I’m a convert to NixOS as of this year. I have been called a glutton for punishment for even attempting to use it as a daily driver, and while I admit that proficient configuration comes with an intimidating learning curve (especially for those new to Nix, functional programming, CAS, and/or system administration in general), I also wish to echo that this OS stands alone in what it offers, and as such, it goes without saying that “you have to learn what it is before you can try using it”.
For me, both the learning process and general use have been incredibly rewarding—and I have no intention of ever returning to a conventional FHS-based distro—but my onboarding was also purpose-based. For marketing the OS to the more casual prospective user, I agree that the uniqueness of its organizational paradigm perhaps should be clearer on the tin. It’s tragic to see a passerby automatically label NixOS as “a KDE distro” and so on.
I agree that scripted installations can be convenient even for the adept, provided adequate customizability.
Incidentally, I created a topic just today regarding @danieldk’s aforementioned LUKS dance: YubiKey 2FA FDE with multiple drives. Tedious indeed.