Linux Families(?)j, need some help

So I have been experimenting with Linux for about 1-2 years now. So far, I have always stayed within the Debian family(?). The Distro's I have used are Ubuntu, Mint, JoliOS/JoliCloud, and TAILS. Recently I have been wanting to branch out and try some different distros. I have been searching for some articles or reviews which explain the main differences and pros and cons of the different families(?) of Linux (i.e. Debian, Red Hat, SLS/Slackware/SUSE, Knoppix, Arch, Enoch/Gentoo, etc). However, I haven't been able to find any info because I don't know the correct Linux terminology for these 'parent distros' or 'Linux Families.' Can someone help Linux newbie out and tell me what I should be searching for?

Thanks


edit: p.s. if you have any specific articles to point to, that would be appreciated as well.

 

This might help you a bit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Linux_distributions. If you look around for answers in individual distro forums, you might run into too much fan-talk. The biggest difference between the well known "general purpose" distros like Ubuntu, OpenSUSE and such is primarily package managers and .rpm, .deb, and such. On the link I provided, be aware some of those are long dead. But clicking on the major distro links will provide you with ample information on a particular distro.

 

Good deal, glad I helped a little