this post was submitted on 15 Nov 2024
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Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Lots of folks use those "toy" distros to accomplish specialized tasks that are cumbersome or impossible on other distros. I'd describe it more as "general purpose" vs "niche"
Both are tools
that could be true, but my comment was the takeaway i had from reading the other comments in this thread (and from previous experience elsewhere on the internet). most people answering "arch" or "gentoo" are saying, themselves, that they like it because it "teaches them how linux works" or that they "like compiling stuff". clearly the focus is tinkering with the system as an end in of itself, not using the system as a means to another end
That's a good point, i agree there are also plenty of folks who use niche distros partly as a hobby