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Businesses around the world may not realize this, but they absolutely depend on Linux and open-source. Without those two pieces of technology, we wouldn't have nearly the services and sites we now enjoy.
But Linux isn't just a good option for servers and technology stacks. Linux is also viable as a desktop operating system. Why? It's not only one of the most reliable platforms available, it's also very secure… and cost-effective.
Yeah, that ol' bottom line will grab your attention every time.
But which distributions should you consider? The choice can be a bit daunting, especially when you consider most Linux distributions will save you money and help protect your assets (think "data"). Let's take a look at the list I've put together.
1. Ubuntu
If there's one Linux distribution I would recommend to small businesses over any other, it's Ubuntu. Why this distribution? It's simple: not only is Ubuntu free and secure, but it also offers some of the best hardware recognition of any operating system available.
That might sound like a bag of magic beans, but it's true. I've plugged all types of peripherals into a Ubuntu system, only to find it automatically detects them and works with them (no drivers needed). Sure, there are occasions when I have to search out a driver for a particular piece of technology, but I rarely have problems with this. Even better, I can use the Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel and get even more hardware support.
Also: The easiest way to try out Ubuntu Linux
Ubuntu also has a vast repository of software to install, both with apt and Snap, so chances are very good that you'll find the apps you'll need for your staff. The one thing I would recommend, however, is that you enable the built-in firewall (UFW), which is typically disabled by default. Once enabled, UFW will not allow traffic into the machine (unless you specify it with a rule, such as sudo ufw allow ssh). There are also a lot of security-specific tools you can install, such as fail2ban (which blocks unwanted SSH connections). For me, Ubuntu sets the gold standard for open-source desktop distributions for individuals and businesses.
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