# Linux Purification Plan - Preface

Project location is <https://github.com/shajunxing/linux-purification-plan> , continuously evolving.

## Preface

Linux has never followed KISS. To ease my OCD, it must be purified. Why they all use absolute path? Why can't I install two standalone versions /linux1 /linux2 ? In Windows, I can put portable apps everywhere, even C compiler is portable. Xorg, Wayland, GTK, QT... these split generates multiplicative associations between layers, disaster in software engineering. Some distributions such as Nix tried to solve problem, but sadly they became even more complex.

Don't build another layer to hide the complexity. Remove the complexity at its source.

To be honest, I also dislike Windows since XP. I imagine if it can be added from [Validation OS](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/validation-os-overview) by necessary parts: network, security, direct x, get rid of everything corresponding .net dwm, and add classic shell like Win95, that's enough. But I also realized putting too much effort in is meaningless.

In my mind, a Linux system that truly belongs to me should work like this:

1. Boot from a Live CD, use simple tools to partition and format the disk if necessary, extract the core system into a single directory, and set up the bootloader. That's it. No installation required.
2. User software comes as ZIP archives, too. **Just extract and run**. At most, you might need to add its directory to PATH. In most cases, you won't even need to do that.