Comment by Dreami
1 day ago
From the name I thought this was about learning NixOS, and they found a very clever name
Maybe the author could add a small note that this is not about that, and refer to something official about NixOS?
Anyway, I like the idea of the project!
“*nix” means a Unix-like OS just generally (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%2Anix), like for example in “Minix” and “Xenix”. Sticking “OS” to the end of an OS name is also commonplace. However, the title on the page is “The Learnix Operating System”, so the actual name seems to be just “Learnix”.
It’s arguably Nix and NixOS who have unnecessarily stepped into the “*nix” namespace without adding a distinguishing prefix.
Then I guess the OS part is redundant, since thr nix already implies an OS.
I feel like if I saw something just called "learn unix", I'd expect it to be teaching me how to use it generically, not implement it. Adding "OS" makes it clear to me that it's a dedicated OS for the purpose of learning (although it still wasn't clear to me that the goal was implement it so if anything I'd argue that the title is missing context, but the name of the OS isn't redundant).
No, actually Nix is a package manager/system configuration tool. NixOS uses Nix as part of its image.
7 replies →
> “*nix” means a Unix-like OS just generally
"Unix-like OS" isn't a thing that has existed for two decades. Only Linux and Darwin survived, so don't do the "*nix" thing, please.
BSD would like a word.
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Illumos is still actively developed, open source, and can trace its lineage back to actual unix.
For that matter, we've had new members joining the family over the years; https://www.redox-os.org/ is, in their own words, "a complete Unix-like microkernel-based operating system written in Rust, with a focus on security, reliability and safety."
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Darwin is not UNIX (nor is XNU). But macOS technically is certified UNIX.
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Before clicking the links.. How confident do you feel about your assertion?
https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&q=...
https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=Unix%20l...
1 reply →
I had the same confusion. Even without considering NixOS, "learnix" is awkward to pronounce and somewhat pretentious.
I would suggest the name "Leanix" if the author is willing to rename.
It rhymes with Minix which is the OG curriculum for a POSIX kernel, and is "lean" in many senses of the word.
In any case an excellent writeup. It's detailed enough to implement in any programming language.
What's pretentious about learnix?
I think that it's supposed to be a portmanteau of Unix and Learn.
> I would suggest the name "Leanix"
Then people would complain that it sounds too much like “Linux”.
Particularly if you have learned to pronounce Linus’s name correctly.
I don't find it awkward to pronounce in the least, and not in any way pretentious.
I think the name is fine as is.
I like the current name and already have the domain :|
I mean, it is about learning. It threw me for a loop too but I think it's actually reasonably appropriate.
Thought the same! Was a bit interested in learning Nix for a moment.
Will do!
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> Others think someone from the Rust (programming language, not video game) development community was responsible due to how critical René has been of that project, but those claims are entirely unsubstantiated.