Consus wrote:
> On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 08:51:57PM +0200, Ralph Seichter wrote:
>> You can choose between learning more about the Linux kernel (it is not
>> a Gentoo-specific subject) or opt to go with Genkernel instead.
> I'm getting paid for writing Linux Kernel code. Still, manual
> configuration in 2020 is not not necessary until you're doing something
> tricky. Especially when you use Gentoo as your daily driver.
>
>

I started using Gentoo back in 2003.  Before that, I used Mandrake for a
few months, got tired of the init thingy and the rpm dependency
problems.  I went from someone who knew almost nothing about Linux in
general, zero experience with Gentoo, to having to configure the kernel
by hand and make it run.  It took a couple tries to get one to boot. 
Then it took a few times to get one where everything was working.  Since
then, I've configured dozens of kernels with almost all of them booting
and working the first time.  It isn't that hard.  It can't be if I can
do it with such success.

Part of using Gentoo is controlling a whole lot of things by hand.  You
config and compile your own kernel, you config packages with USE flags
and other settings and then compile your own software.  It's what Gentoo
is all about.  If one only wants to use binaries like binary based
distros, then those distros may be a better fit.  While Gentoo does have
some tools to help newcomers, I've found them to be more of a hindrance
than a help.  As some know, I seek help here quite often but I also
learn something too.  Getting that to stick in this old brain is my
problem.  lol  At times I am able to help someone else with what I've
learned as well.  Gentoo requires learning.  It does very little to hold
your hand like other binary distros.

Over the last several years I've seen this Gentoo dying question.  As
someone else pointed out, we're still here, warts and all.  Yea, -dev
gets lively when someone steps on the toes of another dev but isn't that
true about anywhere?  Gentoo is somewhat of a niche distro.  It's for
people who want to be able to configure their system the way they want
it not what someone unknown dev somewhere likes.  That requires
attention and learning, the latter the most important but both are
important since things are always changing.

Gentoo has issues but I don't see it dying.  I suspect in a year or two
this question will pop up again.  ;-)

Dale

:-)  :-)