template: post
title: Linux FAQ
author: flewkey
timestamp: 1636929506
visibility: hidden

This is not a standard blog post, but a hidden FAQ which answers the common
questions I get about running Linux. These are my experiences, so they may not
apply to you at all.

----

## Normal FAQ

#### Why do you use Linux?

- Package management
- Proper tiling window management
- Inter-application audio routing via PipeWire or JACK
- Supports all of the programs that I care about
- Easy to fix when it breaks

#### Why do you hate Windows?

- Windows Update
- Annoying build toolchains
- Lack of inter-application audio routing without specialized tools
- Spontaneous combustion
- Hard to fix when it breaks

#### Should I switch to Linux?

Use whatever suits you best.

----

## Nerd FAQ

#### What Linux distribution do you use?

My main computer runs Gentoo. My servers and smaller machines run Debian.

#### What desktop environment do you use?

My desktop consists of [sway](https://swaywm.org/), [bemenu](https://github.com/Cloudef/bemenu),
[i3status](https://github.com/i3/i3status), [foot](https://codeberg.org/dnkl/foot),
and [fcitx5](https://gitlab.com/fcitx/fcitx5).

#### Do you think that desktop Linux a mess?

Yes. Although many parts of it have issues, none of them affect me too much.

#### What do you think about Linux audio?

I think it’s great! I can mix audio between Discord and my audio interface, send
it to a reverb program, then listen to it from my Bluetooth earbuds.

#### How did you tweak your system?

My “tweaks” congealed over time. If you sit on a chair for a long time, it will
mold to the shape of your butt. If you use a computer for a long time, it will
fit your preferences eventually.

#### What issues have you run into?

* Due to driver issues, I can’t use my NVIDIA GPU
* Setting up DisplayLink on my particular system was tedious
* Some situations require me to use software which only runs on Windows