Linux

54881 readers

463 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 6 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Help me choosing a distro (lemmy.world)

submitted 5 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

27 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I am looking for a distro with a customisable UI. I want the ability to change everything in the UI: like changing the window borders style, animated interface, creating transition animations. Something that can allow me to create UI from my favourite video games. I am even willing to learn a language if needed. Just don't suggest arch because I'm only interested in visuals. I don't want to spend time creating and troubleshooting other aspects of os. Also, if above requirements can be achieved with changing the desktop environment, please suggest that too. I am somewhat familiar with Linux as I used it a few years ago for some time. Back then, the games' support was lacking, so I switched back. But now with steam os and proton's contribution, games shouldn't be a hassle to run.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 15 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Don't pick a whole distro based on the UI. The distro choice is about stability vs bleeding edge packages, package manager, minimal/maximal installs, security hardening vs convenience, use or avoidance of particular systems (e.g. systemd), and things like that.

The UI will come from your choice of desktop environment, window manager, compositor, etc. Those can be installed on most distros. You can also look at dotfiles for more theming. Ofc it's silly to install a different UI on a particular flavor/version/spin of a distro built for a given desktop environment (like Kubuntu), though it's still possible.

I'm enjoying Niri rn. It's a scrolling & tiling window manager. I have it running on opensuse.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Thanks for the insight. I don't know what dotfile is, so I'll definitely check it out. I'm starting to realise I'm probably expecting more than what might be possible for now.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 days ago

Dotfiles are files whose name starts with a dot. Configuration files are called dotfiles because they used to start like that and litter your home directory. These days configuration files tend to live under the .config folder. The name has stuck though.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 days ago

Linux is super configurable! You'll just need to try out a bunch of different window managers, taskbars, etc to see which one you like best, but maybe look for some videos to preview a couple first.

The unixporn Lemmy community also has examples