c/linux · by AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net · 135d

In my head canon, there is a timeline where Gobolinux took off in a big way, and radically transformed the Linux filesystem structure as we know it.

Not that it matters much, ultimately it's about becoming familiar with where stuff is put, even if it's in a weird grab bag of /usr, /var, /etc/etc/etc. Still, I can't help but check out Gobolinux from time to time.

67 points · 15 comments · view on lemmy.world

15 Comments

vala@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 18 pts · 135d (3 replies)

TIL about GoboLinux. This is a cool idea.

As a long time Linux user, I've always found the file system layout to be a bit esoteric.

What are the criticisms?

AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net · 11 pts · 135d

The main one that I'm aware of is that Gobo relies on a lot of symlinks to make their folder structure work. The traditional hierarchy is still there because a lot of programs have been designed around it. It's just hidden.

k4j8@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 135d (1 reply)

TIL as well. Biggest disadvantage for me would be not having ~/.config for easy access to most of my config files. ~/.cache is pretty convenient too. My ideal filesystem layout might include these directories but combine the program root directories into one.

The structure of GoboLinux reminds me a lot of Flatpak.

juipeltje@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 135d

Is the home folder structure different on gobo as well? I never used it so i don't know but on NixOS and Guix for example only the root file system is different, your home folder is like any other distro.

glitching@lemmy.ml · 13 pts · 135d (1 reply)

~] cd /
/] ls
Programs
Users
System
Data
Mount

very macOS-like, wish this would take over. am a convert from that side of the fence and tried a decade or so ago to reform linux by way of symlinks to something similar to this but gave up after a reinstall or two, too much hassle. just like CMD-C/V, relearned the new way.

teawrecks@sopuli.xyz · 4 pts · 134d

Also very windows like, aside from Mount.

savvywolf@pawb.social · 12 pts · 135d (2 replies)

If you want different programs to have their own file structure, there's always NixOS. It's not as readable, but every package has its own directory in /nix/store.

MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip · 7 pts · 135d (1 reply)

"This small thing does low-level thing different. Try huge pile of things instead."

That's like a vegan reommending Islam instead of eating meat.

savvywolf@pawb.social · 10 pts · 135d

Ehhh... I was more going for someone saying they like vegan foods and responding with "ooh, have you tried this recipe?".

caseyweederman@lemmy.ca · 7 pts · 134d (1 reply)

Just shove everything into /opt, all the big professional companies are doing it! They'd never take shortcuts, right?

caseyweederman@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 134d

Oh wait
I read the link
Gobo Linux just turns / into /opt

corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca · 6 pts · 135d (1 reply)

weird grab bag

You don't mention whether that is adherence to the FHS or denial of it.

One of those options is, to be clear, violating a standard.

AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net · 3 pts · 134d

Listen, everyone knows all configs go in /etc/etc/etc. User-configs included.

thingsiplay@lemmy.ml · 6 pts · 135d

First time I hear about Gobolinux. A quick websearch for comparison between Nix and Gobolinux brought me this article from 2011: https://sandervanderburg.blogspot.com/2011/12/evaluation-and-comparison-of-gobolinux.html . An interesting system.

juipeltje@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 135d

Gobolinux is interesting for sure. I kinda feels similar to nix and guix, but more primitive if that makes sense.