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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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Niche Distro Users: Why? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

89 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I occasionally see love for niche small distros, instead of the major ones...

And it just seems to me like there's more hurdles than help when it comes to adopting an OS whose users number in the hundreds or dozens. I can understand trying one for fun in a VM, but I prefer sticking to the bigger distros for my daily drivers since the they'll support more software and not be reliant on upstream sources, and any bugs or other issues are more likely to be documented abd have workarounds/fixes.

So: What distro do you daily drive and why? What drove you to choose it?

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Why? Why not?

Currently running Debian Stable, but in the process of switching over to Alpine (yes, Alpine on the desktop). The lightweight, stripped-down feel calls to me and I like the little BSD-isms thrown in. musl might present problems down the road, but a lot can be bypassed by using flatpaks. Also using the change as incentive to try out Wayland and LabWC (bringing back that Openbox goodness). Kinda enjoying the process of piecing stuff together rather than trying to pare it down afterwards.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

Kinda enjoying the process of piecing stuff

At the risk of sounding crazy... You might enjoy Linux From Scratch (LFS) and Beyond Linux From Scratch (BLFS). Maybe not as a daily driver, but it's a great way to learn how everything works, since (as the name suggests) you build everything from scratch. No package manager, just tarballs of source code. It really helps with getting an understanding of how everything works.

BLFS even includes instructions for building Xorg and all the major desktop environments.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago (2 children)

I wonder if it would be possible to set up Linux From Scratch in a way so that its file structure is compatible with one of the KISS distros like Arch or Slackware, then install their package manager and turn it into a system you can update and maintain.
Otherwise I feel like it's a bit pointless to put so much work into a system that can't be kept secure, unless you run it disconnected from the internet.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

Otherwise I feel like it's a bit pointless to put so much work into a system that can't be kept secure,

You just need to recompile stuff when needed :D

I think it's designed mostly to be a learning experience rather than as a daily driver. It serves that role very well!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

The challenge would be convincing / teaching the package manager what you already have installed.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

Stage 1 Gentoo installs