 Visitor Reviews |
Guix System
|
Reader supplied reviews for Guix System
Average rating
9.0 from 10 review(s)
Version: 1.4.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2024-03-07
Votes: 27
|
** Bad:
- *This is NOT a distro for beginners.* You MUST write code in order
to install and configure the system. You MUST know a little bit of
the Scheme programming language, specifically the Guile variant of
it.
- The package manager performs some very intensive computations, a
slow CPU will likely be a little frustrating. Fortunately, when
doing routine tasks, like security updates, it is no worse than any
other Linux.
- Hardware support is /sometimes/ a little sketchy.
** Good or bad (depending on your point of view)
- Linux Libre, but can be tuned to receive non-free package channels.
** Good
Uses a *declarative package manager,* the most high-tech package
manager in existence. This is really the only reason to use Guix OS.
- Write code to declare what software and services shall exist on your
computer. The =(guix package --install)= command then "builds" and
runs this configuration.
- Uses the GNU Shepherd server manager tool that implements your
server setup declarations, you use it through by writing the same
package management code you use for installing software.
- Allows fine-tuning of software packages and easy building packages
from source, much like Gentoo.
- Allows you to install multiple package "profiles" and switch between
them, great for software development. WARNING: it is easy to
accidentally take up a lot of disk space when using many profiles.
- Allows you to "undo" (called "rollback") what packages you installed
and configured. When you run an undo, it happens almost instantly
and completely reliably, as it does not actually delete anything.
- Run "garbage collection" to automatically remove software that is no
longer used. If a software package does not belong to any profile
(including any rollback history), then it is considered to be "not
used" and is deleted.
** Conclusion:
I hope all operating systems work like Guix OS some day. The package
manager computes exactly what packages you need very
precisely. Experimenting with server configurations is as easy as can
be. But we need more people in the community developing the latest
software packages, especially for device drivers on a wider variety of
computer hardware.
|
Version: 1.4.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2023-03-24
Votes: 28
|
Hello everyone,
I have been coaxed into writing a review by reading some of the other recent ones - I found them fair and measured, but had one or two little factual points to add. One reviewer, in a generally excellent review, makes the comment that Guix is heavy on the CPU/Internet Bandwidth, and that it is not to be recommended for old computers. I have two very relevant personal anecdotes to share on this.
Anecdote 1: My main machine is a Librebooted Lenovo X200, the classic chunky Thinkpad, and I have been running Guix with the Gnome desktop on it for nearly two years now, and it has been absolutely fine for all my usage. Before that I had been on various things, even going through a phase when I was trying out the less-free "light" distros (before I librebooted it). Guix was similarly smooth and quick as anything I'd tried (xubuntu, lubuntu, pureos, manjaro).
That said - I don't play computer games, I don't edit videos, and at the upper limit I might have ten tabs open, but it's rare. All other usage however - watching videos, listening to music, programming, writing, Emacsing, Info-page trawling; Guix is a joy on this old X200 for all that.
Anecdote 2: Last night I was installing Guix on a new laptop, a Lenovo 2016 X1 Yoga, and decided to time it for fun. I went through the graphical installer, added the five available lightweight window managers because I want to try them all (EXWM, ratpoison, i3, awesome, openbox), and then I was rebooting into a fresh machine in... 20m49s.
20m49s from booting the USB with the ISO image to booting a fresh Guix. That is pretty snappy, I personally feel.
The other point is that - EXWM should be included in the "Desktop" section above, it is an option in the installer!
Last point (that makes four in the end?) I was actually quite close to a total beginner when I started using Guix, and it was perfectly fine for me. I didn't know anything above the absolute basic commands for installing software for months and months, and it was grand. Gnome is solid.
Here I am, two years later, and the other day I packaged my first package. So yes, do join us, and get involved, Guix is wonderful, the documentation is great, the community are lovely. Software Freedom can be sleek and cool and exciting :)
|
Version: 1.4.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2023-03-22
Votes: 6
|
GNU Guix is by far the most underrated distribution as of now. There is quite nothing like it in the "market". Using GNU Guix has made my life easier, allowing me to easily keep my devices configurations and packages in sync.
I admire the fact that it treats Linux as just a kernel, which you have the option to switch with different ones, or just different versions of it, be it linux-libre, linux-lts or any other version with proprietary drivers you might like. It made me understand the point of view of FSF, and now it clicks.
Even thought it's an amazing distro, it still does not have everything packaged, so you might need to use something like flatpak.
|
Version: 1.4.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2023-01-21
Votes: 5
|
Guix is an underrated distribution, probably the most underrated distro as of now. There is nothing like it around, it offers you complete control of your system and reproducibility like no other, all with a general purposed programming language, scheme!
The downside of using guix, is that the official iso only supports the linux-libre kernel. You are going to have to search around for nonguix or just follow along system crafters installation video to get it working properly with the linux-nonfree kernel. As much as I appreciate FSF ideals, this is a huge barrier for the average user, that just wants something that works.
|
Version: 1.4.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2022-12-27
Votes: 5
|
Guix is definitely an advanced distribution. I would recommend familiarity of Linux before trying it out. Not having the regular /bin and /usr directories, and having the store for all packages, can make for some interesting bugs.
Documentation: yes, it's the odd info format, but it is very detailed. Would recommend reading it entirely before installing!
Hardware: Guix is one of the brave fully libre distros. The installer should tell you if your computer is unsupported. If it is unsupported, search the internet for workarounds. Also, Guix does demand some CPU/internet bandwidth. Would not recommend on an old computer.
Installation: rather straightforward ncurses terminal interface. If you need something complicated like BTRFS subvolumes you can always install it the "Arch way" (by hand).
Desktops: GNOME and XFCE work well. KDE is coming soon, can't wait. If you like i3 and Sway, Guix has these too.
Packages: Lots of emacs and R packages, great for data scientists. You should be able to find most of what you need. There's flatpak and even the nix package manager if you can't find what you are looking for. Guix is not always up to date, but there are guix commands to help try out the latest package if it is not updated yet.
Managing system:
1. declarative home/system configuration: No more hunting around the /etc folder for configuration files, just write them to a single file.
2. Configuration rollbacks: make a mistake? reconfigure your system and fix it that way.
3. guix shell. Install and try packages (without root!), no need to commit them to your installation if you don't like them.
Development: If you know coding, hacking on the packages and helping to upgrade them is fully documented. It's Guile Scheme, study the packages with guix edit and you'll learn. Guix uses a mailing list for patches. It is not like GitHub, but I think it is much faster.
Give it a try! I bet you will learn a lot. You might even like it :)
|
Version: 1.3.0
Rating: 7
Date: 2022-11-30
Votes: 0
|
Got a functional install of Guix the first time around, so that's a plus.
Am reasonably certain Guix is great on sufficiently adequate hw for most of the 24x7 GitHub crowd.
Ended up not expanding system by doing further configuration tweaks and bulking down system with further pkgs.
Otoh, would give the Guix distro a gcc "C" b/c at least 1) its going off the deepend complexity, and 2) didn't and don't really want to go through hoops to store flatfile configuration database locally (or on removable, storable media) as opposed to default online on The Cloud non-locally.
Very OK right now with the manageable complexities of Archlinux and Voidlinux instead.
|
Version: 1.3.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2022-09-04
Votes: 4
|
The reality is that the system is fairly complex for the average user. That being said, it also provides the space and place to really delve into programming from an academic approach as far as available learning resources. There is no better place to wade into the deep end. More typing yes. More control, more opportunities to accelerate DIY training...YES!!
I've used & installed every Linux distro I could get my hands on, basically every one sans Qubes... That one is still scary for me, LOL.
BUT, Guix will keep a veteran sharp and offer noobs a conceptual reference. Guix System is a great way to focus on guix/guile. Alien Guix, as a package manager is also fantastic when paired with a decent linux distro. Worked great with libre-linux on ParrotSec and my favorite to date is Trisquel 10 w/ Guix(from a use and non tinker standpoint. I also really loved using GUIX with GhostBSD....
All in all, guix is an amazing tool as a system or package manager. And, I'm as a lay a user as they come. I've DIY'ed myself into Junior Administration. Discovering and delving into guix may be overwhelming on approach, but nothing else accelerated my learning like guix and low level code.
If you don't want to be a monkey pushing buttons for someone else who knows the details, and really know why you are doing what you do as a programmer or an administrator, I'd think GNU/GUIX(GUILE) is requisite. I hope to be a superuser, and I can thank GUIXSD for getting closer to becoming a true professional, and avoiding becoming an opinionated schmuck like oh so many rushed into the space via bootCRAMP..
|
Version: 1.3.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2021-10-09
Votes: 14
|
My first steps into gnu and linux I had 20 years ago. I started once with REL and SUSE. 10 years ago I gave debian gnu/linux and ubuntu a go and actually trisquel 9 and manjaro are my daily drivers. I'm an ordinary user but no coder. BTW: English is my fourth language so please be patient with me. This now is a laudatio to push forward the gnu operating system guix. In my mind and in the beginning gnu guix might be a bit strange and seem to be made for more experienced linux folks but if you are no terminal hater, you might fall in love with gnu guix soon. Its attitude and setup ideas are great and 1.3-0 now is both stable and elegant. I've tried out Gnome, Mate and Enlightment and all of them are running stable. Personally I'm a Mate fan but with gnu guix I even made peace with Gnome Desktop - and Enlighment, well this is a real big and positive surprise to me. So in other words I'd like to invite you and you (U2!) to give gnu guix an early go.
|
Version: 1.3.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2021-06-16
Votes: 7
|
Of course all things are to be improved but the capabilities and future possibilities worth the work needed to understand this distro.
Is like an alien compared to the "other distros" but I think this is the path to follow. So many interesting concepts.
|
Version: 1.3.0
Rating: 7
Date: 2021-05-28
Votes: 4
|
Pro : - Universal package manager
- Fully Free/Libre Distro
Cons : - No offline installer or Live media for GuixSD/Guix System
- Not suitable to olds computers with few RAM
|
|
Latest Reviews
Project: Guix System
Version: 1.4.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2024-03-07
Votes: 27
|
** Bad:
- *This is NOT a distro for beginners.* You MUST write code in order
to install and configure the system. You MUST know a little bit of
the Scheme programming language, specifically the Guile variant of
it.
- The package manager performs some very intensive computations, a
slow CPU will likely be a little frustrating. Fortunately, when
doing routine tasks, like security updates, it is no worse than any
other Linux.
- Hardware support is /sometimes/ a little sketchy.
** Good or bad (depending on your point of view)
- Linux Libre, but can be tuned to receive non-free package channels.
** Good
Uses a *declarative package manager,* the most high-tech package
manager in existence. This is really the only reason to use Guix OS.
- Write code to declare what software and services shall exist on your
computer. The =(guix package --install)= command then "builds" and
runs this configuration.
- Uses the GNU Shepherd server manager tool that implements your
server setup declarations, you use it through by writing the same
package management code you use for installing software.
- Allows fine-tuning of software packages and easy building packages
from source, much like Gentoo.
- Allows you to install multiple package "profiles" and switch between
them, great for software development. WARNING: it is easy to
accidentally take up a lot of disk space when using many profiles.
- Allows you to "undo" (called "rollback") what packages you installed
and configured. When you run an undo, it happens almost instantly
and completely reliably, as it does not actually delete anything.
- Run "garbage collection" to automatically remove software that is no
longer used. If a software package does not belong to any profile
(including any rollback history), then it is considered to be "not
used" and is deleted.
** Conclusion:
I hope all operating systems work like Guix OS some day. The package
manager computes exactly what packages you need very
precisely. Experimenting with server configurations is as easy as can
be. But we need more people in the community developing the latest
software packages, especially for device drivers on a wider variety of
computer hardware.
|
Project: Guix System
Version: 1.4.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2023-03-24
Votes: 28
|
Hello everyone,
I have been coaxed into writing a review by reading some of the other recent ones - I found them fair and measured, but had one or two little factual points to add. One reviewer, in a generally excellent review, makes the comment that Guix is heavy on the CPU/Internet Bandwidth, and that it is not to be recommended for old computers. I have two very relevant personal anecdotes to share on this.
Anecdote 1: My main machine is a Librebooted Lenovo X200, the classic chunky Thinkpad, and I have been running Guix with the Gnome desktop on it for nearly two years now, and it has been absolutely fine for all my usage. Before that I had been on various things, even going through a phase when I was trying out the less-free "light" distros (before I librebooted it). Guix was similarly smooth and quick as anything I'd tried (xubuntu, lubuntu, pureos, manjaro).
That said - I don't play computer games, I don't edit videos, and at the upper limit I might have ten tabs open, but it's rare. All other usage however - watching videos, listening to music, programming, writing, Emacsing, Info-page trawling; Guix is a joy on this old X200 for all that.
Anecdote 2: Last night I was installing Guix on a new laptop, a Lenovo 2016 X1 Yoga, and decided to time it for fun. I went through the graphical installer, added the five available lightweight window managers because I want to try them all (EXWM, ratpoison, i3, awesome, openbox), and then I was rebooting into a fresh machine in... 20m49s.
20m49s from booting the USB with the ISO image to booting a fresh Guix. That is pretty snappy, I personally feel.
The other point is that - EXWM should be included in the "Desktop" section above, it is an option in the installer!
Last point (that makes four in the end?) I was actually quite close to a total beginner when I started using Guix, and it was perfectly fine for me. I didn't know anything above the absolute basic commands for installing software for months and months, and it was grand. Gnome is solid.
Here I am, two years later, and the other day I packaged my first package. So yes, do join us, and get involved, Guix is wonderful, the documentation is great, the community are lovely. Software Freedom can be sleek and cool and exciting :)
|
Project: Guix System
Version: 1.4.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2023-03-22
Votes: 6
|
GNU Guix is by far the most underrated distribution as of now. There is quite nothing like it in the "market". Using GNU Guix has made my life easier, allowing me to easily keep my devices configurations and packages in sync.
I admire the fact that it treats Linux as just a kernel, which you have the option to switch with different ones, or just different versions of it, be it linux-libre, linux-lts or any other version with proprietary drivers you might like. It made me understand the point of view of FSF, and now it clicks.
Even thought it's an amazing distro, it still does not have everything packaged, so you might need to use something like flatpak.
|
Project: Guix System
Version: 1.4.0
Rating: 10
Date: 2023-01-21
Votes: 5
|
Guix is an underrated distribution, probably the most underrated distro as of now. There is nothing like it around, it offers you complete control of your system and reproducibility like no other, all with a general purposed programming language, scheme!
The downside of using guix, is that the official iso only supports the linux-libre kernel. You are going to have to search around for nonguix or just follow along system crafters installation video to get it working properly with the linux-nonfree kernel. As much as I appreciate FSF ideals, this is a huge barrier for the average user, that just wants something that works.
|
Project: Guix System
Version: 1.4.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2022-12-27
Votes: 5
|
Guix is definitely an advanced distribution. I would recommend familiarity of Linux before trying it out. Not having the regular /bin and /usr directories, and having the store for all packages, can make for some interesting bugs.
Documentation: yes, it's the odd info format, but it is very detailed. Would recommend reading it entirely before installing!
Hardware: Guix is one of the brave fully libre distros. The installer should tell you if your computer is unsupported. If it is unsupported, search the internet for workarounds. Also, Guix does demand some CPU/internet bandwidth. Would not recommend on an old computer.
Installation: rather straightforward ncurses terminal interface. If you need something complicated like BTRFS subvolumes you can always install it the "Arch way" (by hand).
Desktops: GNOME and XFCE work well. KDE is coming soon, can't wait. If you like i3 and Sway, Guix has these too.
Packages: Lots of emacs and R packages, great for data scientists. You should be able to find most of what you need. There's flatpak and even the nix package manager if you can't find what you are looking for. Guix is not always up to date, but there are guix commands to help try out the latest package if it is not updated yet.
Managing system:
1. declarative home/system configuration: No more hunting around the /etc folder for configuration files, just write them to a single file.
2. Configuration rollbacks: make a mistake? reconfigure your system and fix it that way.
3. guix shell. Install and try packages (without root!), no need to commit them to your installation if you don't like them.
Development: If you know coding, hacking on the packages and helping to upgrade them is fully documented. It's Guile Scheme, study the packages with guix edit and you'll learn. Guix uses a mailing list for patches. It is not like GitHub, but I think it is much faster.
Give it a try! I bet you will learn a lot. You might even like it :)
|
Project: Guix System
Version: 1.3.0
Rating: 7
Date: 2022-11-30
Votes: 0
|
Got a functional install of Guix the first time around, so that's a plus.
Am reasonably certain Guix is great on sufficiently adequate hw for most of the 24x7 GitHub crowd.
Ended up not expanding system by doing further configuration tweaks and bulking down system with further pkgs.
Otoh, would give the Guix distro a gcc "C" b/c at least 1) its going off the deepend complexity, and 2) didn't and don't really want to go through hoops to store flatfile configuration database locally (or on removable, storable media) as opposed to default online on The Cloud non-locally.
Very OK right now with the manageable complexities of Archlinux and Voidlinux instead.
|
Project: Guix System
Version: 1.3.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2022-09-04
Votes: 4
|
The reality is that the system is fairly complex for the average user. That being said, it also provides the space and place to really delve into programming from an academic approach as far as available learning resources. There is no better place to wade into the deep end. More typing yes. More control, more opportunities to accelerate DIY training...YES!!
I've used & installed every Linux distro I could get my hands on, basically every one sans Qubes... That one is still scary for me, LOL.
BUT, Guix will keep a veteran sharp and offer noobs a conceptual reference. Guix System is a great way to focus on guix/guile. Alien Guix, as a package manager is also fantastic when paired with a decent linux distro. Worked great with libre-linux on ParrotSec and my favorite to date is Trisquel 10 w/ Guix(from a use and non tinker standpoint. I also really loved using GUIX with GhostBSD....
All in all, guix is an amazing tool as a system or package manager. And, I'm as a lay a user as they come. I've DIY'ed myself into Junior Administration. Discovering and delving into guix may be overwhelming on approach, but nothing else accelerated my learning like guix and low level code.
If you don't want to be a monkey pushing buttons for someone else who knows the details, and really know why you are doing what you do as a programmer or an administrator, I'd think GNU/GUIX(GUILE) is requisite. I hope to be a superuser, and I can thank GUIXSD for getting closer to becoming a true professional, and avoiding becoming an opinionated schmuck like oh so many rushed into the space via bootCRAMP..
|
Project: Guix System
Version: 1.3.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2021-10-09
Votes: 14
|
My first steps into gnu and linux I had 20 years ago. I started once with REL and SUSE. 10 years ago I gave debian gnu/linux and ubuntu a go and actually trisquel 9 and manjaro are my daily drivers. I'm an ordinary user but no coder. BTW: English is my fourth language so please be patient with me. This now is a laudatio to push forward the gnu operating system guix. In my mind and in the beginning gnu guix might be a bit strange and seem to be made for more experienced linux folks but if you are no terminal hater, you might fall in love with gnu guix soon. Its attitude and setup ideas are great and 1.3-0 now is both stable and elegant. I've tried out Gnome, Mate and Enlightment and all of them are running stable. Personally I'm a Mate fan but with gnu guix I even made peace with Gnome Desktop - and Enlighment, well this is a real big and positive surprise to me. So in other words I'd like to invite you and you (U2!) to give gnu guix an early go.
|
Project: Guix System
Version: 1.3.0
Rating: 9
Date: 2021-06-16
Votes: 7
|
Of course all things are to be improved but the capabilities and future possibilities worth the work needed to understand this distro.
Is like an alien compared to the "other distros" but I think this is the path to follow. So many interesting concepts.
|
Project: Guix System
Version: 1.3.0
Rating: 7
Date: 2021-05-28
Votes: 4
|
Pro : - Universal package manager
- Fully Free/Libre Distro
Cons : - No offline installer or Live media for GuixSD/Guix System
- Not suitable to olds computers with few RAM
|
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