macOS is my favourite operating system. Finder in column view with arrow keys to navigate, combined with space for file preview, is incredibly fast and intuitive. Trackpad integration also results in less hand movement. I’m building a Linux (Bazzite) desktop, though, and I’ve set my sights on the stars.

nnn looks to be an incredible file manager, and was a great recommendation. It looks even more capable than Finder, albeit without scrolling/zooming previews, thanks to macOS having unmatched trackpad functionality. Not to mention Spotlight, which makes opening apps trivial–especially with Alfred available as well. I want to go beyond mere file management, though.

File managenent, browsing, gaming, everything. Just how much can you configure a Linux system to eliminate mouse usage? Shortcut guides welcome (I already know the major ones). I also have a keen interest in tiling window managers, but I’ve not delved that deep yet. I don’t know how to set one up.

Guess I’m forced to learn Emacs/Vim/similar.

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6 points
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I would strongly recommend not to dive into NixOS yet.

It has its benefits and I think it’s awesome, but it has a bit of a learning curve and you already have plenty of learning to do with going mouseless and the whole interface stuff. You do not want to deal withbreakages in unstable NixOS, or broken Nvidia drivers in stable.

If Bazzite’s immutability is holding you back, just switch to another distro you are familiar with: Be that Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian, openSUSE, whatever.

Hyprland is the most complete and configurable tiling window manager today, so definitely start with that. You can install it in any Linux distro.

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4 points

I have Arch familiarity already, and I’ll use it if all else fails. I’ll read into NixOS beforehand and decide, but I am a quick and determined learner. I want to expand my experience with this build. Won’t do anything stupid–promise!

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6 points

I’d like to argue the other way: jump into whatever you find interesting and do stupid shit.

Unless this is a computer that your job relies on or whatever, then it doesn’t matter how much shit you break, as long as you’re learning what to not do next time.

It’s pretty much how everyone who is all ‘oh no! be very careful and take small steps!’ started, but they’ve just forgotten about having done that.

(I’ve broken so much shit both personally and professionally, but it just served to make me less stupid in the future. Or uh, at least unlikely to do the same stupid thing twice.)

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4 points

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3 points

Arch with i3/sway is what I’d recommend then. NixOS seems really cool, but I’ve heard it’s very difficult. Also it’s going to be much easier to test stuff out on Arch, then once you have a full setup you like, you could try Nix.

I’d recommend Neovim too, with some nice extensions. That’s what I’d start with, and you can start on MacOS. I wouldn’t feel at home in the terminal without it, and I think you’ll really want it for setting up everything else. I’d almost say that vim or emacs is a prerequisite for something like NixOS.

Between vim and a tiling wm, you’re going to have enough of a learning curve to start, I think.

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2 points

Just avoid Nvidia to start with?

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5 points

I am–I’ve gone with a Radeon 7900 XTX.

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4 points

Damn, nice. That’s the card I keep telling myself I should upgrade to. I have a 5700 XT and I really like it but I kinda want something newer with more power

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