So Linux is fantastic because you can do anything anyway you want and very conveniently with package managers and what not... but it is a hell-hole in a basket if you have no root privileges.
Linux distros (most notably RHEL) become even more of a bother to use when companies are running EOL distros and everything is outdated.
Everything becomes extremely limited in what you can do and all the vast majority of online answers start with 'so first install dependencies with sudo yum/rpm/apt ...'
Compiling from source is the only solution, which everyone always asks 'well why would you do that?' and you need to compile... EVERYTHING from source, including a new compiler when yours is so outdated.
After compiling several programs, I had to learn about several things important information for running/compiling programs (shared libraries, etc.) which is useful, but should NOT have to be necessary.
The only real challenge when compiling things is to make sure to link the right paths and everything is just automated, it's not THAT hard, just annoying AF, so, instead of relying of root-only system-level libraries, binaries, etc., why not allow a user-first mode where a user-owned directory (under user home or maybe a new /userbin /userlib etc). Basically like each user would have their own environment separate from the system and separate from other users. Root-installed binaries would operate independently and not be affected by user binaries/libraries.
So...why would anyone want this?
Obviously this isn't for the typical Linux users. This won't be useful for most because Linux users are the minority and most of them are their only user (and therefore the superuser).
HOWEVER! This would be best suited for future linux users, such as students(using school linux accounts), or engineers working with proprietary hardware that only works in....super old linux versions (fml).
Essentially, this mode would enable future students/employees to play with the system without the hassle of going through old forums and trying to compile old software to compile newer software to compile what they need. It's pointless other than "good to know" and slows you down when you're trying to be productive.
Having a user-centric mode would also be easier for Non-Linux users to install programs and keep their environment separate from their user accounts. They would not have to worry about breaking some dependencies if by default, this user mode was enabled.
So, am I crazy?
Is this a terrible idea?
Has this already been done and I'm just unlucky?
Linux distros (most notably RHEL) become even more of a bother to use when companies are running EOL distros and everything is outdated.
Everything becomes extremely limited in what you can do and all the vast majority of online answers start with 'so first install dependencies with sudo yum/rpm/apt ...'
Compiling from source is the only solution, which everyone always asks 'well why would you do that?' and you need to compile... EVERYTHING from source, including a new compiler when yours is so outdated.
After compiling several programs, I had to learn about several things important information for running/compiling programs (shared libraries, etc.) which is useful, but should NOT have to be necessary.
The only real challenge when compiling things is to make sure to link the right paths and everything is just automated, it's not THAT hard, just annoying AF, so, instead of relying of root-only system-level libraries, binaries, etc., why not allow a user-first mode where a user-owned directory (under user home or maybe a new /userbin /userlib etc). Basically like each user would have their own environment separate from the system and separate from other users. Root-installed binaries would operate independently and not be affected by user binaries/libraries.
So...why would anyone want this?
Obviously this isn't for the typical Linux users. This won't be useful for most because Linux users are the minority and most of them are their only user (and therefore the superuser).
HOWEVER! This would be best suited for future linux users, such as students(using school linux accounts), or engineers working with proprietary hardware that only works in....super old linux versions (fml).
Essentially, this mode would enable future students/employees to play with the system without the hassle of going through old forums and trying to compile old software to compile newer software to compile what they need. It's pointless other than "good to know" and slows you down when you're trying to be productive.
Having a user-centric mode would also be easier for Non-Linux users to install programs and keep their environment separate from their user accounts. They would not have to worry about breaking some dependencies if by default, this user mode was enabled.
So, am I crazy?
Is this a terrible idea?
Has this already been done and I'm just unlucky?
