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I didn't know what was guix so I clicked on the "About" page (https://hpc.guix.info/about/ https://hpc.guix.info/about/). > Guix-HPC is an effort to optimize [

by otikik 5y ago

I didn't know what was guix so I clicked on the "About" page (https://hpc.guix.info/about/ https://hpc.guix.info/about/). > Guix-HPC is an effort to optimize [GNU Guix] for reproducible scientific workflows in high-performance computing (HPC). Ok this is like GNU Guix, but for HPC systems (which are helpfully defined). But what is "GNU Guix", though? Ok I will click the link (https://guix.gnu.org/ https://guix.gnu.org/) : > *Liberating*. Guix is an advanced distribution of the [GNU operating system] developed by the GNU Project—which respects the freedom of computer users. I happen to know what GNUOS is, otherwise I would have to click on yet another link to find out what it is (the name at least suggests it's an Operative System). Guix needs extra help on the initial copy page though. Is "more advanced" than GNUOS... does that mean that GNUOS isn't "advanced" (How so)? It also says that Guix "respects the freedom of computer users". That seems to imply that GNUOS does not. Is that the case? TL;DR: The "about" page in guix-hpc and guix should start with "Guix/Guix-hpc is an operative system." Then they can talk about how they're based on this and that. And Guix's first page copy text needs to be completely rewritten.

bogwog 5y ago
Guix isn't exactly an operating system though, it's a package manager, like apt on Debian. I think the reason the Guix page calls it an "operating system" is for the same reason Stallman gets annoyed when people say they're using a "Linux operating system" instead of a "GNU/Linux operating system", since Linux is just one component, and not the actual "OS". Not sure why this has to be so confusing. IMO, the homepage should just say it's a package manager, and note that they also offer a Linux distro based on it.
- cygx 5y ago
  Guix isn't exactly an operating system though, it's a package manager, like apt on Debian. The terminology went through some iterations, but according to the manual, Guix can nowadays refer to either: It's a "package management tool for and distribution of the GNU system" (emphasis mine). The distibution can be used standalone (in which case it's called Guix System), or as a package manager on top of a host system.

by otikik 5y ago

bogwog 5y ago

Guix isn't exactly an operating system though, it's a package manager, like apt on Debian. I think the reason the Guix page calls it an "operating system" is for the same reason Stallman gets annoyed when people say they're using a "Linux operating system" instead of a "GNU/Linux operating system", since Linux is just one component, and not the actual "OS". Not sure why this has to be so confusing. IMO, the homepage should just say it's a package manager, and note that they also offer a Linux distro based on it.

cygx 5y ago
Guix isn't exactly an operating system though, it's a package manager, like apt on Debian. The terminology went through some iterations, but according to the manual, Guix can nowadays refer to either: It's a "package management tool for and distribution of the GNU system" (emphasis mine). The distibution can be used standalone (in which case it's called Guix System), or as a package manager on top of a host system.