
Full Stack Radio 153: DHH – Omarchy and Designing Your Own OS on Arch Linux
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Aug 21, 2025 David Heinemeier Hansen, the creator of Ruby on Rails and CTO at 37signals, discusses his innovative Linux distribution called Omarchy. He shares how he stumbled upon Arch Linux and the unique advantages it offers. Listeners will learn the essentials of setting up a personal Linux system and why development on Arch can be a game changer. DHH also explores software alternatives for creative tasks, emphasizing the freedom of open-source tools, while hilariously detailing the challenges of hardware compatibility along the way.
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Desktop Linux Is The Last Frontier
- Linux desktop is the last frontier of open source despite servers running it widely.
- People fear desktop Linux even while trusting open source for critical infrastructure.
The Web Shrunk Mac's Advantage
- The web has made many formerly Mac-only creative tools available cross-platform.
- Web apps like Figma and Teams reduce the need for native macOS-only workflows.
Tiling + Kiosk Browser = Minimal Flow
- Tiling window managers plus kiosk-style browser modes create a minimal, chrome-free workflow.
- Pairing Hyperland with Chromium's --app mode achieves an aesthetic and ergonomic experience David prefers.





