πβ²πͺπ»π½π«π΅β²β²πBSD folks: if you _have_ to use Linux on your workstation, what disto would you pick?
πΈπππ©@h3artbl33d I am not a BSD user, but I would say Gentoo. It's what I use but also probably the closest choice.
@lx
Can you elaborate on that? What makes Gentoo your pick instead of distroX?
Can you elaborate on that? What makes Gentoo your pick instead of distroX?
@h3artbl33d First of all I hate the mentality behind systemd (which is probably also against everything that Unix stands for, i.e. small programs that can be combined instead of one big one). Second, I get to chose what features I want of any given software I install from the repos. The USE-flags let me pick compile-options and I can have a global filter (e.g. for systemd). Finally, since I compile it all myself, it's optimized for my system/CPU and therefore faster and safer (no known binary).
@lx
All truly very valid points! I have been eyeballing Alpine - but dropping and not replacing grsecurity is a downside IMHO.
Arch does have 'Linux-hardened' available as a package - but is not an option due to my unhealthy hatred for the hellish invention that is systemd.
@h3artbl33d Well there is a hardened setup available for Gentoo too. But I have to say that the "default" installation is already pretty hardened. I use quotes because there isn't really a default, since you decide almost everything yourself when you install it, however the default USE-flags etc. are set to safe defaults (like SSP, PIE). Usually most packets have a good documentation about what each flags does and what implication it might have.
@lx
Linux-hardened is a patchset for the Linux kernel, somewhat comparable to grsecurity, by the developer of the now defunct CopperheadOS ROM, Daniel Micay (strncat/thestinger).
It is merely another level of protection. Combined with -USE, more hardening, etc, it can form a better foundation of security.
ed(1) conference@h3artbl33d Until recently, it was Debian, but since the addition of systemd, it would be either the Debian-without-systemd "Devuan", or possibly slackware. I want a conservative cadence that doesn't break things, not a bleeding-edge distro.
@ed1conf
Damn! Slackware was one of my first Linux distro's, before I even heard of BSD - almost twenty years ago. I didn't keep up, is the project still led by Patrick Volkering? AFAIK he was a pretty good project lead.
Regarding Devuan, is it a fork or is it merely a relabelled version with the non-free parts ripped out?
@h3artbl33d I haven't checked in on Slackware in a while but it was my first Linux and feels the most BSD-ish of the Linux distros. Not sure whether Devuan is a fork or rebranding.
@ed1conf
The Alpine installer is pretty much the same as the OpenBSD installer π
The Alpine installer is pretty much the same as the OpenBSD installer π
[rdh] moved to @Debian or Cent. They're stable, well supported, and mostly sane.
@rdh
Thanks for your answer π
I consider neither an option due to their systemd usage. I have an unfounded, unhealthy hatred towards systemd.
I do have experience with both. If security would be preferred above anything else, would you recommend Debian or CentOS?
@h3artbl33d systemd doesn't bother me, it's just another way of doing things.
If security would be preferred above all else I might reevaluate the package I'm using that *requires* Linux. Why does it not work on OpenBSD?
@rdh
I like your way of thinking! If I come to think of it, the thing I miss most are some Elektron based apps. Like Signal (desktop app, rather than the Chromium extension). But I seem to survive without it.
I like your way of thinking! If I come to think of it, the thing I miss most are some Elektron based apps. Like Signal (desktop app, rather than the Chromium extension). But I seem to survive without it.
Dr. Brian Callahan@h3artbl33d Alpine or Void.
@bcallah
I didn't know Void until you mentioned it. Looks like a serious candidate. Their switch to LibreSSL as the first distro warms me.
I didn't know Void until you mentioned it. Looks like a serious candidate. Their switch to LibreSSL as the first distro warms me.
The Doctor@drwho
I can think up reasons why you'd prefer Arch - but would you care to elaborate on it?
I can think up reasons why you'd prefer Arch - but would you care to elaborate on it?
@h3artbl33d BSD: Ports collection, plus I can install precompiled packages if I want.
Arch: Pacman repos have pretty much the same stuff pre-compiled, plus I can compile from AUR if I absolutely need something that isn't in the mainline repos.
β @@h3artbl33d i've been using kubuntu for a couple of years now on my laptop
Samir Parikh@h3artbl33d a lot will depend on your requirements but my daily driver is Ubuntu 16.04. I really like what they did with the Unity desktop, it runs on a lot of hardware, is easy to set up and there are tons of resources if you have questions. They are what got me into open source and eventually led me to check out the BSDs
@samir
IMHO - but like you said it is personal - Ubuntu is ideal for beginners. I think the more you become accustomed to Linux/Unix, the less an option Ubuntu is. But hey, if you are happy with Ubuntu for years or the rest of your life, whom am I to judge? Just enjoy!
IMHO - but like you said it is personal - Ubuntu is ideal for beginners. I think the more you become accustomed to Linux/Unix, the less an option Ubuntu is. But hey, if you are happy with Ubuntu for years or the rest of your life, whom am I to judge? Just enjoy!
Nixfreak@h3artbl33d arch or manjaro
@Nixfreak
I regret their move to systemd - otherwise it'd be a no-brainer to put it on my list π
I regret their move to systemd - otherwise it'd be a no-brainer to put it on my list π
Anthony Sorace@h3artbl33d TinyCore. If I have to run Linux, I want the least Linux in my Linux I can get.
@h3artbl33d (or at least this was the case the last time I had to, but that was probably 3+ years ago.)