this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2023
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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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From what I've heard from NixOS users, your intuition seems right. When you learn NixOS, you learn NixOS rather than Linux. The question is, what your goals are. If you want to get a job as a Linux sysadmin, you'd probably be better off using a more common distro. But if you just want to use Linux privately, dive into whatever seems most exciting to you or fulfills your needs the best.
I've heard NixOS is used on big scale deployments, and it is a well paid job it just won't be easy
No disagreement there. There are companies that use NixOS. But I'd argue that the majority of paid Linux admins don't manage NixOS systems but rather RHEL, Ubuntu, Debian, OpenSuse and others.
Yes, of course. NixOS is just a "nice to have" kind of thing.
That is exactly what I am talking about. You seem to have understood me the most. NixOS could be the unequivocally best distro ever. However, that does not change the fact that a big portion of your knowledge acquisition and experience gained from your time on NixOS, will be for NixOS alone.
I am obviously not putting the two on the same line, but mac shares a lot of terminal syntax and programs with Linux. They still remain vastly different. So, this is exactly what concerns me with the growth that I seek in the Linux ecosystem.
My question then would be: Why do you want to learn more about Linux in the first place?
I don't mean to sound crass here, but the best answer I can give you is, "because I want to". I wouldn't go as far as to say that I will pursue Linux professionally as a job. But who knows? I wouldn't out-rule that.
It's something that I am passionate about and enjoy using. Therefore, I will naturally want to grow my knowledge in.
Not crass at all. I would suggest that you follow your gut instinct. If NixOS excites you, go for it. If you want to understand the intricacies of Linux itself, look into Linux From Scratch. If you want to understand how "regular" distros work (and what sets them apart from each other) hop around between your usual suspects until you've scratched that itch long enough. Want to form your own opinion around init systems? Use a distro that supports Runit, s6 or OpenRC besides systemd.
I don't think anyone else can tell you what you should do in this situation.
Have fun!
Many thanks! You are absolutely correct. I just wish I had the time for such fun adventures.
That being said, it does seem I will definitely go through with trying out NixOS on bare metal, on my second SSD, and see how it goes. If I see any merit using it over to it from Arch, then I shall do so.