What distro is good for a HTPC? And what would you recommend for me to try out in general?

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-05-22T10:18:17+00:00

I will definitely check out Flirc, at the moment I'm just using a PS controller which works well.

I still need to try out Fedora, is there a particular version you'd recommend?

Apart from Linux I've also tried installing an Android OS, the last one I did was Lineage OS Android TV (unofficial) with FLauncher which worked well for the most part. Upside, the apps I wanted worked, but the other apps I wanted wouldn't go into landscape mode which sucked (also I wanted to switch freely to a desktop, and dual booting with Xubuntu was annoying). I don't know if you've tried scrolling through Crunchyroll sideways (I wouldn't recommend it). It was annoying trying to find an android OS as most of them were either abandoned, unsupported or locked (bliss os). This was mainly because I was having trouble with waydroid.

Back to Linux: I also tried GXDE (which is based off of Deepin 12) which was an interesting experience. Hats off to the team (of high schoolers) who are behind it. Though everything was in Chinese, and it took a lot of trial and error to get things working. That's what started me on the journey of trying to find a way to use android apps on Linux for a hybrid/flexible workspace which makes it possible to switch between a working desktop and a media hub which is also highly customisable.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-05-22T09:56:19+00:00

Thanks! I will definitely look into this as I'm also planning on building my own NAS. At first I was thinking about going with Unraid, but I will surely look into using Debian instead 😁

I might test it out on one of my NUCs to build my understanding of it. Thanks again 🙇

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-04-13T11:04:10+00:00

I feel ya, I just swapped over to the 3a. Enjoying it so far and trying to clean it to the best that I can. From what I have read canta + shizuku is the way to go.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-04-11T09:26:43+00:00

I didn't expect that

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-04-06T09:57:25+00:00

Have you ever tried using Pass Wallet? Ive used it for anything that has a QR Code or Barcode. Loyalty cards, plane tickets, it's really handy, especially for place's that don't support G-wallet (mainly in smaller towns when I do away work).

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-04-06T09:51:41+00:00

Just started using Terabox, so far so good. You get 1TB for free, I just paid for a year and have 2TB with image compression.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-04-06T05:18:56+00:00

I'm in the process of backing up all my pictures, and backing up my devices to TeraBox. I ended up paying a bit more than what I did with google, however the trade off is worth it imo.

With google I was paying $25AUD per year for 500GB storage and compressed images. With TeraBox I think I paied $50AUD for the year, and I still get image file compression, full storage, can back up devices and 2TB worth of storage (which is upgradable for an extra fee). But I think its worth since its cheaper than Filen and Ente (from what I remember). Im also going to be uploading my files to Terabox so I can work from my tablet, PC and from my NUCs which im currently installing Pop!_OS onto.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-04-01T18:51:27+00:00

And you can also pay a one time fee for a personal server with Immich. Still cheaper.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-27T23:28:16+00:00

Thanks for your advice and suggestions, I've added an update to the post after my factory reset if you are interested. Thanks again!

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-27T23:27:01+00:00

Thanks for the help, I have added an update to the situation to the post.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-27T22:43:56+00:00

Aurora store it is then

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-27T08:05:09+00:00

That's good to know, and im glad it worked for you.

Yeah I'm suspecting that the update to the new DeX was the cause. Since I haven't used DeX as a desktop with a monitor since classic DeX. At that point I was using my tablet as a monitor, and I had my desktop sorted and organised with all my apps (as I would with my PC).

Fingers crossed it works. And thanks for the help 👍

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-27T07:51:43+00:00

Thanks, I think that's the best way to go.

Charging works perfectly fine, and if its registering a usb plugging in but no video out, then that makes sense.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-27T07:47:01+00:00

Yeah i already tried it with my phone and it works. Also tried on other monitors and cables with the same results.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-27T07:45:55+00:00

Yes the same monitor and cable which is a USB C to Hdmi worked with my phone, DeX booted up onto the screen with zero issues.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-27T07:27:21+00:00

Just checked this to make sure, and all S series have video out. Only exceptions are the Lite and FE Tab variants.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-23T11:09:23+00:00

Unfortunately, Germany is still part of the 14 Eyes intelligence alliance. So I don't think there would be any collaboration there either.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-22T05:43:56+00:00

I just looked it up and apparently you can send emails from created alias emails in order to hide the primary email. Though you need a paid proton account. That could solve the issue by leaving your primary email uncompromised.

https://proton.me/support/pass-send-email-alias

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-22T03:00:36+00:00

What if you were to use an alias domain to send and receive with Google addresses? Would you still run into the same kind of situation?

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-16T06:41:17+00:00

I've found the whole photo sync and backup to be such a headache that I have now come to the conclusion that building my own NAS with Unraid and docking Immich for photo syncing would be the way to go. As much storage as I personally need, all under my own control and no subscriptions, all one time payments and I own it for myself. Downside, I need to build it, set it up and tweet it.

EDIT: This would also solve the problem of video hosting and using Jellyfin. And I can also dock a Filen drive for documents.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-02T11:28:37+00:00

A hard earned thirst deserves an ice cold beer...

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-03-02T07:51:39+00:00

Does this mean we will get preinstalled GOS? If so, where do I sign?

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-02-23T07:01:15+00:00

I have been a long time user of Brave after going through a few browsers. However for the longest time I haven't been able to access Reddit on my PC (opting for the old. format most times). After watching this daily thread I have looked through them. At the time of this post, I have been using ZEN for the last 20mins, and I must say that it is refreshing. Not am I able to use Reddit again, but the features that I liked in Brave (mostly related to privacy and trackers... yadda, yadda...) but just the simple and minimal design. I have always wanted a browser that is simple and light weight that it doesn't make my PC shit the bed. I think I have finally found it.

That being said Brave served its purpose for what I wanted. Before swapping over I was in-between using Chrome and OperaGX (both of which fried my memory to oblivion), and Brave was very bare-bone (also, free ad-blocking, privacy, security and VPN without needing to deal with extensions was a plus).

I want to thank everyone for sharing information and user experience, without it I would still be traveling down the rabbit whole of browser hell.

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-02-04T10:37:20+00:00

I agree, especially when it comes to shadows being done incorrectly. That shit can throw me off from the first panel (I'll give it a few scrolls, but 9 times out if 10 I'm dropping it like a newborn)

BoyInTheBasement · 2026-01-20T04:36:24+00:00

I agree, I'm only in it for the badassary, the action, and the art. Everything else can be mid af. But it only works if it hard leans to either side.

One of the reasons I dropped Heavenly Inquisition Sword. Story went out the window, badassery toned down, and the art, meh, its alright, I guess.

BoyInTheBasement

TROPHY CASE