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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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Easiest way to switch distros (self.linux)

submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by flakpanzer to c/[email protected]

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I have been using PopOS for a while now (came installed with my S76 Lemp10), but now looking for a new distro (I want to try Linux Mint). I am looking for the easiest way to set up the new distro with most of my current applications installed.

My current plan on how to move my applications and settings:

Get dotfiles to external repo (I am using stow)
Use ansible-playbook to set up installation of all the apps I need
Try the ansible setup on a docker container to ensure it works
Then try the ansible setup on a PopOS VM to ensure things work
Modify the ansible setup to use Linux Mint package manager (synaptic I believe)
Then try the ansible setup on a Linux Mint VM
Once everything works, copy the data, install new distro and run ansible script on the new OS

Is above the correct way to go about this, or is there anything better or easier available?

Edit: Thanks everyone for responses. The general consensus seems to be that that above is overkill (although doable and works) and copying home folder & dotfiles and trying out the distro fresh is easier, and install software as needed. Or, try NixOS :)

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

If you want to automate your system install Nix is a good one to look at, nowadays when I use a new system/wipe an existing one I can just install NixOS drop my config, sign into the things that need signing into and go

Obviously doesn't work as well if you're trying other distros but you can still use it on them

[–] flakpanzer 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Do you know a good beginner friendly tutorial for NixOS, I could try it in a VM first.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

They have a getting started guide on their wiki I believe

Once you install it it should generate a config file in /etc/nixos/configuration.nix, the way I did it was reading that and figuring it out from there. (That file is your universal source of truth for your entire system)

You can install packages/software by adding them to the systemPackages block in the file and running sudo nixos-rebuild switch and you can find pretty much anything you need on https://nixos.org/nixos/packages.html

Also the community is pretty friendly, can generally get your questions answered on lemmy/matrix