OK, so the pandemic isolation makes us hallucinate, but...

[Nyto]

...I'm dying to ask this (though I'm afraid to ask, because of the heated debates, controversy everywhere  :'(  )


Jerry and staff:
What is your take on the Systemd v/s Non-Systemd choice?
Where is LinuxLite headed as to this, and why?

[Valtam]

Haha, not going to get roped into this, we might as well debate Religion - same effect. Others are welcome, just keep it peaceful and respectful.

[Artim]

I kinda halt between two opinions on systemd.  I have read all kindsa stuff on both sides of the argument and I keep SalixOS (Slackware-based, Xfce desktop, kinda-sorta user friendly) around for when I get spooked by something else I read about systemd.

For some it's downright evil, a Master Overseer of all operations, precursor to AI and a path to a takeover of society by Robotic Overlords.  For others it's just progress, hopefully increasing efficiency.

It does, however, go against "the Unix Way:"

"Do one thing, and do it well."

One application per task, keep it simple!  I kinda like that, and it has served Linux distros well for many years.  But here's the thing:  Open-source software has a zillion contributors, all with their own good (and bad) ideas of how to make it better, faster, more efficient, whatever. Doing one thing only is not proving to be as simple and efficient as it used to.  For example, Seamonkey does what both Firefox and Thunderbird do - in a single application - yet it has thousands fewer lines of code than Firefox.  It doesn't follow "the Unix Way," yet it's simpler and faster, more efficient.

Systemd coordinates between lots of applications and processes that may be going on all at the same time.  It keeps logs so it can be used to help find out what's wrong with this-or-that, which bit of software is to blame for this-or-that problem, etc.  It oversees and coordinates.  It's huge, though.  Even bigger than the Linux kernel itself!  Like a fast-growing parasite, growing in size and reach and scope - a Master Overseer for the OS.

Do modern OSes need a Master Overseer these days?  Probably, because remember it's all open-source software with a zillion coders and maintainers for every bit of software.  It seems to me that some coordination is necessary for a seamless, efficient, and enjoyable desktop experience.  At least on up-to-date machines with up-to-date software.  Systemd-free OSes like Salix and antiX, when loaded with the same apps and desktop environment, don't seem to run any better or faster than Linux Lite anymore. 

EDITOR'S NOTE:  This post ended up in a completely unrelated thread previously, not sure how.