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.

 

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.

Last piece to make my dream office happen.

Over the last last few years I've been able to fine tune what goes on my desk to help me be more productive, feel more comfortable, and feel it works for me.

I've set on a dual monitor setup, one being my laptop's display, a wireless mechanical keyboard, and wireless mouse. Also a notebook for notes, some pens and highlighter in a pen holder. Instead of a mouse pad, I've gone with a desk mat for my keyboard and mouse. Also a good pair of headphones have become indispensable for when I want to focus on what I'm working on.

Some other things I like to have at hand at the desk, are a water bottle or mug of coffee. There is also place for some snacks when I feel low on energy, or need to munch on something. There are some figurines of my favorite shows to give some personalization to my desk.

Now, what I want to make my desk set up perfect, is the desk it self. The desks on my home and work offices are the normal sitting desk, and I've found out that I'd prefer to have standing desks on both places, since sitting down all day is something I don't enjoy since I like to move. I find myself standing up during the day, and not being able to have my desk at a level which allows me to work comfortably standing up is a drag. Besides, I find that for some things I focus better while I'm standing, while I prefer to sit when working on reports.

I'd prefer an L shaped standing desk, since I'd like to have one side to work with my laptop and the other to work on other things. Having a two distinct zones to work on different things on the same desk is something I've come to appreciate on my home office desk, since I don't have the same set up on my work office desk.

My preferred desk top material, would be dark brown wood or carbon fiber. I've come to like better dark desks, with some light accents given by what I use everyday to work. Some RGB lights would be nice, but not required. I'm partial to the gaming aesthetics, but somewhat subdued.

I've seen some options, but I don't expect to make the jump soon. The desktop I can change is my home office one, since is the one I've control over. At work, I could make it happen but it would take a lot of things to come together. As such, guess that the one I can make it my dream set up would be my home office, though in a perfect work I'd be able to make both happen.

A Year with Mechanical Keyboards: My Journey from Skeptic to Convert

After a year of using mechanical keyboards, I must say that from now on they are my go to keyboards when I'm at my desk.

While I use a laptop for my computer needs, I got myself a couple of them. I use a Machenike K500 PRO-94 at work, and a Machenike K500-B61 at my home office. Both are wireless, and have RGB, which have also become must have features on my future keyboards. Though RGB is not as important, being wireless connection is, since I prefer the cleaner look of not having wires gives my desk.

I had my doubts about making the jump, specially because most of the reviews I say were focused on Windows and macOS, so I wasn't sure which ones worked on Linux Mint. A year after, both keyboards work really well with Linux Mint on both laptops I've using them.

I connect them using Bluetooth, and even switching between them is easy. Both can be paired up to three devices, which is a great option when you want to use the keyboard with more than one device.

While still prefer keyboards with a numpad, the smaller size of the K500-B61 makes it an option to take it with me when I travel, or want to go work at a coffee shop. The only thing I would be looking for to do that, is a case to protect it while it is on my backpack.

Mechanical keyboard, specially wireless ones, have become my preferred keyboard.