Steam: making Linux an option for gamers.

As a teenager, I used to be much more of a gamer. But with time, I've become more of a casual gamer. Mainly because of a lack of time to play video games, and the reluctance to invest much money on games I don't have much time to play.

Then, about a decade ago, I moved to Linux as my main OS. This meant that the number of games I'd be interested would be next to none. I didn't mind that much since I wasn't playing that much, and I had access to consoles at the time.

A couple of years ago Steam became available on Linux Mint, and I heard that the number games for Linux were increasing. So, I decided to give it a try, and I haven´t been disappointed.

The main game I've been playing is Himno-The Silent Melody. A nice game, that helps me relax, and it plays pretty well on Linux Mint.

And for what I've been seeing, with Proton more games are becoming playable on Linux. Not every game, but it has made Linux a true option for gamers that want to live Windows. Or those gamers, like me, that don't want to have a Windows machine to play games on Steam.

While parity with Windows will take time, and might never come, than Steam makes more video games playable on Linus using Proton is a net positive for gamers and Linux. And to be honest, parity might not be needed if enough AAA games become viable to be played on Linux. That would be enough to make more indie game developers to make their games on Linux too, making the gamers see Linux as an option.

Personally, it is something I hope it comes to be.

A bar I'd like to see.

Bars and coffeehouse are my favorite places to chill with friends, or alone, and do some light work. Both places are already great to chill, but for some light work I feel there is place for bars that allow people to do some light work while waiting for friends or just get there to find a place to do so that isn't a coffeehouse.

To get there, there a few things I'd like to see on a bar like this. The fist one, is to have outlets close to the tables. This would make it convenient when your laptop is low in battery, or when you need to do some work that demands more power from it.

The other, is Wi-Fi to become more common. Since most of the time, I see more people checking emails, or files, while sipping a beer or cocktail. I don't really see people doing important work, just light work to prepare for the next day.

It sense, this kind of bar could a place where people could come chill and relax with friends or alone, and do some light work before heading home.

To be honest, it would the kind of bar I'd love to be a regular.

Bluetooth, a must have for me.

Bluetooth was one of those technologies that I found interesting, but I didn't see myself using much. Now, I really have become a heavy user of the technology. I use it from headphones, to my main mouse and keyboard.

I stated using Bluetooth with headphones with my smartphone, and not having to worry about a wire made the experience a whole lot more convenient. And when I started using them with my laptop, the whole experience became even better since I wasn't tied down to being close to it to keep listening to my music or podcast.

At work became even more liberating, since I have to constantly stand up to pick documents at the printer or do things out of my desk. Not having to take off my headphones every time I stand up from my desk is a nice thing to be able to do.

I did use a wireless mouse, using a USB interface for a long time, but moving to Bluetooth liberated a USB port, which on modern laptop is great since USB ports are not that many on them.

Next came the keyboard, which a wireless one is a nice thing to have since I use a laptop stand. And since I prefer to not use a USB port when I don't have to do so, a Bluetooth keyboard is the best option for me.

If you can afford a Bluetooth version of the devices you use the most, you should go for it if you don't want to deal with cables.

Android 16: a great upgrade.

It has been about 4 years that I've been getting regular Android, and each one it proves to be the better option for me. I've been getting the upgrade with Android 13, and currently I got Android 16.

The first two were on the Nothing Phone (1), and the last two on the Pixel 7a. Each time it felt like an improvement, and the smartphone felt a bit better after the upgrade even though are mid range devices. Which makes it a lot more impressive, the level of optimization makes them a breeze to use and extend their useful life.

The new features that come with each upgrade also makes them more useful, even if they aren't ground breaking. The quality of life that comes with them make them wort it. Yet the main reason why the upgrades are important, is that they bring security updates with them that keeps your device safe to use for longer.

Personally, that Android upgrades are becoming more common for more devices, and for longer, is something that will benefit the users on the long run. Specially if each new Android version comes keeps improvements coming, and it'll stay my go to mobile OS.

Pixel Xa and Nothing phones: my go to smartphones.

It has been nearly two years since I got the Pixel 7a, and it is one of the best two Android devices I've used. The other one would be the Nothing Phone (1), both really good mid range options.

Both devices are really solid mid range smartphones, and in some ways punch a bit above their class in some ways. Mainly in how smooth they operate, and for me both cameras were quite good if you are just looking to share photos and video on social media, or with friends. Not the best ones out there, but more than good enough to share a moment with friends and family.

The main reason I didn't go with the Nothing Phone (2), and instead went with the Pixel 7a, was that it wasn't available in Mexico when I made the switch. I don't regret it, but in a way I would get a Nothing phone if the timing is right when the time to upgrade comes in a year or two. If not, I'd go with the Pixel Xa phone is available at the time.

The main reason I'd continue using Pixel or Nothing devices, is that they give me the best value for my money at the mid rage. Though at times I'd like to go premium, I can't really justify the price when the Pixel Xa, and Nothing phones, give all what I need and want on a smartphone. They might not come with the latest and greatest SoC, cameras, or other hardware, but what they come with is mature enough the they work great for years.

Not to mention that Nothing offers at least three years of OS updates, with at least one more of security updates, with the new Pixels come with 7 years od OS updates. Both are more than good enough for the amount of time I expect to use my smartphone before upgrading it.

So, unless clamshell foldables come down to mid range levels in a couple of years, Pixel a series and Nothing phones will continue to be my go to smartphones.

Public transport systems: a win for everyone.

One of my biggest gripes with mobility in big cities, is that we have the public transport systems to help alleviate the traffic, thus improving the quality of life of the people, and they aren't given enough priority and planning.

Systems of light rail, and bus rapid transit, when correctly planned and implemented, can help to move people faster and conveniently. When implemented well, people can move fast and easily within the city. This in turn benefits their employers and other business owners by making it easier to their employees and clients to get to where they are located.

Not only that, by taking people of cars, the congestion will be a lot less. This means that those who need or prefer using cars, can move faster since there are less traffic jams.

Good public transport systems are a win for everyone, even those who don't use them.

Most importantly, it doesn't take away from personal freedom. A good public transport system actually increase the mobility of people within the city, by granting access to more areas of the city in a more convenient and practical way.

A sign that a public transport system is good, and has quality, is that a big portion of the people who live in the city from different social classes, sees it as a good option to get to where they need to get. And that is something every city should have. 

Linux Mint: from freedom came elegance.

While I love using Linux Mint, one of the things I would love to see more is more people who use Linux Mint sharing the apps and the desk set ups they use.

To be honest, one of the reasons I love Linux Mint is that is one of the distros that is easiest to set on your personal aesthetics. A solid Linux disto that is easy to use, and that is easy to set to be aesthetical pleasing. A distro that has the looks and the technical foundations, so to say.

In a way, Linux Mint is elegant. The closest one that come close in my view was Ubuntu when it used Unity. Other than that, I haven't found that gives me the aesthetics that Linux Mint gives me. And since it changed the release schedule to use LTS versions of Ubuntu as its base, it has been even better.