On: Show HN: Slim – Build and run tiny VMs from Docker...

[lwb]

Wait a minute. I thought Docker was useful because you didn't want to run a whole VM. But this project turns a Dockerfile into a VM specification? Have we come full circle?

[pknopf → lwb]

The "building" feature of Docker is very much applicable to VMs/bare metal. There spirit of this feature is just "building a root fs". There is no concept of "containers" or "vms".

[gjmacd → lwb]

I was also thinking the same thing. I also think that the prior person wanting to SSH into their docker instance hasn't quite grasped that you can already do that.

I'm not sure what the value of this is.

[root_axis → lwb]

Docker can replace a VM for many use-cases, but there are times when a VM is still preferable. If you find yourself in such a situation, this tool allows you to leverage declerative Dockerfiles to build your VM. Pretty handy.

[freedomben → root_axis]

Yep, I could see this being a nice option if you're running something very security sensitive and want some extra defense by isolating the kernel.

[turtlebits → lwb]

Well, containers generally run headless applications/servers. I can see this for VM sandboxed GUI apps.

[zarmin → lwb]

You should check out that Docker project where you take most of the files from a Docker VM and spin up a Docker container. It's called Docker.