After three months on Linux, I don’t miss Windows at all
It's been three months since I made the switch to Linux on my desktop, and I've been impressed by how smoothly the transition has gone. I wanted to see how well I could use a Linux PC as my main computer without extensive research or troubleshooting beforehand. And, surprisingly, nothing has gone terribly wrong.
The initial excitement of a new operating system has faded, and Linux now feels like my computer, offering a less annoying experience compared to Windows. While there are some extra steps required for app installation, it's generally easier than on Windows, and I've encountered a few apps that are still not available in Linux. I've also had some amusing bugs and frustrating moments, but the overall experience is calmer and more robust than expected.
One of the most satisfying fixes involved Snapper, a built-in imaging service in CachyOS. It stores snapshots of the OS before installing or updating programs, allowing for easy rollback if something goes wrong. Initially, I ran out of space for snapshots, but I creatively shrunk a partition and relocated volumes to make room, finding it satisfying in a tactile way.
Troubleshooting has also been surprisingly enjoyable. I encountered an issue with my ethernet connection, which I resolved by learning about the default driver and making some adjustments. I also discovered that enabling STP on my networking switch was causing the problem, and disabling it fixed the issue. These solutions not only resolved immediate problems but also connected to past experiences with different operating systems.
Currently, my main issue is with my Logitech Brio webcam's microphone, which occasionally stops working. I suspect it's due to the installation of EasyEffects, but I'm still investigating. However, I have backup microphones and computers, so the annoyance is manageable.
Sometimes, problems solve themselves with patience. I wanted text extraction in the screenshot utility, and it was added after a week when Cachy updated to Plasma 6.6. This highlights the power of waiting for updates.
I've also made some improvements to my Linux setup. I replaced the Arc browser with Zen, a good open-source alternative. I installed a Spotify client and recompiled ZMK firmware for my number pad. I even got ZMK Studio working, and I'm using Photopea as a web app for photo editing, which has been sufficient for my needs.
Security-wise, I opted not to install howdy for facial recognition unlocking, as it's not as secure as Windows Hello. I prefer typing my password, and I'm not concerned about security breaches. My laptop still runs Windows, and I appreciate Microsoft's efforts in improving Windows 11, but I'm enjoying the flexibility and fun of Linux on my desktop.
Linux's modular nature, built on the Unix philosophy, is a strength. It's like a box of Legos, where each piece does one thing well, making the system more adaptable and enjoyable to build and troubleshoot. The skills I've learned in Linux, such as installing spellcheckers, changing drivers, and configuring software repositories, are transferable to the rest of the OS and various software.
In conclusion, my experience with Linux has been positive, and I don't miss Windows. While there are occasional challenges, the overall experience is enjoyable, and the sense of accomplishment from troubleshooting issues is rewarding. I'll continue to use Linux on my desktop and explore its capabilities, finding it more fun and flexible than Windows.
