Need help choosing a Linux distribution? Here are some options to consider:
Need help choosing a Linux distribution? Here are some options to consider:
Desktop operating systems often fall short in perfect execution. They’ve evolved into commercial products with strong branding and appealing designs, yet for serious tasks like writing or gaming, the focus should remain solely on the core function. Viewing any system or software as a tool for specific activities reflects the programmers’ oversight. While progress is slow for many, I believe we’ll reach this goal eventually.
They transformed into popular commercial items with large followings and appealing designs. The shift happened through digital tools—clicking icons to create documents, printing, and using games that mimic physical interactions. The appeal came from ease of use and instant access, making it feel natural compared to older methods like typewriters or card games. It’s clear the change was driven by technology simplifying creation and sharing, not by any flaw in the systems themselves.
Krita serves as my main tool, though I don’t depend heavily on it when I have both raster and vector assets to maintain a clean, vector-based design without distortion. DaVinci Resolve Studio quickly breaks the $250 budget. Our goal is to switch from Windows, which would cause me to reconsider the project. I haven’t seen Humble Bundle provide such software before; it’s why I opted for Vegas Pro and skipped potentially better options due to limited resources.
I’m hoping the free version delivers at least comparable performance. I don’t play multiplayer games with anti-cheat, but Steam with Proton should keep my library functional. I own two Raspberry Pi units from different generations. Ethernet connections aren’t ready yet, so I can’t test a working VPN. I don’t use passwords—servers handle certificates instead.
I previously tried GIMP and found it more challenging than Photoshop or Krita for model textures. Clip Studio Paint stands out for concept art. A key point is the drive recovery: it gathers all critical data from six drives, stored in NTFS with about 6TB of compressed backup thanks to Macrium Reflect. After migration, files must be synced back to the network due to significant risks if redownloaded.
I stay updated on many projects, and changes from developers impact my archives via torrent swaps. Thanks to Macrium Reflect, I can move recovery data at the file level if I switch to Windows 10. However, I must be careful when linking files for recognition. FreeBSD isn’t suitable since I need a fixed setup with no partitions and all ports occupied. The new system will stay in one place, with a dedicated cooling setup that moves outside the case into a heat exchanger.
Currently, I lack a compatible setup to mimic my primary build’s environment, especially without spare drives for testing. Windows 7 is handling everything, and I manage the Active Directory across multiple PCs, not just those used for data or remote access.
I believe staying on Windows makes more sense. The choice would be to move to a Hackingtosh, which appears to offer a greater challenge than virtualization on Linux for non-native applications, or to try Red Hat Linux because of the support available. Switching to Linux shouldn't be driven by wanting Windows but not wanting to pay. The strongest reason to switch is when you feel Windows/MacOS is restricting your capabilities. It seems you don’t share that concern.
GIMP can take some time to get used to, but I’ve spent a lot of time with it. They seemed to develop their own approach. Is the effort worth it? It’s unclear—I’m not sure. It’s free and works on most systems, which is handy. I wouldn’t miss it, though I don’t use it often enough anymore. I really trust GIMP more than Adobe. Nowadays there are plenty of guides available, so I’d say it’s valuable. Still, it sometimes feels like it was designed by people who’ve never worked with photo software before. By the way, another open-source option worth mentioning is Shotwell—it’s a solid organizer, and I prefer it over iPhoto. Your workflow sounds very specialized, so Findeberg suggests sticking with Windows until you can afford more investment, or consider MacOS/Linux if you’re willing to put in the time. Just remember, there’s no perfect solution out there.
As jde3 mentioned, it appears your particular specialized process isn't something you'd easily move to Linux. Generally, the more niche your tasks are, the tougher it becomes to switch operating systems later. Since I don’t have a solid workflow and am a university student after completing my studies in April, I plan to start fresh and adjust things. I believe the existing setup isn’t suited for me and I’m concerned about depending too much on proprietary tools tailored for specific devices like my iPhone, along with relying heavily on Google services.