Linux Mint going for the long-term support model was the right choice.

Ever since I stared using Linux Mint with the long-term support mantra with the version 19 Tara release, I've come to prefer Linux distros that use development model rather than distros that release updates more often with shorter support windows.

Even though I upgrade to the new Linux Mint release as soon it becomes available, knowing that I don't have to rush it and that the testing to make sure nothing is broken with the new release is a bit more intense, gives me feel a bit safer about thing will continue working as I used to and expect them to. Besides, all the apps I use are updated as continuously. As such, I don't need to worry using versions of those apps that fall behind.

Not only the that, with updates to Linux Mint come as needed and the point releases keep bring the big releases that weren't included at the original release of the OS. For my needs, Linux Mint cover them all, and it gets better with time. With each release, Linux Mint keeps feeling like a modern OS with a lot of stability baked in.

Each release fixes what needs to be fixed, while making sure that everything else keeps working. It also adds the functionalities that people can expect from a modern OS, without having to learn how to used all over again. It just works, and most of the time it just keeps working without much change. While there have been changes here and there, those changes are easy to understand why there were made and easy to get used to.

Most importantly, Linux Mint is quite an elegant OS that can be set up to each user taste if the user wishes to do so. If not, using without changes is a breeze.

No wonder Linux Mint has become my go to OS for both work and personal use.

Linux Mint at work.

After three years of using Linux Mint for work, mainly accessing the work server via remote desktop or web app, I can say that it just works.

Due to several factors, the company I work for decided to use a Windows server in order for us to access the software we need to do our work. And it has proved to be quite a good decision, since it has simplified the software management by the IT department, and help everyone to be able to work remotely when needed. Specially the sales team, because they are almost always on the move.

Personally, it has helped me to better manage my work flow and to keep on top on deadlines. I just like the fact that I can better balance my work-life better, though it would be better if we could work remotely at least a couple of days a week.

Whats more, it has given me even more arguments for me not to return to Windows. Linux Mint work a lot better for me, and I rather use free and open-source software as much as possible.

And as the old Linux Mint tag line use to say: from freedom came elegance, I find Linux Mint to be a lot more of an elegant OS than either Windows , macOS, or any other Linux distro I've used so far. Linux Mint is just simple to use, and with each update has improved its usability and become more reliable.

Cinnamon, Linux Mint desktop environment, has improved leaps and bounds with time. So much so, that other Linux distros like Arch Linux, Debian, and openSUSE include use it.

Linux Mint is a great option for those who want to make the jump to a Linux distro from Windows. It is easy to use, and can be used by people who don´t really have that much technical expertise or those who simple don´t want to get their hands dirty hacking their system.

Laptops: my favorite type of computer.

Ever since I started using laptops exclusively for both work and personal use, I've found that laptops are the best option for me than PCs. Mainly because laptops fit my mobile life style, and they allow me to work or do all what I do on the personal side of my life wherever I am the moment.

What I have made laptops my favorite computer form factor, is the fact that laptops just fit my life style the most. The ability that I can bring my computer with me, no matter where I go, is something that just enjoy and come to appreciate.

If you add that Linux Mint works with most of the hardware out there, is the icing in the cake. Linux Mint just works better for me than Windows. Specially now that, I can access I need for work via Remmina, or an web app via a web browser, for work. It makes a lot easier to use Linux Mint for everything in my life.

And with Flatpak, I've seen a lot more apps being made available while being easier to install. For example Microsoft Edge or Brave can be installed as Flatpak on Linux Mint. Even Spotify can be installed this way.

What's best, is that all can be installed using a graphical package manager. Which is something that makes life easier for users that don't have much technical skills, or just don't want to deal with the command-line interface.

Now that our digital life has become ever more relevant, laptops are one half of what allows me to managing it a lot easier. The other half is the smartphone, and it allows me to manage both my digital and real world lives that much easier.

Google Pixel 7a: quite a good deal for the money.

After using a Nothing Phone 1 for a couple of years, I made the jump to a Pixel 7a. It has been a week since the Pixel 7a became my daily driver, and to be honest I've really liked it so far.

To be honest, I've been looking to move to a Google Pixel ever since the Pixel line came about, but something always seemed to get in the way. And the last time I renewed my smartphone the Pixel 6a wasn't out yet, and since I prefer mid-range smartphones the Nothing Phone 1 was the best option for me a the time.

This time round, I could have waited for the Nothing Phone 2a to come out. But, I wanted to give the Pixel 7a with the Google's Tensor 2 SoC a chance. Specially because I've read really good reviews of the SoC, and good reviews of the Pixel 7a.

So far, I haven't been disappointed. So much so, that I can recommend Google Pixels and Nothing Phones to those people who want good value for their money on mid range smartphones.

And now, I hope that I can save enough money so that in about 2-3 years from now I can make the jump a non a Pixel Phone just to try it out for myself.

Linux is no longer the sole realm of experts.

When people tell me that Linux doesn't have an user friendly distro, I can't help to think that they are either lying or haven't used a Linux distro in the last 10 to 15 years.

While distros like Arch Linux are well known for requiring quite a technical expertise, other distros like Linux Mint can be used by anyone. Yes, there is a learning curve to learn how to use it, but it isn't as high as most people tend to think it is. Most of the time, is just learning how some apps are named or how settings are managed.

Specially, now that for things like installing software there a graphical store that helps people to look for and install apps in a more intuitive way. And there is there a lesser need to use the command line in many distros, and more help online to those who want learn how to use the terminal.

These days, the main question is if the apps you need are available on Linux. The same goes for Windows or macOS, rather than the ease of use of the operating system.

Even now, the hardware support is less of an issue for Linux. Hardware support for Linux has improved greatly, so much so that most of the hardware out there works unless is has been designed to only work for Windows or macOS. So much so, that there are some companies like System76 and Tuxedo Computers that make computers that support run Linux as default.

Even computers from Lenovo, HP, and Dell work nicely with Linux Mint or Ubuntu.

As such, there are options out there that support Linux out of the box using distros for users of every level of technical skills. Now, is only a matter to see which option is a better fit for you.

Linux has come a long way, and while it still has some way to go it is no longer the realm of those who are experts.

Spotify running on the background on Linux Mint.

That I can close Spotifty's window, and it keeps playing in the background in Linux Mint, is one of those details of using a computer that makes it a lot better that you don't miss until you can't do it.

Currently I'm using Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia, but I was able to do so since Linux Mint 21.2 Victoria. And I'm using Linux Mint's system packages, not the Flatpak version of Spotify Linux client. Not that I dislike the Flatpak version of app, just that I prefer using system packages of the apps I trust.

For some years, if you wanted to keep Spotify running on the background on Linux, you had to use workarounds to be able to do so. Not the optimal thing to do, specially for people who didn't know how to do so or wanted to have do some extra steps to be able to do so. So much so, that I got tired of it and stopped doing it

Yet, being able to do so out of the box is something that I really enjoy. Specially since it is something you can do on other OSes like Windows. And to be honest, is one of those small things people notice on an app behavior when they make the jump to Linux from an OS that supported being able to run Spotify on the background when you closed the app window.

For me, that I can run Spotify on the background, just like I do with Rhythmbox, is one of those things that makes the whole user experience of using Linux Mint a lot better. Specially because Spotify has become an integral part of how I consume music and podcasts on daily basis.

Spotify helps be discover new music, and listen artists and songs I already loved wherever I am. Also listen to the podcasts I love on the move, no matter where I am at the moment.

Which is great for me, since I like to so while commuting or walking.

Spotify has become my go to music and podcast streaming service, and it restored functionality of running it on the background when closing the window on Linux Mint has solidified its position for me.

AI: could be a game changer for the better.

With artificial intelligence(AI) getting better, and becoming more mainstream, people seem to be all over the place on how they feel about it. The truth is that AI can be a powerful tool if used correctly, and it seems that there are use cases that prove this.

As it stands, how good the AI is come on how good the information used to train it is. So far, I'm hopeful that AI can become an important tool to help people both at work and leisure. AI can be extremely helpful, though there is still much development ahead of us to see its full potential.

Personally, I do believe AI can be a greatly beneficial if developed in such a way. So far, the signs seem to be good, with legislation seemingly and development making it easier to develop AI that is useful for society and individuals. There have been some uses of AI that highlight how not to use it, but mainly sets the precedence that it is in initial stages of its development.

Cases like that, just make me certain that AI can be useful if the user knows both the AI limitations, and that he or she stills needs to check that the answers given by the AI are correct. With time people will realize that AI is a powerful tool that will enhance our lives for the better if used correctly.

We don't need to fear AI, but we need to fear how people use it for and how AI is trained. At the end of the day, is up to us to make sure that AI is used for our benefit.

Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia: a great point release.

I've  Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia for a couple of weeks now, and coming coming from 21.2 Victoria it has been quite a nice upgrade. While it isn't a groundbreaking upgrade, the OS feels great.

Personally, the one of the best things that came with the upgrade is being able to verify the ISO image with a right click. Which is important for me, since I like to make a live USB of the newest release of Linux Mint to make a clean install when needed, or just install Linux Mint on a new Laptop when I upgrade my system.

Another thing I like, is that testing to move to Wayland started with this Linux Mint release. While Wayland isn't expected to come at least until 2025, the fact that testing has begun is a good thing.

To be honest, with each new release Linux Mint cements itself as my go to Linux distro. It has the right balance of offering access to the modern software without braking things by being on the bleeding edge. As such, it just works and it gives me what I need to being productive at work and access I need to relax on my free time.

I'm looking forward to Linux Mint 22 later this year, while I expect it to come with a bigger set of changes it all points that it will be just another great release by the Linux Mint team.

Linux Mint: just keeps getting better.

I've been using Linux since about 2008, when I decided to use Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) on my laptop because Windows Vista kept crashing on me multiple times a day. And since then I've using a Linux distro on my personal laptop, and since 2020 on I also started using it for work.

Since 2019, I decided to move from Ubuntu to Linux Mint full time. What motivated the move was that Ubuntu stopped using Unity, and started to use GNOME. And to be honest, I simply don't like GNOME 3 and Linux Mint's Cinnamon is a far better option for my use case. The only thing holding me to using Ubuntu was that I liked Unity and that I was used to how Ubuntu works.

Yet, ever since I made the jump to Linux Mint I can say that it has become my favorite OS. It just works, and it does it in a way that makes my life easier. And since it's based on Ubuntu, I can do all what I'm used to do when I used Ubuntu as my go to OS.

The best thing about Linux Mint, is that with each release it focuses on improvements that feel like an evolution of the OS, rather than trying to change things just to be on bleeding edge of Linux development. That means that things just work and changes tend not to break things.

I just like that Linux Mint feels like an elegant OS, that can be used by users that just want a OS that enables each user to do her or his thing, without getting in the way. The most important thing, is that you don't need to be an expert to use it.

And even if you are a computer expert, Linux Mint is a great option for those who just want an OS that is a great platform to use if you just want an OS that doesn't get in your way after you set it up to your liking, and you don't need to be on the bleeding edge of Linux.

Unless your user case means that you need to use Windows, or macOS, Linux Mint is a great option.

NothingOS 2.5 is a great upgrade.

When the public beta for NothingOS 2.5, which is based on Android 14, for Nothing Phone 1 came out I decided to give it a try. So far, it is a solid upgrade for the device. For my use case, there hasn't been any issue and to be honest the battery life has seen an improvement.

The changes, and tweaks, made to the user interface have for the better. Even though I already preferred Android for use in my smartphones, NothingOS proves that Android is a solid base. So much so, Google Pixels are the main competition to Nothing Phones so far. I would consider the Motorola Razr as a possible option, mainly because I'm interested in flip phones and I like Motorola, but the price makes me doubt about making the jump.

Later this year, or early next year, I might choose to upgrade my smartphone. So far, all points out that Nothing will continue to be my smartphone of choice.

Android.

The more I use Android smartphones, the harder I find it to move the iPhone. The question is more about which Android smartphone OEM I'll choose at the time come for me to replace my current device.

Although I consider the iPhone to be great, it simply doesn't give me what I want the user experience I want on my smartphone. Meanwhile, I can get Android devices to fit my needs like a glove. Not only that, smartwatches using Wear OS also are a better fit for me.

Android devices give me what I want on my smartphones, while Wear OS smartwatches make for quite a great side kick.

I'm planning on changing my current smartphone, which is a Nothing Phone (1), by the end of 2024. So far, the main contender is the Nothing Phone or the Google Pixel released in 2024. And the best thing about Android, is that there will be more options to consider by the time I come to a final decision.

For example, I might end up choosing the Samsung Galaxy S that comes out for 2024.

At the end, it all will come down to what Android OEM gives me the best value for my money. And that's what I love about Android smartphones, there is a wide selection of devices.