kvaesitso is a good free/libre launcher. I’ve been using it for a while now and like it.

https://f-droid.org/packages/de.mm20.launcher2.release/

guix pull . . . . guix upgrade

I jpst googled it and got these steps (haven’t tried them yet):

To set up a Nix service in your Guix configuration, you need to enable the service in your configuration file, typically located at /etc/config.scm. You can refer to the Guix documentation for detailed instructions on how to properly configure and manage services.

Step one: Open config file

Step 2: Enable nix service

(use-modules (gnu))

(operating-system
  ...
  (services
   (cons* (service
            (nix-service)
            (nix-configuration
             (nix-channel "https://nixos.org/channels/nixos-23.11"))
            )
          ...)))

Save the file and reconfigure:

sudo guix system reconfigure /etc/config.scm

After reconfiguration, verify that the Nix service is running correctly by checking the service status:

systemctl status nix-daemon

Additional Notes:

• Ensure you are using the latest stable version of Guix to avoid compatibility issues.

• If you encounter any problems, consult the Guix documentation for troubleshooting tips.

• The Nix service allows you to use Nix packages alongside Guix, providing flexibility in package management.

Hope this helps!

No I didn’t do anything in my config. You can though and it seems like a better less kludgy way to do it, I haven’t done that yet. If I ever figure it out I’ll let you know.

to install nix succesfully on my laptop I had to do the following steps:

guix install nix

nix-channel --list

if nixpkgs is not in channel then add

nix-channel --add https://nixos.org/channels/nixpkgs-unstable

sudo nix-channel --update --verbose

now change the group and ower of /nix

cd /nix/

sudo chown -R {your user name} ./var

sudo chown -R {your user name} ./store

sudo chgrp -R users ./var

sudo chgrp -R users ./store

now update the channels

nix-channel --update --verbose

################################

then install say firefox

nix-env -iA nixpkgs.firefox

Let me check my notes ths weekend and get back to you.

I use nix for any packages I can’t get from guix repos. So that’s an option too.

I’ve been using linux as my only OS since 2019 and like you came to the conclusion that it’s come a long way and is totally a viable option instead of windows.

Linux is great at running on old HW. I have a desktop I built in 2009 that runs linux.

I think older versions of the kernel (that support 486 hw) would still be available to download so someone could use them if they wanted. Not sure what other extre work would be involved though.

I’ve only ever used jellyfin and have no complaints.

I avoided plex and went with jellyfill because it’s free/libre software.

If you’re OK with using non-free/libre software I reccomend the systemcrafters install guide

https://systemcrafters.net/craft-your-system-with-guix/full-system-install/

What’s the alternative?

I donate to a few things (eff, fsf, Mozilla, kvaesitso, my Lemmy instance, tasks.org) but want to donate to more (guix, keepassdx, syncthing, eternity, maybe some others).

Oh nice.

The lame ones can’t!

Oh pretty cool!

Is there anything that doesn’t run linux lol?

How many hoops (if any) did you have to jump through to install?

Linux is great for reserecting old hardware! I had an old gaming pc I built back in 2009 (had to replace graphics card) onto which I installed guix. Now I have a raid 1 store, samba network share, and jellyfin server!

It really seems like the future or some variation of it.

True, then I’d be screwed. But, because my system config is declared in a single file (plus a file for channels) i could re-install my system and be back in business relatively quickly. There’s also guix home but I haven’t had a chance to try that.