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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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Is Gentoo more-or-less pointless for the average Linux user? (self.linux)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by KindredAffiliate to c/[email protected]

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More specifically, Portage. I know use flags and "optimization" are all the hype, but really, would the average user even see a benefit from customizing all their use flags? Especially a benefit that compensates for the constant compilation?

I installed it once to help grow my e-peen, but immediately switched back to Arch after watching my system compile.

Those who daily drive it, do compilation and use flags annoy you, and do you see any real benefit?

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[–] Jumper775 1 points 1 year ago

I use it so I can have the most power over my base system. I like to mismatch versions of stuff I like, for example I want the latest mesa but perhaps a stable version of OpenSSL, and perhaps a few patches applied to mutter. Only gentoo lets me do that autonomously. I use flatpak for my apps on top of that so that I don’t have to worry about compiling apps and can get updates faster. The exception to this is steam, this doesn’t get updates through the system often, and means I can use my newer mesa and the such with games. This also means that my apps don’t have to worry about potential bugs introduced by most of my changes. It gives me the best of all worlds.