Difference between revisions of "927: Standards"

Explain xkcd: It's 'cause you're dumb.
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{{comic
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diff --git a/os.md b/os.md
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| number    = 927
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@@ -2,43 +2,111 @@
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| date      = July 20, 2011
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| title    = Standards
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[![A three panel comic strip from xkcd. It's titled "How Standards Proliferate" with a subheading of "See: A/C chargers, character encodings, instant messaging, etc." The first panel says "Situation: there are 14 competing standards." The second panel features two stick figures talking to one another, a man on the left and a woman on the right. The man says to the woman, "14?! Ridiculous! We need to develop one universal standard that covers everyone's use cases." The woman replies, "Yeah!" The third panel has a box in the top left hand corner that says, "Soon:", and the main text says, "Situation: There are 15 competing standards." ](/images/xkcd-standards.6975f55c09cec9a24ccb0185707d56892b881f9b1157c3e6d7ff61554d91ba94.2.png)](/images/xkcd-standards.6975f55c09cec9a24ccb0185707d56892b881f9b1157c3e6d7ff61554d91ba94.2.png)
−
| image    = standards.png
+
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| titletext = Fortunately, the charging one has been solved now that we've all standardized on mini-USB. Or is it micro-USB? Shit.
+
-The above [xkcd comic](https://xkcd.com/927/) illustrates a particular
−
}}
+
-mindset that is responsible for the wealth of Linux distributions
−
 
+
-targeted at users new to the platform. Given this, I don't have a
−
==Explanation==
+
-one-size-fits-all recommendation; each user has different needs, so
−
For any engineering task, there are numerous ways a given problem can be solved. The more complex the task, the more room for diversity. That's all well and good for a one-off problem, but if a design is meant to be iterated over time, or if an entire industry is solving that same problem, part reuse and {{w|interoperability}} become issues to deal with. {{w|Technical standards}} thus came to exist so that industries could avoid wasting resources {{w|reinventing the wheel}}, whilst offering their clients a certain amount of simplicity and compatibility between vendors.
+
-pigeonholing is counterproductive. For instance, someone that feels more
−
 
+
-comfortable with an interface akin to macOS could have a bad time with
−
But standards have issues of their own. They don't accommodate every {{w|Use Case|use case}}, they might have restrictions or royalties attached, and people tend to be plagued by ''{{w|Not invented here|Not Invented Here syndrome}}''. So competing standards have a tendency to arise to address different perceived needs. After a while, the market for competing standards gets messy and hard to follow, and {{w|system integration|integrating systems}} built around competing standards gets burdensome. As a result, someone eventually takes on the challenge of creating a universal standard that everyone can rally around.
+
-[Linux Mint](https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php), even though Linux
−
 
+
-Mint is a great OS for many people.
−
This almost never works. In many cases, a new standard fails to displace the incumbent standards, eventually loses funding and support, and thus becomes a relic of history. In many other cases, it only penetrates far enough to survive, ironically making the situation messier. The latter situation often ends up becoming cyclical, with new standards periodically rising and failing to gain traction.
+
+The above [xkcd comic](https://xkcd.com/927/) illustrates the
−
 
+
+difficulties of creating a universal standard, and why it often only
−
Three examples are given at the top of the comic: {{w|AC adapter|AC chargers}}, {{w|character encoding}} and {{w|instant messaging}}.  
+
+results in yet another competing standard instead. This is a broadly
−
* Power adapters are notorious for varying from device to device - partly to try to prevent dangerous voltage/current mismatches, but partly just because manufacturers all chose different adapter designs. In 2011, Mobile phone chargers had mostly converged on a common USB-based solution, but laptop charging remained still a long way out, despite the adoption of yet another standard, {{w|IEC 62700}}, and Apple mobile devices generally used proprietary Lightning connectors (However that is changing because of European law). Randall notes that there was additional complexity due to the fact that there were also ''competing USB types''; thanks to the European Union's {{w|common external power supply}} specification, micro-USB then won the day. In August 2014, the {{w|USB Type-C}} specification was published and started to displace micro-USB; it gained ground among laptop manufacturers as well. From 2021 to 2022, the EU successfully legislated for its {{w|USB-C#Regulations for compatibility|common use}}.
+
+applicable lesson that explains the wide array of open source operating
−
* Character encoding is, in theory, a solved problem - {{w|Unicode}} is a standard for character sets which currently includes over 135,000 characters. However, Unicode is not an encoding, just an abstract representation of the characters, and there are several implementations which encode Unicode "code points" into usable characters (including the two most common, {{w|UTF-8}} and {{w|UTF-16}}). Despite the [https://w3techs.com/technologies/history_overview/character_encoding/ms/y success of UTF-8 Unicode], older encodings like {{w|Windows-1252}} have stuck around, continuing to cause weird bugs in old software and websites to this day.
+
+systems available today.
−
* Unlike the other examples, there has been little or no effort by instant messaging companies to make their services interoperable. There's more value to keeping IM as a {{w|closed platform}} so users are forced to use the company's software to access it. Some software, like the {{w|Trillian (software)|Trillian}} chat client, can connect to multiple different services, but there is essentially no way to, for example, send a Twitter message directly to a Skype user. ActivityPub is an example of a standard intended to be universal, so any software using it for instant messaging can be 'federated' with each other, but as the comic points out, all this has led to is yet another competing standard.
+
−
 
+
-However, I'll share a quiz I find helpful, as well as what works for
−
The title text mentions mini-USB and micro-USB, which were different standards used in 2011. As of 2019 for most applications of small USB ports (especially for charging / connecting cell phones), mini USB has lost most of its relevance and micro USB is competing with USB-C, as well as some solutions only used by single companies (such as Apple). As of 2023, Apple has also switched entirely to USB-C after pressures from the European Union.
+
-me.
−
 
+
+One of the most common experiences that someone exploring alternative
−
Not all {{w|technical standards|standards}} are created equal. In the development of {{w|technical standards|standards}}, private standards adopt a non-consensus process in comparison to voluntary consensus standards. Private standards in the {{w|Information and Communications Technology}} (ICT) sector and the agri-food industry (governed by the {{w|Global Food Safety Initiative}}) are discussed in a [https://docplayer.net/23885374-International-standards-and-private-standards.html publication from International Organization for Standardization.]
+
+operating systems on their own may encounter is a feeling of being
−
 
+
+overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice available. While I have no
−
==Transcript==
+
+real solution for this feeling, I hope that my own "best of kind" list
−
:[Caption above the panels:]
+
+can be useful regardless.
−
:How Standards Proliferate
+
−
:(See: A/C chargers, character encodings, instant messaging, etc.)
+
-## Generate recommendations from a quiz
−
 
+
+Before my recommendations, here are a couple of resources that I find
−
:[A text-only panel.]
+
+helpful:
−
:Situation:
+
−
:There are 14 competing standards.
+
-Check out [LibreHunt](https://librehunt.org/). LibreHunt does a good job
−
 
+
-of explaining the merits of FLOSS and suggests Linux distributions based
−
:[Cueball and Ponytail stand facing each other.]
+
-on how the questionnaire is answered.
−
:Cueball: 14?! Ridiculous! We need to develop one universal standard that covers everyone's use cases.
+
+- [Librehunt](https://librehunt.org/)
−
:Ponytail: Yeah!
+
+- [Distrowatch](https://distrowatch.com/)
−
 
+
−
:[Another text-only panel. The word "Soon:" appears in its own box at the upper left of the panel.]
+
-## What I use
−
:Soon:
+
+## User friendly and just works
−
:Situation:
+
−
:There are 15 competing standards.
+
-I like OpenBSD. See ["Why OpenBSD?"](/why-openbsd.html) for more details.
−
 
+
+There are many options in this space, but a great all-around pick that I
−
{{comic discussion}}
+
+always fall back to is [Linux Mint](https://linuxmint.com/). The
−
 
+
+Cinnamon edition stands out in particular, as it's user friendly and
−
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
+
+feels polished, yet it also empowers the user. The large, helpful
−
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
+
+community is exactly what someone new to Linux will appreciate. I feel
 +
+confident pointing to Linux Mint for this use case, as it showcases the
 +
+unique strengths of Linux in an accessible way to new users.
 +
 +
-## Other devices to liberate
 +
+## Innovative and for power users
 +
 +
-### Smartphone
 +
+[Fedora](https://fedoraproject.org/) is backed by Red Hat, the largest
 +
+Linux company in the world. It offers many compelling features out of
 +
+the box, such as the SELinux mandatory access control system and the
 +
+copy-on-write filesystem known as btrfs. If taking advantage of new
 +
+Linux features and keeping a finger on its pulse is important to you,
 +
+Fedora is a sensible choice.
 +
 +
-It's best to use a privacy respecting OS here, too.
 +
-[GrapheneOS](https://grapheneos.org/) is what I use, although
 +
-[LineageOS](https://www.lineageos.org/) supports a wider range of
 +
-hardware.
 +
+## Reasonably secure and paranoid
 +
 +
-### Router
 +
+[Qubes OS](https://www.qubes-os.org) is a security-oriented operating
 +
+system designed to separate different aspects of your digital life into
 +
+virtual machines, also called qubes. The idea is to compartmentalize
 +
+everything so that if one qube is compromised, the rest of the system
 +
+won't be affected. Qubes OS integrates [Whonix](https://www.whonix.org/)
 +
+which is a huge win for privacy. I highly recommend it to anyone that
 +
+prioritizes the security of their machine above all else.
 +
 +
-A router is a computer too. Proprietary consumer firmware isn't
 +
-exceedingly capable, nor is it secure. DD-WRT, OpenWRT, pfSense, and
 +
-OpenBSD are all much better options. If flashing firmware onto a
 +
-consumer router, use Ethernet and take the appropriate precautions.
 +
+## Run the latest software and do it your way
 +
 +
-Check out [Building an OpenBSD router](/openbsd-router.html) for more
 +
-information on how I approach it.
 +
+[Arch](https://archlinux.org/) is often the first advanced Linux
 +
+distribution that people try. A distribution installed from the
 +
+command-line, Arch aims to provide the newest releases of software in
 +
+its repositories. The Arch wiki is an excellent source of information
 +
+and a massive selection of software can be installed via the Arch User
 +
+Repository (AUR). Arch offers a middle ground between customization and
 +
+practicality that many people appreciate.
 +
+
 +
+## Customize everything and learn a lot about Linux
 +
+
 +
+[Gentoo](https://www.gentoo.org/) prioritizes extensive customization
 +
+and choice. Portage (Gentoo's package management system) exposes a
 +
+wealth of options to the user, allowing them to easily adjust the
 +
+compile time options of software they install through something called
 +
+"USE flags." In addition, components like the system logger and init
 +
+system are chosen during the installation process, which also takes
 +
+place at the command-line. Gentoo's wiki and its knowledgeable yet
 +
+friendly community make it one of the best ways to learn about the deep
 +
+inner workings of Linux.
 +
+
 +
+## The minimal Unix-like cousin of Arch
 +
+
 +
+[Void](https://voidlinux.org/) falls somewhere between Arch and Gentoo
 +
+in my eyes. It feels more Unix-like than Arch, yet it doesn't lean as
 +
+strongly into customization as Gentoo. Void's package manager (xbps),
 +
+init system (runit), and alternative libc support (musl) are major
 +
+selling points of the distribution. In general, I can see the logic
 +
+behind many of the decisions and design choices that the project makes.
 +
+For example, I think mandoc is an excellent manual page system, and Void
 +
+uses it by default.
 +
+
 +
+## Simple, stable, and follows the Unix philosophy
 +
+
 +
+[OpenBSD](https://www.openbsd.org/) is a BSD system that has a strong
 +
+focus on security, portability, simplicity, and correctness. OpenBSD
 +
+features some of the best documentation of any project I've used, and it
 +
+introduced me to a lot of software that I still admire to this day. For
 +
+me, it's unmatched on the server side due to OpenBSD's simplicity and
 +
+secure by default approach. Development moves in a more deliberate,
 +
+controlled manner compared to Linux, which moves rapidly and more
 +
+chaotically. [Here are some more of my thoughts on
 +
+OpenBSD](/why-openbsd.html).
 +
+
 +
+## A secure mobile operating system
 +
+
 +
+[GrapheneOS](https://grapheneos.org/) is a privacy and security focused
 +
+version of Android, specifically for Google Pixel devices due to the
 +
+merits of that hardware. Some of the unique advantages of GrapheneOS are
 +
+sandboxed Google Play services, extensive system hardening, and secure
 +
+replacement applications. In terms of mobile operating systems, I know
 +
+of nothing more secure.
 +
+
 +
+## Reproducible, declaratively built OS
 +
+
 +
+[NixOS](https://nixos.org) presents a different method of system
 +
+management: describing your desired system in a configuration file and
 +
+then issuing a single command to build it. There are definite advantages
 +
+to this approach and [I've written more about NixOS
 +
+here](/nixos-pros-cons.html).

Revision as of 16:05, 1 January 2026

diff --git a/os.md b/os.md @@ -2,43 +2,111 @@ 

[![A three panel comic strip from xkcd. It's titled "How Standards Proliferate" with a subheading of "See: A/C chargers, character encodings, instant messaging, etc." The first panel says "Situation: there are 14 competing standards." The second panel features two stick figures talking to one another, a man on the left and a woman on the right. The man says to the woman, "14?! Ridiculous! We need to develop one universal standard that covers everyone's use cases." The woman replies, "Yeah!" The third panel has a box in the top left hand corner that says, "Soon:", and the main text says, "Situation: There are 15 competing standards." ](/images/xkcd-standards.6975f55c09cec9a24ccb0185707d56892b881f9b1157c3e6d7ff61554d91ba94.2.png)](/images/xkcd-standards.6975f55c09cec9a24ccb0185707d56892b881f9b1157c3e6d7ff61554d91ba94.2.png)

-The above [xkcd comic](https://xkcd.com/927/) illustrates a particular -mindset that is responsible for the wealth of Linux distributions -targeted at users new to the platform. Given this, I don't have a -one-size-fits-all recommendation; each user has different needs, so -pigeonholing is counterproductive. For instance, someone that feels more -comfortable with an interface akin to macOS could have a bad time with -[Linux Mint](https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php), even though Linux -Mint is a great OS for many people. +The above [xkcd comic](https://xkcd.com/927/) illustrates the +difficulties of creating a universal standard, and why it often only +results in yet another competing standard instead. This is a broadly +applicable lesson that explains the wide array of open source operating +systems available today.

-However, I'll share a quiz I find helpful, as well as what works for -me. +One of the most common experiences that someone exploring alternative +operating systems on their own may encounter is a feeling of being +overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice available. While I have no +real solution for this feeling, I hope that my own "best of kind" list +can be useful regardless.

-## Generate recommendations from a quiz +Before my recommendations, here are a couple of resources that I find +helpful:

-Check out [LibreHunt](https://librehunt.org/). LibreHunt does a good job -of explaining the merits of FLOSS and suggests Linux distributions based -on how the questionnaire is answered. +- [Librehunt](https://librehunt.org/) +- [Distrowatch](https://distrowatch.com/)

-## What I use +## User friendly and just works

-I like OpenBSD. See ["Why OpenBSD?"](/why-openbsd.html) for more details. +There are many options in this space, but a great all-around pick that I +always fall back to is [Linux Mint](https://linuxmint.com/). The +Cinnamon edition stands out in particular, as it's user friendly and +feels polished, yet it also empowers the user. The large, helpful +community is exactly what someone new to Linux will appreciate. I feel +confident pointing to Linux Mint for this use case, as it showcases the +unique strengths of Linux in an accessible way to new users.

-## Other devices to liberate +## Innovative and for power users

-### Smartphone +[Fedora](https://fedoraproject.org/) is backed by Red Hat, the largest +Linux company in the world. It offers many compelling features out of +the box, such as the SELinux mandatory access control system and the +copy-on-write filesystem known as btrfs. If taking advantage of new +Linux features and keeping a finger on its pulse is important to you, +Fedora is a sensible choice.

-It's best to use a privacy respecting OS here, too. -[GrapheneOS](https://grapheneos.org/) is what I use, although -[LineageOS](https://www.lineageos.org/) supports a wider range of -hardware. +## Reasonably secure and paranoid

-### Router +[Qubes OS](https://www.qubes-os.org) is a security-oriented operating +system designed to separate different aspects of your digital life into +virtual machines, also called qubes. The idea is to compartmentalize +everything so that if one qube is compromised, the rest of the system +won't be affected. Qubes OS integrates [Whonix](https://www.whonix.org/) +which is a huge win for privacy. I highly recommend it to anyone that +prioritizes the security of their machine above all else.

-A router is a computer too. Proprietary consumer firmware isn't -exceedingly capable, nor is it secure. DD-WRT, OpenWRT, pfSense, and -OpenBSD are all much better options. If flashing firmware onto a -consumer router, use Ethernet and take the appropriate precautions. +## Run the latest software and do it your way

-Check out [Building an OpenBSD router](/openbsd-router.html) for more -information on how I approach it. +[Arch](https://archlinux.org/) is often the first advanced Linux +distribution that people try. A distribution installed from the +command-line, Arch aims to provide the newest releases of software in +its repositories. The Arch wiki is an excellent source of information +and a massive selection of software can be installed via the Arch User +Repository (AUR). Arch offers a middle ground between customization and +practicality that many people appreciate. + +## Customize everything and learn a lot about Linux + +[Gentoo](https://www.gentoo.org/) prioritizes extensive customization +and choice. Portage (Gentoo's package management system) exposes a +wealth of options to the user, allowing them to easily adjust the +compile time options of software they install through something called +"USE flags." In addition, components like the system logger and init +system are chosen during the installation process, which also takes +place at the command-line. Gentoo's wiki and its knowledgeable yet +friendly community make it one of the best ways to learn about the deep +inner workings of Linux. + +## The minimal Unix-like cousin of Arch + +[Void](https://voidlinux.org/) falls somewhere between Arch and Gentoo +in my eyes. It feels more Unix-like than Arch, yet it doesn't lean as +strongly into customization as Gentoo. Void's package manager (xbps), +init system (runit), and alternative libc support (musl) are major +selling points of the distribution. In general, I can see the logic +behind many of the decisions and design choices that the project makes. +For example, I think mandoc is an excellent manual page system, and Void +uses it by default. + +## Simple, stable, and follows the Unix philosophy + +[OpenBSD](https://www.openbsd.org/) is a BSD system that has a strong +focus on security, portability, simplicity, and correctness. OpenBSD +features some of the best documentation of any project I've used, and it +introduced me to a lot of software that I still admire to this day. For +me, it's unmatched on the server side due to OpenBSD's simplicity and +secure by default approach. Development moves in a more deliberate, +controlled manner compared to Linux, which moves rapidly and more +chaotically. [Here are some more of my thoughts on +OpenBSD](/why-openbsd.html). + +## A secure mobile operating system + +[GrapheneOS](https://grapheneos.org/) is a privacy and security focused +version of Android, specifically for Google Pixel devices due to the +merits of that hardware. Some of the unique advantages of GrapheneOS are +sandboxed Google Play services, extensive system hardening, and secure +replacement applications. In terms of mobile operating systems, I know +of nothing more secure. + +## Reproducible, declaratively built OS + +[NixOS](https://nixos.org) presents a different method of system +management: describing your desired system in a configuration file and +then issuing a single command to build it. There are definite advantages +to this approach and [I've written more about NixOS +here](/nixos-pros-cons.html).

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