My home server has been running alpine for a while now. I'm always delighted with how simple and robust it is. Not that this is probably recommended, but I have a cron script that checks for upgradable packages every night and automatically installs them. It has always been seamless. My family uses this server throughout the day, and the only daytime down-time has been due to power outages. (In some way the reliability is an issue because it enables me being lazy with backup testing).
For a little home-server, I am in love with the KISS-ness of Alpine.
It gets attention in headless, but I've come to enjoy it on desktop as well. I've even got it on a Steam Deck and it's... 90% great. I do need to swap the kernel because the default one disables some modules (mostly the built in audio), but it's been surprisingly nice.
Agreed. It beats Arch and Void hands down IMO when I was looking for a no fuss simple and minimalist yet up to date and secure system after Slackware lost its way.
Can you to into more detail on your Steam Deck setup? I have a MSI Claw running Bazzite and I would love to look at some different options, especially Alpine.
It's really nothing special. Normal install, add KDE, in my case add flatpak (and associated portal, etc.) to run Steam, and I think I had to add sc-controller from testing/edge which you're maybe not supposed to do but it works and it's useful for mapping the controls. I can do a more detailed write up if it'd help but it really isn't that different from any other x86_64+UEFI machine. I will strongly suggest just wiping and repartitioning the whole disk; I tried to keep the SteamOS home filesystem intact and that just made things way harder than they needed to be.
We’re also on Alpine for our home server, and it’s been great. The major issue is that I refuse to use systemd, and therefore miss out on a lot of ‘assumed simplicity’ from projects that depend on it. I’m always having to find a work-around to do something that could’ve been easy. But the init and service system of Alpine is great to use compared to the systemd can of worms.
For a little home-server, I am in love with the KISS-ness of Alpine.