Linux

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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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Small Distro Concerns (feddit.uk)

submitted 4 days ago by ALiteralCabbage@feddit.uk to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I have an old notebook which I've been toying with a few smaller distros on (typically easy to install, liveCD types), and while I enjoy the tinkering aspects of this, I had a thought that I've been mulling.

In the past I've run distributions based on larger, better supported, systems (Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, etc.) and if or when they have folded, like crunchbang did, or PeppermintOS (however briefly), I just changed them out.

However, if I were to go back to peppermintOS, say, would it be feasible to 'convert' the system to the parent distribution? So, could I force peppermintOS to 'become' Debian, for example? Or is this overly simplistic? It's a level of engagement with my operating systems that I just haven't had!

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[–] nyan@sh.itjust.works 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

If you're interested in doing the tech equivalent of a party trick (except that it's less interesting to watch), go ahead and try. You'll probably just end up reinstalling almost every package on the system that differs between the base distro and the offshoot. Harmless, but also pointless, since you could just have installed Debian from the get-go and saved yourself a lot of trouble.

There are a whole bunch of Very Silly Things you can do in the Linux world that aren't worth the effort unless your income relies on the creation of niche Youtube vids. For instance, it should theoretically be possible to convert a system from Debian to Gentoo without wiping and reinstalling. I'm not going to try it.

[–] ALiteralCabbage@feddit.uk 2 points 3 days ago

Fair enough!

I've done some blindingly stupid things with my installs in the past, and I'm not angling to try any in the near future - I guess I'll just embrace the reinstallation game!