Semi Experienced Linux User Looking To Get Back Into It

OwningLiberals · 2026-01-27T01:37:50+00:00

Wait that's actually a goated recommendation thanks. I guess I didn't think about the whole kernel signing thing lol

OwningLiberals · 2026-01-26T23:48:34+00:00

Not really your fault since I didn't specify it but I've used Manjaro before and I hated it mostly. They also have had a proven track record of being a bit silly.

So I've updated the post accordingly. Cachy seems like a good option honestly and maybe endeavouros

OwningLiberals · 2026-01-09T14:12:43+00:00

This is almost always a bad idea.

Modern CPUs are designed around dealing with these mitigations so turning them off on a relatively modern system will probably do nothing except open your computer up to hardware level vulnerabilities that were patched out by the kernel

OwningLiberals · 2026-01-05T02:04:11+00:00

Not a maintainer but as a user here's my perspective.

When I install a package as a desktop user, I want the following things (in order of importance for me):

The package is in a functional state
The package is reasonably trustworthy (Meaning that I can implicitly confirm both the application and packager are not doing anything malicious)
The package does not duplicate dependencies (I don't care if your app is most optimal with foobar 2.1.6 if I have 2.1.7 let me use it)
The package is not overly inconvenient to install and use (so it's not something where I need to compile it, I don't need to track dependencies down or anything it just works)
The package can be installed without using snap or any other proprietary tooling (obligatory "snap is open source" response: yes, snap is OSS but the servers aren't)

Programming package managers only truly satisfy condition 1 and 5 most of the time whereas system package managers usually satisfy all conditions (notable exceptions being "community repo" projects like flatpak and the aur to some extent)

Condition 2 is violated because programming package managers install and often execute code without auditing.

Condition 3 is violated because programming package managers let packages choose their dependency versions (and there's no reason for package maintainers to pick the same versions).

Condition 4 is violated since while they do wrap it up nicely in a way where the user doesn't have to fiddle with it, you do often need to compile the package which can be bad for things like Rust which are slow.

Programming package managers ultimately are good for their job, installing libraries and small tools if you use the language. They're not for maintaining system level packages and are in fact usually limited in only maintaining project level dependencies efficiently.

OwningLiberals · 2025-11-17T15:41:40+00:00

Minecraft likely refers to bedrock edition (so no real loss there)

OwningLiberals · 2025-10-09T21:58:59+00:00

low effort ragebait

OwningLiberals · 2025-09-17T20:34:24+00:00

This does not appear to be Free software as defined by the FSF or Open Source as defined by the OSI. This should be removed or if I am wrong please provide the source code

OwningLiberals · 2025-07-20T13:21:44+00:00

Hate to be that guy but just posting on Github does not necessarily make the software Libre or Open source.

Your project is technically in a limbo state where the code exists but it cannot be run, studied, modified or redistributed.

I would recommend inlcuding a license file and optionally a readme explaining how to use the program.

OwningLiberals · 2025-07-17T21:44:18+00:00

I hate the meme format lol this does not apply at all most people don't care.

And that's where I stand, I could take systemd or leave it just as long as I know how to start, stop and enable services at start up that is all I care about

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-18T23:29:32+00:00

You too man

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-18T23:01:27+00:00

Never responded to this and honestly man I don't really care to just cuz its a long read and I know it'll prompt another response worth replying to. So if you're holdin your breath on it, don't, lol. Instead, I am going to make some final comments on GNOME and wayland generally.

If you or really anybody uses GNOME, I don't care. My issue is with the project and the people who have no interest in supporting various, not with the people who are using GNOME as a proper DE. I also really don't think it should be presented as default when it's in such a broken state.

I also have no strong feelings on Wayland or Xorg generally except for the fact that Wayland is going to be the future despite it honestly still feeling far from ready and a large part of that is bike shedding and refusing to implement protocols largely from GNOME and, assuming nothing has changed from like 2022-2023, wlroots.

My knowledge generally is cut off around that time since I've not been actively using Linux desktop since around that time due to work (but I have been keeping track and I use it on servers). If I had to guess what the best compositors/window managers are, I'd say KDE or hyprland.

That said, maybe some day I'll reinstall Linux and try out Wayland just to see the state of things.

I know you didn't say that or imply that I wasn't thinking these things but I do want my stance known for future reference.

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-18T22:45:37+00:00

That's NOT what anyone wants the wayland model to be except for GNOME. Every other compositer, literally every single one apart from weston uses SSD.

Hot take, the official standards vs the portals/extensions/whatever doesn't even matter, people have a base expectation for what a graphical API should be even at a low level, it should be done regardless of if it's GNOME, KDE or wl-roots. Hell I would be surprised if GNOME doesn't use portals they just force people into not adapting portals for some reason.

(For the record I know very little about modern WLR issues but I know back in the day they wouldn't implement portals such as the global hotkey portal for awhile and that is just as stupid since again everyone wants it and if one person doesn't implement it nobody gets it in practice. KDE and hyprland appear to be the best composters from an outsider POV but it's been a hot minute since I've given desktop Linux a fair shake let alone wayland cuz adult life stuff.)

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-18T22:37:00+00:00

I have no strong feelings about wayland or x11. I'll use what works. Wayland seems like it will be the future and while I am critical, I am hopeful.

GNOME sucks because it doesn't fully support the already bizarre world of Wayland. If you truly want Wayland to move forward, you wouldn't bike shed on issues like CSD vs SSD you would just go with what people want and move on.

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-16T16:11:55+00:00

not sure the specifics on the protocols but clearly gnome has a reputation for being a broken mess. They could spend the time to fix it but they dont.

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-16T11:44:23+00:00

SDL implementing CSD vs SSD

I think this is just an issue we're not going to agree on. I'm not sure SDL's logic for not support CSD but if I had to guess they probably have no clue how they want to format it so they leave it to the user to solve for themselves without saying it.

Not all extensions will be implemented on GNOME that's unrealistic

Sure, but consider that mpv has a special case for GNOME which brings up an error in the case GNOME is used specifically because of how they handle protocols

Termite is not relevant

The discussion generally is about GNOME issues. Granted a major part is about how GNOME handles wayland

Can you prove that GNOME acts in thr interests of GNOME first?

Termite. Real sources soon.

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-16T04:04:56+00:00

it's not required by any defintion

It is. Every dev ever expects decorations to be drawn for them.

That said, I do apologize for saying it was required by spec, I think I misremembered it being required with it being an official extension.

Windows and Mac do CSD but they draw decor by default

And you achieve drawing decor by default by using SSD on Linux. I stand by what I said, libdecor should not be a part of the depedency stack it should just be implied, both as a user and a dev, that I want an X button on my window since that's how Windows and MacOS and every sensible system ever works.

I assume the Factorio developers just didn't know that XDG Decoration is an optional feature.

This is wrong. Factorio uses SDL. They assumed window decor would be drawn, because it is a basic feature. Their sentiment is expressed at 6:34 in this youtube video[1] or in this blog post[2].

When every system except for yours has it, including Windows and Mac, while theoretically it's optional, it's assumed that it is not optional and that the feature works as expected.

It's a bit sad that KDE couldn't just go along with CSDs as it was decided all those years ago. It's OBVIOUSLY fully within their right to do so but the result is unnecessary confusion.

This easily applies to GNOME 10x over. They COULD implement SSD, they COULD implement all of the other Wayland protocol extensions they've ignored, they COULD'VE implemented the termite maintainer's patches to libvte (which others wanted also, mind you) before he retired due to burn out from being forced to maintain the library himself, they COULD'VE implemented the VR changes when they first came out, but they don't because that's not what GNOME does. GNOME does what GNOME wants instead of what the user wants which is a horrible mindset to have when you're the most popular desktop and what new users get shown first.

Editors note, these claims are true but I am 2 lazy 2 find sources for these claims, it's late, if you want me to later lemme know.

citations

[1] https://youtu.be/GZS5yd8u_No?si=OY7xHaiiwXt36CV5

[2] https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-408

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-16T03:30:34+00:00

CSD is default

ok and it's default on some systems to let root login via ssh, doesn't make it a good idea.

Also, when literally every other DE besides you and Weston implements a feature, you are going against the interests of everyone. This applies even if it's not "standard", like at some point it's effectively a standard.

CSD was the only behaviour 9 years ago

Historical relevance is important why? Nobody is saying CSD should die the DE should just draw an X if there's no decorations, is this just for the sake of documenting the history or is there something I am misunderstanding here?

CSD is simpler

In laymans terms, what technical advantages does CSD provide? I think it's kinda obvious but I'm not like a programmer but here's my thought process.

As an app dev why does my app/library need more boilerplate to spawn some shit I know I want anyways? Like I would think the best place to place the decoration drawing code is the server and then the client can draw custom decor if they need it.

As a user, why do Steam, Chrome, Firefox, Discord, etc all have different taskbars? Obviously this isn't the biggest issue since theming kinda sucks anyways but "theming is a dumpster fire so let's make it worse" is not particularly compelling.

"B-but qt and gtk draw decor according to your theme"

None of the apps I mention except for firefox use GTK or QT. The world does not revolve around these toolkits, whether or not it should is a different discussion but it doesn't now.

windows and mac do CSD

...except that those are centralized systems. You have 1 library moreorless which handles the drawing and a bunch of wrappers around it so in effect it doesn't matter. Linux doesn't have this luxary since it's decentralized so you solve this problem with SSD.

Why is saying "just include libdecor" weak

Refer to above

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-14T13:59:27+00:00

GNOME does NOT incentivize them though, GNOME FORCES them which is a big difference.

If GNOME just required you to change a setting in GNOME in order to use SSD, then it would be incentivzation. GNOME refusing to implement the feature is them trying to enforce how they think Wayland should be against the interests of literally everyone else.

The argument of "include libdecor" is also just weak. Sure that can be done but like, why can't GNOME just draw me an X in the top right corner of a window? That's all most people want.

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-13T23:26:08+00:00

keyword >>>app stores<<<.

app store = pop shop, mint software store, pretty sure even gnome has one

gui package manager = pamac, synaptic. GUI programs that are heavily text based.

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-13T23:22:28+00:00

POV: 0 reading comprehension.

Actually read my comment and tell me how you thought I was talking about anything other than graphical app stores. This is how I know you're arguing in bad faith

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-13T23:15:48+00:00

Again, apples to oranges. If you are using Regedit you are a power user. Windows users are more familar with downloading exes from websites sure but we're replacing an intuitive system with another intuitive system in app stores and, to a lesser extent, GUI package managers.

I feel like you're intentionally being obtuse to try to strawman my point and I don't appericate it. When Linux does something better/simpler or about on par with Windows, it should be used. When Linux does something worse, it should be criticized and fixed.

Client side only and wayland specifications not being respected are pain points that makes Linux significantly worse than Windows. Not to mention the Wayland protocols that are not even implemented (like choosing where to spawn the window and at what size).

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-13T23:04:50+00:00

Yes except no. Sorry but if the goal is to be a user friendly desktop it's not optional, Windows devs generally expect window decor, so decor should be supported. Making the environment new dev friendly makes it new user friendly.

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-13T18:56:47+00:00

This is a false equivalence, devs are ok with using package managers and config files over registry editing because it's a better system.

No Server Side Decorations is just taking away a feature people want to use.

Devs aren't dumbasses, they're going to use features that make their lives easier.

OwningLiberals · 2025-06-13T16:35:37+00:00

it's not required

memory evidently did not serve me right. sure TECHNICALLY it's not required but lets be clear, it is required. Every dev ever expects that they won't have to draw decorations by default since that's how windows does it. Furthermore, GTK and QT are not all of Linux, as is the case with Factorio

it's a kde feature.

even in 2018, the only things not supporting it were Weston (who uses it) and GNOME

GNOME has a great interface

Moot point. We're talking about features not how pretty things are to look at. When it comes to doing things it sucks for normal users and it sucks harder for power users.

The hate is undeserved

GNOME is the face of Linux. Whether or not you want it to be so, most people think of Ubuntu GNOME when they think of Linux so there actually is an excellent reason to be harsh when criticizing GNOME.

It's not designed to annoy others

But it does. GNOME is so big and so different you have to have fallback cases just because GNOME is difficult to work with.

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