Software, OEMs, and Community: The Real Roadmap for Linux

As a Linux user, I do advocate for Linux knowing that not everyone can make the jump for a variety of reason. From the apps they need for work aren't available on Linux, and there isn't a suitable replacement app for their needs, to the computer they is loaned by their work.

As such, what is needed to for wider Linux adoption is to increase the number of apps in Linux. Not only that, is bring the apps professionals use to Linux, so that more professionals can make the jump to Linux. Not only that, we need more OEM of computer and laptops to offer Linux preinstalled, since most of the average users don't want to go through the extra step of installing Linux on a new computer no mater how easy it has become lately.

Granted, is easier to convince them to do so on a computer they already own, and have financial incentive to keep running for years to come. Yet, when buying a new computer is whole different matter where Linux coming preinstalled would make it a lot easier for them to make the jump. This would be easier if display computers are made available for them to test the Linux distro before making the purchase.

One of the things I'd like to see, are places where people interested in Linux could go and physically meet people who use Linux daily on their main computers. This way, they could ask questions, and for help, from people who have the experience and know how to actually help. This would make people trusting Linux a lot easier, since having someone at the same place helping you build trust faster then trying to do so online.

At the end of the day, Linux is build to be used by people. So, making sure it reaches the hands of as much people as possible is vital to get it adopted. The more people use it, and talk about it in a positive way, the easier it will become for more people to make the jump.

What Linux needs are not gatekeepers, but people who help people make the best use of it. 

Built for Work, Not Content: The Admin’s Guide to Real-World Desk Setups

As someone who works on the administrative side of things, I find it annoying that when I look for desk and home office ideas most of what I find is most often focused for content creators or designers, some with a gamer side to it. While the gaming side of the set ups is are things I'd make use of, on the work flow side of things most are things that I simply don't need.

While things like keyboards, monitors, desks, and chairs, are things that people who work with computers on the administrative side of things can also find quite useful, other like cameras, lighting setups, and stream decks are expensive additions that won't see much use on our daily work.

The same sometime goes for backpacks for our everyday carry. They are just to bulky, mainly because they more often than not tend to include pockets for camera gear that as an administrative worker one doesn't need. They also leave out things like pockets to carry food containers, something many admin workers do find useful.

For most admin workers, our main tools work tools are our laptops and smartphones. These devices give us access to all the apps we need to have on daily basis, like camera, music, email, communications apps, and whichever app needed for getting work done. In-ear headphones are most often than not what admin workers reach for, because they are more practical because of their size and are what they already use.

For most admin workers that have online meetings, the camera, mic and speakers on their laptop are  most often than not better than good enough for the takes. The again, some might go for in-ear headphone with mic included when they want some privacy, or not want to disturbe those around them.

When on the go, the laptop and smartphone combo is the most practical. While for some having a portable monitor is useful, for a quick online meeting, or work session at the cafe, the laptop and smartphone are all what is needed to be productive. The second monitor is better at the office, the place where most of the work that makes the best of it is done.

To be honest, while the home office and desk setups of content creators and designers are nice to look, most of the time they aren't what the best option for my work flow and other needs. 

You’re Allowed to Be Human: Why Hiding Your Pain Is Killing You

Something worse than feeling burned out, is the feeling that you got no one to turn to that won't make you feel like you are you blowing things out of proportion, that you are weak for feeling like that, or that you better get used to that because life is hard.

What makes it worse is the feeling that when you reach out to at least be listen to, you hit a wall of that make you feel like you aren't living to your potential. There is no way you can feel tired, angry, or frustrated, because you aren't doing enough to even begin to feel like that. And no matter what you do, you aren't doing enough to begin to feel like that.

Not only that, you are not entitled to feel any negative emotions. You are to feel happy, and show only positive emotions all the time and to everyone around you. There isn't even a good reason to say that something that happened, or someone did, made you feel anything negative, even if you controlled that negative emotion and didn't show it at the moment.

It only makes you feel worse, like you failed for feeling anything else than positive emotions.

What's worse, you start hiding or bottling negative emotions because if you even mention them the backlash only makes you feel worse about it. Even when all you want is someone to understand or listen to you, what you get is anything but support. All you get is the feeling of failing, or not being good enough.

The feeling of having to be perfect, or having not being able to feel anything else but happiness and positive things, pulls you down and makes you feel even more tired and burned out. The feeling that you have to always be positive, no matter how bad things around you are, only makes everything worse.

Not only that, that other people won't let you even mention that you felt anything negative makes you keep your guard up even among the people with who you are supposed to be able to relax and be free to at least say what makes you feel angry, sad, or tired without the accusation of being a bad person for feeling like that.

Life is though enough as it is, and not being able to at least talk about what make you feel anything negative to at least be a able to let it out make it even worse.

Having those negative feelings doesn't make you a bad person, or a less deserving one. It makes you human, you deserve to able to talk about them and to work them out.

The Best of Both Worlds: My Hybrid Laptop and Dual-Monitor Workflow

While I prefer the laptop and smartphone combo since I like to be mobile, I've come to realize that when at my home or work office I do prefer a dual monitor setup. Mainly because my workflow at the desk benefits from the dual monitor setup, while if I am on the road my laptop is what I need.

The work I do at my home, or work, offices benefits of dual monitor setups since I need to compare information or check the info on different apps often. Meanwhile on the road, I'm just doing stuff than a single monitor is enough. Besides, my ideal dual monitor setup is my laptop monitor along side a 27" monitor as my primary one while I'm my offices desk.

For my ideal laptop monitor size, it would be the 15.6" one. It gives me the balance between screen size and portability I seek on a laptop. I tried a 13" laptop once, and I found it to be to small for my use, and larger screens on laptops make them to bulky for to carry around on daily basis.

On my desk, a 24" or 27" monitor gives the display real state I prefer on my primary display, while the 15.6" inch of my laptop is the perfect second display for my perfect dual monitor setup. I prefer having a smaller display for referencing, while I work on the larger display. Though, I could happy work with both displays being 15.6".

It has been about 4 years since I starting working with a dual monitor setup at my desks, and I've found that this setup is the best for my workflow. I prefer to have one app per display, so a wide aspect display doesn't seem to be a good option for me, but I still got to try it out. 

Two Offices, One Flow: Setting Up Desks for Hybrid Work

Ever since I moved jobs in May, I've come to realize that my every day carry has become quite minimalist. Other than my laptop, a bag with esencial cables, an umbrella, notepad, pens, daily planner, sun glasses and headphones on my backpack. In my pockets I just carry keys, wallet, smartphone, earphones, keys and my smartwatch. Other than that, I don't anything else on daily basis.

 Any other of the things I need for work, are at my desk at home or work desks. And even on the desks, I try to just keep what I need to do on daily basis on both desk. What's on both desks is a bit different, but on both is a keyboard, mouse, desk mat, pens and pencils on a dedicated holder, and some notebooks at the desktop. On drawers cables, other things, that I need to use from time to time, but not often like a stapler, cables, and chargers.

My desk at work is still lacking somethings, like a lamp and plant. I'd like to add a second monitor but is not mandatory. To be honest, the administrative work area is still a work in progress. But this time, I've more of a say on how that desk is going to be set. We are still working on my schedule, so how many hours I'd be working from my home office, and how many I'd be working at the work office are fluid. Though having a well set up desk for administrative work will benefit everyone, since we are a couple of people that need to use on regular basis.

I've several ideas on how to improve both desks, but we'll see what and how those ideas can be implemented. The most important thing, is to make both desk places that are easy to work in, and help bring out the best work. 

The SteamOS Effect: How Valve Turned Linux Into a Legitimate Gaming Platform

As a Linux Mint user, that enjoys playing video games, that Valve decided to create SteamOS has been a blessing. Mainly because it means the video games are coming to the Linux desktops, when a few years ago being able to play video games on Linux was constrained due to the lack of people using Linux.

That Valve making its own Linux distro with SteamOS, Linux becomes a legitimate platform for video game distributions. Specially because Valve put a lot of work in Proton to bring video games playable on Windows to Linux via Steam. And while some titles on Steam have been developed for Linux, Proton expands the number of titles playable on Linux by orders of magnitude.

Personally, gaming was the only thing that could have made considered to dual boot Linux Mint and Windows, or having a dedicated PC gaming. Yet, now that Steam OS development has come, and made the need for that redundant.

While Linux might not become as mainstream as Windows or macOS, the fact that Steam OS has made gaming a thing on Linux makes me hopeful about the adoption of Linux. 

Why My Backpack Has Over-Ears and My Pocket Has In-Ears

Turns out that although I do love Bluetooth headphones, the form factor I prefer to use depends on what and where I'm going to be while using the headphones.

While I'm walking, at work on-site, or commuting, I prefer in-ear headphones. I prefer in-ear headphones while doing so, mainly because they are light, the sound quality is good enough, and more comfortable to wear while while I'm on the move.

Meanwhile, when I'm at my home office, café, or bar, I go for over-ear headphones. Mainly because they are better at isolating me for ambient noise, and thus help be better concentrate on what I'm doing, or just better shield myself from the ambient noise.

Currently I own a pair of in-ear and a pair of over-ear headphones. One pair of over-ear headphones is stationed at my home office, while the other comes with me in my backpack when I go on the road or just want to work somewhere outside other than my home office, or my desk at work.

When working at my desk at work, I've a pair of in-ear headphones living there for when I want to focus on a certain task or just not listen to the chatter of the clients or coworkers talking among themselves while not cutting myself from them if I'm needed. Another pair lives at my pocket, so it always comes with me on my walks or commute. Specially because, when on my way to, or from work, or walking, is when I've time to listen to the podcasts I like, or I just put some relaxing music.

At the end of the day, Bluetooth headphone have won me over.