SO I have begun migrating over to NixOS from my Debian desktop, so far 1) have installed 22.05 which of course came out the day after this review :D. I have configured a static IP, configured for my local dns servers, set the dns search to default to my domain name, installed rsync, glusterfs, nfs client and a few packages, so far so good, I still need to harden it then see if I can implement ssh certificates (not keys) for use on the machines. Have not tested rsync yet, but will probably do so soon. Most of the time spent is just learning curve, and getting to know how NixOS does things. and Oh before I foget, NixOS now has a calamaries installed so no need to go to the command line :D
Your video inspired me to install 22.05 on a Thinkpad. After some googling and cursing, I have a working X server with Nvidia proprietary drivers and a ZFS encrypted root disk. It is fascinating to watch the installer resolve the wishes implied by the config file. :)
In the meantime, I found this setup tutorial useful, particularly if you want to version control your entire configuration ruclips.net/video/AGVXJ-TIv3Y/видео.html
I love your adult education presentation style, I am really sick and tired of the juvenile approach of so many channels with 30 year olds trying to act like 13 year olds.
Glad you took a step back and learned the "Nix" way to approach package management and system building. I think a lot of people stumble with Nix because they come at with a FHS+imperative mindset.
I agree with @Errors on the nice presentation style, it reflects actually thinking about the "why", especially fit for "non-imperative" stuff. One addition regarding the "nix way": every time one is tempted to change settings (e.g. font size, default terminal, etc.) imperatively (e.g. by clicking around in the GUI), that adds "unmanaged state". To avoid this you can usually find a way to include such settings declaratively through the NIX module system, for user settings likely better to use "Home Manager", which comes with a lot of config modules. The idea/objective is to have most/all config state declaratively, so you can always instantly reproduce your "carefully crafted/ideal system".
My first video that I watch on your channel, as I recently made the switch from Debian Testing over to NixOS. So far, I have to say: great job, thanks! 👍 Also, nice way of presenting everything, some of the lecturers at my uni could learn a thing or two here 😄
I'm a bit late to this. I find Nix and NixOS very interesting. You wanted an architecture overview. If you search for "Summer of Nix 2022 - Public Lecture Series" here on youtube, you will find a playlist. That playlist will give you a video on the architecture.
I can see why you would want to look under the hood on an end justifies the means system if that's what this is. I'm probably over simplifying how you described it but I see a lot that is attractive in what you showed! Thank you!!
I would like to see an update on this, especially if you have moved to NixOS as a daily driver. There is a NixOS for RPi, not sure if it is uptodate, dont htink it was ever official. I see mention of Flakes in some other YT titles .. NOTE: the versioning reminded me of the Lite demonstration of Suse on RPi4
I have a current install of gentoo all in one single partition. Being that NixOS uses a different folder/file structure, Could it be installed beside gentoo in the same partition?
You can install the nix package manager on most distros (some play along better than others). You'll get the same packages available and some of the benefits, but to be able to manage system services etc you need full nixos.
it is soooooooo complicated, if you're used to traditional IX systems. you basically have to re-learn linux and how it works. i want to love this OS. and i see the benefits of it, but dang... its challenging. and this is someone who has run gentoo and arch comfortably.
In this talk ... you mentioned using "PARTED" to label the disk. The one thing I don't understand with different Linux Distros - is that some Distro's will name the /dev/(Drive) with the name of the Distro - while others only say /dev/sd"whatever" We all know there are dozens of Ubuntu verzions..... its hard to identify or remember what is placed where. (Stupid Me) I built a computer with six drives. I wish there were an easier way to manage this arrangement !!!
I would use it if it had 3 things: 1. Better documentation 2. More popularity (This will come with support along the way) 3. All the packages work (I had some font issue when i tried it and installed VMWare)
The part where you talk about being stuck on 5.10 isn't accurate. You can easily set your kernel version declaratively with the boot.kernelPackages option. For example boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linux_5_18; to use linux 5.18. And on the concerns around setting up weird drivers etc, nixos can handle proprietary drivers. The only thing is their package build infrastructure only does free software, so all proprietary software needs to be compiled locally (the source bits compiled against the blobs that is). That being said, nixos transparently builds packages or fetches from the package cache, and if a driver is unavailable, you can hack together a script to package it and add it to your config easily. I started doing this, and eventually contributed many packages to nixpkgs. The collection is huge, by some measures the biggest out there, and you can install nix (the package manage) on most distros and get consistent development environments!
I would not recommend the practice of just blindly switching out linux kernels, Linux is not released as a complete system and there are other considerations to keep in mind, like the impact those kernel changes will have to system libraries, dynamic libraries, base support packages, and yep even third party packages. Just switching out a kernel without paying attention to the rest of the details is not a practice I care to follow.
@@CyberGizmo but this is supported in nixos, this is not just swapping the kernel file, Linux 5.18 is fully packaged on nixos stable. Everything which depends on the kernel reads this option. The only thing that may break is like you said third party packages. You can change the option, run nixos-rebuild, reboot and all of your modules etc have been rebuilt. And it doesn't switch over to using these modules until you reboot.
This is something I actually like a lot about nixos, it's fairly easy to experiment with very major changes compared to other distros because it's very easy to roll back anything. The only thing I'd be wary of is maybe a newer kernel messing up my file system somehow.
Hi DJ, I've found this lecture series: ruclips.net/p/PLt4-_lkyRrOMWyp5G-m_d1wtTcbBaOxZk Maybe they have some information about Nix OS's archeticture. I remember you asked about it.
I've been using nixOS for a year. Once you get it running it's hard to complain about it, but don't expect any support whatsoever from the community. Also all of your 80,000+ packages are going to be 6 months out of date and often lack features that you want. Trying to update the packages yourself will most likely waste weeks of your time and accomplish nothing. Getting support from the chat rooms will result in people telling you to rtfs. Forums will result in no answer at all. Everytime i actually have to configure something on this God forsaken system I just accept that I going to be in a bad mood all day. Oh and fucking cron doesn't even fucking work reliably. You basically have all the problems you normally have with open source software, and add bullshit dynamically typed language taped together with bash scripts on top. It's like trying to pilot a plane with chopsticks. In conclusion, if you ever thought about using nixos. Don't. Just run away as fast as you can and don't look back until a decent book is written.
It's all opinion, I just switched over after a long stint on gentoo. Currently really enjoying it, however after trying it I wouldn't really compare them...
![NLE Choppa - Or What ft. 41 (Orchestra Mix) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/biOFASEgSOM/mqdefault.jpg)
SO I have begun migrating over to NixOS from my Debian desktop, so far 1) have installed 22.05 which of course came out the day after this review :D. I have configured a static IP, configured for my local dns servers, set the dns search to default to my domain name, installed rsync, glusterfs, nfs client and a few packages, so far so good, I still need to harden it then see if I can implement ssh certificates (not keys) for use on the machines. Have not tested rsync yet, but will probably do so soon. Most of the time spent is just learning curve, and getting to know how NixOS does things. and Oh before I foget, NixOS now has a calamaries installed so no need to go to the command line :D
Your video inspired me to install 22.05 on a Thinkpad. After some googling and cursing, I have a working X server with Nvidia proprietary drivers and a ZFS encrypted root disk. It is fascinating to watch the installer resolve the wishes implied by the config file. :)
In the meantime, I found this setup tutorial useful, particularly if you want to version control your entire configuration ruclips.net/video/AGVXJ-TIv3Y/видео.html
⁶5⁵⁵
NixOS GUI installer was added today as part of the 22.05 release ;)
Nice Victor will have to check it out
I love your adult education presentation style, I am really sick and tired of the juvenile approach of so many channels with 30 year olds trying to act like 13 year olds.
Yes, the way of explaining is quite frank and mature too, it feels good.
Fascinating. I’ll be interested in what you think as time goes on. Great video as usual.
Glad you took a step back and learned the "Nix" way to approach package management and system building.
I think a lot of people stumble with Nix because they come at with a FHS+imperative mindset.
Me too it will take some time, but that's what it takes to learn something new that is worthwhile
My daily driver. Love it! Thanks DJ for your review!
I agree with @Errors on the nice presentation style, it reflects actually thinking about the "why", especially fit for "non-imperative" stuff.
One addition regarding the "nix way": every time one is tempted to change settings (e.g. font size, default terminal, etc.) imperatively (e.g. by clicking around in the GUI), that adds "unmanaged state". To avoid this you can usually find a way to include such settings declaratively through the NIX module system, for user settings likely better to use "Home Manager", which comes with a lot of config modules. The idea/objective is to have most/all config state declaratively, so you can always instantly reproduce your "carefully crafted/ideal system".
Thanks Jeroen
A well explained and quite thorough reviews . Thanks D.J..
My first video that I watch on your channel, as I recently made the switch from Debian Testing over to NixOS. So far, I have to say: great job, thanks! 👍
Also, nice way of presenting everything, some of the lecturers at my uni could learn a thing or two here 😄
This I HAVE to try, Thanks DJ.
that's a really good overview
I'm a bit late to this. I find Nix and NixOS very interesting.
You wanted an architecture overview.
If you search for "Summer of Nix 2022 - Public Lecture Series" here on youtube, you will find a playlist.
That playlist will give you a video on the architecture.
Great thanks
I can see why you would want to look under the hood on an end justifies the means system if that's what this is. I'm probably over simplifying how you described it but I see a lot that is attractive in what you showed! Thank you!!
Yes indeed, it has many facets and I think its worth a deeper look
@@CyberGizmo That new system, feel? I almost said smell ☺
Would love to see an update on this.
I'd be keen to see maybe how you create a hello world nix package in a follow-up video, if that's something that interests you.
I might just do that once I figure it all out
I would like to see an update on this, especially if you have moved to NixOS as a daily driver. There is a NixOS for RPi, not sure if it is uptodate, dont htink it was ever official. I see mention of Flakes in some other YT titles .. NOTE: the versioning reminded me of the Lite demonstration of Suse on RPi4
Nice review..
Thank you 🙂
I have a current install of gentoo all in one single partition. Being that NixOS uses a different folder/file structure, Could it be installed beside gentoo in the same partition?
havent tried that, so not sure, maybe someone else here knows
You can install the nix package manager on most distros (some play along better than others). You'll get the same packages available and some of the benefits, but to be able to manage system services etc you need full nixos.
it is soooooooo complicated, if you're used to traditional IX systems. you basically have to re-learn linux and how it works. i want to love this OS. and i see the benefits of it, but dang... its challenging. and this is someone who has run gentoo and arch comfortably.
Totally agree with you.
There is gui installer now, so I guess this system will be more popular and get attention it deserves
A perfectly made tutorial.
In this talk ... you mentioned using "PARTED" to label the disk. The one thing I don't understand with different Linux Distros - is that some Distro's will name the /dev/(Drive) with the name of the Distro - while others only say /dev/sd"whatever" We all know there are dozens of Ubuntu verzions..... its hard to identify or remember what is placed where. (Stupid Me) I built a computer with six drives. I wish there were an easier way to manage this arrangement !!!
I would use it if it had 3 things:
1. Better documentation
2. More popularity (This will come with support along the way)
3. All the packages work (I had some font issue when i tried it and installed VMWare)
The part where you talk about being stuck on 5.10 isn't accurate. You can easily set your kernel version declaratively with the boot.kernelPackages option. For example boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linux_5_18; to use linux 5.18.
And on the concerns around setting up weird drivers etc, nixos can handle proprietary drivers. The only thing is their package build infrastructure only does free software, so all proprietary software needs to be compiled locally (the source bits compiled against the blobs that is).
That being said, nixos transparently builds packages or fetches from the package cache, and if a driver is unavailable, you can hack together a script to package it and add it to your config easily. I started doing this, and eventually contributed many packages to nixpkgs. The collection is huge, by some measures the biggest out there, and you can install nix (the package manage) on most distros and get consistent development environments!
I would not recommend the practice of just blindly switching out linux kernels, Linux is not released as a complete system and there are other considerations to keep in mind, like the impact those kernel changes will have to system libraries, dynamic libraries, base support packages, and yep even third party packages. Just switching out a kernel without paying attention to the rest of the details is not a practice I care to follow.
@@CyberGizmo but this is supported in nixos, this is not just swapping the kernel file, Linux 5.18 is fully packaged on nixos stable. Everything which depends on the kernel reads this option. The only thing that may break is like you said third party packages. You can change the option, run nixos-rebuild, reboot and all of your modules etc have been rebuilt. And it doesn't switch over to using these modules until you reboot.
This is something I actually like a lot about nixos, it's fairly easy to experiment with very major changes compared to other distros because it's very easy to roll back anything. The only thing I'd be wary of is maybe a newer kernel messing up my file system somehow.
why do you like gnome more than kde?
Guix is also grate distro :)
Reminds me of sublime text with the configuration. Not like vscode. Vim, Emacs is pretty much the same as config.
400 MB with gnome wtf Fedora is taking 1 full GB lol and even arch with Gnome install via the archinstall script
👍👍
saved
Hi DJ, I've found this lecture series:
ruclips.net/p/PLt4-_lkyRrOMWyp5G-m_d1wtTcbBaOxZk
Maybe they have some information about Nix OS's archeticture. I remember you asked about it.
44:34 did you just call yourself a loose nut?
I did
@@CyberGizmo hahahaha 😆
👍
NixOS is great!
so far I'm liking it
@@CyberGizmo It only gets better! After one year of use you will see. The gains compounds.
Declare
I've been using nixOS for a year. Once you get it running it's hard to complain about it, but don't expect any support whatsoever from the community. Also all of your 80,000+ packages are going to be 6 months out of date and often lack features that you want. Trying to update the packages yourself will most likely waste weeks of your time and accomplish nothing. Getting support from the chat rooms will result in people telling you to rtfs. Forums will result in no answer at all. Everytime i actually have to configure something on this God forsaken system I just accept that I going to be in a bad mood all day. Oh and fucking cron doesn't even fucking work reliably. You basically have all the problems you normally have with open source software, and add bullshit dynamically typed language taped together with bash scripts on top. It's like trying to pilot a plane with chopsticks.
In conclusion, if you ever thought about using nixos. Don't. Just run away as fast as you can and don't look back until a decent book is written.
It's like Gentoo but worse.
It's all opinion, I just switched over after a long stint on gentoo. Currently really enjoying it, however after trying it I wouldn't really compare them...
Dunno about that one
That's what someone who doesn't understand Nix would say. It's a completely different beast than Gentoo and really any other Linux distro.
Care to elaborate why?
i switched over last year after using gentoo for literally 11 years and it's 100% better
There is also GoboLinux which years back aimed at solving the depency issue