GoboLinux, NixOS, and Bedrock flourish undercover
Evolutionary
© Lead Image © Jan Will, 123RF.com
With systemd poised to revolutionize the init process, we look at Linux distributions that have left the familiar path, use new approaches and techniques, and are paving the way for the next generation of Linux distros.
Depending on your perspective, the vast number of Linux distributions do not appear to be so infinitely varied. Most distros are based on the filesystem hierarchy standard (FHS) [1], which stipulates that 13 relevant, known directories or corresponding symbolic links (e.g., /usr, /bin, /home) must be in the root directory. The package manager then usually distributes the files across the filesystem during package installation.
Other projects work differently and could be considered trendsetters for future Linux distributions. These are systems with a modified FHS, updates with rollback function, duplicate filesystems, apps in an app store, or containers and stateless systems. The techniques used are not necessarily new; sometimes they have been in BSD or Solaris for a long time or were influenced by other operating systems, such as NeXTStep [2], AtheOS [3], or BeOS [4]. However, in combination, they appear to be new paths for Linux distributions.
GoboLinux
If you limit your view to Linux distributions in the broadest sense, GoboLinux was the first distribution that took an entirely new approach to package management. Published for the first time in 2003, GoboLinux progressed steadily until 2008, but the distribution then disappeared into oblivion to rise again from the ashes: A new version was release in mid-2014 [5].
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
There's a New Linux AI Assistant in Town
Newelle is a Linux AI assistant that can work with different LLMs and includes document parsing and profiles.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Released with Minor Fixes
The latest Linux kernel doesn't really include any big-ticket features, just a lot of lines of code.
-
EU Sovereign Tech Fund Gains Traction
OpenForum Europe recently released a report regarding a sovereign tech fund with backing from several significant entities.
-
FreeBSD Promises a Full Desktop Installer
FreeBSD has lacked an option to include a full desktop environment during installation.
-
Linux Hits an Important Milestone
If you pay attention to the news in the Linux-sphere, you've probably heard that the open source operating system recently crashed through a ceiling no one thought possible.
-
Plasma Bigscreen Returns
A developer discovered that the Plasma Bigscreen feature had been sitting untouched, so he decided to do something about it.
-
CachyOS Now Lets Users Choose Their Shell
Imagine getting the opportunity to select which shell you want during the installation of your favorite Linux distribution. That's now a thing.
-
Wayland 1.24 Released with Fixes and New Features
Wayland continues to move forward, while X11 slowly vanishes into the shadows, and the latest release includes plenty of improvements.
-
Bugs Found in sudo
Two critical flaws allow users to gain access to root privileges.
-
Fedora Continues 32-Bit Support
In a move that should come as a relief to some portions of the Linux community, Fedora will continue supporting 32-bit architecture.