Episode 11: NixOS: The Distro That Thinks Code

Eric Hendricks — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

For many Linux users, configuration means dotfiles, bash scripts, and duct tape. But what if your entire system, from packages to users to services could be described, versioned, and rolled back like code?

In this episode of The IT Guy Show, Eric is joined by Aaron Honeycutt to demystify NixOS, the declarative, reproducible Linux distribution that’s changing how people think about system configuration. We’ll cover what makes NixOS different, how to get started without pulling your hair out, and how this distro fits into modern DevOps, home lab, and desktop workflows.

If you’ve ever heard the term “declarative infrastructure” and wondered what it actually looks like in practice, this is your chance to find out.

Welcome to The IT Guy Show, your go-to destination for all things tech with Eric, your friendly neighborhood IT guy! Join Eric as he shares his wealth of knowledge, insights, and experiences gained from years of working in the IT industry. From troubleshooting common tech issues to exploring the latest trends and innovations, each episode is packed with practical tips, skilled advice, and engaging discussions.

Connect with me! https://linktr.ee/itguyeric
Join our:
Discord: https://itguyeric.com/discord
Matrix: https://matrix.to/#/#podcast-itguyeric:matrix.org

Connect with Aaron: https://aaron.honeycutt.family
Inside a NixOS Homelab: Real-World Walkthrough with Aaron Honeycutt
https://youtu.be/pQTiucyjIjc

NixOS: https://nixos.org
NixOS Discord: https://discord.com/invite/RbvHtGa
Medium - What is Nix / NixOS: https://medium.com/@Erik_Krieg/what-is-nix-nixos-aab5610f0d7f

Chapters:
00:00 Stream Start
00:15 Welcome
01:05 Aaron Honeycutt
02:23 What is NixOS
04:14 How is it different?
06:20 What’s the learning curve?
12:20 Contributing to NixOS
16:59 The Future
23:38 Outro

Graphics and bumpers by Free Hive Agency
Photo by Malachi Brooks on Unsplash

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Episode 9: Lomiri - The Linux Shell That Goes Anywhere

Eric Hendricks — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

What if your desktop, tablet, and phone all spoke the same open-source language? Meet Lomiri — a fast, lightweight, and flexible user interface originally developed for Ubuntu Touch, and now maintained by the UBports community.

In this episode of The IT Guy Show, Eric is joined by Erik Mols from the Lomiri project to unpack what Lomiri is, where it came from, and how it’s carving out a unique niche in the Linux ecosystem. Whether you’re into convergence, lightweight desktops, or just love a good underdog story in tech, you’ll want to tune in.

We’ll cover the project’s history, current state, and future plans, as well as why developers and users alike should be paying more attention to alternative shells like Lomiri in a GNOME/KDE-dominated world.

Connect with me! https://linktr.ee/itguyeric
Join our:
Discord: https://itguyeric.com/discord
Matrix: https://matrix.to/#/#podcast-itguyeric:matrix.org

Erik Mols: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-mols-63b3285
OpenSource Science: https://os-sci.com/
Lomiri: https://lomiri.com
Pine64: https://pine64.org/

Chapters:
00:00 Stream start
00:15 Welcome
02:40 Erik and Erics
04:42 Erik Mols
06:21 What is Lomiri?
11:16 The Convergence Dream
23:30 Under the Hood
25:14 Open Source Education
38:10 Lomiri Bug Bounty
47:06 Wrap up

Graphics and bumpers by Free Hive Agency
Photo by Clint Patterson on Unsplash

Special Guest: Erik Mols.

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The IT Guy Show - Episodes Tagged with “Linuxdesktop”

Episode 11: NixOS: The Distro That Thinks Code

Episode 9: Lomiri - The Linux Shell That Goes Anywhere