Linux @lemmy.ml PumpkinDrama @reddthat.com 6 days ago

What Linux distro without opt-out telemetry would you recommend a Manjaro user?

Hello, I'm looking for a new distro that aligns with my privacy preferences and offers a wide range of packages without requiring me to search for PPAs, similar to Manjaro. I've grown uneasy about Manjaro's decision to collect unique data like MAC addresses and disk serial numbers by default, even if it's for diagnostic purposes.

In light of this, I'd like to ask for your recommendations on a Linux distro that meets the following criteria:

No opt-out telemetry: I'm looking for a distro that doesn't collect any unique data by default.
Access to a wide range of packages: I prefer a distro that offers a vast repository of packages, so I don't have to search for PPAs or third-party repositories.
User-friendly: I'm not a fan of complicated configurations or steep learning curves, so a distro with a user-friendly approach would be ideal.

I'm curious to hear any recommendations you might have. Thanks!

54 comments

Garuda Linux. It's like Manjaro, in fact some utilities are forked from it, but done right.

You can also try EndeavourOS.

If you're into immutable distros, try Bazzite.
Another vote for Endeavour OS here
EndeavorOS. It's like manjaro but not bad.
- Came here to say the same. Such a great distro, and it'll be an easy switch from manjaro.
  
  I've been running it with btrfs and it has been rock solid stability wise. If you go btrfs I recommend grub btrfs for easy boot time snapshots and btrfs-assistant in the aur if you want a GUI to manage btrfs maintenance.
I switched to EOS Endeavour OS. I don't think it has data collection
- It doesn't, and offers an even friendlier experience than Manjaro IMO
  
  Endeavour has been an amazing distro for me, noob Linuxer. I started on Ubuntu Cinnamon, then tried Mint, and ended here on Endeavour and I love it.
Hannah Montana Linux
Well if you don’t want plain arch I’d go with cachyos or just endeavouros
- +1 for Cachy, its Arch with cheat codes for speed.
If you're already used to Arch-based systems, and enjoy the convenience of the AUR, what about EndeavourOS?

It's basically Arch with GUI install scripts, and a different wallpaper.
- I saw one commenter suggested Arch itself. IMO it's even a better idea than EOS.
  
  archinstall doesn't have GUI, but it has very nice TUI (like what you have when you use htop), and you could finish selecting the options in very few minutes.
  
  Maybe I'm a dumbass and it's my fault, but I find that archinstall always has an issue when you run it. It's easier to install arch manually than run the and troubleshoot.
If you used manjaro before, then I will recommend endeavour. It is arch Linux (same as manjaro) with an installer. I found their support forums to be helpful as an arch user.
- Switched from manjaro to endeavor. wholeheartedly recommend. Easy enough but still has arch experience. Yay is super easy and have only had a minor issue with 1 game specifically on an nvidia card.
I would point you towards EndeavourOS. It's pretty much just preconfigured Arch, so you get the same rolling release packages as Manjaro and retain access to the AUR. Its a solid project, IMO it does everything that Manjaro claims and fails to but properly
Bazzite.gg

Upgrades didn't break your system. You can run Arch packages, AUR, flatpaks.
Fedora
EndeavourOS. I used Manjaro for 1.5 years before switching to EndeavourOS. (BTW before that I was also using Ubuntu for 13 years in row...) I couldn't be happier. It's closer to Archlinux and a bit more focused on terminal, but overall hassle free for me. Updates come quicker and not in batches like Manjaro did. Which means more often new versions of packages and no compatibility or other issues with AUR caused by Manjaro. What desktop environment did you use before? KDE is pretty good on EndeavourOS and what I would recommend.

No opt-out or opt-in telemetry.

Same package manager and repository from Archlinux.

You have already experience with Manjaro and the Archlinux stuff, so going to a similar system like EndeavourOS makes sense. However its a bit more terminal oriented, with a few GUI related help.

Because of your prior experience with Manjaro, I think EndeavourOS is a good candidate you should have in mind.
- I second EndeavourOS. It's so good!
- Is there something like an easy migration script, which would take packages and settings from my current install?
  
  Ok, settings are mostly in my home anyway
  Packages I can generate a list, and the manuals throw out the Manjaro stuff
  
  Hmm...I'm having a laptop and a workstation running Manjaro and I really would like to make the switch, but can't tolerate much downtime, because both are machines for my work
  
  So I'm looking for something to quickly setup everything as I had, without the need to remember everything and do it manually...
  
  You wouldn't be first who asks this. There are attempts and instructions how to do this, step by step. But I'm not confident enough to recommend any of those. Maybe they are outdated or your machine requires some setup which is not covered. I do not recommend doing this, but if you have no time to setup a new OS from scratch, then at least make a backup before attempting any of this.
  
  I would ask those on the official EndeavourOS forum, which is active and helpful: https://forum.endeavouros.com/
Use Arch Linux. There's a script called "archinstall" you can use after connecting to the internet, and it's basically a guided installer
I'd say Fedora KDE. It just works, the docs are good, it has a big community and large enough repos.
Take the plunge in the Void.
- Let go your earthly tether Enter the Void empty, and become wind
Opensuse
I really like Pop!_OS, AFAIK it doesn't have any telemetry. It's basically a Ubuntu fork but without the stupid Ubuntu stuff, and they're currently even working on their own Desktop Environment.
Fedora/Nobara.
openSUSE Tumbleweed has served me well for some time now. Maybe give it a look-see?
- Second this. Tumbleweed is a great distro. Nearly everything you'll need can be found in default repos. Then there are several endorsed (semi) official add-on repos, and if that fails there's always OBS (opi is your friend for searching those).
I think you are looking for a distribution with KDE and flatpak by default
nobara
I've been very happy on Fedora. It's been reliable and has up to date software and kernels.
Is there any distro that automatically collect data? Every distro I've tried asked directly on install or at first boot
This coverage provides an example of what is sent, and it includes neither MACs nor HDD serial numbers.

https://ostechnix.com/manjaro-data-donor/
Peppermint OS, its what made me stop distrohopping . Debian based with extra on top, easy doesn't brake,
- I don't understand the concept. It's Debian with xfce and a custom theme. Why is that a distribution. Seems like a meta package would be enough.
You probably shouldn't be using an arch based distro if you want a user friendly experience.

I know there are things like manjaro and even endeavor os that are "arch but easy" but honestly I cannot in good faith recommend anything arch based for ease of use. Arch is a very fast moving distribution that usually has the newest packages but that isn't always good. There will eventually be a problem come up, maybe not often and maybe not that serious but in my personal opinion it's not worth it.

If you are wanting consistent ease of use and access to a lot of packages it's hard to beat the mainstream distros. Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora, (personal favorite) etc... and if you need something from arch repositories just use distrobox. You get access to all arch packages without the headache.
i found endeavor to be nicer than Manjaro but tbh I'm at the stage where i just recommend installing arch. it's gotten a lot easier. endeavor is also arch based though so I'd go with that if you want super easy install / extra stuff installed ootb
Garuda. It's even easier than Manjaro. The theming can be a bit much, though.
Go to the source. Debian.
- Source is LFS.
  
  LFS isn't a distribution. It's documentation only. (I know you were joking, but as an ex Reddit user I remembered my origin where I came from and got triggered hard.)
Trisquel is a fully 'Free as in freedom' distro.

Zero telemetry now or in the future.

Ubuntu based, so large FLOSS package repository.

Mate UI, simple user friendly layout.

* You will need hardware that works with fully free hardware drivers (for printer, WiFi, GPU etc). Drivers with binary-blobs are not included, due to potential security risks or spyware.

Test your hardware with a bootable USB.
Debian or Linux Mint

Arch would actually stand a chance.
I think maybe Fedora but probably less software available
- Flatpak exists and even if you don't use them its repos are huge.
- Not at all with RPMFusion.
- If your fedora is compatible with ELF64 (which it is) then you have 99% of total Linux compatible software available to you. Linux is Linux.
cachyos is user friendly and based on arch
- It's not very stable though. It failed majorly in my case.
  
  I agree. Whenever I use Arch or Arch-based distros they are always very unstable. That is fine if you like a learning curve, but if you don't (like OP) then they probably aren't for you.

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