NixOS -> Nix

[KiaraGrouwstra]

I wonder how much of the good parts of NixOS are covered by using just Nix. I should list the NixOS specific parts of my config and evaluate if this outweighs its complications.

[KiaraGrouwstra]

so uh, there's:

• packages (covered by nix)
• user config (covered by dotfiles / home manager)
• desktop / window / display managers (trivial-ish?)
• drivers (should be covered in most distros)
• fonts (not exactly top priority)
• shells (trivial-ish)
• networking (trivial-ish)
• themes (dm-specific)
• environment variables (.bashrc?)
• IMEs (not using much state for fcitx myself, just add a few languages, and NixOS doesn't even support sogou-pinyin yet, see #2)

While thefuck installs (#117) would be pretty sexy, it does seem like I don't need NixOS and could likely just settle for Arch + Nix.

[KiaraGrouwstra]

Tried Arch today. Todo on that:

• [x] bluetooth (update: shoulda just long-pressed!)
• [ ] disable password prompts on systemctl / netctl - not addressed with Defaults:USER_NAME !authenticate, also present on PopOS but on there I needed these commands way less due to GUI?
• [ ] hdd for nix/docker
• [x] sound
• [x] terminal
• [x] pretty font
• [x] nvidia
• [x] i3 stuff (#122) - ditching in favor of paperwm
• [x] CJK font
• [x] emoji
• [x] document transition
• [x] nix: sh <(curl https://nixos.org/nix/install) --daemon

[KiaraGrouwstra]

I should proooobably consider a new dotfile repo or something, but after feeling frustrated with getting the mouse to pair on Arch (update: shoulda just long-pressed!) I've been trying Manjaro, using which I've had a few todos as well:

• ~[x] chsh not respecting my Fish~
• [x] disable password prompts: Defaults:USER_NAME !authenticate - doesn't fix this for e.g. systemctl, software installs, ...
• [ ] CUDA
• [x] nix: sh <(curl https://nixos.org/nix/install) --daemon
• [ ] hdd:
  • [x] nix - #138
  • [x] docker: /etc/docker/daemon.json -> data-root
  • [x] steam: Steam settings -> Downloads -> Steam Library Folders -> add / make default. Conqueror's Blade seems not content with this though.
• [x] set Brave as default browser - fixed in Default Applications
• [x] window managers - disabled autologin to try Sway, copied config, ensure dmenu is installed and the terminal is set to something I want (urxvt -> konsole). there's no Plasma+Sway mixed option tho. also doesn't seem to be picking up my config? anyway wayland sucks (#122) and I'll settle for Gnome's PaperWM.
• [ ] Bluetooth mouse keeps disconnecting (reconnects on wake) - also occurred on PopOS so probably affects Arch too, not sure why NixOS seemed okay...
• [x] Vulkan to play Windows-only Steam games?

[KiaraGrouwstra]

Now tried PopOS, where I found my MS Sculpt mouse after long-pressing its bluetooth button. Did I ditch Arch over that? D'oh! On PopOS I've also yet to figure out:

• [x] nix - sh <(curl https://nixos.org/nix/install) --daemon ~errors https://github.com/NixOS/nix/issues/2805 (/ retry)~
• [ ] CUDA / nvidia-docker
• [x] window managers - settling for paperwm
• [x] standard gnome keyboard shortcuts - PopOS-specific, addressed by PaperWM

[KiaraGrouwstra]

honestly with Nixery one might have Nix reproducibility even thru just Docker for stuff that works well with containerization...

conclusion: retry Arch (+ Nix?)

p.s.: for i3, unixporn seems to prefer KDE over Gnome (if any desktop manager at all -- and not having to go all the way yet seems sorta nice). maybe try i3 in Gnome before switching?

update: liked gnome + paperwm so much I stuck with that in arch as well now.

[KiaraGrouwstra]

sooo I may be using yay more than nix now, but that should do. whatevers!

[KiaraGrouwstra]

Texlive install be like:

add to PATH: /opt/texlive/2020/bin/x86_64-linux
add to MANPATH: /opt/texlive/2020/texmf-dist/doc/man
add to INFOPATH: /opt/texlive/2020/texmf-dist/doc/info

As a fish shell user, it pains me there is no good way to add to a PATH variable in a shell-agnostic way. :neutral_face: