In this particular instance, and it requires reading between the lines, and pattern recognition from the many times before where Determinate Systems (Graham) launched ultimatums. To force[1] an outcome regarding the “stabilization” of Flakes. I don’t have a complete list, the most recent I remember quickly is from October 2024.
Note that by force, or forcing, I do not want to imply that the Nix project is obligated, or that a conclusion is reached already. This is force synonymous to coerce, and pressure.
In that form, using their privileged position in the ecosystem, Determinate Systems is adding more pressure on the Nix upstream project to buckle and just cave-in removing the flag.
Also using the argument that they already have been shipping the feature to n dozens of users, successfully, and have been for a while already. Just to put more pressure, pressure in ossifying the design as-it-is, rather than keeping the option open to become incompatible.
Though that is not what is happening just now, and not the main point I’m trying to convey. This pressure with Flakes not new, and is something that has been continuously happening since a while. Determinate Systems has been shipping a Nix with Flakes enabled since before November 2023 (that post was about the graphical tooling to install).
What needs to be recognized here, and the crux of what I’m trying to say, is that Determinate Systems, even though it might not be the intent, are now using the lack of trademark surrounding Nix to cause confusion, by making their product Determinate “Nix 3.0”[sic].
The use of Determinate Nix as a name was already noted as contentious in the previous discussions. So it’s not like everything was fine and that this is not fine anymore. To many it already was not fine.
But now, after apparently successfully having co-opted the Nix name, they are effectively co-opting the project’s roadmap, and version numbering scheme, for their own fork.
And, it is entirely possible I suck at communicating, but I feel like I’m repeating myself round-and-round, and at this point I don’t know what you want me to say.
To summarize:
The move is effectively a continued attempt taking control of the direction of the Nix-based ecosystem, and here by pressuring the Nix upstream project through confusion and decision-making by the founder of Nix, and taking decisions on behalf of the Nix upstream project, by saying that the roadmap to 3.0 is done, and that their fork is Nix 3.0.
- strength or energy exerted or brought to bear : cause of motion or change : active power
- capacity to persuade or convince
— FORCE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster