Rich Hughes
I'm a veteran Linux advocate with over two decades of experience, from selling Linux laptops at my computer store in the 90s to leading embedded Linux deployments for Ford's Autonomous Vehicle and Smart Infrastructure program. After overcoming significant health challenges, I now run dont-make-me-install-linux.lol, sharing tips and tricks for Atomic distros while advocating for accessibility in open source. When not exploring immutable filesystems, I can be found being a dedicated single father, diving into comic books, and obsessing over music. My unique journey combines enterprise-level technical expertise with a passion for making Linux accessible to everyone.
@rhuze-emryk.fedora.im
Session
In the high-stakes world of autonomous vehicle development, system stability isn't just a convenience—it's a necessity. During my time leading Linux deployments for Ford's Autonomous Vehicle and Smart Infrastructure program, we faced countless challenges with traditional mutable distributions: broken NVIDIA drivers, undocumented configuration changes, and hours spent debugging in freezing Michigan winters and sweltering Miami summers.
This presentation explores how Fedora Atomic's immutability and predictable rollbacks would have transformed our embedded systems landscape. Drawing from real-world examples across testing facilities, roadside units, and development environments, I'll demonstrate how immutable distributions solve the most painful aspects of embedded Linux deployments.
You'll learn:
Why developer-modified systems became our biggest reliability challenge
How immutable filesystems prevent configuration drift across deployed devices
When and how rollbacks can save critical field deployments
Practical workflows for managing updates in embedded environments
Fedora Atomic's reliability isn't just for large corporations. I'll show how the same principles make it ideal for small organizations, community groups, and non-profits currently stuck on outdated distributions. Through a live demonstration, you'll see how simple rollbacks can transform maintenance for teams without dedicated IT staff.
As we push toward more connected and intelligent infrastructure, Fedora has an opportunity to become the go-to platform for embedded systems that simply work—saving both Fortune 500 companies and local organizations from the pain of mutable Linux distributions.