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TIL about GoboLinux. This is a cool idea.
As a long time Linux user, I've always found the file system layout to be a bit esoteric.
What are the criticisms?
The main one that I'm aware of is that Gobo relies on a lot of symlinks to make their folder structure work. The traditional hierarchy is still there because a lot of programs have been designed around it. It's just hidden.
TIL as well. Biggest disadvantage for me would be not having ~/.config for easy access to most of my config files. ~/.cache is pretty convenient too. My ideal filesystem layout might include these directories but combine the program root directories into one.
The structure of GoboLinux reminds me a lot of Flatpak.
Is the home folder structure different on gobo as well? I never used it so i don't know but on NixOS and Guix for example only the root file system is different, your home folder is like any other distro.
~] cd /
/] ls
Programs
Users
System
Data
Mount
very macOS-like, wish this would take over. am a convert from that side of the fence and tried a decade or so ago to reform linux by way of symlinks to something similar to this but gave up after a reinstall or two, too much hassle. just like CMD-C/V, relearned the new way.
Also very windows like, aside from Mount.
If you want different programs to have their own file structure, there's always NixOS. It's not as readable, but every package has its own directory in /nix/store.
"This small thing does low-level thing different. Try huge pile of things instead."
That's like a vegan reommending Islam instead of eating meat.
Ehhh... I was more going for someone saying they like vegan foods and responding with "ooh, have you tried this recipe?".
Just shove everything into /opt, all the big professional companies are doing it! They'd never take shortcuts, right?
Oh wait
I read the link
Gobo Linux just turns / into /opt
weird grab bag
You don't mention whether that is adherence to the FHS or denial of it.
One of those options is, to be clear, violating a standard.
Listen, everyone knows all configs go in /etc/etc/etc. User-configs included.
First time I hear about Gobolinux. A quick websearch for comparison between Nix and Gobolinux brought me this article from 2011: https://sandervanderburg.blogspot.com/2011/12/evaluation-and-comparison-of-gobolinux.html . An interesting system.
Gobolinux is interesting for sure. I kinda feels similar to nix and guix, but more primitive if that makes sense.
this post was submitted on 22 Mar 2026
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