Gaming on Linux Has Arrived: Sword of Convallaria and the Proton Revolution

I just finished playing Sword of Convallaria, and I really enjoyed the game. It is a turned based RPG. and it is quite good if you like this kind genre of video game, specially since it is free to play.

To be honest, I didn't expect it to be so good. The art, music, game play, all comes together in a game that is both challenging and fun to play. The art is what cached my eye the most, but the whole game is one of those games that is worth your time. Specially if you are a casual gamer, since the barrier to entry is low and it pays off quite well.

It has become one of my favorite games, and one great way to enter the gaming scene on Linux. The other game I would recommend to people starting their gaming journey, specially on Linux, would be Palia. Both games are great games, whether you want something casual, or something a bit more challenging.

Both games show that gaming on Linux has great potential. it might be the push for me to buy a couple of games I've been eyeing on Steam for some quite time now. Not only that, I can now say that gaming on Linux has arrived and actually promote Linux with fellow gamers.

In some ways, I feel vindicated for making the jump to Linux and holding as long as I have. I knew Steam was making progress with compatibility on Linux, but didn't expect it to be get so good. So much so, that I might actually go for a Steam Deck, or compatible handheld, since I want to be able to play games in not only on my laptop.

Life is getting better for gamers who use Linux. What more, is ever more welcoming for a bigger audience.

15 Years Strong: Why I'm Never Going Back to Windows (and Why You Don't Have To)

Since I made the jump to Linux about 15 years ago, I haven't looked back to using Windows. While I use Windows at work, the more I use it the more I prefer to use Linux.

To be honest, the only thing I had to give up when I started using Linux was gaming. At the time, gaming on Linux wasn't really an option. Yet, since about 2020 gaming on Linux has gotten better using Steam. It is not perfect, and not all games work on Linux. But, more of 80% of the Steam video game library is now playable on Linux, which makes Linux an option at least for casual gamers.

On the professional side off things, not all apps on Windows run on Linux. But, a growing number of apps getting a Linux option, or there is an alternative for apps that don't run Linux. Not all are perfect, but at least there are options to tryout if you are interested in making the jump. Personally, at work the app we use runs on a remote server, so using Remmina I can log in and work without much problem. Besides printing, which is not a problem of running a remote desktop, but more of a policy of our provider that does not allow to run printers on the server itself.

While I know not everyone can make the jump to Linux, it is a fact that most people can make the jump. The only two limiting factors are if your hardware can run Linux, and if all your apps are on Linux or have an option to jump to. And to be honest, most computers configs can run Linux.

The three Linux distros I recommend are Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Pop_OS. The three of them fit more use cases, and have the apps most people use out of the box. And if those apps aren't installed out of the box, they are easily installed using the app stores that come with them. Most importantly, the app stores make using the terminal optional for the most popular apps.

I do root for some Linux distros being more user friendly, they make the jump of more people to Linux possible. After that, some user will advance to more complex distros. But, for that to happen we need more people using Linux.

 

The New Third Place: Why Remote Workers Need Beer Bars (and Not Just Coffee Shops)

As someone who likes to work away from my desk at home, or at the office, just change pase and environment, coffee shops are a great option. Yet, from time to time I'd like to see beer bars as an option too, since there sometimes where I don't want to have caffeine, and low alcohol beers help me to wind down and relax.

There is also the fact that the atmosphere at both places are quite different, even if both place were geared toward letting people work. Working while enjoining a coffee is quite different from doing so with a beer. With the coffee you want to focus more, and work in a faster pase. While with a beer one wants to relax, and take a wider view of things.

In some ways, while both are a means to an end, how you get to that end is different. Personally, I do feel I prefer coffee shops when I want to focus more in a personal level, while in a beer bar I want to collaborate more or don't mind being interrupted. Yet I love to work at both places since they allow me to change perspectives. 

I'd love to see more beer bars that are more welcoming to workers that want to sip a beer, or two, while working. No matter if its office work, or creative work, the point is give us who want another option to find inspiration. Not everyone wants to go to coffee shops, and beer bars are quite the option we are looking for. We even see beer something to enjoy while collaborating  with others, while creating things.

Low alcohol, even 0% percent ones, are perfect when you just want to have a cold beverage while trying to figure things out. At least, I've found it works for me.

Yet, I haven't found the perfect one for me. I've some ideas of what I'd to see, like Wi-Fi, easy access to outlets for when you need to charge your laptop or smartphone, and tables and chair that are comfortable to work on for an hour or two. I'd even like to see places where small groups of people can sit down to collaborate.

People don't always want so go to bars to watch sports or celebrate, sometimes we just want to relax or to focus on things we want to solve.

The Admin Advantage: Productivity Hacks and Gear for Business Workflows

While I like watching every day carry and desktop setups, I've found that most tend setups tend to be geared to gaming, programmers, and creators. For someone who main job is an office one and it feels that finding things that would be more useful for my everyday life a bit hard

Not get me wrong, I've found some things that have proven useful, or I'd like to include in my desktop setup, or everyday carry. Things I found, have been a good mechanical keyboard, a mouse, mouse mat, and Bluetooth in-ear headphones. I wouldn't even started to look for them if I haven't seen them on a setup. And the Bluetooth in-ear headphones have been a game changer for my everyday carry.

Even I've gotten a good idea for the backpacks I use, since I got to see different sizes of backpacks and get a better idea of the one that better fits my needs.

The one thing I still want to incorporate, is a standing desk. Sitting down does a number on my knees, and standing helps me to focus, or to feel a bit calmer when I get restless. Going from sitting to standing, or vice versa, really helps me to change my mindset at the moment.

Yet, there are also things I don't really care about like a microphone, or camera sets. I don't have a need for them, and the camera on my smartphone is more that good enough for my needs. I don't that many remote meetings, and most of my work related communications are mainly made in person, email, Whats app, and via phone call from time to time.

As such, I'd like to see more set ups, and work flows, focused more on business office work. Things on how to better manage ERP software, file management, and other things on the administrative side of things.

I do believe that there is a lack of people sharing how they make their administrative work better, and share hacks and ideas with others. 

Two Worlds, One Life: Growing Up in the Analog-Digital Transition

I find it interesting, and mildly annoying, this generational divide of opinions about modern technology.

In one had, we have the so called boomers that love what the conviniese of modern tech while hating how it has changed how younger generations interact with each other because of it. It seems that they forget they started the development of said technologies, and were hopeful about what they promised to do.

While the generations who grew up not knowing life without the tech we have now, are getting a hard time from the generation who wanted people like them who were capable of using the tech telling them how wrong they are for using it proficiently.

Personally, being a 90's kid, I grew up in a transition world. I did all what the boomers did, and also what millennials became accustomed to. So, in a way I like the digital way of doing things while in other I prefer the analog way. Which is better? Well, all depends on what you are talking about.

I do see the benefit of taking notes on paper, while some other things are better served by the digital equivalent. I can see why the selection of an analog or a digital method of doing things can come to a personal preference.

I also agree that the business model, on which everything is going to everything is becoming a subscription, is in detriment of society at larger. People should be able to own what they buy outright, even if it is a digital copy. Subscriptions should not be the main business model out there.

People should be able to do what they want with the things they purchase. When someone purchase something, either in digital or physical form, they own said copy.

In many ways, the want of profit is overriding societal good. Yes, it is a good thing when people profit from their work, but not when that profit comes at the expense of others within the society or society itself.

Society has changed in ways 20 years ago no one saw coming. It is time to update the social contract. 

It Shouldn't Be This Hard: The Real Reason I Left Windows for Linux Mint.

With Windows 10 end on life coming on October 14, I go reminded of several reasons why I moved to Linux Mint for my personal laptops.

I use Windows 10 on my work computer, and while on technical terms is works rather well the fact that  it can't be upgraded to Windows 11 easily is something that throws me off. Specially since it is a five year old computer, with decent specs for the work I do.

There is also the fact that I get several ads a day telling that support is ending, and to either buy a license or a new computer with Windows 11 to keep getting support is something rather annoying. Specially since the computer isn't mine to begin with, so I can't do much about it.

While computer technically doesn't support Windows 11, I know that the IT guys can find a work around to install it. Which is something that shouldn't be happen, since is perfectly serviceable computer for at least three more years. It just lacks the Trusted Platform Module needed to run Windows 11, which feels like something that should happen since it should be posible to Microsoft to allow all Windows 10 computers to be upgrades to Windows 11.

I can see why it would be too much trouble, or impractical, to make it so for computers made at the time of Windows 8 or before. Yet, with the release cadence of Microsoft for each mayor release, it would stand that the hardware made for the current Windows should be able to be upgraded to the next one. If Apple does it for their hardware for about 8 years, Microsoft should be able to make it happen too.

The thing is that, it should not be this hard to upgrade a computer that runs a modern OS nicely to the next version. While OS developers need to stop support for old hardware at some point, five to eight year old hardware still has some life in it. 

The Computer Triad: Why Tablets Won't Replace Laptops and PCs.

With each new release of the iPad, and the iPadOS, I remember how tablets were suppose have replaced laptops and PCs by now. I admit that they have done so in some ways, like in design, I don't believe they will completely replace laptops or PCs. Specially with smartphones around, which are the far better option than a tablet for personal computing on the go.

Tablets have become the go to computer for many, but they won't replace other types of computers. Laptops and PCs are better suited for some work flows. while tablets and smartphones have their own strengths. Personally, I see most people making use of a smartphone and tablet, laptop, or PC. Our smartphones are fulfill our on the go computing, while the use of tablet, laptop, or PC will dictated by the kind of work each person does.

I don't see just one type of computer being able to do all work flow, or needing to do so. For me, what is much more important is making each type of computer to work better for the type of work they are used for. Stop trying to make a jack of all trades, master of none.

Instead, make computers that people actually can and want to use because they enable to do their best work on them. So far, the smartphone has proven to be one side of the equation for most. For some, it will be the only computer they need, while for others the best complement could be either a tablet, laptop, or PC. All depends on their needs, which they know best.

I see the laptop being the most popular type of computer, along with the smartphone. It gives a good balance of portability and power for most work flows. Then, would come tablets and PCs becoming much more niche devices.

In a way, do expect most people using a tablet or a laptop, all comes down what kind of work they do. PC will be still be around, but mostly on more niche uses. Portability has become much more an important factor, specially since computer power has become smaller and practical to bring with you.

And with much more jobs not being dependent to be tied to a single place, laptops and tablets give people that ability to do their job effectively from almost anywhere. In many ways, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, give people the best option to convine their digital and analog lives in the best way possible.