this post was submitted on 22 Apr 2026
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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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To be honest. Immutable distros are not for everyone. Tinkerers especially would not be suited to use them, because of all the "restrictions" in place.
Better to find another distro in that case.
I'm not sure.
I'm a professional tinkerer and I run Debian stable. OK ok it's not an immutable distro but my point is that I do tinker, just NOT with my main OS.
I'll tinker in containers, in VMs, in my ~/bin etc but NOT in what hosts all that.
So I would argue that what's important for tinkerers is to establish clear boundaries on what they want to tinker on and what they do NOT want to tinker on, what can change vs what should never.
But a simple thing like "install a random cli tool to run on host" is often not easy on immutable distros, so it's usually just more convinient with an oldschool distro in those cases.
I don't think it actually is. It's only like that the very first time when you haven't you this specific distribution itself. Once you know how the few extra step and understand the core principle, it's trivial.
PS: I did tinker with NixOS, SteamOS and ROCKNIX.