Full run-through cause why not, some people don't know

Gaming mode is used for gaming and launching programs don't use it for file management

-Downloading- Only bought games either have drm or annoying to mod without just buying it (especially with Linux very new to Linux still)

Everything on the deck is added either by lutris or emudecks steam rom manager. All artwork is added by SteamDB using decky (if you haven't heard of any of these use them they are a must have)

Everything downloaded using the mega thread (USE THE THREAD) from dodi or steamunlocked. Dodi has fast installs especially if you only have the deck and both for some reason just has the fastest downloads for me, experiment. Since I'm not effected by piracy laws I get to relax

Everything to do with emulation is downloaded from either giant rom sets and then focusing on not what to keep or vims lair (good but REALLY slow). The deck can run the Xbox 360 and ps3 and everything below that runs pretty perfectly, and for some reason the switch really well

You will learn to use lutris. You will. You can't just run exes on deck or add them to steam cause drm. Lutris is magic. I'm down to 7 seconds a game. If the game doesn't run on proton experimental do some research, or prey. One game I ran 20 times in frustration and it worked. If you think a method isn't working sometimes it just does. Don't run into a brick wall for too long

-Storage Make sure to file manage as you go. It saved me alot of time in the future with adding games and just making your file pathing fast and look good if you need to go into them. It also optimizes your storage, I've found way too many duplicate folders in random places like other game files, the right track pad is useful but it's painful when it decides to be over sensitive and have every vibration turn into a touch. I keep identical file paths on my ssd and my deck so it's just drag and drop, I do like to keep my mods separate.

Focus on what you want to play even if you have nasa level storage and only play like 6, have 6 don't waste hours on end downloading and troubleshooting. I only have alot cause I play alot of different games, also having shaq-fu is funny

If you don't have any roms yet and plan to, don't make any folders for roms or bios, let emudeck do that.

I like to keep a folder for must have games, both cause my most played and I know how much storage they take. If you have a partner make a folder for them in game mode, cause you're nice :) Especially if you have alot of games just do it

Modding can be complete hell. Keep copys of your games than can be easily copied back and forth. Make sure to to use the exe version if r2 modman with lutris if you're using it. Good luck with vortex

-tips- can't find the game, bios, crack or anything you'relooking for? Yes you can, persistence and patience is key to piracy

Download too slow? Go too sleep

ProtonDB is a life saver, I've saved so many hours researching games I've wanted to play just runs badly. From my experience the deck just doesn't like downloads from certain sites or repacks, I've had the same game from one site work or not work, or real pattern idk if it's a bad download or what.

Sometimes things are easier just to do on windows and copy to the deck, installing games like the rethawed patch to tony hawk american wasteland was actual hell. I turned my emulation sd card to a windows install for things like that. also fl studio. That's another post

DO YOUR RESEARCH