Linux Lite Xfce vs. Xubuntu

[firenice03]

@Jerry LOL.. I like your sense of humor!!!

[Glenn]

@nomko, you seem to be fixated upon the obvious similarity of Ubuntu and the use of Xfce but haven't considered the nuance and premise of Linux Lite

In my opinion, all distributions must have three distinct things which set them apart from other Linux offerings.

1. A developer or development team actively working to better the system.
2. A premise (Cause or argument which is sufficiently different than others and sets them apart)
3. An active following large enough to warrant #'s 1 & 2 and a forum, where users can actively participate, offer advice and suggestions to further the development of the distribution's next release. 

Now both number 1 and 3 have been addressed already in this thread and I hope you've not glossed over them but number 2 is the one in which I feel clearly separates Linux Lite from other Ubuntu Xfce distributions like Mint and Xubuntu.

The entire premise behind Linux Lite, is to give a Window's user the best chance at discovering the world of Linux and to present Linux in the most anxiety free way possible. The creator of Linux Lite, Jerry Bezencon has made his premise known in several interviews for online Linux publications since the inception of this distribution.

Specifics? To mention a few,

1. The choice of the Xfce DE shouldn't be easily dismissed. It's layout is simple, intuitive, functional and as configured in the iso, reminiscent of XP, Vista and Windows 7.

2. The structure of the system menu and more importantly, it's layout and labeling. Far too often a new user can be utterly confused and turned off by the names of Linux applications and many times, those applications are redundantly provided by the distribution (More than one application provided for the same task), Mint is famous for this. It's been mentioned before in this thread but needs repeating, the system menu (Whisker) in Linux Lite is labeled with common usage names and not obscure Linux application names.

3. Have you looked at the "Linux Lite Control Center"? Everything from system configuration, desktop configuration to software sources can be found here and it's intuitively designed to fit within the premise of Linux Lite.

4. Forget about terminal and apt-get, do you remember trying to understand Synaptic Package Manager during your first go around with Linux? Updating apt and adding sources? Then trying to locate the application you want (with a weird name) and hoping you don't make a mistake and soft-brick the system? I do!... Take a look at "Lite Software" app located in the System sub-menu of Whisker. There's a plethora of "intuitively labeled" and commonly used applications listed for the new user to simply click and install. No terminal, no synaptic package manager and no manual adding of PPA's. It also keeps an easily accessible,  running tally upon what apps the user has added to their system and provides easy removal too.

5. Last but most importantly (imo) is the "Linux Lite Help Manual". A NEW USERS DREAM! Answers to everything can be found here. BEST of all, it's Precisely,Concisely and Specifically written for the Window's user in mind. I can't begin to say enough about this document and how extremely valuable it would've been for me, when I first started using Linux many years ago.

In the sometimes egocentric and even arrogant Linux universe, it's a wonderful to find a developer and distribution truly engaged in making Linux and open source... Easy, presentable and FUN to potential new users. 

[Digistylus]

Hello, I'm using Linux Lite as my daily driver after some distro hopping and coming from Windows. Currently using LLite 2.8 on two machines. A circa 2010 desktop now used as a living room media pc. One business laptop from a similar era as my secondary work and media machine, Krita for productivity and SMTube for watching youtube. I still have a Win7 work machine because I still need some programs on the Windows platform, but the future as I personally see it is one where GNULinux keeps improving on the desktop and laptop, vs Windows desktop getting worse, or at least disrespecting many of their home & pro customers.

Distros I've tried are:
-Linux Mint, Cinnamon and xfce.
-Zorin, Kubuntu
They're good but somehow did not fit me. 

-Xubuntu Lubuntu
Xubuntu worked ok, but I need that taskbar to be at the bottom of the screen, I've been to institutionalized by windows. The next xubuntu LTS iirc will have the option to change that, and maybe the 14.04 xubuntu also does and I missed it somehow, but it was just ok for me, I don't hate it, I don't love it, it's ok, I might like the next LTS better. Lubuntu, I like it. But for most of my own practical needs, it's a bit too sparse. Certainly not a bad distro though.

I tried and like Linux Lite, and why I am sticking with this distro for likely the long term.

I've seen and read online reviews of LinuxLite, and most of them seems to give a thumbs up for a good distro for linux noobs. My first impression after installing it for real the first time, wasn't actually overwhelming. 99.9.% of my hardware worked out of the box, but there was an issue with screen tearing. Thankfully that was solved by googling the solution by installing compton found right in this forum. I really like that the firewall was ready and activated as the default though, this is something that is sometimes overlooked but to LinuxLite's credit they did not miss this small but important detail.

I like the xfce desktop environment and LinuxLite made it very ex windows linux noob friendly, but it did not make my heart skip a beat or anything. However there wasn't any papercut problems with icons shifting on their own, it stayed and snap exactly where I want it, so I'm real happy with that. There's enough customization option but not too much to overwhelm me, hidpi support is ok but not great but at least it's servicable. Nice enough wallpaper, non annoying login sound that slowly became a bit of an earworm in a good way.  It seems solid and friendly enough, which was a welcomed feeling after my distro hopping. It was like finally finding a good reliable sedan.

However it took a month of really trying LinuxLite out, tinkering and even screwing up and doing some re-installs, to really appreciate how good LinuxLite is, and how the creator and the dev team of LLite really "gets it" when they made the distro. I'm still dangerously noobish when it comes to synaptic package manager, in fact trying to remove something via synaptic was what screwed something up that I needed to re-install, but if there is ever a problem that I need to do  a clean re-install I can now do it and have the basic functional LinuxLIte up in about an hour. I'm sure some people can do it faster, but I'm still fairly new to linux but even with the fix and tweaks to get LL2.8 from clean install to fully ready for me is counted in a few hours at most. vs last time I did a clean install of windows the minimum can be half to one full day.

It is simple and friendly enough, light and nimble but not overly sparse. It gets out of the way instead of getting in the way of users. Lite Software is great, I hope the selection of software keeps growing because it just runs rings around something like the windows app store. Lite Control Center and Lite Tweaks is exactly what a coming from windows new to linux user are happy to see. After putting LinuxLite through it's paces for a month, and seeing the smaller details that I didn't notice or appreciate until I had more time to experience it overall and in daily usage. I keep returning to this conclusion. The makers of Linux Lite just gets it.

The makers philosophy and attitude and the LinuxLite community also seems to just "gets it". They want to constantly improve the distro and help out, there is no arrogantly elitist attitude and hating on other OS -users-. They respect the users choice. LLite just gets it, and strives to get it right.

[bfb]

I need that taskbar to be at the bottom of the screen, I've been to institutionalized by windows. The next xubuntu LTS iirc will have the option to change that, and maybe the 14.04 xubuntu also does and I missed it somehow

Both Lite and Xubuntu use the XFCE desktop.
To move the panel from top to bottom or to the side (as I have for one of them) or even to add another panel
Settings
Panel
UNcheck 'lock panel'
Move it by grabbing at the extreme ends...

Hardly a reason to dismiss a distro..

[Digistylus]

Both Lite and Xubuntu use the XFCE desktop.
To move the panel from top to bottom or to the side (as I have for one of them) or even to add another panel
Settings
Panel
UNcheck 'lock panel'
Move it by grabbing at the extreme ends...

Ah good to know, thanks. I still have the xubuntu 14.04 LTS disc here, but the next LTS is coming soon and it has some interesting features from the previews I've seen. I'd rather try that one if I'm trying xubuntu again, especially since hidpi support looks to be improved on it.

Hardly a reason to dismiss a distro..

Just to be clear, nowhere did I dismiss it. While I liked it enough, for various reasons it just wasn't as good a fit for me.

[firenice03]

I'm still dangerously noobish when it comes to synaptic package manager, in fact trying to remove something via synaptic was what screwed something up that I needed to re-install,

Have a look at Systemback; its installed on the system by default.. Very Windows-esq of system restore...
Make a restore point and if all goes up in flames restore back

I've used many time.. Loading drivers just to see if better results or kernels or installing an app that I wont need but a few times

[Digistylus]

Have a look at Systemback; its installed on the system by default.. Very Windows-esq of system restore...
Make a restore point and if all goes up in flames restore back

I've used many time.. Loading drivers just to see if better results or kernels or installing an app that I wont need but a few times

That's a good idea, thanks. I've finished setting up the laptop where LinuxLite and the work program is on the main drive, and now I only need to get a separate media backup(s) for my generated work files, in case something really catastrophic happens etc. Doing a clean install of LLite is easier vs installing windows for me, but if I can salvage a really borked system by a restore point vs a re-install yeah I'd much prefer the restore point method. 

And, done on the laptop, dang, that was actually easier than even windows.

[Valtam]

@Digistylus, thank you for your feedback.

[newtusmaximus]

For a linux  newbie like me all I wanted was a light fast stable OS to replace Vista that would run on good, but dated, hardware and have suitable "office/work" packages. No fuss, just did the job and had sufficient help  online to iron out problems.  Tried Ubuntu but too slow - Mint too many "frills" hence HDD space,  Business mag suggested LL and apart from having to buy a different scanner , all hardware worked out of the box - once I read the  set up instructions properly   (When all else fails etc.!!). LL sets out to help newbies converting from W. It succeeds in bucketfuls for which I am truly thankful.

Some of the linux fraternity like to play around and test develop the OS, however the vast majority of new users want a simple OS that does what it says on the tin and works out of the box on their hardware.  Hence from this newbie many many thanks to all on the LL team.  May the word spread.  Ex Vista brigade next , then Win 7.

Many of business/ work packages are available for windows as well as linux (Thunderbird/Firefox/Libre Office, Skype, Dropbox, vlc etc so those considering the change to linux  can wean themselves gradually onto a different but "same" way of doing things.
Well worth the time spent.  Do it once, do it right!!

[Digistylus]

@Digistylus, thank you for your feedback.

And a sincere thanks to you and the team for making LinuxLite.

however the vast majority of new users want a simple OS that does what it says on the tin and works out of the box on their hardware. 

Spot on, LinuxLite is a good fit for me because I was able to set it up without too much fuss, and get on with whatever it is I need or want to do. There are other distros that might be a better fit for others, and certainly variety is what makes gnuLinux great. But for me LinuxLite is near perfectly tailored for me, someone who learned on and used windows, who also wants a linux distro that is friendly and comfortable for a windows user.

IIRC Vista end of life mainstream support is ending next year, for w7 it's 2020, w8 it's 2023. (and trying out w10 is what finally pushed me into looking for a linux alternative). My personal guess and hope at least, the need for a linux noob friendly distro that caters to windows users might be increasing in the future.