Any plugins you’d recommend specifically?

You’re one of the first people I have ever heard who loves GIMP. Usually people in that world are brainwashed into Adobes products.

I appreciate GIMP and other FOSS offerings.

I started my Linux journey out or curiosity as a preteen, didn’t stick with it. Dabbled in college wi5h Linux. Ultimately I started down a privacy rabbit hole, started hating Microsoft the more I learned. Switched to Linux. Sure, I started using Linux for my machines out of hatred for Microsoft and Apple (and google…) But ultimately, now I just love Linux.

I have freedom to do what I want, how I want. I love supporting open source initiatives.

I didn’t say it didn’t matter.

I have seen people already say similar, but felt like chiming in.

The underlying djstro chosen matters less than the desktop environment or lack thereof. Well, sure you want to pick a district that aligns with your ideals and philosophies. However, as a lot of windows users delve into using Linux they see the distro as what decides the look (and feel) of their new OS.

While many learn about different DEs through different distros, I do think that the DE matters more for workflow for average users.

That being said, I jumped from windows to Arch. I didn’t want to be behind on updates. I also am a tinkerer by nature. And I am in the IT industry, have been for more than a decade. So Arch felt right ti me. So I have tried many DE and always go back to KDE. I want war over any being “better.” That’s a personal choice sincerely.

Hyprland was fun to tinker with, and it can be pretty. But I dont care about ricing as much as many of the stereotypical Arch users.

I will be giving this a shot! Thank you

I see it supports Android Auto. Does anyone know if its only the google play store version that supports Android auto?

I wish there was a launcher that came close to Nova. The main feature I miss is swiping on icons to launch different apps or intents. That and the scrollable dock.

I have since moved on to Lawnchair, but it isn’t quite 1 to 1 replacement.

I will always shoot to use open source where I can. And I suppose I have to live with some od the limitations and missing features for now.

I could continue to use Nova, and just block internet access like I used to; but that feels like a step back on terms of privacy than just using something more privacy conscious.

While I love the idea or NixOS, I haven’t pulled the trigger myself. And that being said it doesn’t seem “noon friendly.” Mainly because it seems to to against the standard paradigms.

Its a choice on Linux.

I am not sure why you dislike Kate, but that’s why we have choices. I personally am a Kate user. I used Notepad and Notepad++ when I was on windows. I looked around for a notepad++ alternative and tried Notepadqq butt stuck with Kate ultimately because it was standard on an KDE machine.

How many times are they going to repackage and sell this damn game

From my understanding the project Syncthing-fork changed owners. The original owners GitHub repo went down, and no announcement that it was changing hands. So it comes off as shady. Bit I may be missing some things here.

I didn’t know I could use my. WireGuard profile behind rethink. Good to know! While connected to my WoreGuard I have network wide adblocking, but I was extra and had many layers of blocking enabled.

I like tinkering, but when things like restrictions from the manufacturer cime into play, it can be enough of a pain I avoid it.

Not against the idea of someone doing what they want with their hardware. That’s what got me into custom ROMs, and Linux, and Open Source projects to begin with.

I personally will not be rooting my GrapheneOS, even though once upon a time I would have jumped at the idea because of wanting a few things.

I feel it does compromise some of the security mechanisms and philosphies of GrapheneOS.

Like I said though, it’s our device, use it how we want.

I took a similar journey. I had the Pixel Pro 7, and when that broke I went to the 8 Pro.

I was on LineageOS with Root, and utilized quite a bit of root enabled apps and plugins.

• AdAway (I needed a non-vpn-like ad blocking solution, because I also used WireGuard
• WireGuard Kernel Module
• SDMaid(2?)
• A-GPS SUPLReplacer
• ReVanced (without Micro G)
• Termux
• PlayIntegrityFix
• TrickyStore
• AFWall+ (Since I didn’t want some apps making network connections)
• Custom Kernels (mainly for optimization, including but not limited to thermal issues)

I am sure there were more, in fact I know I used more but they constantly were changing because of keeping up with the cat and mouse game of passing Google’s Verification. All because I wanted control.

That was one of the biggest reasons behind root for me, to have full control over everything.

I took a step back, and decided to go down the rabbithole of using GrapheneOS, and eith a few exceptions, offered everything I was trying to accomplish with LineageOS and Root. All without the side-effects.

Do I miss having root? Yes. Would i switch back? That’s complicated. Yes and No, but really dependent on how Google decidesproceed in their endeavors of trying to lock everything down.

I don’t want another “Apple.” I am on Android because I am more of a poweruser than anyone I know in real life. I use more than just texting/messaging apps, and multimedia. I manage servers, and care about privacy, and I want to understand the inner workings of the devices I use. Bet ya can’t what family of OSs I use on my PCs? Just kidding. You already know.

I am a FOSS enthusiast, and use FOSS whenever possible. However, my DAW of choice is Reaper. It may not be FOSS, but I love this application. It works well, on windows, on Linux. It’s powerful.

Different sync tools manage files differently. And it likely depends on the file type.

I personally opted for a self hosted instance of Vaultwarden myself.

It should work for you! Especially if you are connected to the internet. But of course, wanted to bring up the one flaw I could think of up in case it would be an issue for you.