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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 [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I've been a crux user for over 10 years now. I switched to it from Archlinux because it uses a port tree system for packages (think of it as the AUR but for everything) and because the package "recipes" are very simple and easy to write.

At the time I was packaging a lot of stuff on Arch and the PKGBUILD format felt too bulky, complex and constraining for my needs. I switch to crux and found one of the simplest distro out there, and sticked to it. It's also the Linux distro that feels the most like OpenBSD, which is neat as well.

Also the mascot.

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

That's an interesting distro. Can you provide a bit more info as to how it differs from a source-first distribution like Gentoo?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Crux is also "source first", as you must compile every package from source. However, Gentoo focuses on "use flags" to build the packages, which let's you fine tune every single feature. Crux ports don't have that, so you technically end up with the same software for everyone, except that they're optimized for your architecture.

Its main advantage is the simplicity of the system as a whole, as well as the build system, which leads to Pkgfile that are very straightforward to write.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Thanks. That's very interesting.