Re: [gentoo-dev] Attracting developers (Re: Packages up for grabs...)

[Jeroen Roovers]

On Sun, 16 Dec 2012 14:14:49 -0500
Michael Mol <mikemol@×××××.com> wrote:

> I face funroll-loops references and worse almost every time I bring up
> Gentoo among a different group of Linux-familiar technical people.
> There are still *very* strong prejudices against Gentoo in most places

Comparing Gentoo to "binary" Linux distros is simply using the wrong
analogy. I use Gentoo/Linux the way other people use some BSD with
ports - this is where Gentoo stands out, and compiler flags have little
to do with it. Build time configuration does. You pick a development
base, build and install packages you want on top of that, and you end
up running a stable system for years that is relatively easy to patch
up as and when needed.

The difference between many other ports-like distros and Gentoo is that
it is usually very well possible to do rolling upgrades and we make
that difference by ensuring a neverending progression from unstable to
stable, instead of calling a freeze every so often and picking up new
developments for future "stable" releases.

> I've brought it up. But when I bring it up, and I argue against those
> funroll-loops references, one or two people come out of lurking and
> admit that they use it...and it's a surprise to people around them.

There you go! Just explain that compiler optimisation is not the reason
you use it. Then you should have their attention and you can start to
explain the actual reasons you use it. It may make them feel rather
stupid about the "plonk in the CD and roll with it" attitude that they
must have picked up from some antiquated locked-down distro[1]. :)

> I've started describing it as a "coming out of the closet" experience
> for a reason... There's a _serious_ reputation issue that Gentoo still
> hasn't completely sloughed off...which is incredibly sad.

The same reputation issue that FreeBSD and OpenBSD have, no doubt.

> :wq

There is an app for that:
alias :wq='echo "OK, I quit!"'


     jer


[1] Heck, nowadays even Windows and Mac OS X support several ports-like
    source-based software distros, despite sandboxed, walled-gardened
    "app stores" for people who find it easier to pay for stuff than to
    wonder how to get the software they need for free. And that's
    entirely fair: it's a design/implementation decision everyone has
    to make according to their own needs, expectations, limitations and
    experience.