For example, to search for Slack, the install command is:
nix-shell -p slack
An article about NixOS that doesn’t seem to realize its whole point is being declarative. I would give them a little credit if they were using nix-env, but they’re not even installing the packages!
To be fair, they’re basing off the search.nixos.org UI, but they didn’t seem to read the note:
A nix-shell will temporarily modify your $PATH environment variable. This can be used to try a piece of software before deciding to permanently install it.
To be clear, do not use nix-env.
If you want to install some software, search for an option at search.nixos.org and enable, or failing that, add the package to a package list if it’s just a binary.
If it’s a system service and there’s no option already, you may need to write your own (see the NixOS manual).
Yeah, sorry if that wasn’t clear from my message. My point was that nix-env is a common mistake, but I’ve ever seen anyone make the mistake of nix-shell.
Perhaps it’s better to default to the NixOS configuration tab rather than the nix-shell tab?
With that said, let’s get to what makes this distribution great.
proceeds to talk about none of NixOS’s key ideas or selling points.
You’ll find two official versions of NixOS – one with GNOME and one with Plasma Desktop.
Right off the bat, misunderstanding things.
With NixOS, you install packages via the command line. […] For example, to search for Slack, the install command is:
nix-shell -p slack
Well… I mean… That’s really not the whole picture. Generally you edit the configuration file and rebuild. And nix-shell -p doesn’t “install” in a traditional sense.
It’s a stable, efficient operating system that’s also secure and includes nearly everything you need to get started (minus an office suite and email client).
I mean I agree but I don’t get the sense that the author has actually done the necessary research to make claims about efficiency and security.
The final frustration I’ll mention with this is that, even after successfully installing an app, you won’t find it in the menu. Argh! I even had an instance where, after installing LibreOffice and logging out, it seemed LibreOffice vanished, and I had to install it again.
Yea, I’m pretty sure the author just doesn’t realize what nix-shell -p is doing.
Look, there’s nothing wrong with being a new user who doesn’t exactly understand what’s going on with NixOS. Hopefully NixOS can still be useful to people in that position. But in that position, you shouldn’t go off writing articles claiming to be a “review” of the operating system or making claims about how it works.
I’m sure reviewing NixOS is difficult.
Curious that he didn’t notice that he was able to “install” those applications without root, probably not a unique feature but certainly not the default.