💾 Archived View for sdf.org › rg19 › core › 2023.12.03.gmi captured on 2023-12-28 at 16:43:26. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content
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2023.11.26 (first creation date)
Projects evolve. Some expand like hot gas in outer space (Ubuntu), others slowly fade into history (Slackware). Few of them stick to their goals in spite of trends followed by the herd, and Void Linux is still mostly one of those few. It's not entirely free of systemd components, but for the most part they are only installed with certain pieces of software. Sadly the list of such programs appears to be growing, and the Linux kernel has suddenly jumped from <80MB to over 120MB as of the 6.x series with a huge surge in releases throughout this year. With all the recent changes happening in Linux world, uncertainty continues to grow as I wonder when and if systemd will be the final victor in what seems to be a complete corporate takeover.
I've spent years jumping around between operating systems, but aside from Windows I've never really stuck with one long enough to become very familiar with it beyond the colourful GUI provided by a default installation. That all changed when I met Void Linux in 2017. There was much for me to learn about the inner workings, not just for fun but out of necessity. It really was quite a bare-bones base install, probably as minimal as it gets for a "normal" Linux distribution (not counting TinyCore here). Nonetheless, I was motivated and prepared for what lied ahead, even going so far as to build a custom kernel for the first time, just to see what was actually needed to work properly on the ThinkPad T430.
This would be my daily driver for at least three years before trying FreeBSD 12.x for a year. I was happy with the coherency of a unified OS and excellent documentation, but problems with Calf studio plug-ins and a few other things pushed be back into the Void for two more years. Then I found the sysd-free Linux community and started distro hopping again, only to come back to Void as it was the only systemd-free Linux distribution that seemed to work without having to build custom kernels. Most of the stuff I wanted was there, and for the most part I happy with it... but there were cracks forming in the Linux that reached far and wide, even spreading into the Void itself.
systemd-free Linux community (HTTPS)
I simply cannot tolerate all the stress of learning and managing different operating systems anymore, especially if it's only to use software that works on just one or another. It's not worth the toll on my mental health, and I've got better things to do with my time. Having said that, I refuse to settle on anything for the sake of convenience if it means giving up freedom of choice due to a restrictive hard-wired piece of core software or a license agreement. The very idea of "license agreements" tied to a piece of software or hardware is just insane, but I won't even go there because it's not pleasant or short... The Void was (mostly) good to me for six years solid. It was home no matter how far I strayed in crazy adventures, but it's time to move on for good.
Recent adventures in the BSD family of operating systems has been rough, but it's also been promising. Most of the issues are related to the hardware and my own ignorance, but only one of those things is in my control. It's been almost a month since installing OpenBSD, and I'd like to just stay there since it's the first time in a _long_ time since anything felt simple, stable and consistent. The simplicity and coherency of the system, the documentation and on-line help, the base tools, everything about it just feels more solid and functional than any Linux distribution I've ever used. It's even introduced me to new tools which have replaced many of the otherwise larger and complex tools that I've tolerated but never really enjoyed.
It's not as fast as Linux. It certainly doesn't have all the features of FreeBSD, let alone as many packages. I don't care about any of that anymore... I just want to stick with _one_ system that does not break with each update, does not force me to use brain-damaged tools or proprietary nonsense and most of all, does NOT come with insane legal restrictions or even corporate funding. This applies to ALL operating systems, Linux or otherwise.
So with that I say thank you to the OpenBSD developers, as I am truly grateful for the work you all have put into this project. Were it not for the recent changes made in the last few versions, I might still be stuck on Linux right now (and miserable as a result). The first few times were not the smoothest but I'm here now, and it's been just great so far.
I'd also like to thank the Void developers for creating (and even maintaining) a Linux distribution that allowed me to get away from (most) systemd nonsense for six years. Despite my feelings for Linux in general now, Void is the only distribution I will consider using, if ever there is a need. I just hope it doesn't go the way of so many others by adopting systemd outright.
So with that, here are some closing thoughts about where I stand outside of Void and Linux in general:
Sure there were a few problems with software or hardware compatibility, but that's to be expected in just about any open-source operating system. Given the scale and scope of FreeBSD and the limited development/support of NetBSD, it shouldn't be surprising. Quirks aside, I wouldn't say anything against either one of them, they simply weren't the best fit for my specific and unusual hardware setup (looking at _you_, stubborn cube thing Udoo Bolt...)
FreeBSD gets points for having the excellent handbook, which for a complete beginner is essential for learning how to set up the system and perform basic administration. It was my first proper intro to the BSD ways and helped a lot on the T430. As of this writing I see that 14.0 Release is out, so I might play with that at some point.
NetBSD gets points for network and serial support on the Raspberry Pi boards, things that otherwise didn't work properly under FreeBSD 13.2. It allowed me to step away from Linux for a while and get my priorities sorted out while also becoming more familiar with the BSD ways. That helped ease the transistion to OpenBSD. I just wish the documentation wasn't missing certain fundamental topics entirely.
I'm tired of the complexity and ad-hoc nature of Linux, it just feels like stuff was nailed together and wrapped in duct tape. Man pages are not so good, other documentation is typically hit-or-miss and may or may NOT be up to date, if it even exists. Things break far too often when using a rolling release, while otherwise "stable" releases often use software that is surprisingly old. If something just doesn't work under OpenBSD, I still have Void to fall back on for the time being, but so far there's been no need.
Otherwise, given the volatility and politics of GNU/Linux/RedHat, I will never go back to anything built on the Linux kernel while the systemd trojan horse continues to infect EVERY known distribution. Blatant displays of control by enforcing a 'one true way' that completely disregards the notions of sensible design and user freedom is incompatible with my philosophy. You simply cannot call systemd an "init system" when it's clearly _far more_ than just pid 1! Nor is systemd the answer for gluing an otherwise fractured and fragmented ecosystem together, especially not by becoming a _hard dependency_ for unrelated software, _for no rational reason_ other than to claim more victims! Be gone, system devil!
Considering the price and politics of the Apple egosystem, I've never bothered with any of it and likely never will. I don't believe in treating people like idiots while locking them into a proprietary prison, forcing a 'one true way' on EVERYTHING and saying that it "helps ensure security", even when there is no valid technical merit. Such blatant displays of superiority and control are beyond incompatible with my own philosophy, and I REFUSE to be a slave to such nonsense. I don't need your overpriced garbage to feel good about myself, nor would using it make be _better than anyone else_.
And yeah, I know Android sucks too, but it's the (somewhat) lesser of two evils and will continue to be my mobile OS of (no?) choice until I can replace it with something more sane and sensible.
As for the costly, spying, toxic-waste dumpster fire that is M1cro$oft W1ndow$, well I just cannot justify installing it on ANY machine for ANY reason, _EVER!_ Let alone keeping (or even booting into) a pre-installed copy. The thought of running _any_ broken, brain-damaged software created by a capitalist powerhouse that forces its users to give up the right to sue the company "for any reason" as part of its EULA is just. _plain_. **WRONG!**
Also, have you _tried_ using "Powershell"? Good GOD is it awful! Just... NO! Ugh! <throws a pipe wrench at the stupid Windows logo>