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Those who've switched to Linux in the last year, how is it going? (libretechni.ca)
submitted 7 months ago by to c/linux@programming.dev
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Curious on the experiences of those recently migrating to Linux from Windows 10, Intel-based MacOS, etc. How is it being on Linux? Anything surprise or frustrate you?

OQB @kiol@discuss.online

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[–] 4 points 7 months ago (1 child)

I switched to Fedora Workstation 41 a year agoish, and am currently running 43 KDE!

I really like being able to theme my desktop to my liking, esp with KDE, my current theme is using the Catppuccin Macchiato colours (with "Mauve" accent, i.e. purple) and window decorations (solely because they were the only one available with big, colourful buttons. The rest had tiny icons that were hard to differentiate) + a cool black hole splash screen I found that has a date too! I am using the Bibata Modern Ice cursor and Papirus icon pack.

I also like having loads of additional software to pick from. LibreOffice works really well on Linux, Lutris and Prism Launcher are great for the games I play, Okular is nice (though by now someone has told me it existed on Windows, damn!), and there are just some simple tasks where the Linux-native apps that are simply perfect (see KAlarm, Dolphin and Nautilus file managers both having actually useable search that doesn't require a third-party app like Everything on Windows, Elisa music player)

I had no issues with software incompatibility, all of the ones I use either had a (better) Linux alternative or had native Linux support (like Steam, Firefox, OBS Studio). The only thing that I am unable to do on Linux is a) (Re)install Windows for friends and family (weird, I know, but the Installation Assistant is not compatible with Linux. Technically I think you can use CLI tools to write the ISO to flash drive, but I couldn't get that to work. If I had the time I probably would been able to figure it out...) b) Access files from an iPhone, but that's more an iPhone stupid problem than anything. I use an Android phone now, and I have full access to its file system just by plugging it in, and c) Playing Minecraft Bedrock (hmm, I wonder who owns Mojang and how they could benefit from this...) but I have set up a MC Java server with GeyserMC+Floodgate and now my little brother (who plays on an iPad) can play Minecraft with me, which is awesome! There's a bit of lag due to the translation layer, but nothing major.

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  • [–] 6 points 7 months ago

    I would like to add more.

    I really like being able to just install, update, and remove programs using the "dnf" and "flatpak" commands, it is super nice and simple! I have accidentally removed an audio driver once, but after reinstallation it worked again.

    KDE Connect and Localsend are both super awesome, no more words need to be said

    I got into self-hosting as well, setting up Radicale, Immich, Forgejo, Nextcloud, Vikunja, and the aforementioned Minecraft server. They work quite well for my use case.

    Removing myself from Window's incessant adverts and Microsoft's tracking feels like a breath of fresh air

    The printer just works

    The fact that you can just change from GNOME to KDE Plasma to whatever else without reinstalling the OS is kind of insane to me. You can even install multiple at once and switch between them!

    The OS actually lets you do the things you want to do (the power of sudo is in my hands!)

    You're able to install it without signing into an account and without an internet connection, as it should.

    The fact that there are no incessant advertising and marketing and all this other crap for no cost! I applaud everyone who develops these super cool software, technologies, and operating systems, and if you can, donate to projects that help you a lot!

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