Add linux flavour article

content/linux-flavour.md

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+Title: Choosing a Linux Flavour
+Date: 2020-10-31
+Category: Writing
+Summary: A recommendation on which flavour of Linux to run.
+
+[TOC]
+
+People often ask me which flavour of Linux they should install. In summary,
+choose Ubuntu if it's your first time. Once you are comfortable, install Debian
+the next time you need to install Linux.
+
+I run Debian on my computers and servers.
+
+## Linux Distributions
+
+When people refer to the "flavour of Linux" they are talking about a Linux
+distribution (distro). It mostly describes what software is distributed in its
+software repository.
+
+"A typical Linux distribution comprises a Linux kernel, GNU tools and
+libraries, additional software, documentation, a window system, a window
+manager, and a desktop environment." [Wikipedia]
+
+The major Linux distros are practically all the same. If you master one it's
+easy to pick up the others. The main differences you'll run into are which
+tools you use to install new software, and the desktop environment, which is
+what all the windows and buttons look like.
+
+I recommend two Linux distros, Debian and Ubuntu. Ubuntu is based off of
+Debian, so they are very similar. 
+
+## Pros of Debian
+
+Debian is one of the oldest distros and many other distros are based off it.
+You can see a timeline visualization of all its derivatives here:
+
+<https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Linux_Distribution_Timeline.svg>
+
+This image is what originally convinced me to use Debian. Scroll down until you
+see it and zoom out so you grasp how many derivatives it has.
+
+Debian is also non-commercial and requires that all software in its main
+repository is free and open source. This is important because that grants you
+the right to study, change, and distribute the software and source code to
+anyone and for any purpose. They also follow a strong social contract you can
+see here:
+
+<https://www.debian.org/social_contract>
+
+It's also a very stable Linux distro since they freeze all software features on
+each release. This makes it great for servers because nothing will break when
+it updates.
+
+The main Raspberry Pi distro is nearly identical to Debian, so you'll also gain
+familiarity with it.
+
+## Cons of Debian
+
+Since Debian requires all its software to be free and open source, proprietary
+hardware drivers aren't included in its main repo. This can make installing
+Debian difficult if your hardware requires non-free drivers. You'll need to use
+a non-free installation image found here:
+
+<https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/>
+
+The fact that Debian freezes software features can also mean that your software
+gets old until the next Debian release. If you want versions that are bleeding
+edge, you'll need to use Debian Unstable as described here:
+
+<https://wiki.debian.org/DebianUnstable#Installation>
+
+Don't be fooled by the name "unstable". I use it for my personal computers and
+it runs fine.
+
+## Pros of Ubuntu
+
+Ubuntu is incredibly easy to install. You can also try it out before deciding
+to install it. The distro pretty much just works on what ever hardware you
+have.
+
+It's very beginner friendly because it's so popular. Any problem you search for
+will reveal dozens of threads with people solving the same problem.
+
+## Cons of Ubuntu
+
+Unfortunately Ubuntu is developed by a commercial company, Canonical. The
+company's interests come first, before the users' and they have a track record
+of betraying their users' trust and privacy. 
+
+Years ago Ubuntu had a feature enabled by default that would send your desktop
+searches to Amazon so they could suggest products for you to buy:
+
+<https://www.pcworld.com/article/2840401/ubuntus-unity-8-desktop-removes-the-amazon-search-spyware.html>
+
+Currently whenever you remote login to your Ubuntu machine, it phones home to
+Canonical and they collect info about your system:
+
+<https://ubuntu.com/legal/motd>
+
+While these reasons are fairly minor, they are quite frowned upon in the Linux
+community and are reason enough to switch to Debian once you are comfortable
+with using Linux.
+
+[Wikipedia]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution