I'm not a programmer, but I suspect the detail on the music gear might be because the sound you get depends on the instruments and effects chain.

The code you get out of your coding session, or the LaTeX source for your book, does not really depend on which method you chose to install and update GNU/Linux.

Am I being naive here?

I suspect you're right - I spend a lot more time programming than playing music but have a stronger emotional attachment to my music gear than my coding environment.

Musicians call it GAS, Gear Acquisition Syndrome, e.g. I've got major GAS for an Ampeg amp.

I solved my GAS by replacing the A with C: Gear Construction Syndrome. Now I make myself build it if I want it and I can.

Shiiiit, that's because the music gear is both more fun, has more style, and will actually exist and work well in 20 years. The computers will be gone in like 3 years, so why bother talking about them?

But, to answer your question, I use nearly every OS there is: Linux (Arch, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora), NetBSD, FreeBSD, OSX, and Windows. I have to use all of these to test different things on various projects. As I get more into writing books though this narrows down to Ubuntu, OSX, and ArchLinux.

I understand the gearhead mentality (I was raised by one), and I actually enjoyed reading about the music equipment. I just didn't expect it because when I hear "Zed Shaw" I think "programmer", not "musician", even though I realize that few people, even programmers, are one-dimensional. I guess it's just one of my many mental biases. Thanks for putting my question to rest.

Don't know why I am answering because my response is most likely inaccurate, but IIRC (specifically from following him on Twitter) he used to use Arch linux for a while. I also remember him complaining about it and IIRC he made a switch. I am sure once he sees the post he will correct me and or answer you.

He mentioned he uses awesome, which probably means he's not using Ubuntu. Just my speculation.

Nope, you can install awesome on ubuntu and then switch to using it. Best setup is to make a .xsession file and fire up the various gnome services you need. Then have GDM boot up a "User Defined" session (or whatever it's called, I forget).

I think the yarn about music was his jokey way to play with people's expectations of his life's pie chart.

It's not clear whether he's using Reaper on Windows, Mac or under WINE either. Would like to know.