Why it's hard for me to write about Linux?
Date: 2024-11-05
While I am not writing much in general, one topic that is really not in my draft file, is Linux. In October, it was my 18th year that I have been using Linux as a solo system on my computer. I used most mainstream distros under the sun, and some not so mainstream. I also used bigger DEs, like KDE (3,4, Plasma not so much - although I still don't know what is the difference), Gnome 2 and 3, MATE, Xfce, Cinnamon, etc. I am now solely a window manager guy. From normal of Openbox, to tiling stuff like i3, dwm, Xmonad, bspwm, herbstluftwm, dk, etc. It perfectly fits my needs.
Back in the days when I started, I had a blog on a little free blogging platform, and it was pretty popular amongst my readers. I blogged in my native language. I had a separate Tumblr much later about Elementary OS, when it still had some relatively sane leadership, until they blatantly demanded money for their distro, and then they later deleted that part - after the backlash - from their website without ever aknowledging their doing.
I still occasionally write something about Linux here, but I relegated most stuff to my wiki.
Right now I am using Void Linux, and I am perfectly comfortable with it. I add some stuff here and there, but not much. I don't think I need to distrohop anymore, and choosing systemd-less distro to use has significantly narrowed down my choices. I only use tiling window managers, with it, my brain has simplified stuff. I don't need to keep track of windows where they are, simple because I decided where they are. Emacs goes to #1 workspace, as it is my most important software. Browsers goes #2 workspace, terminal stuff is on 3, games are on 4, etc. I just cannot go back to a cluttered taskbar system, where you have to search and click for your window that you want to use. It is just so clumsy. I also know that it is not for everyone. You use what you like and comfortable with. Except please don't use Gnome, that is crap. Stupid leadership, and limited DE. Try it if you like, but you know it is true.
I have a system now that fairly well built for my needs. I am not even using a wallpaper, which is just weird, because I still use Emacs with transparency, so I can enjoy a little bit of background during writing.
There is nothing to write about honestly. Linux for me, after 18 years is done. I could probably write about some of the political stuff, but Bryan Lunduke has an excellent channel for that. He is pretty much the only journalist who reports on those things.
Linux is also not that important right now in my life. It become a reliable tool, and kind of fallen into the background over the years. Even if I find something new to write about, I just have no motivation.
I would like to finish this post, with some great resources for Linux, no matter if you are a beginner who is interested learning more, or just an advanced user.
Jake@Linux - he is my go to source about Void Linux, learned to use the package building system to keep my Brave browser up to date, and many other things. He also made me curious about herbstluftwm, which is now my daily driver tiling system, so good! Has a good repository of scripts and modifications!
DistroTube - I watch him less, but still a very good channel, with some geeky, but also everyday Linux user stuff. I appreciate his tiling window videos, but I still can't make stupid Qtile work as much as I want to.
Gotbletu - if you want to be a terminal wizard, he is your guy. So many good, interesting and useful software shown. He made me switch to newsraft, a much better rss reader. He made me terminally text based, watching him for years now.
Chris Titus - overall nice tech guy. He also does Windows stuff, and livestreams on Twitch.
System Crafters - if you want to learn Emacs, he has good series for beginners, but has many advanced stuff about.
Prot - he is my recommendation if you want to learn Emacs (his playlist). His videos are easy to follow. He is also a contributor with themes and packages of all kind. Prot used to be a vim user, until he caught the Emacs bug. He is also doing some interesting philosophical post on his blog.
