kae3g 9959: The Three Paths — Void, Artix, or Cosmopolitan?

Timestamp: 12025-10-10–rhizome-valley
Series: Rhizome Valley Chronicles
Category: Linux Distributions, Package Management, System Design
Reading Time: 30 minutes

"At the crossroads, three paths diverge. Each leads to the valley, but each shapes the journey differently. The Void Path: minimal, pure, elegant. The Artix Path: comprehensive, familiar, powerful. The Cosmopolitan Path: universal, portable, revolutionary. Your choice is not just technical—it's philosophical."

The Crossroads

We stand at a literal fork in the road. The Hardware Scout gestures to three distinct paths ahead, each marked by a simple signpost.

"This is where most valley expeditions fail," she says quietly. "Not because they chose the wrong path, but because they didn't understand what each path requires. Let me tell you what awaits on each one."

She points to the first path, narrow and winding through sparse terrain.

The Void Path: Minimalist Elegance

"The Void Path," she begins, "is for those who want to see the bones of the system. It's runit from 9956 built directly into the OS. It's musl libc instead of glibc—leaner, simpler, but occasionally incompatible with software expecting the standard library."

Distribution Comparison Matrix

{:void-linux
 {:init-system "runit (built-in)"
  :package-manager "xbps (source-based with xbps-src)"
  :libc "musl (lightweight)"
  :philosophy "minimal, rolling release"
  :pros ["Fast boot", "Small footprint", "Clean design"]
  :cons ["Limited packages", "musl compatibility issues"]}}

{:artix-linux  
 {:init-system "OpenRC (default) or runit/s6"
  :package-manager "pacman (Arch-based)"
  :libc "glibc (standard)"
  :philosophy "Arch without systemd"
  :pros ["Huge package base", "AUR support", "Rolling release"]
  :cons ["Complex init choice", "Arch complexity"]}}

{:cosmopolitan-libc
 {:init-system "Any (Cosmopolitan is libc, not distro)"
  :package-manager "Build once, run anywhere"
  :libc "Cosmopolitan (APE format)"
  :philosophy "Build-once, run-anywhere binaries"
  :pros ["Universal binaries", "No dependencies", "Fast startup"]
  :cons ["Limited ecosystem", "New technology"]}}

The Artix Path: Comprehensive Power

The Scout points to the second path, wider and well-traveled, with markers indicating resources and support stations along the way.

"The Artix Path gives you everything Arch Linux offers—the massive AUR repository, rolling updates, incredible documentation—but without systemd. You can choose OpenRC (from 9956), runit, or even s6 (from 9952). It's the path most valley builders choose because it doesn't make you sacrifice compatibility for philosophy."

Artix Strengths:

Familiar Arch ecosystem — If you've used Arch, you're already home
Massive package availability — AUR + official repos = nearly everything
Init system choice — OpenRC, runit, s6, or dinit
Hardware support — Excellent on Framework AMD laptops (9958)
Rolling release — Always current, no major version upgrades

"Artix," the Scout says, "is the pragmatist's choice. You want to build valley systems, not fight your OS."

The Cosmopolitan Path: Universal Portability

Finally, she points to a third path that seems to shimmer and shift, as if existing in multiple places at once.

"The Cosmopolitan Path is different. Cosmopolitan isn't a Linux distribution—it's a C library that produces APE (Actually Portable Executable) binaries. Build once, run on Linux, macOS, Windows, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, all from the same binary."

She pulls out a small executable. "This single file runs on every OS. No dependencies. No runtime. No container. Just pure, universal code."

Cosmopolitan Philosophy:

Build once, run anywhere — True platform independence
No dependencies — Self-contained executables
Fast startup — No dynamic linking overhead
Universal deployment — Same binary across all platforms
Cutting-edge — New technology, small ecosystem

"Cosmopolitan," she adds, "is for experimenters who want to rethink everything. It pairs perfectly with microkernel research and our grainhouse strategy (9960)."

The Scout's Guidance: Choose Your Path

The Scout sits on a rock at the crossroads, her eyes reflecting decades of expeditions.

For Beginners: Take the Artix Path

"If you're just starting your valley journey, take Artix with OpenRC. You'll have the Arch wiki to guide you, the AUR for packages, and a clean init system without systemd. Start here. Learn here. Then, if you want, explore the others."

Why Artix for Beginners:

Familiar tools (pacman, AUR)
Massive community support
Clear documentation
Works perfectly on Framework hardware
Doesn't fight you while you're learning everything from 9949 through 9957

For Advanced Users: Take the Void Path

"If you've mastered init systems, if you want to build from source with xbps-src, if you appreciate minimalism and are comfortable with occasional compatibility issues—Void is your home. It's what I use for embedded work. It's runit at its purest."

Why Void for Advanced:

Minimal, elegant design
Source-based packaging (learn the build process)
Perfect for understanding init systems deeply
musl libc teaches you about C standard library assumptions
Excellent for embedded/constrained systems

For Experimenters: Take the Cosmopolitan Path

"If you're pushing boundaries, researching microkernels, building the grainhouse strategy, or want your code to run literally everywhere—Cosmopolitan is calling you. But know this: it's cutting-edge. The ecosystem is small. You'll be pioneering."

Why Cosmopolitan for Experimenters:

Universal binaries (one executable, all platforms)
Perfect for microkernel research
Aligns with grainhouse philosophy (9960)
Forces you to rethink assumptions about OS dependencies
Future-proof: RISC-V support coming

The Scout's Farewell

As you prepare to choose your path, the Hardware Scout stands and places a hand on your shoulder.

"Whichever path you choose, remember: the valley welcomes all. Artix builders, Void minimalists, Cosmopolitan pioneers—we're all heading to the same place, just taking different routes. And the best part?" She smiles. "You can always switch paths later. This isn't a one-way decision. It's your first step, not your final destination."

She points down your chosen path. "Now go. The final essay awaits at the end—the grainhouse strategy that ties everything together. That's where you'll see how all these choices combine into a cohesive vision for the valley's future."

The Journey Continues

With your distro chosen and your Framework laptop ready, you're equipped for the final synthesis—the grainhouse strategy that brings together Nix, Clojure, init systems, hardware, and universal portability into one unified vision.

Next: 9960: The Grainhouse Strategy — RISC-V, Universal Binaries, and the Valley's Future

Next Writing: 9960-grainhouse-risc-v-synthesis — The Grainhouse Strategy
Previous Writing: 9958-framework-hardware-guide — Framework Laptop Selection

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—but first, you must choose your path."
— The Hardware Scout's Wisdom

Void, Artix, or Cosmopolitan: each path is valid; each teaches different lessons.

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