Using Linux as My Daily Driver

I recently decided to switch to Linux as my primary operating system. I am familiar with Linux as I used it as my main system when I was in school. However, when I start to work, I have been using Windows as I lack time to tinker with my computer outside of work. While I was generally content with it for the past couple of years, I was ready for a change. This year I knew that I wanted to try something different, so I thought Linux was the perfect choice.

As a software engineer, I am familiar with the terminal and reading and writing code, so I was confident that I would be able to make the switch back to Linux with minimal disruption. The transition was smoother than I expected, and I was able to get up and running with Linux in no time.

While I did need to make some adjustments for my new setup, I didn't run into any major blockers. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I could get comfortable with my new system, and I'm now using Linux as my daily driver.

I also learned to appreciate the joy of open-source software that comes with Linux. I had been using a lot of proprietary software before, and even though I am not anti-proprietary, it was really refreshing to be able to use software that was free and developed by the community. I also noticed that many of the applications on Linux were much more lightweight and had better performance than their Windows counterparts.

Of course, there were also some frustrations with using Linux. I was constantly running into compatibility issues with certain hardware and software, and I had to spend a lot of time troubleshooting. The documentation was not always up to date, and I had to learn how to debug things on my own.

One thing I am still trying to solve is my wireless headset, I have Steel series Arctis 7+ and the official software packages only support Windows. The headset works okay, I can listen and use it normally, but there are some features that are not usable directly on Linux, e.g: mix chat channel, battery checks, firmware checks, etc. They are not a blocker, but certainly an annoyance as I cannot use the headset in its full capability.

I have been really impressed with how precise Linux is. By not having a lot of extra “junk” on my computer, I have been able to make it run faster and smoother. One of the main advantages of using Linux is the integrated package manager, which is much more powerful than the Microsoft Store. It is incredibly easy to install programs and keep them up to date with a few simple commands.

The desktop UI and experience of Linux is also incredibly customizable. It is easy to customize the look and feel of the system to my particular needs. I have been able to change the wallpaper, color scheme, windows decorations, fonts, etc. that are used in my system to my exact liking, when I was using Windows lots of the things are quite a hassle to customize. It has been a great experience, and I am really enjoying being able to make my Linux system my own.

Overall, I'm glad I decided to make the switch to Linux. It's been a great learning experience, and I've been able to do more with my computer than ever. Despite the frustrations, I'm glad I took the plunge and gave Linux a chance. The verdict? It's definitely worth it.