detecting the distro in your PC

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Detecting which type of Linux distro is installed
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A Linux distribution is more than just the kernel itself. A typical
desktop Linux distribution consists of various software components
including the Linux kernel, the GNU toolchain, and a collection of free
and open source software, such as office suites, email clients, web
browsers, instant messaging, graphics editors, video players and more.
This software is released in both binary and source code form, the
former of which is code that the computer can understand, the latter
what humans can read. Having the source code released under a GPL
license means that other developers can legally modify the software,
thereby providing a mechanism where the community can contribute to the
development of the software components. With most distributions there
is often some proprietory software included where the source code may
not be released. This may be due to patent and licensing restrictions.

There are in excess of 700 linux distributions available, of which more
than half currently are being actively developed.

Debian-based
Debian is a distribution that emphasizes free software. It is assembled
by a large community of volunteers. Debian has a large selection of
packages (over 18000) and supports a large number of hardware
platforms. Debian and distributions based on it use the .deb package format and
the dpkg package manager.
e.g
64 Studio,AbulÉdum, Adamantix ,Baltix ,Bayanihan Linux 2006 ,BeatrIX
,Bharat Operating System Solutions ,Bonzai Linux ,DeMuDi ,Dreamlinux
,Elive ,Feather Linux ,Finnix ,Freespire ,Gibraltar ,gnuLinEx
,Knoppix,Morphix, Xebian , Fluxbox,Zen Linux ..and many more.


Knoppix-based
Knoppix is itself based on Debian.
e.g Buildix ,Kaella ,Kalango ,Kanotix ,KnoppMyth ,Kake Linux ,Kurumin,Mediainlinux
,PAIPIX....and many more

Ubuntu-based
Ubuntu is based on Debian.
AndLinux ,Edubuntu ,EHUX ,gNewSense ,Gnoppix ,Guadalinex ,Hiweed
,Ichthux ,ImpiLinux ,Kubuntu ,Linux Mint ,MEPIS ,nUbuntu ....and many more.


Gentoo-base
Gentoo is a distribution designed to have highly optimized and frequently updated

software. Distributions based on Gentoo use the Portage
package management system with emerge.
Gentoox ,Calculate Linux ,Knopperdisk ,Kororaa ,Pentoo ,Sabayon Linux
,SystemRescueCD ,Ututo ,VidaLinux
.....and many more


RPM-based
Fedora Core (originally Red Hat) and SUSE are the original major distributions that

used this package system.

Fedora-based
Fedora itself is Red Hat Linux-based.
Aurox ,BLAG Linux and GNU ,Fox Linux ,K12Linux and K12LTSP ,Linux XP ....and many

more

Red Hat Enterprise Linux-based
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a commercially supported distribution
offered by Red Hat Linux. Distributions based on Red Hat use the RPM
Package Manager (.rpm format).
Asianux ,ClarkConnect ,Pie Box Enterprise Linux ,Scientific Linux,White Box

Enterprise Linux ......and many more

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You may identify the distro of your PC by viewing the contents of /etc/issue file

e.g
[support@m10 support]$ cat /etc/issue
Red Hat Linux release 8.0 (Psyche)
Kernel \r on an \m

[admin@m22 support]# cat /etc/issue
Fedora Core release 5 (Bordeaux)
Kernel \r on an \m

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