That's every Linux distro.


If you just want to learn to compile and edit config files, sure. No companies hire you to sit around doing such things now a days.

I don't think he wants it for work.

Hi,

Any self respecting company that has a R&D department would not hire an admin if he/she doesn't know how to compile. And editing config files is part of the (almost) daily routine when administering a network of servers.

Kind regards,

Eric

Not necessarily. Look at Arch and Fedora - different package management systems but also completely different approaches. Fedora and Ubuntu, on the other hand are very similar in their attempt to provide the user with a great number of GUI tools minimising the need to use CLI.
This thread is not about being employable or not. Please read the original post.

Your right. I missed the tinkering part.

You could always try something like Sabayon's CDX version, Salix (minimal install), or Tiny Core. They let you install just the kernel, tools, and xorg. Then you build your system according to your own taste and fancy.

If you really want a challenge, try Linux From scratch!

Hello,

Although the jump from Ubuntu to Linux from Scratch is huge, it indeed will learn you a lot. But I think it'll be a bit easier to go to Slackware, Arch or Gentoo first and next take on the LFS challenge.

Kind regards,

Eric

I had the same question a week ago. Sat down, explored distros on the net for a night and ended up with Arch. It's a cutie, just the right balance between user-friendliness and control for me. :P And it's nice to go through the installation process step by step and know what's inside. Not to mention that you actually throw out the stuff that you need and get back a bit of resources.
They have a nice beginner's guide for the installation, so you don't get stuck in the middle of nowhere. You might want to be familiar with browsing the web in some console browser for that though.