NixOS Explained

| Jun 16, 2023| Linux

NixOS is a very different type of Linux distribution. Everything can be controlled by one file.

The Configuration

Unlike other distributions where you configure system wide programs with /etc and install programs with a package manage like APT, with NixOS EVERYTHING is done in /etc/nixos/configuration.nix or hardware specific configurations in /etc/nixos/hardware-configuration.nix

You can reference all my videos below and see my ending configuration files @ https://github.com/ChrisTitusTech/nixos-titus

A viewer of the channel also sent me this in-depth guide covering much more of NixOS including flakes and home manager. Here is that article: https://thiscute.world/en/posts/nixos-and-flake-basics - which is a great resource as well!

Install and Config Videos

First Time Install: https://youtu.be/_Z32SYFbxpw

Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 - NixOS Overview
  • 00:04:05 - Finding Packages to use before install
  • 00:17:26 - Install Begins
  • 00:23:46 - Manual Partitioning
  • 00:34:24 - Generating Our Configuration File for Install
  • 00:39:49 - Finishing Install from ISO
  • 00:40:58 - First Boot
  • 00:41:39 - Login and user setup
  • 00:42:07 - SetFont problems
  • 00:43:28 - Figuring out Installing Packages
  • 00:46:20 - mounting backup drive
  • 00:47:29 - Grabing Backup Packagelist
  • 00:50:24 - Installing ALL the Packages 1000+
  • 00:55:01 - Understanding PATHS and proper XDG Paths
  • 01:02:02 - Install Done - Reboot
  • 01:03:19 - Adding a Desktop Session
  • 01:05:10 - Nix Handles Services VERY Differently
  • 01:07:38 - Fixing permissions on mounted external home
  • 01:09:35 - You can NOT change stuff in /etc
  • 01:21:02 - Cloning DWM Setup
  • 01:22:26 - Titus is dogwater at using elinks
  • 01:27:02 - Wierd NixOS package names
  • 01:31:12 - MINDBLOWING NixOS Overlays
  • 01:40:51 - bin bash errors with it not existing
  • 01:48:37 - Successful Install and Recap

NixOS Configuration: https://youtu.be/IRRtk320j2A

Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 - NixOS Config Overview
  • 00:01:41 - Overall feelings about NixOS
  • 00:02:20 - Improvements with Flatpak and XDG via Config
  • 00:04:02 - Improving Configuration.nix
  • 00:04:23 - ipv6config
  • 00:05:23 - Locale
  • 00:06:16 - XServices and Display Manager Configs
  • 00:09:24 - Fonts Config
  • 00:11:07 - Polkit Config
  • 00:22:47 - Revisting Flatpak
  • 00:25:08 - Console Font Problems
  • 00:30:46 - SwayCons
  • 00:33:40 - Upgrading NixOS to New Release
  • 00:43:47 - Upgrade problems with insecure packages
  • 00:49:45 - NixOS Virtualization Setup
  • 00:51:38 - The Old Way does NOT work
  • 00:53:49 - The NixOS Way of Adding Groups
  • 00:57:01 - Adding Libvirt to NixOS
  • 01:00:17 - Finally Fixing Console Fonts
  • 01:02:00 - DaVinci Resolve in NixOS
  • 01:04:04 - Setting up Autologin in NixOS
  • 01:13:31 - DaVinci Resolve launch test
  • 01:15:19 - Next Steps and Sharing Config

NixOS SystemD TimeOut Config: https://youtu.be/1qd0iHadvdo

NixOS NFS Mounting: https://youtu.be/l7HvMM6rLNE

NixOS Gaming Setup: https://youtu.be/wpS3qIprHL0

Timestamps:

  • 00:00:00 - NixOS Gaming
  • 00:02:08 - Nix configuration changes for resolution
  • 00:03:22 - Diablo 4 problems with DWM
  • 00:07:19 - Manually changing Diablo 4 config
  • 00:12:08 - Changing Lutris Options
  • 00:16:25 - Diablo 4 initial launch
  • 00:19:26 - Unlocking vsync and fps benchmarks
  • 00:22:52 - Adding HD Packs
  • 00:26:33 - Comparing Windows vs Linux Performance in Diablo 4
  • 00:29:31 - Diablo 4 Linux Benchmark Settings
  • 00:30:03 - Diablo 4 Linux Benchmark Gameplay
  • 00:33:04 - Windows Display Issues
  • 00:34:53 - Adding Windows HD Assets
  • 00:36:43 - GRUB and Bootloaders
  • 00:38:18 - Windows Benchmarks Begins
  • 00:39:41 - Installing Windows OSD Tools
  • 00:43:19 - Windows Gameplay Benchmarks
  • 00:46:52 - Overview of Linux vs Windows Diablo 4
  • 00:50:33 - Why I do not use VMs for new installs
  • 00:51:44 - GPU Acceleration in Linux
  • 00:52:58 - The Oh Crap Moment
  • 00:55:51 - DWM the LAST Window Manager
  • 01:01:17 - Wrapping Up

Walkthrough Video

#NixOS