this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2024
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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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Out of curiosity, do you use it for fun, or does it provide you with some specific features?
I use it because it's truly a "complete system" in a way that Linux and even the BSDs are not—every program is an example in itself and it comes with a ton of various scratch-built utilities that you don't usually find as part of a typical Linux distro. Stuff like a basic torrent or IRC client just sort of fall out of the way Plan 9 is organized and implemented.
It also provides me with a distraction-free environment and a set of tools that I enjoy using, even if some aspects of Plan 9 as, say, a laptop daily driver are inconvenient or awkward. It really is better suited for networked computing.
I was pretty much sold from first contact because Plan 9 is the way that I feel best matches what I've always wanted from my machines: a simple grid of networked appliances where I can route the various resources and hardware in whatever way I require.
I wish someone would port Python and BorgBackup to it. Venti/Fossil are not quite as nice for multi-OS backups.
Python 2.5.1 was distributed as part of 9front back when it used
hg, but it was ultimately removed from the base system once we switched over togit9. 9legacy still packages binaries, however; they're up to 2.7.6 for Python and 2.9.2 for Mercurial.I never bother with venti/fossil, honestly. I'm more of a
cwfskind of person, but Ori'sgefshas been attracting my attention lately.Venti/Fossil are awesome for a Plan 9 network. Sadly, the world isn’t Plan 9. TIL about gefs though.