dansityNov 10, 2023

What is the easiest way to try all the DEs?

https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/8136823

What is the easiest way to try all the DEs? - Divisions by zero

As title says. Obviously I could setup different virtual machines or spend the time and install all the DEs in one VM if it is even possible without breaking the OS. I’m wondering if there is an already made iso or something that installs all the maintained DEs for trying.

Show threadMcArthur
Nixos would do the trick. Just swap the DE in your config and BAM, magic.
Nov 11, 2023 at 12:51amWeb
Show threadhatchetNov 11, 2023
This OS seems to have fixed all the things, based on what I constantly hear about it. Is Nix really all it’s cracked up to be?
Show threadfishinthecalculatorNov 11, 2023
Yes and if you like lisp or FSDG compliance have a look at Guix
Show threadflashgnashNov 11, 2023

Yes it is an absolute luxury to use

Have to use Ubuntu for work servers and apt is such a faff to work with compared to nix

Show threadmvirtsNov 11, 2023
Yes… Unless you are using stuff that’s not packaged and don’t know what you’re doing hacking nix derivations 😹 heck of a way to learn though.
Show threadPainInTheAESNov 12, 2023
Yeah but there’s a learning curve for sure
Show threadMcArthurNov 12, 2023

This is a selling point I don’t often see people discussing but it has killed my need to swap distros… Possibly forever. I’ve been using it for a year now and have such a clean well organised config file. Version controlled, broken up into modules, with separate configurations for desktop laptop and server. Unlike any other distro, at any moment I can just hard reset to what that config describes. If I swap DEs, or python versions, or whatever else, the system no longer slowly builds up clutter and random arcane bugs and bloat. It feels like today my system is better, newer, and cleaner than when I started with it. And at any moment I can install my exact system down to every little detail on a new device. Nix is legendary for long term system maintenance.

That’s what I love about it, among all the other good things everyone talks about.