Easy way to try out a bunch of different DEs?
I don't understand the downvotes.
This isn't only an app issue, it's the implementation in Mutter.
On KDE for example, I've set 150% fractional scaling, and all apps look sharp.
I was really hyped when the recent update introduced "proper" fractional scaling, and was bummed when I noticed it didn't work in many of my apps, especially Electron ones.
I felt the same when I started using Linux.
My whole computing experience was on Windows, and when I switched, I expected Linux to be working the same and being a 1:1 replacement.
Just don't expect it to be the same.
Even if it sometimes looks like it (e.g. Mint oder KDE-based distros) it absolutely isn't similar.
People don't have the same expectations on MacOS, so why should we on Linux?
And if you really don't like it at all, then stay on Windows. No shame at all. Use the right tool for the right task.
For whom is it useful to write his custom image? Maintenance? Added value?
It's not good to layer too many packages on top of the normal atomic Fedora.
If you still need a special configuration, like for Nvidia ("silverblue-main-nvidia"), gaming setup ("bazzite"), non-supported DEs/ TWMs (e.g. "deepin-main") or special hardware (e.g. the Asus ROG or MS Surface), you can just download it and have everything in one go and working as a whole.
This is not only very convenient, but also more reliable, since your baked-in Nvidia driver for example/ config is the same as the one from thousands of other users, including the developers.
It prevents the "But it works on my PC"-problem and helps troubleshoot issues way faster and more precise.
Anecdotally, KDE has been a mess for me everytime after a few weeks for example.
This is due to package drift.
On my Kinoite install, it is actually usable and doesn't have nearly as many bugs as on the normal Fedora KDE variant. Just, because the install is the same.
When is it useful to deviate from fedora and use a ublue version? You don't have a fedora signed distro anymore. You have to trust another party blindly not to inject malicious code. Risk of not being maintained anymore.
Pretty much always imo.
Fedora isn't allowed to ship some stuff ootb, and uBlue tweaks it for you.
Also, you get more choice, as mentioned above.
uBlue isn't much derivated from the OG Fedora Atomic, and it has a large user base.
It doesn't need much maintenance, since it is mostly automated. That's the main pro point compared to forked distros like Nobara. Also, it's signed.
Wow! Is it really this easy? Awesome, I'll look into it, thanks!
Did you try the Flatpak version or packages of other distros (like Fedora) via Distrobox?
You probably installed it on your Manjaro install via pacman, did you?
Sometimes, the native packages are just missing some additional elements and then only kind of work.
+1 for uBlue. Everything comes installed ootb and just works without getting in your way
Use anything you want. All distros should support those packages, use what you're the most comfortable with.
I personally would recommend Fedora Silverblue/ it's other atomic variants or uBlue especially.
It's pretty much unbreakable, modern and supports ALL distros' package managers through Distrobox. It's also pretty simple in my opinion, since you pretty much don't have to worry about traditional package management.
I think you're searching something reliable and simple, so this would be a solid choice.
Mint would be great too
GrapheneOS and a Pixel. Sounds exactly like what you want.
Alternatively, a Fairphone with CalyxOS.
Both are more secure and private than a stock Android phone.
GrapheneOS would be my recommendation.
I used Calyx for a year and recently switched over to Graphene. Calyx was great for the time being, as it focused more on usability, when GrapheneOS didn't even provide push notifications and was needlessly secure for my threat model.
But now, GrapheneOS is even more compatible and complete than Calyx, while more secure.
It's very barebones by default and Google services are optional and sandboxed + strongly restricted.
I would get a newer Pixel model in your case. I bought the Pixel 5 and somewhat regret it, since it hit end of support.
Or, you could buy a Fairphone.
That would be more sustainable, since you can modify and repair it easily yourself, and it has a super long warranty and support.
GrapheneOS sadly does only support Pixels, but Calyx the Fairphone too.
Mint is the most mentioned choice and an extremely great beginner distro with an huge community.
ZorinOS will get a big update very soon and is also a very good choice. It was my first distro, especially because it looks very modern and pleasing.
If you're a tiny bit more advanced and get the basics, then you might take a look at the immutable Fedora variants like Silverblue.
They have many advantages compared to traditional distros like the two mentioned above, but atomic Linux is a relatively new concept. I also find them easier to understand and use, and, imo, they're even more user friendly, but not as refined.
You can always use Fedora Atomic with an Arch Distrobox.
Silverblue and the Arch container update themself, and you can always enjoy your Arch CLI if you want :)
I wouldn't say Arch is unreliable, but it won't intervene if you do something stupid.
SB on the other hand is almost unbrickable and extremely low maintenance, which I like a lot.
But if you did your research and enjoy Arch/ it's derivatives, then have fun! Arch is great and if it suits your taste, then that's wonderful! 😊
There's an extension for that afaik
+1 from my side for universal-blue.org, where Bazzite is part of.
@Ultimatenab@beehaw.org I often see Garuda and other distros like those appealing to newcomers, because they come themed ootb and look fancy af. Don't forget that you can get every tweak of that by just installing a theme, which is a matter of seconds.
Garuda is based on Arch, which is known to be not as highly noob friendly as some others.
For "normal" users like us especially, who just want to game and do other normie stuff, the immutable Fedora variants are excellent. uBlue fixes some of their minor issues, and they run wonderfully.
They work just how Linux should do it as desktop OS imo, and how other non-Linux-OSs should supposed to be too.
Also, there will soon come a time where you begin Distro-hopping and reinstall your OS every weekend. On immutable Fedora, you can change your DE (the GUI/ desktop environment, which often defines the distro) with one command cleanly and switch from KDE to Gnome for example, which feels like a clean reinstall, but keeps your data and config.
It's really cool to see some light themes from time to time!
What font are you using? It looks very legible
I wouldn't use CentOS for private/ desktop stuff personally.
Do you really need its features? Afaik, the "security" features you mentioned are mainly for server use. At least that's what I have in my mind right now when I researched possible candidates for my home server some time ago.
I think sticking with a "home use" distro would suit you better.
There are a few options as suggestions:
1. Stay on Kinoite
There's barely any configuration drift compared to the mutable Fedora. Therefore, it should be less buggy.
Fedora Atomic KDE gave me the best Plasma experience yet.
I often tested KDE (I'm a Gnome guy myself, but here and there hop to KDE for a few months) and on most installs on other distros like Suse/ Workstation/ Debian, it got more and more buggy after a few weeks due to updates and tweaks.
So, bugfixes often didn't apply to my system, only the default one or the install from the devs.
I find Fedora's release schedule to be the perfect sweetspot between reliable, stable and up to date.
If you're really impatient, you can always switch to the nightly builds (on Atomic), which are more bug prone and rolling. Maybe, Plasma will be stable enough before it hits the official image. But you should keep at least one stable image in your bootloader.
2. Debian and Leap
Debian "just" got it's new release and will be stale for the next years. BUT, many of those Plasma 6 bug fixes will be backported to 5.27. Still, many of the QOL-changes are 6-exclusive.
OpenSuse Leap also gives you a great KDE experience and is pretty similar to Debian, both in release schedule and when the last big update hit.
3. Distrobox
You can use an Arch/ Tumbleweed container on Debian/ slow release distro to get all the newest KDE stuff on the outside and keep your stable base beneath.
Why? Because, in my experience, Plasma only gets more refined each update. As long as there aren't any new big features, there are about hundred bugs resolved weekly.
Or, you can do the opposite. Use something newer, like TW, Slowroll, Sid(uction) or Arch, to get the newest software under the hood, and use the Debian repo to get a stable DE.
Just what you prefer.
In your case, I'd settle with Fedora (mutable or Atomic, in your case the Kinoite version, as I'd prefer that one too), and just don't upgrade to the newest version.
The older version is always supported for a year or two, and you don't have to upgrade each release. The bug fixes always get backported if possible.
Yeah, of course. You're right.
Nix is kind-of-immutable, and you can always roll back to your old build if necessary.
But Arch on the other hand is notorious to "just break" if you don't exactly know what you're doing. Of course it will work perfectly reliable (apart from the few paper cuts you get when using bleeding edge stuff) if you are experienced, and optimally, if you set it up with BTRFS and Snapper/ Timeshift.
But honestly, unpopular opinion, I absolutely see no reason to use Arch today. The only exception is the DIY-aspect, which I totally understand and respect. But, for every other use case, there are better options out there, may it be Tumbleweed or Nix for a rolling release, Arch in Distrobox on Silverblue, whatever. It sounds like way too much effort for what I would get. But each to their own.
Neither of both.
Both are more on the tinkerer-side, and for university you need something reliable and easy to use in my eyes.
And that might be Fedora Silverblue/ Atomic (or universal-blue.org to be more precise for QOL-tweaks).
It is definitely more simple, stable (release cycle) and also more reliable, since there's only one base (Fedora packages + your DE), and therefore less configuration variability.
I'd also lose access to the AUR
No, you wouldn't. Neither on Nix, nor on Fedora Atomic. Especially on Silverblue you layer and containerise a lot, and you can always use the pre-installed and self updating Distrobox to install Arch and use the AUR. That's also what I do, and it works fine, even though I almost never feel the urge to use it.
Fedora Atomic, especially Bazzite.
Bazzite is a project of uBlue, which is Fedora Silverblue with a lot of gaming stuff on top, similar to Nobara or the tweaks on the Steam Deck.
It has the same big advantage of every other immutable distro, that you don't have to manage your system yourself. It updates without you noticing, will never break, you can easily roll back if something doesn't work as intended, and so on.
The cool thing is, that you can just rebase to another atomic variant if you don't like it, or when you realize, that every gaming distro is just as capable for gaming as every other conventional distro too.
I was at the same spot as you a few months ago and searched for the same.
Pretty much all of the FOSS readers sucked UX wise.
There were a few great proprietary ones on the PlayStore, but they were crammed up with ads and trackers.
Lastly I switched to Librera, which was the best FOSS reader I tried.
But even that wasn't great.
So, I'll give you a completely different advice than all the other commenters here: buy yourself an e-reader.
I did the same and couldn't be more happy!
I'm a big fan of "do one thing and do it right" (I made my phone pretty dumb and also own a digital camera for example).
Readers feel superb. They have a very comfortable display (almost like reading on real paper), don't distract you and the battery lasts for weeks.
You can also sync them easily via USB.
Just don't buy a Kindle. Aim for a more open solution, like a Tolino or Kobo.
It sounds like your configuration is not sufficiently backed up.
It is backed up. 1x per auto-backup (Borg, included in the AIO) and 2x on different external drives.
The setup isn't complicated too, basically barebones Debian with docker.
It's just that setting everything up (once) again is annoying and highly inconvenient.
But, thank you for your tips on the LUKS-stuff, I will consider it! 🙂
There are a few different ways: