast, secure, gorgeous. It has a great support
and is a highly respected distro. In the developer
community, it is actually revered. Do give Fedora a try.
You’ll love it.