Why in the world is -S used for install?

I’ve distro hopped from Debian, to NixOS, to Arch Linux. The neat thing about NixOS is that 99% of the system and user configuration was spread out across a handful of manageable files. And it was only multiple files because I modularized them; it could’ve been a single file. Localizing the configuration made it easy to wrap my brain around it.

I’ve lost track of what I’ve configured on Arch. I could’ve been more diligent and kept track but NixOS is more conducive to that from the getgo.

Another neat thing is that nixpkgs (the NixOS package repository) has everything, close enough for me anyway. In one place. I’m already relying on the AUR (a separate repo from the core Arch ones) and all that entails. NixOS (nixos-unstable) is also more bleeding edge than Arch if you’re into that sort of thing (I am).

The entirety of your configuration being in one (esoteric, but simple) language was also neat

It wasn’t without its downsides but I had fun with it. I totally get the hype.

I enjoyed Picard more than I thought I would

That was scary. I had the bad version on my computer for a bit.

Start with stable. You can migrate a stable installation to testing later if you’re so inclined.

Application timers for digital wellbeing

I certainly care about it

Android–Linux user here. I’ve always been a big fan of GNOME; I’m amazed at how polished it is. I got the sense it approached macOS levels (I’m not a macOS user). This is the first time I’ve seen an actual user say this.

Mine doesn’t. I reboot when I get a new kernel.

I suggest having your students install IntelliJ IDEA and using Java. A full blown IDE might be much but I can’t think of an easier way to install a Java runtime and an editor suited for it.