this post was submitted on 27 Sep 2026
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I've been working with Linux since 1.1.98, I think, 1.2.13 for sure. That's probably 32 years.
I've built kernels for enterprise distribution as part of a build group. I've worked to secure our distribution. I've led the security response team.
I've never run gentoo.
You think I should ?
If you are happy with the distributions you use, there is no need to try Gentoo.
In my opinion, as a Gentoo user for the last 20 years, Gentoo is the most flexible distribution there is. Gentoo can be as stable as Debian or it can be as (or even more) cutting edge as Arch. Or it can be anything in between and you can even mix and match as you like.
The cost you pay for that flexibility is the compile time it takes to build the packages. And Gentoo is even providing you with prebuilt binaries for a very large amount of packages.
Not sure if youβd gain all that much with your level of experience. LFS might be a better starting point. However, after suggesting doing a stage 2 to a few that were eager to learn more (even though theyβd been using it for a very long time), it was generally a positive experience. If you go through the guide Iβm sure youβd be able to tell quickly whether it would be useful.
Honestly as a not-used-Gentoo person recklessly throwing around my opinion on the internet...
It sounds like either it can be "Really optimized and crazy performant if you know what you're doing."
Or "It's a fun hobby because you think operating systems are fun."
Personally it seems cool except I think I'd start to burn out fast if every package install means having to read compilation instructions and edit configs.
Maybe because my experience compiling stuff is always like "What's your problem this time?! Okay where do I find that package version?!"
EDIT: I love all the educational, reassuring, and enthusiastic responses. This is what makes Linux cool. :D I should give Gentoo a try...
Package install doesn't mean you have to read compilation instructions and edit configs. Usually you just install like in any other distro. (Except it takes a bit longer to finish.)
That's actually pretty reassuring! I was under the impression it was a huge flex haha. I'm curious how much practical speed you gain from compiling everything to your specific architecture. π€
It depends. You also have to decide if you want to use LTO or PGO or similar techniques to further boost performance (but massively impacting compile time).
Generally Gentoo 'feels' smoother than other distributions. And I had an old netbook that used to be unable to play HD content on Ubuntu and the like, but HD content worked smoothly on Gentoo.
Nah, it's not that bad. You don't need to optimize the living hell out of it and they also have some ready-made binary packages. Plus you can also use flatpak for instance to make your life easier.
Sounds pretty rad actually if one is packing a halfway decent processor! :) Thanks for enlightening us!
You're right, I've learned to love flatpaks for certain things. The sandboxing can be a little reassuring and I'll definitely reach for it if I'm getting dependency-hell from a core package and just "Need it to work without spending a weekend on it." :p
Flatpak is toxic to iso27002 and SLSA, though.
@MonkeMischief @corsicanguppy portage tree already conains all instructions and follows automaticly. You optionally may override options with use flags unlike binary distros where you only can use default configuration
Ah that's really cool! Sounds a lot more approachable than I thought. I've always heard it talked about like a flex distro for after somebody graduates from "installed Arch, no-installer" academy. :p
(Another thing I need to try again. First time failed hahaha.)
I have somewhat similar experience (with far more recent kernels tho, 2.6 and newer) gentoo has some gentoo specific things, it won't really teach you a lot when you have a certain level of knowledge, and how most parts interface with each other. It's a fun exercise if you have time.
You should be at the point where you just want simply and easy. Because you have reached the point "I'm tired Boss. So tired." When it comes to an OS.
So maybe Mint or a Fedora Atomic spin.
I'd do Atomic but it's a bipolar source of truth, which violates iso27002.
Good with either enterprise or fedora, thanks!