NixOS on Framework Laptop • Hacker News Board

Re: NixOS on Framework Laptop

#241

Post by ayushnix » Tue, Oct 19, 2021, 10:43 AM UTC

soraminazuki wrote: post #226

ayushnix wrote: post #170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can I install packages not present in the official NixOS repositories without learning the Nix DSL?

You can, if your repository of choice provides a Nix channel[1]. However, the community effort is currently concentrated in the official Nixpkgs repository. So while there are numerous projects based on Nix run outside of the NixOS organization, there aren't any "major" unofficial package repository that I'm aware of. For packaging work, people just tend to contribute directly to the official repository. In fact, the…

I tried using NixOS a few years ago but found it too esoteric. Learning the Nix DSL and the NixOS way of doing things might be rewarding but it has a significant threshold that I'd need to cross before I'm comfortable using it.

One of the things I really appreciate about Arch is the flexibility it offers. I'm not forced to use GRUB if I don't want to, unlike Fedora and Debian. I'm also not forced to see dm-crypt UUIDs on mounted disks like Dracut does. I can choose what I want. This latter issue was present in NixOS as well the last time I tried it.

Oh, I'm also not a fan of how unbearably slow the nix package manager is compared to pacman.

I do recognize the advantages of declarative configuration of your entire operating system though.

Re: NixOS on Framework Laptop

#242

Post by ayushnix » Tue, Oct 19, 2021, 10:48 AM UTC

rekado wrote: post #190

ayushnix wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I doubt GuixSD would work on most modern hardware considering it uses the Linux-libre kernel. Using the Guix package manager itself sounds useful though.

Guix System works fine on modern hardware. I've been using it on new servers for the build farm at ci.guix.gnu.org and on laptops. Linux-libre has not been a problem. The biggest recurring issue is with graphic cards that have poor support in Linux and require firmware blobs and with WiFi cards that have no free drivers / firmware. It is trivial to use vanilla Linux with these machines as Guix System lets you use any…

> The biggest recurring issue is with graphic cards that have poor support in Linux and require firmware blobs and with WiFi cards that have no free drivers / firmware.

Intel, AMD, and Nvidia GPUS - all of them need firmware blobs to work as expected. Intel and AMD offer free drivers but not free firmware.

And if you want to WiFi 5 (ac) or WiFi 6 (ax), chances are that you'll need non-free drivers/firmware as well.

> The "nonguix" channel (hosted on Github) provides packages for vanilla Linux ("linux") in various versions, and also includes firmware packages that you can use in your config file.

Ah, that's good to know.

I'll probably give the Guix package manager a shot some day.

Re: NixOS on Framework Laptop

#243

Post by k1rcher » Tue, Oct 19, 2021, 3:25 PM UTC

Cyphonetic wrote: post #183

raihansaputra wrote: post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah the inconsistency is what worries me. But my concern is that the CMD position (ALT on other keyboards, right beside space) is more ergonomic than the CTRL position, especially on laptops.

I strongly recommend binding CTRL to Caps lock. It's pretty ergonomic, and just feels natural. Also, that would force you in a different mindset, aiding in differentiation of your Mac and Linux

This. The MacOS Linux Windows swapping isn’t too difficult, just takes a day or so of training that muscle memory.

I should note to the OP that I almost exclusively use my HHKB[0] for all of those operating systems, which places the CTRL key where the Caps Lock normally is, abstracting caps lock functionality to a function key.

When I do use a different keyboard (or the laptop’s native keyboard), it takes a few minutes to adjust and every now and then I’ll accidentally tap the wrong key, but overall I would say negative impact is negligible

[0] https://www.hhkeyboard.com/uk/products/ (I have the Pro2, and for some reason the official site is not loading for me. This keyboard has lasted me 4+ years and I use it for gaming, coding, and everything in between. By far my favorite keyboard I have ever used, the toupre keys feel soooo so satisfying. Amazon link here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K9QHF4P/)

Re: NixOS on Framework Laptop

#244

Post by reginold » Tue, Oct 19, 2021, 3:51 PM UTC

schmorptron wrote: post #163

raihansaputra wrote: post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Great, thanks for the pointers! Quick Look in this case is the quick open of files through finder by tapping 'Space'. Might be some equivalents, i'll look around.

There's an extension for gnome called either Gnome-Look or Sushi, can't look up which it is right now.

Yes, Gnome Sushi for "press space for preview"

Re: NixOS on Framework Laptop

#245

Post by jade413 » Tue, Oct 19, 2021, 5:48 PM UTC

Just noting I run an AX210 on my T440p. Bluetooth and wifi both work starting with kernel version 5.12 in my experience. I had it pinned to a specific version rather than latest like

boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxPackages_5_12;

but slowly 5.12 and 5.13 were both removed as specific kernel versions in nixpkgs, so it's

boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxPackages_5_14;

now which still works.

I eventually plan to just remove the line and use the default kernel, once the default kernel is bumped up to 5.12

Re: NixOS on Framework Laptop

#246

Post by def_true_false » Tue, Oct 19, 2021, 7:00 PM UTC

easygenes wrote: post #166

easygenes wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had a 1600x1200 T42p and loved that thing to death too. My fav laptop ever though was the original 15" MacBook Retina from 2012. I pre-ordered mine the hour it came available, as I had been waiting years for a good IPS HiDPI laptop. I had never even owned a Mac before that. Mine was one of the first off the line where the display had a temporary-burn-in (very long ghosting for any pixels that are fixed for more tha…

Just a few more thoughts on setting up a high-megapixels workstation: My ideal would probably be something similar to what Linus has set up. He uses long cables from a nearby closet, so even when the workstation fans are blasting he doesn't hear it. For now, I use 2 and 3 meter cables plugged into a mid tower sitting on the far side of my desk on the floor. For why I'm not doing the workstation-in-another-room approa…

There are commercially available cables that do HDMI (and DisplayPort, etc) over fiber. I've seen these from PremiumCord and also some Chinese ones on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.de/s?k=premiumcord+hdmi+2.1+kabel

Re: NixOS on Framework Laptop

#247

Post by zepearl » Wed, Oct 20, 2021, 10:05 PM UTC

gigatexal wrote: post #172

zepearl wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ach, the usual stuff about NICs being re-re-re-created, incredibly annoying. I thought the same - then I bought in September 2021 a "Lenovo Ideapad 5 Pro 16ACH6" which is when I found out that the "Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. Device 8852"/"Realtek RTL8111E Ethernet LOM"/"Lenovo Device 4852" needs a brand new driver/module, respectively is not compatible with anything else. I lost a lot of hair until I found " htt…

Wow that sucks. Kudos to the dev that maintains that driver. I wonder if they ever tried to upstream it?

Something is or was happening? This is what I've found: https://lwn.net/ml/linux-wireless/f1caa1a2-55c7-a69f-070a-a4...

Re: NixOS on Framework Laptop

#248

Post by easygenes » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 3:51 AM UTC

def_true_false wrote: post #246

easygenes wrote: post #166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just a few more thoughts on setting up a high-megapixels workstation: My ideal would probably be something similar to what Linus has set up. He uses long cables from a nearby closet, so even when the workstation fans are blasting he doesn't hear it. For now, I use 2 and 3 meter cables plugged into a mid tower sitting on the far side of my desk on the floor. For why I'm not doing the workstation-in-another-room approa…

There are commercially available cables that do HDMI (and DisplayPort, etc) over fiber. I've seen these from PremiumCord and also some Chinese ones on Amazon. https://www.amazon.de/s?k=premiumcord+hdmi+2.1+kabel

Thanks! It had been a while since I looked for them. Glad to see they've made it to market now.

Re: NixOS on Framework Laptop

#249

Post by Atemu12 » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 11:42 AM UTC

ayushnix wrote: post #241

soraminazuki wrote: post #226

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can, if your repository of choice provides a Nix channel[1]. However, the community effort is currently concentrated in the official Nixpkgs repository. So while there are numerous projects based on Nix run outside of the NixOS organization, there aren't any "major" unofficial package repository that I'm aware of. For packaging work, people just tend to contribute directly to the official repository. In fact, the…

I tried using NixOS a few years ago but found it too esoteric. Learning the Nix DSL and the NixOS way of doing things might be rewarding but it has a significant threshold that I'd need to cross before I'm comfortable using it. One of the things I really appreciate about Arch is the flexibility it offers. I'm not forced to use GRUB if I don't want to, unlike Fedora and Debian. I'm also not forced to see dm-crypt UUID…

> Oh, I'm also not a fan of how unbearably slow the nix package manager is compared to pacman.

Building a declared environment takes quite a while and switching a NixOS or home-manager generation takes even longer. It was my main complaint about NixOS when I was starting out.

The thing I realised though is that the main scenario where you actually need the speed is when you want to try things out and for that, Nix' ad-hoc environments are much better suited.

When I want to try a new program (btop for example), I simply run `nix-shell -p btop` rather than adding it to my declared environment and sitting through a `nixos-rebuild test`. That's usually faster and, more importantly, cleaner than installing the package to a global environment with a regular package manager.

Re: NixOS on Framework Laptop

#250

Post by HighSaysBob » Sun, Oct 31, 2021, 3:44 PM UTC

Izkata wrote: post #235

bschwindHN wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're definitely in the minority, macbook trackpads are widely accepted as the best ones currently out there. Some good discussion on this: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19485178

I don't know if this is what GP meant, but I've tried a few co-workers' macbooks, and it's nothing driver related: The touchpad itself has this staticky feel that makes me never want to touch it again. Haven't felt that on any other touchpad before or since.

I have experienced this as well. I think this has to do with it being plugged in but NOT grounded. If you use the extender cable that has a 3 prong on it that goes away. Or just try it on battery. I also do not love that feeling, but love the trackpad.