Arch Linux vs. JavaScript vs. Mobian vs. TIDY Comparison Chart

Arch Linux is an independently developed, x86-64 general-purpose GNU/Linux distribution that strives to provide the latest stable versions of most software by following a rolling-release model. The default installation is a minimal base system, configured by the user to only add what is purposely required. Arch Linux defines simplicity as without unnecessary additions or modifications. It ships software as released by the original developers (upstream) with minimal distribution-specific (downstream) changes, patches not accepted by upstream are avoided, and Arch's downstream patches consist almost entirely of backported bug fixes that are obsoleted by the project's next release. Arch ships the configuration files provided by upstream with changes limited to distribution-specific issues like adjusting the system file paths. It does not add automation features such as enabling a service simply because the package was installed.

Mobian aims to integrate the standard Debian distribution with the Phone Shell (phosh) project in a package that works on certain mobile phones, such as the Pinephone. Over time, the idea is to minimize the Mobian specific pieces by “upstreaming” customization to the original projects. Mobian comes with Phosh, the Phone Shell by Purism. It is based on well known modern Gnome technology like GTK, GSettings and DBus running on a wlroots based wayland compositor called phoc. Mobian aims to integrate the standard Debian distribution with Phone-specific projects and modifications in a distribution that works on certain mobile phones and tablets, such as the Pinephone, the Pinetab and the Librem 5. The idea is to minimize the Mobian specific pieces by “upstreaming” changes to the original projects as much as possible. To achieve this, we tread a delicate balance between carrying customized patches and packages that are required to make Mobian run well on its supported devices.