Linux

45595 readers

655 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

162

Opinion: Distributions that only change non-system pre-installed software or desktop environment should instead be packages or scripts (lemmy.ml)

submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

92 comments fedilink hide all child comments

The majority of Linux distributions out there seem to be over-engineering their method of distribution. They are not giving us a new distribution of Linux. They are giving us an existing distribution of Linux, but with a different distribution of non-system software (like a different desktop environment or configuration of it)

In many cases, turning an installation of the base distribution used to the one they're shipping is a matter of installing certain packages and setting some configurations. Why should the user be required to reinstall their whole OS for this?

It would be way more practical if those distributions are available as packages, preferably managed by the package manager itself. This is much easier for both the user and the developer.

Some developers may find it less satisfying to do this, and I don't mean to force my opinion on anyone, but only suggesting that there's an easier way to do this. Distributions should be changing things that aren't easily doable without a system reinstall.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

kubuntu is already literally just a package.

if you just install kubuntu-desktop (or something similar) from any buntu flavor you get it.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 11 months ago (2 children)

And that's exactly my point. You get the same experience by just installing a package rather than having to "distro-hop"

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

Hard disagree. I installed kubuntu on a Gnome Ubuntu to try it out and the duplication of system tools and helper programs was maddening. I had two key managers, two settings screens, three times as many daemons, and there was something weird going on with the theme I had applied.

During online installation it makes sense to pick a DE and install that, but unless you expect installer images to ship with every DE under the sun separate installer disks like Kubuntu make total sense.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

But if you start with Kubuntu then it's not exactly hopping, it's just more convenient.

If people wanted to do it by package installation, they would!

In the end it's just more user choice, which is good.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Sure, you're right! But here's a proposition: it would be easier on both the developer and the user (without sacrificing user choice) if it was a package, or better yet, an option to check on the installer. It is still just the same amount of choice.

If people wanted to do it by package installation, they would!

In the current state, they usually can't. Maintainers do not provide these as packages, so you're forced to install a whole distribution just to try out their configuration of KDE

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

I'm with you that it would be awesome to have more options to explore big changes like that.

I just don't see maintainers putting the effort into it. I don't think these DE-only distros are going anywhere anytime soon, and I'm glad they're filling a gap for the users that want it.