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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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Who here uses a less popular Linux distribution? What made you choose it? (lemdro.id)

submitted 1 year ago by mfat@lemdro.id to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Hey fellow Linux enthusiasts! I'm curious to know if any of you use a less popular, obscure or exotic Linux distribution. What motivated you to choose that distribution over the more mainstream ones? I'd love to hear about your experiences and any unique features or benefits that drew you to your chosen distribution.

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[–] silverwind@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

May I ask what does .nix files do? I have joined unixporn community,and when I look into the dotfiles of some nix os user,their config are all written in nix rather than .conf or some other prevalent files. Should I learn nix if I want to use nix os? Or can I config my apps such as waybar in a way just like other systems (such as arch)?

[–] nyl@lemmy.opensupply.space 2 points 1 year ago

Nix files are Nix [function] expressions to declare and set your system; there are many options you can set for example. You just need to learn a few chapters of https://nixcloud.io/tour/ and https://nixos.org/manual/nix/stable/language/, also modularization using imports.

For user/de configuration, you can either do the usual way or use home-manager.

[–] paholg@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

You should have some understanding of the nix language to use it, but I wouldn't worry too too much.

I would also start by installing nix and home-manager on top of whatever distro you already use. For some config, you need to specify things in nix, but for things in home-manager, for example, you can usually either use nix or point to a toml or conf or whatever file.