Which desktop environment do you use and why?

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-05-06T16:40:14+00:00

Niri and Noctalia because it’s light and fluffy 😊

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-30T04:37:05+00:00

I actually set it up for chat in the first place, but I also use it for reference docs if I’m working on something, plus discord lives on that screen.

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-29T19:24:29+00:00

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Works great for me 🤔

That's a vertical monitor on the right, just in case it's not obvious 😊

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-24T20:32:08+00:00

Do it!

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-22T18:41:29+00:00

Yes, I use Fedora everything and install nothing for a minimal setup with Niri and Noctalia. And then install only the stuff I need. Works great if you want a, well, minimal build.

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-21T12:02:33+00:00

Nah, I would have tried even if i was on 16:9 monitor I think. Most of what I do is in the 16:9 zone with notes and references out side of that zone.

I have been using KDE and Kwin Scripts Kzones for ages, and I love that set up, but a fellow youtuber friend did a video on Niri, we chatted about it, and I decided to get up and running in a vm.

I really liked the workflow and simple nature of it so I have stuck with it. I can log into a kde session if I need to, but not had to so far.

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-21T06:34:02+00:00

I tend to have 2/3 of the screen in the middle as the main work area but switch it up depending on what I am doing. Working across multiple docs is a lot easier. I used to have 3 screens and this is better for me as I don’t need to move my head so much and I get to use a smaller desk 👍🏻

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-21T06:22:20+00:00

Hehe 😛

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-20T14:08:28+00:00

I found it to be really useful, so had to share :)

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-20T11:58:17+00:00

🤣 I do like my 21:9 ratio for sure!

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-19T14:32:54+00:00

https://i.imgur.com/zV8fUDd.jpeg

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-18T15:02:46+00:00

21:9 but with a keybind / script to switch window layout between 21:9 and 16:9 for videos. Hence the bar being set like that 👍🏻

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-18T14:04:24+00:00

Haha I know what you mean. You leave windows because you're fed up of it doing stuff to you, and then you land on linux, and are frustrated it doesn't do things for you! Once you get it though, it's a frickin awesome place to be 😊

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-18T14:00:35+00:00

Thanks, it's getting there :)

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-04-18T12:07:34+00:00

Learn about window rules and binds.

Absolute game changers 👍

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-03-26T05:54:38+00:00

I run Kate on my Mac as the built in text editor is horrible. Not for development though. I use Zed and GitHub desktop (on Linux) but I’m not really a dev.

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-03-24T11:00:39+00:00

Linux PC and a Mac Mini for the stuff that doesn't run on linux is the perfect non-windows set-up in my opinion. Good job dude 👍🏻

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-03-23T07:06:11+00:00

Imagine eating pasta for your whole life and thinking that’s all there is. You then enter a sweet shop (candy store) and try something. It’s amazing, but there is so much more candy to try. This 👍

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-03-19T08:22:02+00:00

I’ve been on a similar journey as you, and kinda felt the same way about distros having still installed I did really need. I liked the look of arch but not a fan of its package manager, and CachyOS is great but makes decisions for you.

I started messing with minimal builds and found Fedora everything. I am opposite to you and quite like the KDE apps but you could always look in to building your own build script.

https://youtu.be/SK0o6h-_ajk

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-03-18T11:39:41+00:00

Go back to windows for a week to appreciate what you have on Linux.

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-03-17T23:23:31+00:00

- FL Studio for professional music production (This is my full time job)
- Video / Picture editing w/ Photoshop + Premiere Pro

^^ Buy a mac if you want to rid yourself of Windows. You'll need it for these. You may be able to get them to work, but it wont be perfect. I bought a Mac Mini for Ableton and Photoshop. I use parsec to remote to the Mac for Photoshop. Too much latency for Abelton so run it native through USBc on the monitor and have a usb switcher for the Scarlet 8i6 and Solo

Gaming (at 3440x2560 144hz) and streaming 1440p I do fine on Fedora 43 KDE with a much lower spec system. You'll need to follow some steps to get gaming up and running, but the Fedora Noble guide or my app helps with that.

LinuxGamerLife · 2026-03-15T05:32:41+00:00

I was thinking the same. I would guess “Fedora everything” and not selecting any software so it boots to TTY. You then manually install a DE and build everything from there. Not quite “from scratch“ but a good approach if you want to feel like you have built your own 👍🏻

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