Would be really cool to see these new Snapdragon X Elite laptops shipping with Linux.

It would be the exact same amount of effort you’d use to get new software on other distros. Both Arch and NixOS have very straightforward methods of installing new software that aren’t any more difficult than doing so on Debian or some other distro. Both Arch and NixOS support independent package managers like flatpak and snap + they support Appimages.

I’d also add that OP doesn’t even need to use NixOS to use nix packages, whereas Arch or Debian would require systems based on those distros. So if anything NixOS tries to make it very easy to add and configure software. Where does all the effort come in?

For what it’s worth, I don’t understand the nix language or all the package manager functions in their entirety. I generally use what I need and that’s it. Most information I’ve required that is nixpkgs-specific I was able to find in the manual. home-manager has one as well and it’s been the best reference for me.

If so, how does that solve the problem of clutter in $HOME ?

If it wasn’t clear from my message, the problem(s) these tools are solving for me would be 1. not having to keep track of my dotfiles and their directories, and 2. not storing configuration files directly on the disk I use for the $HOME dir. I’m not claiming these tools would solve clutter in the $HOME dir. Further, I think it should be alright for me to share tools for managing configuration files in your home directory in a discussion that directly relates to that subject.

So you create a symlink from $HOME/.program.ini to something in the nix store?

Normally it’s the other way around. When you use nix and home-manager, you’re technically generating files that will live in the nix-store and nix/home-manager will take care of symlinking those files to locations in your $HOME dir.

In this scenario though, I would use the https://nix-community.github.io/home-manager/options.html#opt-home.file option from home-manager to create a symlinks to a location that’s outside of my $HOME dir so those files don’t have to live on my home disk.

My particular use-case is that I want persistent configuration files that are shared throughout a handful of devices on my network. To this end, I use some home-manager symlinks that lead to a network folder where all these various directories and configuration files actually live. I edit those configurations in a single place and their changes propagate across the network to all the devices that would use them.

You can manage symlinks pretty easy with home-manager. I’d personally setup symlinks for these app configuration directories if I don’t want them storing files directly on the disk I use for $HOME. It’s also done in a delcarative way that can persist across multiple computers.

Nix and Home Manager have been my go-to for managing dotfiles and symlinks in my home dir

To my knowledge, pipewire was never meant to replace any part of systemd. I don’t think systemd does anything related to audio either. OP was claiming otherwise so I asked for clarification.

Pulseaudio isn’t part of systemd.

Which part(s) of systemd is pipewire meant to replace?

Most of these stores sell your data to third parties and do that just for profits.

Sure. But until you bring some proof that Valve is actually selling my financial data, I’m going to chalk this up to baseless claims. So far, all the proof you’ve provided has been a hysterical article that cites Valve’s own ToS and Privacy Policy and makes claims that Valve is basically operating the exact same way as all other digital storefronts do when consumers make purchases online. It also claimed that Valve is tracking my internet history citing a reddit thread with multiple comments debunking the claim.

What data was recorded when you bought your linux?

That depends. I use actual RHEL quite a bit considering it’s what I’m familiar with and what’s used in my workplace. Before I could setup any of my personal servers that use RHEL9, I had to provide all the exact same information you requested. My laptop is running FreeBSD, which cost me nothing considering it’s not sold in a storefront. Not sure what you’re getting at with this unless this is once again some false equivalence.

Look, I’m all for moving away from Steam if there’s an actual compelling reason to do so. Valve doing illegal shit that no one’s reported is certainly a legitimate reason for me to move off the platform, but neither you nor the only other person in this thread claiming Valve is the literal devil have provided any legitimate reasons not to use the platform. If all it takes is a hysterical article with some bogus claims and bold text for you change how you consume products, I got this huge bridge to sell you.

Great anecdote, but that doesn’t change the fact that any storefront that processes digital purchases and handles currency is going to require payment information and is essentially required to record that info to stay in compliance with federal regulations. At least here in the US where Valve is based. So remind us all what your argument here is?

I need these for a scientific research,

Lol. So you’re go-to argument for this is false equivalence. Steam is a digital storefront. Vavle can’t process digital payments without that information.

Also, research funding is a very real thing and anyone requiring funding is using an actual payment processor (Stripe, PayPal, Wire/ACH) which is going to require that information anyway.

Do you operate a payment processing company? Where can I find your privacy and compliance policy? Why do I need to send my financial credentials directly to you (an individual)?

Yeah that argument falls apart very quickly when we apply real-world policies to your hamstrung argument.

Why not?

That has nothing to do with the multiple different meanings of the word “rights”. Plus anyone spending any significant amount of time in a legal field is going to have a much different interpretation than what you’re implying here. That’s why I said you should have been explicit with what you meant.

Reviewing has become a nightmare of sifting through under-documented kernel code trying to decide if this new feature won't break all the other features. Getting reviews is an unpleasant process of negotiating with demands for further cleanups, trying to figure out if a review comment is based in experience or unfamiliarity, and wondering if the silence means anything.

Damn I feel that

XFS has been the default file system for RHEL since RHEL 7. A lot of places typically roll with defaults there, so it makes sense to see it still widely used.

All good. Just wanted to add that its nice we can have this convo without insulting eachother lol.

I’m not defending their activities; I was looking for clarification on what the OP was claiming. My last sentence summary is essentially that.

Sure, but in that case it should absolutely be specified what type of “right” we’re referring to. I’m guessing this falls in category of moral rights? They’re breaking our moral rights by operating the same way each other digital storefront does.

Which storefront do you use to buy games? And does it accept crypto or something?