I'm still toying with the idea of replacing my OS with linux, in spite of knowing it's a Bad Idea (because of software compatibility). Wouldn't it be nice if companies you pay money to were a little open to the idea of creating flatpaks?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

You don't have to replace it completely. Dual-booting is a fine compromise, so is running Windows inside a VM.

I've been running Linux as my main OS for ~15 years now, but still run Windows in some form (and macOS).

Why settle for a single OS? Just use whatever tools are best for the job.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Windows in a VM is a good idea but the way I distro-hop I should probably start with it the other way around. What is your main distro of choice?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I used to use Arch (still do on some systems), but my main these days is Nobara, a gaming and multimedia optimized distro, based on Fedora.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I would try different things to see what I liked but I always came back to Fedora. I haven't heard of Nobara but I like the sound of it; it looks like it bundles all the stuff I usually install the moment the DE is up and running.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

If you like trying different things then I'd also recommend checking out BlendOS. It's a unique Arch-based distro that allows you to install and run packages from other mainstream disreos (making use of containers). You can even instantly switch between different DEs with a single command, which is nice for trying out various environments without polluting your system with tons of dependencies.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

so is running Windows inside a VM.

How do you deal with licensing issues if you do this? AFAIK you can't do it with an OEM Windows license? (or do you just use "alternative methods")

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You can actually use it with your existing OEM license. You may need to copy the ACPI tables from your physical machine to the VM, but personally, I've never felt the need to do so, and I haven't had any activation issues.

Although technically speaking, you'd still be breaking the EULA... not that Microsoft cares or anything.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Hmm OK, maybe I haven't tried that properly or something... will have to have another go at some point. Thanks.

Yeah, not so worried about the EULA, it's not like I'm pirating or anything.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've been running linux on my laptop for the past 18 months or so. I have a headless desktop machine running windows that I still connect to regularly because it's just easier. But over time I have managed to do more and more on linux as I learn more or find different programs.

What are your must haves that don't have linux versions available?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The Adobe suite for work and the Affinity suite for myself. I use scrivener too but I'm sure I've seen open source alternatives for that and it keeps everything buried in rtf if I get stuck.

I know there are open source graphics programs available but affinity is the best I've used (much better than Adobe) and the forum posts Ive seen about Wine aren't encouraging.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

While there are alternatives to many of the suites, I don't think they are comparable.

An option is to dual boot or run windows in a VM. Or like I do, have a separate windows machine that I remote into when I need to do windows stuff.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've always dual booted windows and Linux, I generally boot into Linux unless I know there's something I need windows for, there's a lot of hardcore Linux enthusiasts on Lemmy that will tell you why you're sub human for using windows but frankly there isn't always a way around it

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Honestly, I think being on Lemmy is what put the idea back into my head in the first place. I have a permanent case of grass-is-always-greener so whatever I'm using, I want to be using something else.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Software compatibility really comes down to what tools you use & why. If you have flexibility the same outcomes can be achieved with other (typically) open source alternatives a lot of the time. Gaming used to be a major challenge but has been improving rapidly over the last couple of years.

I have a macbook air for portable computing, a windows desktop for gaming, and another half a dozen linux machines for various other bits & pieces I muck about with - and really other than some games I could use any machine for anything.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Tinkering with alternative software used to be my main hobby but these days I just want stuff that works so have drifted away from it a bit.