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:

  1. No opt-out telemetry: I’m looking for a distro that doesn’t collect any unique data by default.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!

  • Blxter@lemmy.zip
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    1 month ago

    I switched to EOS Endeavour OS. I don’t think it has data collection

      • Classy
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        1 month ago

        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.

        • Echolynx@lemmy.zip
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          27 days ago

          I started on Kubuntu and am now very tempted by Endeavour… it helps that I’ve been tinkering with Arch as well.

    • Rogers@lemmy.ml
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      1 month ago

      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.

  • OsrsNeedsF2P@lemmy.ml
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    1 month ago

    Use Arch Linux. There’s a script called “archinstall” you can use after connecting to the internet, and it’s basically a guided installer

  • chi-chan~@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    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.

    • chi-chan~@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      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.

      • potentiallynotfelix@lemmy.fish
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        1 month ago

        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.

  • NewOldGuard [he/him, comrade/them]@hexbear.net
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    1 month ago

    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

  • thepiguy@lemmy.ml
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    1 month ago

    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.

    • TwoBeeSan@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      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.

  • eco_game@discuss.tchncs.de
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    1 month ago

    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.

  • imogen_underscore [it/its, she/her]@hexbear.net
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    1 month ago

    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

  • banazir@lemmy.ml
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    1 month ago

    openSUSE Tumbleweed has served me well for some time now. Maybe give it a look-see?

    • FrostyPolicy@suppo.fi
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      1 month ago

      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).

  • tomsh@lemmy.ml
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    1 month ago

    I think you are looking for a distribution with KDE and flatpak by default