927: Standards
diff --git a/os.md b/os.md @@ -2,43 +2,111 @@
[](/images/xkcd-standards.6975f55c09cec9a24ccb0185707d56892b881f9b1157c3e6d7ff61554d91ba94.2.png)
-The above [xkcd comic](https://xkcd.com/927/) illustrates a particular -mindset that is responsible for the wealth of Linux distributions -targeted at users new to the platform. Given this, I don't have a -one-size-fits-all recommendation; each user has different needs, so -pigeonholing is counterproductive. For instance, someone that feels more -comfortable with an interface akin to macOS could have a bad time with -[Linux Mint](https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php), even though Linux -Mint is a great OS for many people. +The above [xkcd comic](https://xkcd.com/927/) illustrates the +difficulties of creating a universal standard, and why it often only +results in yet another competing standard instead. This is a broadly +applicable lesson that explains the wide array of open source operating +systems available today.
-However, I'll share a quiz I find helpful, as well as what works for -me. +One of the most common experiences that someone exploring alternative +operating systems on their own may encounter is a feeling of being +overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice available. While I have no +real solution for this feeling, I hope that my own "best of kind" list +can be useful regardless.
-## Generate recommendations from a quiz +Before my recommendations, here are a couple of resources that I find +helpful:
-Check out [LibreHunt](https://librehunt.org/). LibreHunt does a good job -of explaining the merits of FLOSS and suggests Linux distributions based -on how the questionnaire is answered. +- [Librehunt](https://librehunt.org/) +- [Distrowatch](https://distrowatch.com/)
-## What I use +## User friendly and just works
-I like OpenBSD. See ["Why OpenBSD?"](/why-openbsd.html) for more details. +There are many options in this space, but a great all-around pick that I +always fall back to is [Linux Mint](https://linuxmint.com/). The +Cinnamon edition stands out in particular, as it's user friendly and +feels polished, yet it also empowers the user. The large, helpful +community is exactly what someone new to Linux will appreciate. I feel +confident pointing to Linux Mint for this use case, as it showcases the +unique strengths of Linux in an accessible way to new users.
-## Other devices to liberate +## Innovative and for power users
-### Smartphone +[Fedora](https://fedoraproject.org/) is backed by Red Hat, the largest +Linux company in the world. It offers many compelling features out of +the box, such as the SELinux mandatory access control system and the +copy-on-write filesystem known as btrfs. If taking advantage of new +Linux features and keeping a finger on its pulse is important to you, +Fedora is a sensible choice.
-It's best to use a privacy respecting OS here, too. -[GrapheneOS](https://grapheneos.org/) is what I use, although -[LineageOS](https://www.lineageos.org/) supports a wider range of -hardware. +## Reasonably secure and paranoid
-### Router +[Qubes OS](https://www.qubes-os.org) is a security-oriented operating +system designed to separate different aspects of your digital life into +virtual machines, also called qubes. The idea is to compartmentalize +everything so that if one qube is compromised, the rest of the system +won't be affected. Qubes OS integrates [Whonix](https://www.whonix.org/) +which is a huge win for privacy. I highly recommend it to anyone that +prioritizes the security of their machine above all else.
-A router is a computer too. Proprietary consumer firmware isn't -exceedingly capable, nor is it secure. DD-WRT, OpenWRT, pfSense, and -OpenBSD are all much better options. If flashing firmware onto a -consumer router, use Ethernet and take the appropriate precautions. +## Run the latest software and do it your way
-Check out [Building an OpenBSD router](/openbsd-router.html) for more -information on how I approach it. +[Arch](https://archlinux.org/) is often the first advanced Linux +distribution that people try. A distribution installed from the +command-line, Arch aims to provide the newest releases of software in +its repositories. The Arch wiki is an excellent source of information +and a massive selection of software can be installed via the Arch User +Repository (AUR). Arch offers a middle ground between customization and +practicality that many people appreciate. + +## Customize everything and learn a lot about Linux + +[Gentoo](https://www.gentoo.org/) prioritizes extensive customization +and choice. Portage (Gentoo's package management system) exposes a +wealth of options to the user, allowing them to easily adjust the +compile time options of software they install through something called +"USE flags." In addition, components like the system logger and init +system are chosen during the installation process, which also takes +place at the command-line. Gentoo's wiki and its knowledgeable yet +friendly community make it one of the best ways to learn about the deep +inner workings of Linux. + +## The minimal Unix-like cousin of Arch + +[Void](https://voidlinux.org/) falls somewhere between Arch and Gentoo +in my eyes. It feels more Unix-like than Arch, yet it doesn't lean as +strongly into customization as Gentoo. Void's package manager (xbps), +init system (runit), and alternative libc support (musl) are major +selling points of the distribution. In general, I can see the logic +behind many of the decisions and design choices that the project makes. +For example, I think mandoc is an excellent manual page system, and Void +uses it by default. + +## Simple, stable, and follows the Unix philosophy + +[OpenBSD](https://www.openbsd.org/) is a BSD system that has a strong +focus on security, portability, simplicity, and correctness. OpenBSD +features some of the best documentation of any project I've used, and it +introduced me to a lot of software that I still admire to this day. For +me, it's unmatched on the server side due to OpenBSD's simplicity and +secure by default approach. Development moves in a more deliberate, +controlled manner compared to Linux, which moves rapidly and more +chaotically. [Here are some more of my thoughts on +OpenBSD](/why-openbsd.html). + +## A secure mobile operating system + +[GrapheneOS](https://grapheneos.org/) is a privacy and security focused +version of Android, specifically for Google Pixel devices due to the +merits of that hardware. Some of the unique advantages of GrapheneOS are +sandboxed Google Play services, extensive system hardening, and secure +replacement applications. In terms of mobile operating systems, I know +of nothing more secure. + +## Reproducible, declaratively built OS + +[NixOS](https://nixos.org) presents a different method of system +management: describing your desired system in a configuration file and +then issuing a single command to build it. There are definite advantages +to this approach and [I've written more about NixOS +here](/nixos-pros-cons.html).
