this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2023
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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stolen from linux memes at Deltachat

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[–] SamsonSeinfelder@feddit.de 108 points 1 year ago (6 children)

Isn't archwiki one of the most comprehended wikis for Linux distros out there? If anything, the arch-wiki (to me) has often too many answers for the same problem than the other way around.

[–] skullgiver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl 46 points 1 year ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

[This comment has been deleted by an automated system]

[–] christian@lemmy.ml 12 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I switched like ten years ago because I wanted to learn the details, but in all honesty I still feel like I barely understand anything. Not sure how normal this is, maybe I'm unusually dumb, but I feel like what I've really learned is how to troubleshoot and solve issues by reading documentation and tinkering, rather than understanding what I'm actually doing. I've had a stable system for years but I kind of feel like if a typical arch forum poster looked my system configuration for five minutes they'd be like wtf are you doing.

[–] stevar@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

If you know where to look and where to tinker, then I think you have at least some understanding of what you're doing.

Knowing you don't know everything is what makes you smart. Arch helps keep people smart by forcing them to be on edge all the time by feeding everyone the most recent, often not very well-tested versions of software. All the shiny new tech, with some of the sharp edges that still need to be sanded down.

Every time you learn how to configure a tool or daemon or subsystem, a new, shinier tool comes out, or there's a major update, or you discover an approach that works better for you. The Linux landscape is constantly shifting. You can bite down and stick with what you know (CentOS and derivatives are great for that!) or you can stay along for the ride.

Weird shitty configs is the Arch Linux life. The flexibility is what allows you to configure your system in whatever way works for you, and until it inevitably all explodes with some future update, it's probably best not to touch anything and break your config because there's a "better" way. Unless you like that stuff, of course.

[–] sederx@programming.dev -3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

Is actually great since it forces you to learn which saves you much more time in the long run.

But most people can't see past their nose.

Edit

Can't believe somebody got offended by this...

[–] hansdampf@feddit.de 33 points 1 year ago (1 children)

couldve stopped at the first sentence, but had to keep with the stereotype i guess ;)

Is actually great since it forces you to learn which saves you much more time in the long run.

It is great when you have time to learn, but when you are trying to troubleshoot while understand basically nothing of the wiki ... it is not good.

Most people want a functional OS, they don't care about the benefits of NetworkManager over its competition. Figuring out every possible configuration setting and finding the right combination to get everything working as intended takes forever.

Some people are into that, and power to them, but most people aren't.

[–] princessnorah@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Can’t believe you got so offended someone was offended you edited your comment…

[–] hansdampf@feddit.de 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

to be fair, i wasnt offened :) just wanted to point out the irony

[–] princessnorah@lemmy.blahaj.zone 0 points 11 months ago

oh nooo, you weren’t offended at all (:

[–] sederx@programming.dev 1 points 11 months ago

I'm not in just tired to deal with whiny bitches

[–] stinerman@midwest.social 25 points 1 year ago

I run Debian and I regularly look at the Arch wiki.

It is most comprehended, but for newbie it is too comprehensive. Its overwhelming, I tried to troubleshoot why I boot to black screen even the installation said its successful and there's no error. I saw solutions that want me edit grub, edit xorg ... and some other file that I never understand.

I understand the wiki is very good and very important, its just not newbie friendly.

[–] huggingstars@programming.dev 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

That's the issue. Arch and it's wiki are labyrinth for beginners.

For anyone not interested in tinkering all-day long they're better off using fedora, debian or suse.