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Thoughts on atomic distros? (self.linux)

submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by Allero to c/linux@programming.dev

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So, I recently got interested with the idea of an atomic distro, particularly the derivatives of Fedora Kinoite (currently testing Aurora).

What's your experience with them? What are the unexpected troubles and did you manage to resolve them? Do you feel it's worth it to learn the nuances of their use?

Also, on a personal testing note, did you manage to properly run AppImages and what did you do to make it happen? I couldn't properly run them either natively or via Fedora toolbox on Aurora. (Also, I borked Aurora within 4 hours of trying to install Outline VPN that consistently had issues with tunneling).

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[–] kenkenken@fedia.io 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

As I have been using Silverblue for enough time, I would say that splitting between the base OS and the apps is an important thing but atomicity/immutability of the base system is not so much.

For example: I also use QubesOS and it gives quite immutable-like experience while the base distro is a regular non-atomic Fedora.

By using flatpaks (or snaps) or tools like distrobox on a regular distro you will get a similar experience.

The main think is to cut dependencies between apps and the os and to be able to update them independently.

And then, when you have the apps separated, there are just not many reasons against choosing an immutable distro for the base system because it gives you additional bonus things as safe updates and rollbacks. But you can use a non-immutable distro as well if you want a specific or a niche distro (for example Chimera Linux or Alpine).

[–] Allero 2 points 4 months ago

I see your point, thanks!