Ubuntu - GNOME
Kubuntu - KDE
Xubuntu - Xfce
Puppy Linux - JWM
Damn Small Linux - JWM, Fluxbox
Fedora - GNOME (default)
OpenSUSE - KDE (default)
Debian - GNOME, KDE, Xfce
Red Hat Enterprise Linux - GNOME
Linux Mint - GNOME
Xandros - KDE
PCLinuxOS - KDE
Different Linux distributions can use different GUI's some will use Gnome or KDE. Most distributions will let you choose which you want. If you have an older machine you might want to use XFCE or LXDE window managers. If you are looking for a distribution you might want to try Linux Mint it uses all of these Window Managers.
No, there is not just one version of Linux; instead, there are many different distributions (or "distros") of Linux, each tailored for specific use cases or user preferences. Popular examples include Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and CentOS, among others. These distributions vary in their user interfaces, package management systems, and target audiences, from beginners to advanced users and servers. This diversity is one of the strengths of Linux, allowing users to choose the version that best meets their needs.
Many Linux distributions are intended for home users.
This is a holding question for alternates dealing with long-obsolete Linux distributions, such as Red Hat Linux 9. Please do not split the alternates out. There is no reason to use these distributions; they no longer receive any security updates, may not run on modern hardware, and many modern Linux distributions are free.
Nowadays more and more Linux distributions are heading towards the user-friendly side with graphical interfaces and makes them suitable for daily desktop/home user use. Even now Valve decides to port Steam games and even their SteamOS is Linux-based.
Strictly speaking, a "shell" is simply the interface between the user and the rest of the operating system. In that definition not all shells on Linux are command lines. However, most day-to-day usage of the term "shell" does refer to command line user interfaces. Finally, "Linux shell" is not a thing. Linux is an operating system, specifically a kernel, not a shell. Most Linux distributions use BASH, but I personally prefer ZSH.
It's extremely fast, reliable, secure, configurable, and, in case of distributions like Ubuntu or Linux Mint - very comfortable to use.
Linux supports a wide range of network interfaces, including both physical and virtual types. Common physical interfaces include Ethernet (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi), while virtual interfaces can include loopback, VLANs, and bridges. Additionally, Linux can support numerous specialized interfaces for various use cases like VPNs and software-defined networking. The exact number of interfaces can vary based on the kernel version and the specific drivers installed.
No. Those user interfaces are copyrighted. However, some distros have fairly similar interfaces that you can use instead.
SSH1 can technically be used on virtually all distributions, yes. It is not, however, in wide use due to certain security vulnerabilities.
ipacsum does, although 99% of Linux distributions don't actually use or contain this program.
Mepis is an operating system, based on Linux. The advantages of Mepis compared to other Linux distributions are its lightness, its stability, and its simplicity of use.