Guix vs GuixSD

[myglc2]

I hope to switch my home servers from Debian 8 to NixOS or GuixSD.  Once
that is working, I hope to convince the system managers at work to
install Nix or Guix.

I started experimenting with Nix and NixOS 6 weeks ago. 3 weeks ago I
switched my focus to Guix and installed guixSD on one of my servers.

I found it difficult to determine exactly which parts of the volumminous
(and tasty) Guix doc to read and how best to apply GuixSD. FWIW, I
experienced the same difficulty with Nix/NixOS.

To clarify my thoughts, I made a diagram (guix-ov) to illustrate Guix
features that are important to me:

1) Auditable flow of free software from developer site to user
   environment

2) Automated local package builds

3) Pre-built packages from Hydra

4) The potential of an identical Guix user environment everywhere

I intended to show the differences between Guix and GuixSD. But frankly,
looking at diagram guix-ov, they seem more alike than not. I think this
contributed to my difficulty in figuring out GuixSD. So, made a second
diagram (guix-ov2) that I think ...

- shows clearly the difference and relationship between Guix and GuixSD

- is more modular in appearance and easier to understand

- is more descriptive of how the software works

- is better aligned with the doc

- illustrates the distinction between user and system environments

In short, I think diagram guix-ov2 is a more informative way to explain
the Guix-verse.

I know guix-ov2 does not match the way Guix and GuixSD are currently
described. But I believe that if you describe things this way it will be
easier for new users to understand and apply Guix and GuixSD.

Sidebar:

At the moment, the GNU Guix web site focuses mostly on GuixSD. But to
test drive Guix, a user must first decide what to download. Perhaps one
of these diagrams (with suitable prettyfication) could help a user
decide what to download.

guix-ov2.dot
Description: Binary data

guix-ov2.png
Description: PNG image

guix-ov.dot
Description: Binary data

guix-ov.png
Description: PNG image