Linux designed exclusively for internet access – optimized display settings for 2024
Linux designed exclusively for internet access – optimized display settings for 2024
My regular machine has been an HP Elitebook 8530w since 2008, still impressively reliable for its time. I'm considering giving it up and moving to something newer. I recently got a HP ZBook G2 as a replacement and plan to switch away from Windows 7 for any internet-dependent tasks. This change is especially important because Firefox's support for Windows 7 is fading. I've experimented with Ubuntu Mint 19.0 and Debian Mint over the past couple of years, and my Mint 19 setup is almost flawless. I'm prepared to rebuild it with the latest release and use it as my sole web-connected operating system—keeping Windows 7 for offline gaming setups, GOG is fine. I tried Windows 10 once, but it was frustrating and didn't meet my needs. One issue that bothers me is having three games that claim to be Linux-native: Witcher 2, This War of Mine, and One Hour One Life. Both are from GOG and have .sh files, while One Hour One Life is a .tar.gz file. Even after reading installation instructions, none of them launched properly after extraction. I'm wondering if they should just be standard .deb packages. (I don't mind the package manager idea, but extracting from a file feels too complicated.) Is this a flaw in Mint? Do other distributions handle it better? If so, I'm open to trying that approach and adding some extra tweaks. Ideally within the Debian community. Any helpful tips from people who've made this switch would be appreciated!
The situation with native Linux games is frustrating because maintaining them often feels like a task. A common saying suggests that the only reliable way to keep Linux programs stable is through WIN32 via Wine, since native Linux components are frequently updated in ways that can break older software. Rebuilding them from source is straightforward, but without access to the original code you’re locked in. This explains why Valve prioritizes Proton over native Linux versions.
When it comes to distribution management, the approach varies little. If a game is open source or available through their package system, installation becomes simple. Hosting the developer’s own repository or releasing a package format (.deb, .rpm) makes things easier. However, most titles don’t follow this model. Arch and its AUR offer a handy way to install unofficial packages, provided someone else has already set everything up. I’ve seen Lutris use automatic install scripts for certain GoG games, which could be a useful resource.
This situation isn’t about Linux itself; it’s about the layers of software that connect the kernel to your applications. Linus’s strict policies on kernel updates help prevent breaking changes in user space, but the rest of the ecosystem is more prone to shifting.
Sure, a fresh glibc update can really help older games that once ran smoothly. Using Steam and Proton is a solid approach—keeping smaller versions of the original software saves space compared to running full installations. The Steam Linux runtime maintains the necessary libraries, ensuring games function properly without major overhead. It’s not perfect, but more games working definitely improves the overall experience.
I tried once more after my GOG setup was early in the trial. I launched two programs using the command prompt, but they didn’t start with sound. Witcher 2 and OHOL are still stuck. I also attempted prompt launches, but missing dependencies caused the issue. Sorry for the confusion—I’m struggling to install them properly. I checked the package list at https://packages.debian.org/buster/amd64/allpackages, but even similar packages didn’t work. The source code for OHOL is available, though I only compiled a basic text game years ago. Lutris was mentioned before when Linus and Luke tackled the Linux challenge, but I haven’t heard much about it. There’s a balance between Windows and Linux; with Linux you don’t worry about drivers, just install. It’s a personal choice, but I’m not keen on Steam. The excitement of getting Fallout New Vegas for Christmas in 2010 turned into a frustrating online download every day, especially with slow DSL speeds. I loved Fallout 3 but only played a few hours before buying it again later. I respect Valve’s work on Linux gaming, but I’d rather stick to Steam until then.