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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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Arch or NixOS? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 11 months ago by CatLikeLemming@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I've been here a week ago already asking if Arch would be fine for a laptop used for university, as stability is a notable factor in that and I'm already using EndeavourOS at home, but now I'm curious about something else too - what about Arch vs NixOS?

I heard that NixOS is pretty solid, as due to the one file for your entire system format you can both copy and restore your system easily whenever, apart from your normal files and application configurations of course.

Are there any major downsides to NixOS compared to Arch apart from the Arch Wiki being a bit less relevant? I'd also lose access to the AUR, but admittedly I don't think I've ever actually needed it for anything, it's just nice to have. Also, since NixOS has both rolling release and static release and you can mix and match if you wanna get packages from unstable or not, I'm not losing Arch's bleeding edge, which is nice.

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[–] fxt_ryknow@lemmy.world 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'm not sure I agree with this... I'm using nix on several different generation thinkpads, two older generation MacBooks (one air and one pro), two different older generation imacs, as well as my home built PC, and an OEM built pc.... All with little to no tinkering whatsoever.

All my tinkering was first setting nix up and figuring out how to use it... Then I saved and copied my config and use the same one on all the machines (albeit with subtle changes on first install).

I've used arch a handful of times over the years, and it is without question, significantly more "needy" over time, imo.

[–] ani@endlesstalk.org 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Guess you never had to package general or hard to package software like those that require fixed output derivation or undersupported ecosystems, trying to use common development environment for Python under NixOS, running binaries under NixOS, the list goes on.

[–] fxt_ryknow@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I have not.... And in fairness to me, OP didn't mention the need for any of those things. OP mentions having not even installed anything with the AUR in Arch, which to me just means they are looking for something stable out of the box, which nix has been for me across many platforms.

[–] ani@endlesstalk.org 3 points 11 months ago

Fair point, I was mostly listing the major downsides IMO that OP asked for