A Week on Windows 11 Reaffirmed My Choice: Linux Mint.

After using Windows 11 on a daily basis for a week at work, I must say that aesthetically is better than Windows 10, but much else. I use Firefox as my main browser, and on Windows 11 seem to have some issues, which seem to be more on trying to make me to move to Edge than on Firefox itself, since Thunderbird works well.

Since I use my laptop, which runs Linux Mint, besides the desktop at work it makes it easy to see why staying on Linux Mint is by far the better choice for me. All the software I need for work is available on Linux Mint, and it works just as well. The only sour point at the moment is the printer, but because Linux Mint can't make use of the printers we have, but of implementation of the drivers the IT department choose to make. Not to mentions that the hardware specs of my laptop are quite better then the specs of the desktop the IT department issued me.

Not only that, I'm quite certain that if Linux Mint was installed on desktop, it would run a lot better that it does with Windows 11. And I mean installing the latest version of Linux Mint, which at the time of writing is Linux Mint 22.2 Zara.

And with more services, and apps, moving to the cloud, the OS you got installed becomes less relevant to run those services and apps. Installing and using web apps, meaning you just need a browser that supports the web app to use it. And since most the time it means using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, can be installed not only on Linux Mint, but most of the major Linux distros, jumping to Linux is easier.

On Linux Mint you can create web apps easily, so opening the you can enter directly to the web app without even having to open the browser it self. Web apps can be created to isolate the app from the onset, strengthening the security of the app.

As a Linux Mint user, I can say that moving away from Windows is becoming a real option. And Linux Mint is one of many distros to choose from.

El Rincón Cálido: (The Warm Corner) – Focuses on coziness and a dedicated workspace nook.

When I came across Maisy Leigh on YouTube, and her CozyLeigh Studios webpage, I must admit I got thinking about starting a similar studio in Guadalajara.

Though I would rather target Android devices, create wallpapers and icon sets for Linux Mint(and other Ubuntu based distros),  and a style targeting a more Latin American style. Still cozy, and relaxing, but that speaks a bit more to Latin tastes. I still see her, and family, style quite great. I do find them inspiring, yet I do so a space of a more Latin American interpretation of coziness and focused environment.

Besides, personally I find dark academia and mid-century modern design cues more cozy. I'd even get some minimalist cues in, just not to over saturate certain areas.

Using 3D printing seems to be the best way to start, a design studio that is both close to our target costumer base, and flexible enough to follow what those costumer want. I might look into mass production for some of the items, while other can stay on the relatively low production of 3D printers. Things like limited edition items, some made to order ones, or items that sell well enough but a mass production run doesn't make sense.

What makes this more tempting, is that most of decor and gadgets for home and work office feel either too formal or too gamer for me. Yes, I want items that allow me to feel more relaxed and focused, but not to the point that they seem somewhat out of place in an office.

Well, I better keep looking into  it. If you want to help create a design studio like that, get in touch with me.

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.