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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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[–] penquin@lemm.ee -3 points 11 months ago (3 children)

My honest opinion? Neither. Just go with something that works out of the box like Linux mint until you're done with school then you'll have time to mess with your system. That's what I did for a friend of mine when he went to college. Gave him a laptop with mint on it and never heard a single complaint from him. It has everything he needs. Focus on school now and worry about distros later.

[–] markstos@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago (1 children)

School is a time to learn and both Arch and NixOS provide plenty of opportunities for that.

[–] penquin@lemm.ee 1 points 11 months ago

While true, but they also need a system that they don't need to mess with so they can focus on their school. Unless they're going into w degree that utilizes Linux then I guess it makes more sense.

[–] Trainguyrom@reddthat.com 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I have to agree, if you're late or have assignments that don't work correctly because of your special Arch/Nix install, you're going to be in for a very rough time. College is when you need to focus on learning exactly what is prescribed by the professors and instructors. Anything else you learn is secondary, and your free time is best spent on extracurriculars and trying to make friends because thats the stuff that's really hard to do after college. Y'know what's not hard to do after college? Scavenge a junk computer for next to nothing and install NixOS and Arch on it

[–] penquin@lemm.ee 2 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I guess I'm not crazy after all for looking out for OP. I am getting downvoted for it. 😁

[–] thayer@lemmy.ca 2 points 11 months ago

Not crazy at all. Came here to say the same thing. My vote would be to pick a distro that'll let you focus on the schoolwork. Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, or even just Linux Mint.

[–] Trainguyrom@reddthat.com 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

My instance has downvotes disabled so as far as I can see you have a positive score :)

[–] penquin@lemm.ee 1 points 11 months ago

That's pretty nice. I don't really care about downvotes, especially on Lemmy. They don't mean anything anyway.

[–] noddy@beehaw.org 1 points 11 months ago

I don't know about everyone else, but I had a lot more spare time to tinker with linux when I was a student than after, having a full time job. But I guess if you only have the one computer and need it to work, then tinker in a VM or something. Don't wait with tinkering and learning about linux if it is interresting to you and something you want to spend time on. You might not have the time for it in a few years.