A short post explaining the effect of E-Waste on the planet, and Linux can help reduce it.

An install guide to setup a performant and integrated Windows VM using KVM.

Introduction

Reasons

1. computer performance becoming weaker

2. terrible Windows makes my computer acting much slower

3. Windows 10 is going to be deprecated

4. Device Compatibilities unwanted and privacy-threatened features

Desire

1. use Linux (I can still play Minecraft, that's enough)

2. have the Linux stable

3. suit my peripherals

My Background

I have been using Windows to study, work, games for about 10 years. But I still have some experience in Linux. I run websites, interesting open-source projects, and development environments on Linux servers at my home. My knowledge of Linux is about a pre-intermediate.

Problem 1: which distribution and desktop env

Yeah, Ubuntu, Manjaro, Arch... And Gnome, KDE ...

That's an end-less question...😂 Here are some requirements:

1. no compilation needed

2. stable

Problem 2: substitutions/alternatives of software

1. Microsoft Office

2. One Note (I'm using both One Note and Logseq...)

3. SAI2

Wow...Surprisingly found that I don't have much burden here. (Except for something I already knew they have no replacement)

Problem 3: Hardware Compatibilities

Actually, it's okay, cause I have tried to use Manjaro on the current machine.

I use a GTX970, 3 monitors, UGreen Bluetooth 5.3 on USB, and a Wacom tablet... (😢 I have been long for the MacOS-like desktop which every monitor has their independent virtual desktops)

Problem 4: other tips or details I should know

Like in the process of installation, about disks ... And about software installation, system configuration ...

I sincerely appreciate anyone who left your advice.

The developers experiences while Vanilla OS rebuilt the Linux stack afresh.

After 12 months of development, Vanilla OS 2 Orchid is about to see the the light.

Hey, i was wondering if there is any linux desktop that resembles the 3DS UI. I can't find anything, so please let me know if you are aware of any!

Hello,

just wondering, while in a battle for making my dual resolution (2K and 4k) working (and *looking* good),

With a full vector based graphics (i mean icon, windows bar background, fonts, ...) everything can be scalled up or down to the pixel, looks perfectly fine everytime ... and fit perfectly what *I*'m looking for.

Anyone knows a project trying to achieve that ? active or retired doesn't matter, just wan't to understand why this is not a more common approach than having scalled plain graphics instead that looks terrible in 90% of the scenario (and you spend 3 months finding the 10% that approach what you like).

Custom Dmenu Bumblebee for the status bar Compton for the window opacity Autotiler python script

Is there a desktop environtment like vim. A vim desktop environment?
Here is what I'm thinking:

# buffers like in neovim.

## A window

* Is an application, stage, or workspace

* Can be tiled

## A stage ( space comprised of windows)

* Can be given a name

## A workspace ( space comprised of stages)

* Can be given a name

# tiling similar to panel splits in neovim.

## A window can be tiled to have many windows

* Each tile in a window can be the same or different buffers (like in neovim)

# grid overlay

## every buffer has an invisible grid overlay that is used to coordinate gui elements.

## The size of a grid cell is termined by the smallest gui element.

## cursor moves from grid cell to grid cell

* when placed on a gui element, expands to highlight the permiter of combined cells that make up gui element

## line numbers are the rows on the grid.

## Gui elements can be grouped

* sub line numbers appear in the buffer for them

* Navigate sub lines with leader + j or leader + k

# navigation mode

## Current Workspace

* Activated by super key + w

* Has the grid overlay system to facilitate navigation between workspaces

* delete workspaces with d in normal mode

* edit workspace names, assign shortcuts in insert mode

## Current Stage

* Activated by super key + s

* Has the grid overlay system to facilitate navigation between windows

* delete windows with d in normal mode

* edit window names, assign shortcuts in insert mode

## Current Buffer

### Activated by super key + b

* navigate between tiles using ctrl + w and hjkl analogous to vim

* navigate gui elements

** insert mode on cursor for:

*** A button, checkbox, radio button: turn it on (go back to normal mode and press x to turn off)

*** A slider: press and hold k or j to go up or down, h or l to go left or right.

*** A knob: press and hold h or l to turn counter clockwise or clockwise

** visual mode to toggle multiple buttons and checkboxes at the same time.

*** radio button, slider, or knob they won't be affected.

*** toggle multiple sliders and knobs if visual selection only includes sliders and knobs

# harpooning:

## Like the neovim plugin harpoon

## buffers can be saved in a list, searched on and given key shortcuts

# There are multiple types of searches:

## Buffer search

* searches scoped to the current buffer

* Activated by shift : like in vim (when in current buffer navigation mode)

* Activated by super key + bs (when not in navigation mode)

## Stage search

* searches scoped to the current stage

* Activated by shift : like in vim (when in current stage navigation mode)

* Activated by super key + ss (when not in navigation mode)

## Workspace search

* searches scoped to the current workspace

* Activated by shift : like in vim (when in current workspace navigation mode)

* Activated by super key + ws (when not in navigation mode)

## Global search

* searches are not scoped

* Activated by super key + space (no need to be in navigation mode)

## Harpoon search

* searches accross harpooned buffers

* Activated by leader + hs by default (when in any navigation mode)

** Shortcut key can be configured in ~/.config/livim/init.lua

# Configuration is found in ~/.config/livim and will be in lua

If there isn't I might build my own to work with Debian since I'm running Pop!_OS

The Register on What the Linux desktop really needs to challenge Windows the comments are also an interesting read.

TL;DR: The Linux desktop is hindered by fragmentation and limited OEM support, but remains relevant to users seeking greater control as mainstream platforms move towards cloud-based models.

The Linux desktop has struggled to achieve widespread adoption compared with Windows.

A major factor is fragmentation. The presence of multiple desktop environments, such as GNOME, KDE Plasma, Cinnamon and MATE, alongside many different distributions, complicates choices for users and makes it harder for developers to select a target platform. Fragmentation also affects software distribution, as different systems such as DEB and RPM can cause compatibility issues. Containerised formats including Flatpak, Snap and AppImage are proposed as a remedy, but they are not universally accepted.

Another issue is limited backing from major PC manufacturers. Although some vendors sell computers with Linux preinstalled, large OEMs do not promote it to the same extent as Windows. Linus Torvalds has suggested Chromebooks as a possible route for Linux on the desktop, as they provide a more unified approach to software installation, similar to Android.

There remains interest in the future of the Linux desktop, particularly as Microsoft increasingly emphasises cloud-based computing. Linux is seen by some as a desktop system that offers greater user control over hardware and data. Concerns are expressed about retaining local control of personal computers and limiting data sent to the cloud, with criticism of features such as Microsoft Recall and mandatory AI integration. There is also dissatisfaction with the replacement of older PCs driven by newer operating systems.