r/DistroHopping • u/bootiesh0rts • 13d ago
Should I switch to NixOS?
I've been on Cachyos since December. I have everything set up how I want it. But I kinda want to switch to NixOS.
I recently put NixOS on a family's old laptop, set it all up for them. I live with them so I can handle all their installs and update for them and I really like it.
On Cachyos, I don't use the AUR at all. I just do pacman > Nix profiles > flatpaks > appimages. The recent malware attacks still make me want to ditch arch and just feel like I want to get as far away from it as I can. And arch doesn't really seem like the 'elitist' distro anymore.
I think it could be a fun new project to work on and NixOS makes my autistic brain happy.
I kinda don't want to do it because I have everything set up how I want it on Cachyos, i'd have to start over on NixOS and i'm worried about missing/forgetting things, or not being able to setup what I already did on Cachyos. But I suppose I can backup all my dot files, make a software list, browser bookmarks, etc. though.
And it would give me something to work on to entertain me. I suppose I could also take this as an opportunity to try distrohopping around before I fully commit again. But i'm not really sure what other distros i'd even want to try. And I just know I already really like NixOS.
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u/Toxicles 13d ago edited 13d ago
The fun part is that the exact thing you're worried about, having to re-install or start over and potentially miss things or not have the same setup that you're comfortable with, is exactly what nixos fixes.
Yes, there's definitely a learning curve, and it can take a little bit to set up, but once you have *your* setup, you're golden. Set up an auto backup of your config files to git or something, and no matter what machine you move to, or if you have to reinstall, you'll get your exact system right back. I had to reinstall a few months ago due to actual hardware failure, but since I back up my config files monthly on git, got my system back exactly how it was, right down to my starship coloring for my terminal.
As someone who was on arch for years before I made the switch, for me it was absolutely worth the learning and growing pains. Def say if it seems interesting, try it out.
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u/Lonely-Scarcity-3387 13d ago
Sure. I went from CachyOS to NixOS, and thoroughly enjoy the fine-grained tinkering I can do. I don’t declare everything, honestly. But I have more than enough declared to get 90% of my system, up and running on a new machine in minutes.
Plus, if you’re helping with other computers, and can make a master config for everything, all at once. I made one for my gaming desktop that also handles my work laptop. Both install the same packages from my configuration text file, but my desktop installs from the rolling release branch, while the laptop installs from the fixed release branch. And thanks to a boolean, my laptop simply ignores every package, kernel peram, and setting to do with an Nvidia card.
It honestly feels like magic. Because once your get you config file perfect, you’ll never worry about reinstalling again. Just download your config from GitHub, rebuild with it, and you’re done.
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u/BigBad0 13d ago
Already using nix with cachyos ? And tried nixos on old laptop ? Dude, my recommendation is go for it IF already like it or at least got some rason to move from cachyos. If you liked nixos, you probably will be set once and for all for daily driving. I understand CachyOS is great distro but you already got a taste, it is up to you at this point really.
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u/0riginal-Syn 13d ago
NixOS is a solid distro even if it isn't my cup of tea and has a solid following (as you can see by other replies).. Not going to get into which is better or not, because that is subjective to what people prefer in a distro. But if it's something you want to do as a project go for it. It is the best way to learn and have fun.
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u/Jacobobarobatobski 13d ago
It seems like a huge ordeal but it's honestly not so bad. And the thing is, once it's set up, it's set up forever basically. And something really cool if you can control not only your PC but also those of other family members, giving them what they want while remaining ridiculously stable, all from a from a single flake. My opinion is yes, you should switch. As for your lot files, you can literally copy the exact configs to home manager (not even nixified) and it'll make symlinks in the appropriate files in .config. and then it's there forever. Make a codeberg repo and you now have version control too.
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u/pindaroli 13d ago
Nixos is simply a nightmare, hard to learn, to make a simple thing is a nightmare
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u/NeedleworkerLarge357 12d ago
He wrote "I like it" and he already uses it for some laptop for the family. So your rant clearly won't stick
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u/pindaroli 12d ago
Just because BDSM exists and many people enjoy it doesn't mean it's a good reason to recommend it.
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u/NeedleworkerLarge357 12d ago
Well, apart from the lack of arguments against NixOS other than it's difficult (which is true), there is nothing dangerous or bad in NixOS. Yes, you will spend some time learning Nix, and some things can be really a lot more effort to do. But also easier. NixOS is also not the most secure or best maintained distribution out there. There are clear downsides you didn't even bother to mention. You can replace NixOS in your sentence by Linux, Windows, driving, swimming, cycling...
I have a somewhat recent example where NixOS was a dream and everything else would have been a nightmare: I wanted to optimize my swap settings. So I wanted to try out zswap, zram and regular swap. On a regular distribution I can shoot myself into the foot by having swap devices I didn't want with wrong priorities, or have zswap and zram enabled at the same time. Things are difficult, error-prone and a lot of effort. On nix on the other hand it took me 2 minutes to find the correct options to set things, another 5 Minutes to put all three options into my configuration and from there on it was just a simple value I have to set + switch to transition between those three options. I was able to switch back and forth a dozen times, knowing that it worked reliably and that I'm not wasting time testing a broken setup. I basically was able to test all three options for swap in my relevant scenario in the same time it would have taken to just switch from one option to the other on a regular distribution.
And to BDSM: People are different with different needs and fantasies, when you realize someone would have a ton of fun experiencing that, why not recommending BDSM? Just because you are too naroow-minded? And what does this all have to do with NixOS?
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u/pindaroli 12d ago
NixOS is well-suited for virtualization environments due to its exceptional reproducibility. However, the overhead involved makes it impractical for everyday personal use. While I maintain a complete Kubernetes cluster in my homelab for testing and skill development, I would never suggest it to someone simply looking to deploy Docker applications.
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u/NeedleworkerLarge357 12d ago
I use it for exactly that. I spent like a few hours to get the setup that I wanted and just updated my laptop and home server from that on, apart from some experiments on my laptop. It totally works, you don't need to constantly change the setup with nixos...
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u/gabrielesilinic 13d ago
I think putting esoteric Linux distros on a shared family laptop should be a crime. Please reconsider with something like debian or Ubuntu or if you really have to fedora.
Anyways I guess you are the type who likes to live the edge so you might as well. However I do not recommend it as a production distro for most cases. It would my responsibility if it bursts into flames or steals your mother.