this post was submitted on 26 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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I made the switch to Linux about 1.5 years ago. Never looked back. I started with Linux Mint and have been happy with it ever since. Now, I'm learning about Arch Linux and trying to make that my primary driver.
FYI, you don't have to get a Steam Deck to try out gaming. I'm sure your current distro would support that quite well. But, if you're looking for something that is portable, then I definitely recommend the Steam Deck. Now is a good time to get one, since they released a refresh with an OLED screen. Also, the Steam Deck runs on Arch Linux, so if you're ever interested in checking that out, then definitely get a Steam Deck.
Try Void. I was aiming at Arch as well, but then I stumbled upon Void... never made the switch to Arch.
What's good about Void?
It doesn't use systemd, it uses runit.
The repo is full of any software you might need, including proprietary (through xbps-src).
Everything just works, if it doesn't it's probably your fault.
It's a rolling release distro, yet focused on stability and usabilty, so you won't get the latest and greates, but instead builds that are known to be solid. For example the kernel, it's not the latest, as is with Arch, but it's maybe one or two minor versions behin. The same applies to software, they're known to jump versions if the current build proves to be unstable.
Lightning fast boot up. It's also the fastest distro there is, apart from the *BSDs.
Compiling and testing is a breeze thanks to xbps-src.
A lot of tools and scripts that make building templates for software not in the repo very easy.
Supports a lot of architectures. NetBSD is the only other POSIX OS that supports more architectures than Void.
There are other things, I'm sure, but these are the ones I can think of ATM.
it's pretty much just arch without systemd then. which is enough of a dealbreaker for me, as I think that systemd is the best thing to happen to linux since sliced bread.
No, that's Artix.
No, it's not Arch without systemd. Arch breaks a lot more than Void does. Ask Void users when was the last time a Void update broke their system. I use it as a daily driver, plus for a lot of other things (at work and home) that are considered mission critical. I would never use Arch for that. Also, it's faster than Arch, it supports A LOT more architectures than Arch does... or any other Linux distro for that matter (LFS excluded).
Personally, I've never had an Arch update break my system. But it's probably only a matter of time
I can only see x86 and ARM though. Where MIPS? PPC32BE? And I'm not even asking for some obscure architectures like SuperH.
Do you know any other distro that's not LFS or Gentoo that still supports x86? I said a lot, not everything. Most distros don't support anything below 64-bits.
A fork supported PPC up until a while ago. That project halted though. There was a new spin on it, can't remember the distro's name though.
xbps-src can cross compile for MIPS. There are no packages in the repo for MIPS though.
You guessed it:
But also OpenWRT.
How to they even support early raspis?
Oh, come on 🤦.
What? I have it on my MIPS router.
I meant as in a real OS, not a stripped down version meant to run as firmware.
Not that stripped down. AFAIK you can even install X server and GUI on it.
Damn, you're more persitent than me hagling 😂.
Not even console locale did on my notebook, have to fix that setup sometime. And the installer is pretty barebones and a bit buggy.
Nononono, there are only two POSIX certified linux distros: K-UX and Huawey's EulerOS.
What exactly did you do that you couldn't change your locale? You do know that you have to reconfigure glibc-locales afterwards.
What exactly is buggy about the installer?
POSIX certification costs money. There are a lot of distros and OSes that are POSIX compatibe, just not certified.
Oh, i did? Thanks anyways!
I had to work around it so that it doesn't send me to (disk? network? not sure anymore) setup again and again.
Never happened to me. How long ago was this?
A month or so. Maybe i should reflash again.
You should also probably try and see if the same thing happens in a VM. The flash drive might be failing and I don't think Void does CRC checks of files when copying them... definitely not when funning them, like the installer for example.
EDIT: I remember the installer bringing me back to the partitioning setup, but that's because I partition manually, not through the Void installer, so the installer thinks that that step is skipped. No worries though, just go to the end of the installer setup and continue with the provided settings. If an adequate target partition has been set, it will install Void.