🤓 GUIX IS AWESOME! (But it won't get you a job?)

Summary

In this video, the speaker reflects on their experience with Linux and Geeks, discussing how it fits into the broader Linux ecosystem. While they recognize Geeks' innovative potential, they advise that it's not ideal for those seeking immediate career benefits. Instead, they emphasize learning mainstream Linux distributions like Red Hat and Ubuntu, which offer more practical skills for employment. The speaker balances their enthusiasm for Geeks as a hobbyist tool with the reality that, for most professionals, staying focused on industry-standard skills is more crucial for career success.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has been using Linux since the 90s and values experimentation but emphasizes that practical, career-oriented skills should take precedence over cutting-edge technologies for most people.
• 😀 Geeks (Guix) is an innovative operating system, but it is not the best choice for those who need to prioritize employable skills and enterprise-ready systems.
• 😀 While Geeks is great for hobbyists and those wanting to experiment, it’s not a high-demand skill for landing a job in the tech industry right now.
• 😀 A balance should be maintained between experimenting with new technologies like Geeks and mastering the mainstream tools used in enterprise environments (e.g., Red Hat, Ubuntu).
• 😀 Learning technologies like Red Hat and Ubuntu are more beneficial for job seekers than delving into experimental operating systems like Geeks.
• 😀 The speaker warns against focusing too much on Geeks if your goal is to build a career in tech, as it may distract from learning more valuable skills for job readiness.
• 😀 Linux communities can be passionate, but it's important not to become too dogmatic about using niche or experimental technologies at the cost of practical skills.
• 😀 Geeks is useful for experimenting and learning, but it might not be the right choice for a professional who needs to maintain or manage production systems.
• 😀 The speaker shares an anecdote of when Linux was initially not accepted in corporate environments, showing how long it can take for new technologies to become mainstream.
• 😀 For those serious about tech careers, focusing on real-world tools (e.g., Ansible, automation, containerization) is critical, rather than dedicating too much time to tools like Geeks that aren't widely adopted in the industry yet.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The video focuses on the use of Linux, specifically discussing the Geeks (GUIX) operating system, its potential uses, and how it compares to other systems like Red Hat and Arch. It also touches on the balance between using Linux for personal interest versus professional needs.

What is the presenter’s opinion on Geeks (GUIX)?

The presenter thinks Geeks is a great idea and a cool operating system. However, they suggest that it may not be worth learning for most people, especially if they are trying to get a job in the IT industry. It is seen as more of an experimental or hobbyist project at this point.

What does the presenter recommend for people looking to get a job in the IT industry?

The presenter recommends focusing on more mainstream Linux distributions, such as Red Hat or Ubuntu, and developing foundational skills in managing and administering these systems. This is more likely to lead to job opportunities compared to learning Geeks, which is still experimental.

What was the presenter’s experience with Geeks in 2020?

In 2020, the presenter encountered Geeks at a Linux meetup, where someone demonstrated it. They were impressed by its ability to layer configurations and easily keep the system up to date, which sparked their interest.

How does the presenter describe the Linux community?

The Linux community is described as passionate, with many people having strong opinions about various aspects of Linux. While the presenter appreciates this passion, they also mention that it can sometimes be toxic when people become overly dogmatic about certain technologies or distributions.

What is the presenter’s opinion on Arch Linux?

The presenter compares Arch Linux to Geeks, noting that both are not easy to learn. While Arch requires significant effort to understand, it teaches valuable skills, similar to what Geeks offers. However, both are considered better suited for advanced users or hobbyists rather than people seeking professional IT careers.

What does the presenter think about the corporate involvement in the Linux community?

The presenter acknowledges that corporate involvement in the Linux community has led to both positive and negative outcomes. While they agree that some corporate interests have negatively impacted the community, they also recognize that such involvement has brought about significant benefits.

Why does the presenter suggest that Geeks may not be worth learning for most people?

The presenter suggests that Geeks is not worth learning for most people because it is still a niche, experimental system. For most people, focusing on more widely used technologies such as Red Hat or Ubuntu will offer better career opportunities and practical skills for job readiness.

What does the presenter say about the timeline of emerging technologies like Geeks?

The presenter mentions that it takes around 10 years for bleeding-edge technologies like Geeks to become mainstream. They suggest that while Geeks is an exciting technology, it may not be practical to focus on it for career advancement in the short term.

How does the presenter balance their personal interests with professional development?

The presenter highlights the need to balance personal interests with professional development. They admit to enjoying exploring new technologies like Geeks but emphasize that their main priority is acquiring the skills needed for their job, such as mastering tools like Ansible playbooks, as this is crucial for career success and financial stability.