Opinion: Distributions that only change non-system pre-installed software or desktop environment should instead be packages or scripts
Opinion: Distributions that only change non-system pre-installed software or desktop environment should instead be packages or scripts
The majority of Linux distributions out there seem to be over-engineering their method of distribution. They are not giving us a new distribution of Linux. They are giving us an existing distribution of Linux, but with a different distribution of non-system software (like a different desktop environment or configuration of it)
In many cases, turning an installation of the base distribution used to the one they're shipping is a matter of installing certain packages and setting some configurations. Why should the user be required to reinstall their whole OS for this?
It would be way more practical if those distributions are available as packages, preferably managed by the package manager itself. This is much easier for both the user and the developer.
Some developers may find it less satisfying to do this, and I don't mean to force my opinion on anyone, but only suggesting that there's an easier way to do this. Distributions should be changing things that aren't easily doable without a system reinstall.
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If what you proposed was put into practice, we wouldn't have hundreds of distributions. I think the amount of distributions that exist may actually be overwhelming to a new user. If there were only a few distributions to choose from, you wouldn't have so many people distro hopping, which is a waste of time (in most cases). You don't like the desktop environment? Install something else. You don't like floating windows? Use a tiling window manager.
You and OP probably are confusing "distribution" with "UI customization". Granted, lazy distros may by simply that, but not all of them.
Why do you think I am talking about all distributions? Even the title of the post alone makes it clear I am not.
I don't know any distro that only changes non-system software and UI customizations. They all package all their components and include the packages in their repo.
Again (and again and again), this gives them control over dependencies and compatibility tests.
Even if they just recompile & package the components with no modifications from the upstream sources, they are the ones who test their whole set of packages.
What system software from Ubuntu does Kubuntu change?
What system software from Arch Linux does Garuda change?
If you go on distro watch, you'll find that most distros only change non system software, compared to the base they started with.
Really? Did you diff everyone of them? And will every distro maintainer swear that they will never do it, just to help whiney distro hoppers?
Don't really get your argument here. Why does anyone need to swear? What does this have to do with my post about Linux distributions? The only one whining here is you, my friend.
Compatibility, testing, dependecy trees. You either don't understand or pretend not to. Either way, I've wasted too much time with you already. Bye.
Oh I understand. Just not whatever you're hallucinating lol, but I'm glad you decided to give it up. Goodbye and thanks!