Debian stands out among the Linux distros - a veritable veteran with an impressive 30 years under its belt. It may lack the smooth polish of Linux Mint or Ubuntu MATE, and may not offer the hand-holding guidance some beginners seek, but its Advanced Package Tool (APT) is the shining star of its package manager universe - logical, fast, and always reliable.

While it may not be the ideal choice for those new to Linux, Debian proves its worth as a reliable option for those willing to put in the effort to learn its nuances. For myself, I currently use Debian Testing, although I typically stick to the stable version. With Debian 12 (Bookworm) on the horizon, I'll be settling in for the long haul for about a year, before returning to Testing.

Debian may not be the flashiest option available, but it more than makes up for that in its stability. The conservative approach it takes to stability means that the newest and latest versions of packages may not be readily available, which can deter some from choosing Debian as their go-to option. However, for those who value reliability and stability over bleeding-edge features, Debian is an excellent choice.

With my preferred applications like Joplin (appimage), Libreoffice Writer, Signal, Audacious, SimpleScreenRecorder, Firefox, mpv, VIM, and Emacs, Debian delivers everything I need, including a seamless gaming experience through Proton. Steam works like a charm, and so do games I play (currently EU4, Generation Zero, Infested Planet, and Supreme Commander 2). Proton is one of the best things that happened to the Linux community in the last decade, and even more.

In combination with the Cinnamon desktop environment, Debian is an unobtrusive and trustworthy digital companion - a loyal friend, always there when you need it.

If interested, you watch my little video about Debian, and why I use it.