Linux-based operating systems can serve the needs of anyone, from casual users to technology enthusiasts and power users. But one friction for any newcomer to Linux is the Linux distribution paradox of choice: there are dozens of distributions with different desktop environments, different application distribution technologies, and other differentiating features. With so much choice and so many new concepts, interested people may quickly find themselves overwhelmed and decide to stick with the proprietary system they are familiar with.
If you find yourself interested in Linux but overwhelmed with choice, a great option is to go with Vanilla OS. Vanilla OS is well-suited to meet the needs of most users, and has many advantages including:
- An elegant and polished user interface with the Gnome desktop environment.
- Applications distributed through flatpak, which means simple application management – install, update, and uninstall applications with just the click of a button.
- Reliable and easy system updates delivered through Vanilla OS’s immutable and atomic system tools.
Polished user interface
Vanilla OS ships with the Gnome desktop environment, which is a polished and intuitive interface for using a computer. Gnome is a large project that continually develops and innovates how people can interact with devices, with a stated goal to deliver the best possible computing experience. Through attention to detail and thoughtful design, the Gnome desktop environment delivers a modern and simple experience to using Linux-based computers.
Simple application management
Flatpak is the future of graphical application distribution on desktop Linux, and Vanilla OS has fully embraced the flatpak technology. When you open the Software Center on Vanilla OS, you have access to thousands of applications on the Flathub software repository, and can easily install, update, and uninstall applications right through the Software Center. Flathub is a fast-growing endeavor that call themselves “the App Store for Linux”, and boast of having millions of active users and delivering billions of downloads.
One very attractive feature of the flatpak technology is that it installs and runs applications as “sandboxed” containers, meaning that the application is isolated from the rest of the operating system. Rather than have access to everything on your computer, flatpak applications can be given specific permissions through “portals” to access only the parts of your system that are absolutely needed for them to do their job. This provides a more secure environment that is easier to control.
Reliable system updates
Perhaps the most important and distinct feature that Vanilla OS provides is a reliable and easy way to update the operating system. This is due to innovative tooling that the Vanilla OS team has developed, which provides an atomic and immutable base for their operating system. System updates are downloaded through the Software Center, and applied after a reboot. If an update causes something to go wrong, then the system automatically boots back to the previous version that worked properly. This method provides an easy way to applied updates while also being resilient to bugs that would break the system.
This is perhaps the feature that makes Vanilla OS stand out in its user-friendliness compared to other Linux distributions. With some Linux-based operating systems, major system updates bring anxiety as the update can cause breakages that require technical skill to fix. Other Linux distributions do not have a major upgrade feature at all, and instead require a clean installation when the new major release comes out. Vanilla OS is a distribution that you can install once and then stop worrying about keeping up to date.
Conclusion
While no one Linux distribution is right for everyone, Vanilla OS is an excellent choice for those who are not sure where to start. It is user-friendly, and can serve a wide range of needs including those of a student, developer, designer, gamer, or scientist. With a growing team and maintained by a formal company, Vanilla OS is a project that appears to be here for the long-term.
Other reviewers have similarly been quite positive on the latest release of Vanilla OS. The Linux Experiment explains in his review why “in my opinion it’s the immutable distro concept polished to a state where almost anyone could use it.” (00:25). It’s FOSS calls Vanilla OS 2.0 Orchid a “smashing Linux distro release,” while Tech Republic described the original release of Vanilla as a “brilliant take on the Linux desktop.” The Like Father Like Son channel describes that “Overall, I am also putting this at 8 out of 10. I do love this, it’s fantastic” (57:10). But ultimately, the only way to really know if it works for you, is to try it out yourself.