The podcast discusses saving an old Arch install, the limitations of bug detection, balancing personal interests with project needs, running Linux systems for multiple years, automation and backup strategies for maintaining an old distribution, feedback and laptop offers, the significance of long term adoption of a user interface, Contributor License Agreements in open source projects, Linux and technology topics, new flat pack permissions settings and tips for old Linux installations.
Maintaining older Linux installs requires careful attention to system upgrades and staying informed on the latest developments in the community.
The effectiveness of Linus's Law in open source software development may be limited, as recent studies suggest potential blind spots can persist for long periods of time.
Finding strategies to keep old Linux installations running smoothly involves incorporating backup strategies, automation tools, and reducing dependencies on specific configurations.
Deep dives
Arch server update and myth testing
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the update of their ARCH server, which they haven't touched in a year. They aim to test whether neglecting an ARCH system and upgrading it to current will still work. They also address the myth that ARCH is not suitable for a server environment, exploring the ongoing recommendations against using ARCH for server operating systems. Additionally, they touch on the challenges of maintaining older Linux installs and provide tips and tricks for keeping them running smoothly.
Is Linus's Law of open source flawed?
The hosts engage in a debate surrounding Linus's Law, which states that given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow in open source software. They discuss a recent study that challenges this notion by suggesting that the Linux schedule's efficiency maxes out around eight CPU cores, highlighting a potential blind spot that remained undiscovered for about 15 years. This prompts a broader discussion on whether more eyes actually mean more bugs found, and the trust dynamics involved in contributing to open source projects.
Long-term support and strategies for older installs
The hosts share their experiences and strategies for maintaining older Linux installs. They discuss the benefits of sticking with a familiar user interface over time and introduce gradual improvements in each iteration. They also explore the use of software packaging methods like Flatpak, Snap, and Next Package Manager for managing applications on older systems. The conversation delves into the challenges of distro updates and the pros and cons of rolling releases versus LTS releases. The hosts also touch on virtualization and finding the right tool, such as VirtualBox or VirtManager, for running specific operating systems within a Linux environment.
Maintaining Old Linux Installs
One key point discussed in the podcast is the importance of finding ways to keep old Linux installations running smoothly. The hosts encourage the audience to share tips and tricks on this topic, such as maintaining a backup strategy, incorporating automation tools like Ansible, or properly managing dot files to simplify system restoration. They also emphasize the need to make the system less dependent on specific configurations, making it easier to rebuild or restore in case of issues. Overall, the conversation explores the challenges and strategies for preserving and optimizing older Linux installations.
Debating Wayland and X11
Another main point addressed in the podcast is the ongoing debate between Wayland and X11. The hosts mention that some people strongly oppose the adoption of Wayland and prefer to stick with X11, believing that X11 can be improved and upgraded indefinitely. However, they express their willingness to embrace Wayland and suggest that it is a better option for the future. They encourage feedback from the audience to understand their perspective on this topic and other 'hills' people might be willing to defend in the Linux community.
Is Arch Linux suitable for server environment? — Probably the biggest issue with Arch as a server operating system is that it's not clear where and when applications may break after an upgrade. More often than not, you have to keep up with what's going on in the wiki and on the forums before doing any sort of upgrade
Texas Linux Festival 2024 — Texas Linux Fest is the first state-wide annual community-run conference for Linux and open-source software users and enthusiasts from around the Lone Star State. Much like SCALE in Los Angeles, Ohio Linux Fest in Columbus, and Linux Fest Northwest – and an ever-growing list of successful regional shows.
Linus’s law — In software development, Linus's law is the assertion that "given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow".
The Linux Scheduler: a Decade of Wasted Cores — In our experiments, these performance bugs caused many-fold performance degradation for synchronization-heavy scientific applications, 13% higher latency for kernel make, and a 14-23% decrease in TPC-H throughput for a widely used commercial database.
Why you probably shouldn’t add a CLA to your open source project — Contributor license agreements (or CLAs for short) have gained a lot of visibility in recent years as some prominent open-source projects have opted to adopt them. If all the cool kids are doing it, should your open source project? Probably not. Here’s why