Is the “perfect Linux distribution” an attainable goal? Yes it is. Distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE come close to this goal and as a result they are in the top rated list on Distrowatch at any given time.
Finally, let’s push the subject forward and create what I feel is a perfect Linux distribution. Personally, before I install any distribution, I check its package manager and the maintenance process. Ubuntu uses Debian’s apt, is maintained real-time so it’s a good candidate for me. Fedora is also a good choice but since Fedora uses rpm, it’s my second choice. In the end my all time favorite is Gentoo, as long as it’s “taken care of”, as it used to be a couple of years ago. To create my perfect package management system I choose Gentoo as the base:
1. I create an installation DVD, which gives the user the option to install from source code or binary. Binary ise faster but source code compilation will result in a program that will run better. The installer will check in detail the various extensions of my hardware, specifically my processor (CPU) and set the compilation options automatically without user intervention (of course making an “Advanced” options to allow the user tweak with the settings). For a novice user, it will just be a click on the “Next” button.
2. Partitioning must not be confusing. The end user need not to know about the boot, swap, primary and extended partitions nor about the logical volumes. The installer has to tell the user what he has on the computer and how the system is to be installed.
3. After that, I present the options to the user to select: desktop/notebook installation, netbook installation, server installation, kiosk installation, specific-purpose installation and I would provide detailed selections in the interface. For example, if the user has selected a server installation, would it be a firewall, web server, file server, proxy server, or a combination of them. Does the user want the graphical user interface to be installed but not started by default. Similarly, if the user selects desktop/notebook installation, is it a simple end-user system with office, productivity, graphics editing, Internet applications or will it be a multimedia editing distribution. Of course, the user will be able to select any combination of any installation options, such as a graphical end-user installation with file server applications installed. (This is what I like about SUSE/openSUSE installation: you could install anything that you want in infinite combinations.)