'leading to meaningless differences in an area where heterogeneity is not a benefit, but hinders progress instead.' I would argue the exact opposite is true - t

'leading to meaningless differences in an area where heterogeneity is not a benefit, but hinders progress instead.' I would argue the exact opposite is true - there's utterly no reason for 'different' linux distributions to share anything in common other than the part where they all use the same kernel. Trying to have them be the same hinders innovation and invention on the early-userspace - exactly what has kept SysVinit in production for so long. If you want one coherent userland, use a single distro - don't try to say all distros should be the same