Techlore Talks How AlmaLinux Rose from CentOS's Ashes
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May 21, 2025 Benny Vasquez, Chair of the AlmaLinux OS Foundation and seasoned open-source advocate, dives into how AlmaLinux was born from the turmoil of Red Hat's licensing changes. He explains the technical nuances between AlmaLinux, CentOS Stream, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, emphasizing AlmaLinux's stability and community-driven governance. Benny chats about the easy migration process from CentOS to AlmaLinux and the impact of OS choices on compatibility. His insights reveal how AlmaLinux aims to foster an inclusive community while supporting enterprise needs.
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Why AlmaLinux Was Created
- CentOS Linux was discontinued after Red Hat shifted focus to CentOS Stream, leaving many users without a downstream stable release.
- AlmaLinux formed to rebuild a community-owned RHEL-compatible downstream that preserves stability for users.
Where Fedora, Stream, And RHEL Fit
- Fedora is the fast-moving upstream favored for desktops, CentOS Stream sits between Fedora and RHEL, and RHEL/AlmaLinux are stable downstream releases.
- CentOS Stream receives more frequent updates, making it less suitable for users who require long-term stability.
Pick AlmaLinux For Stability
- Choose AlmaLinux if you need long-term stability, older hardware support, or to avoid Red Hat's licensing processes.
- Avoid CentOS Stream for systems that cannot tolerate frequent updates and compatibility churn.