I use it because it’s truly a “complete system” in a way that Linux and even the BSDs are not—every program is an example in itself and it comes with a ton of various scratch-built utilities that you don’t usually find as part of a typical Linux distro. Stuff like a basic torrent or IRC client just sort of fall out of the way Plan 9 is organized and implemented.
It also provides me with a distraction-free environment and a set of tools that I enjoy using, even if some aspects of Plan 9 as, say, a laptop daily driver are inconvenient or awkward. It really is better suited for networked computing.
I was pretty much sold from first contact because Plan 9 is the way that I feel best matches what I’ve always wanted from my machines: a simple grid of networked appliances where I can route the various resources and hardware in whatever way I require.
I already do.
A rare sighting of a Plan 9 user! You need to be protected at all cost! Your species is extremely rare and important for future studies.
BTW for a moment I was upset, because I thought this is a screenshot of Reddit. I kinda like the old look of it.
What desktop environment is that? Or is it built in by default or doesn’t work quite similar to linux?
It is called
rio(1)and it comes with Plan 9.There is a Unix/X11 port that contains most of the Plan 9 userspace—including a version of
rio—called plan9port.It is not nearly as good as using the real thing.
They got a DE built in and say GNU is bloated. Foolishness
Out of curiosity, do you use it for fun, or does it provide you with some specific features?
I use it because it’s truly a “complete system” in a way that Linux and even the BSDs are not—every program is an example in itself and it comes with a ton of various scratch-built utilities that you don’t usually find as part of a typical Linux distro. Stuff like a basic torrent or IRC client just sort of fall out of the way Plan 9 is organized and implemented.
It also provides me with a distraction-free environment and a set of tools that I enjoy using, even if some aspects of Plan 9 as, say, a laptop daily driver are inconvenient or awkward. It really is better suited for networked computing.
I was pretty much sold from first contact because Plan 9 is the way that I feel best matches what I’ve always wanted from my machines: a simple grid of networked appliances where I can route the various resources and hardware in whatever way I require.
You explained it so well, that you actually got me interested in trying it some day.
If you ever want to just poke around a Plan 9 system, SDF Public Access UNIX System offers an ongoing Plan 9 Boot Camp.
Stop by and join us in
comsometime!Bottom of site: SDF Public Access UNIX System
I love this!
Edit: I just noticed this. Is this a miscalculation of the time or am I in the wrong timeline?
DECSYSTEM-2065
I wish someone would port Python and BorgBackup to it. Venti/Fossil are not quite as nice for multi-OS backups.
Python 2.5.1 was distributed as part of 9front back when it used
hg, but it was ultimately removed from the base system once we switched over togit9.I never bother with venti/fossil, honestly. I’m more of a
cfwskind of person, but Ori’sgefshas been attracting my attention lately.I mean, leave it to us weirdos on sdf for stuff like this.
Are you on oftc?
In
#cat-v? Not regularly. I mostly hang out in gridchat with a handful of the 9front people.ah. I’ve been doing linux things, but maybe i’ll try out gridchat next time i’m on 9front