Core Eligibility
A distribution must meet all of the following core requirements to be listed.
Linux Kernel
Must be a Linux-based operating system using the Linux kernel.
Legally Distributable
Must comply with open-source licensing. No pirated software or copyrighted content.
Active Project Presence
Must have a website or repository, public download, and documentation.
Evidence of Maintenance
At least one release or update within the last 24 months, or marked Archived.
Independently Identifiable
Own project name, branding, and maintainers. ISO remasters with wallpaper-only changes do not qualify.
All five core requirements must be met. Distributions that do not meet any one of these criteria will not be listed.
Quality Standards
These are recommended — not mandatory — but distributions that provide them may receive higher visibility.
Installation Instructions
Clear installation guide for new users.
Security Updates
A mechanism for receiving security patches.
Package Management
A package manager for installing and updating software.
Issue Tracker / Support
A public bug tracker or community support channel.
Published Source Code
Source code available where applicable under open-source terms.
Architecture Information
Clearly states which CPU architectures are supported.
Meeting recommended quality standards can improve a distribution's ranking and visibility in the library.
Classification
Distributions are classified — not judged. The goal is to help users find the right tool for their needs.
General Purpose
Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora — suitable for most users.
Enterprise
RHEL, SUSE — designed for business-critical workloads.
Lightweight / Older Hardware
antiX, Puppy Linux — optimized for low-resource machines.
Privacy / Security
PureOS, Qubes OS — focused on privacy and security.
Education
Designed for classroom, student, or learning environments.
Scientific Computing
Tailored for research, data analysis, or HPC environments.
Embedded / IoT
Designed for embedded systems, routers, or IoT devices.
Canadian Projects
Distributions founded or maintained in Canada.
Historical / Archived
Inactive distributions of historical significance.
Exclusion Guidelines
Distributions matching any of the following criteria will not be listed.
No downloadable release is publicly available.
Abandoned for more than 5 years without historical significance.
Exists solely as a branding exercise over another distro with no meaningful changes.
Distributes malware, adware, spyware, or deceptive software.
Violates software licensing terms.
Metadata Fields
A consistent metadata profile makes the library useful and searchable.
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Official distribution name. | Required |
| Homepage | URL of the official website. | Required |
| Country | Country of origin, if known. | Optional |
| Maintainer | Organization or community responsible for the project. | Required |
| Base Distribution | e.g. Debian, Arch, Fedora, or independent. | Optional |
| Release Model | Fixed, Rolling, Hybrid, or LTS. | Optional |
| Package Format | DEB, RPM, Pacman, etc. | Optional |
| Desktop Environment | GNOME, KDE, XFCE, etc. | Optional |
| Architectures | x86_64, ARM64, etc. | Optional |
| Target Audience | Beginner, Enterprise, Developer, Privacy, etc. | Optional |
| First Release | Year the distribution was first released. | Optional |
| Latest Release | Date of the most recent stable release. | Required |
| Status | Active, Community Maintained, Enterprise, Specialized, or Archived. | Required |
| License | Open Source, Mixed, Proprietary components, etc. | Optional |
Listing Policy
Official Listing Policy
A Linux distribution may be listed in the Linux Association of Canada Distribution Library if it is a publicly available Linux-based operating system, has an identifiable maintainer or community, demonstrates active maintenance within the previous 24 months, provides installation media and documentation, and complies with applicable software licensing requirements. Distributions may be classified as Active, Community Maintained, Enterprise, Specialized, or Archived according to their current status and intended use.
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