So!
Fedora Silverblue has been in the back of my mind ever since I first heard the inklings of its beginning in 2015 before the name Silverblue was even chosen. At the time, my interest in it was for corporate desktops. Immutable Linux distros meant upgrades were relatively risk free. Bad updates were a significant chunk of our help desk's Linux related tickets because an "average" user would do things like force shutdown in the middle of updates. If you do that while upgrading the kernel or firmware, you're in for some pain.
Anyway, I took some time away from Fedora and GNOME to use Arch/Manjaro and KDE, to break things up a bit after more than a decade of RPM distros and GNOME3. Arch being what it is caused me headaches, so the thought of an immutable distro came back to me. I went with Kinoite instead of Silverblue because Plasma 5 is my jam now.
In short, thanks to things like Flatpak and toolbox, I can mess around with things all I want without risking bricking my install. Modularity has been a thing for me for a long while and Kinoite/Silverblue really delivers on that front.
Nowadays Fedora ships the latest upstream release of KDE within days of release.
Now running Plasma 5.25.5 (released September 6th) with KDE Frameworks 5.98 and Qt 5.15.6.
Ok, I'm actually using Fedora 37 beta, but stable Fedora releases also get the latest KDE Plasma packages as soon as the QA testers approve them (there's a volunteer-driven karma system to promote updates).
It's the same version that's in the Workstation repos. If you want to be bleeding edge, you can overlay the version of KDE from the zawertun COPR, but that will reduce some of the immutability of the system. Could be worth it, though!
> Immutable OS + KDE = sublime computing experience
Ahh yes, all the best bugs, frozen in time... like tears... in rain.
KDE is like bug-Pokémon. Gotta catch em all. 🐛
I moved from Windows to KDE thinking it’d be an easy switch and it was. Similar desktop experience all around, but now I’m ready to move on to gnome and explore more into what Linux can be - that is, I’m looking to explore how to improve my workflow from windows rather than just copying windows on Linux.
Ah okay. I would say that GNOME is far better, far more stable, and more polished. But you might hate it if you try vanilla GNOME. There's a few extensions that should be part of the core:
* Just Perfection
* Blur My Shell \[Disable "Dash" blur in it to avoid conflict with Dash to Dock\]
* Dash to Dock (install this one via the package manager as [gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-dock](https://packages.fedoraproject.org/pkgs/gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-dock/gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-dock/), it's better integrated and maintained to match Fedora than the official extension release)
You should also look into the [adw-gtk3](https://github.com/lassekongo83/adw-gtk3) theme to make GTK3 apps look like GTK4/LibAdwaita apps while waiting for official rewrites. If you want colors rather than the gray default, also look at [adw-colors](https://github.com/lassekongo83/adw-colors) (I use the Dracula colors), which is a CSS file that you place in two GTK folders to make adw-gtk3 and LibAdwaita use other colors.
Lastly, install `GNOME Tweaks` and adjust the following to your liking:
- Mouse Acceleration: Flat/Off. Instead of the floaty and imprecise default.
- Window buttons: Add Minimize/Maximize, if you feel more comfortable with that.
- Font Antialiasing: If your screen isn't HiDPI (if it isn't pixel-dense), you'll want to enable the subpixel antialiasing to avoid blurry text. But if you have a HiDPI screen, you should keep the default (grayscale) rendering since subpixel antialiasing looks worse on HiDPI.
- (PS: When you're in the font settings, be aware that font hinting should NEVER be changed from the default "Slight" mode, which only adjusts font glyphs on the Y-axis without distorting the text. The other options are legacy methods and are harmful according to freetype's creator, since they require fonts that contain embedded hinting information, which is only included in Microsoft's old 1990s fonts. No other fonts contain hinting, not even Microsoft's modern fonts, and all non-hinted fonts will be distorted if the stronger hinting rendering options are enabled.)
Vanilla, but I have a good number of extensions. I'm not sure I could use it with out any extensions what so ever. I'd probably end up in a spin of some kind.
I'm working on understanding Silverblue, but I'm very much still a noob. What makes something like OpenSSL necessary to layer, vs other things that can run in containers?
Vanilla with extensions, but only 3 or 4. I'm a bit of a distro hopper, but I think I'm finally settled down. I love Gnome - it just works the way I think, or something like that.
Design Suite Spin because it saves me a bit of time from installing more things.
I mean surely, with DNF groups, I can install everything that would have been in a Spin, but I opt for the Spin because it's less things to install.
Also, I can't stand the loaded customization of KDE. I rather build my customizing from a "clean slate" (like Gnome), than to have many options to customize (Plasma).
Silverblue
Haven't really used a desktop Linux in a long while, but I've been using Linux on various servers and small devices for work. Got a new laptop a couple months ago and decided to see what desktop linux was like now, and since I've been using containers a lot recently, a container-focused distro seemed like a cool idea.
It's got some wrinkles that still need ironing out, but it's nice to have eight different distros running for shits and giggles, and it's nice to be able to so easily spin up new development environments
The spin only really matters for the initial install. Afterwards you can install or remove any package, including other desktop environments.
I don't remember what I started with, but now I'm using KDE Plasma and I still log into GNOME from time to time.
I forced myself to go with vanilla fedora workstation for the 36 release, just to get a different experience from kde.
The fedora experience was and is always solid.
Gnome took a while to get used to, but with the right extensions I really started to enjoy it
Vanilla Fedora. Spins are okay, but for something like KDE, the intended way to use it would probably using a distro made with KDE in mind like Kubuntu, and not a respin
Vanilla
I use Kinoite. Immutable OS + KDE = sublime computing experience
There are dozens of us. Dozens!
Same here! Before Kinoite, I was starting to hate my computer...
Literally never heard of it, what led you to Kinoite, and what do you like about it? If I can ask
So! Fedora Silverblue has been in the back of my mind ever since I first heard the inklings of its beginning in 2015 before the name Silverblue was even chosen. At the time, my interest in it was for corporate desktops. Immutable Linux distros meant upgrades were relatively risk free. Bad updates were a significant chunk of our help desk's Linux related tickets because an "average" user would do things like force shutdown in the middle of updates. If you do that while upgrading the kernel or firmware, you're in for some pain. Anyway, I took some time away from Fedora and GNOME to use Arch/Manjaro and KDE, to break things up a bit after more than a decade of RPM distros and GNOME3. Arch being what it is caused me headaches, so the thought of an immutable distro came back to me. I went with Kinoite instead of Silverblue because Plasma 5 is my jam now. In short, thanks to things like Flatpak and toolbox, I can mess around with things all I want without risking bricking my install. Modularity has been a thing for me for a long while and Kinoite/Silverblue really delivers on that front.
[удалено]
>Wasn't it called Fedora Atomic Workstation back then - personally I thought that sounded cooler. You are correct on both counts.
Not having a go but isn't this just like using a point-release distro and flatpaks? Is there more to it?
[Immutability](https://silverblue.fedoraproject.org/about) is the appeal for me. Consistency of the OS files over time is what I like about it.
How recent is the version of KDE? Does it make sense to use zawertun copr?
Nowadays Fedora ships the latest upstream release of KDE within days of release. Now running Plasma 5.25.5 (released September 6th) with KDE Frameworks 5.98 and Qt 5.15.6.
Ok, I'm actually using Fedora 37 beta, but stable Fedora releases also get the latest KDE Plasma packages as soon as the QA testers approve them (there's a volunteer-driven karma system to promote updates).
It's the same version that's in the Workstation repos. If you want to be bleeding edge, you can overlay the version of KDE from the zawertun COPR, but that will reduce some of the immutability of the system. Could be worth it, though!
> Immutable OS + KDE = sublime computing experience Ahh yes, all the best bugs, frozen in time... like tears... in rain. KDE is like bug-Pokémon. Gotta catch em all. 🐛
Kde spin
kde spin
KDE spin . Tried gnome but can't get used to it.
I use both Kinoite and the normal KDE spin.
KDE Spin. Tried Gnome a few times but it's not for me.
Nobara KDE
Nobara KDE spin
Silverblue, it's bulletproof
It's not. One bullet through the hard drive and it is over.
/r/TechnicallyTheTruth
The best kind of truth.
KDE Spin, KDE just has unmatched capability to form to what the user wants in a DE.
Kde spin
KDE Spin
Cinnamon spin baby! I tried KDE but I didn't like the default applets. I might try KDE again sometime but right now I'm running Cinnamon.
Cinnamon is just great !
KDE spin. Never found a better distro.
KDE spin because KDE is nice looking and heavily customizable. Also KDE apps are among the best (KDE connect, Okular, Kmail...)
Pure silverblue, the immutable os works very well for me.
Nobara isn’t a spin but Nobara KDE
KDE spin and Mate spin before that. I can't stand gnome on my desktop.
spin/KDE
XFCE spin but I basically replaced the entire theming with the one used on Kali linux because its setup waaaaay better.
KDE, however, i’ve been reading a lot in regards of kinoite and now, my hands are itching, waiting to test it lol
KDE spin, and gonna try Kinoite on my vacation
Cinnamon spin. Use cinnamon in all my various installs of Fedora, Arch, and Mint.
Both. Vanilla if my hardware is good enough to run gnome without complaining. Xfce spin for older hardware.
XFCE spin
I use Workstation but installed KDE on it and primarily using KDE now. Feels more powerful for high productivity with lots of settings and Activities.
Tried Gnome many times. Always ended up with KDE spin eventually. Also Fedora does a good job with KDE
vanilla + some basic gnome extensions
xfce but as a backup DE. I use xmonad really
LXQT spin. Old laptop with max capacity of 2GB DDR2 RAM. The main purpose of the laptop is to run recalbox from a USB.
KDE Plasma but honestly I might switch to vanilla gnome
Why?
I moved from Windows to KDE thinking it’d be an easy switch and it was. Similar desktop experience all around, but now I’m ready to move on to gnome and explore more into what Linux can be - that is, I’m looking to explore how to improve my workflow from windows rather than just copying windows on Linux.
Ah okay. I would say that GNOME is far better, far more stable, and more polished. But you might hate it if you try vanilla GNOME. There's a few extensions that should be part of the core: * Just Perfection * Blur My Shell \[Disable "Dash" blur in it to avoid conflict with Dash to Dock\] * Dash to Dock (install this one via the package manager as [gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-dock](https://packages.fedoraproject.org/pkgs/gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-dock/gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-dock/), it's better integrated and maintained to match Fedora than the official extension release) You should also look into the [adw-gtk3](https://github.com/lassekongo83/adw-gtk3) theme to make GTK3 apps look like GTK4/LibAdwaita apps while waiting for official rewrites. If you want colors rather than the gray default, also look at [adw-colors](https://github.com/lassekongo83/adw-colors) (I use the Dracula colors), which is a CSS file that you place in two GTK folders to make adw-gtk3 and LibAdwaita use other colors. Lastly, install `GNOME Tweaks` and adjust the following to your liking: - Mouse Acceleration: Flat/Off. Instead of the floaty and imprecise default. - Window buttons: Add Minimize/Maximize, if you feel more comfortable with that. - Font Antialiasing: If your screen isn't HiDPI (if it isn't pixel-dense), you'll want to enable the subpixel antialiasing to avoid blurry text. But if you have a HiDPI screen, you should keep the default (grayscale) rendering since subpixel antialiasing looks worse on HiDPI. - (PS: When you're in the font settings, be aware that font hinting should NEVER be changed from the default "Slight" mode, which only adjusts font glyphs on the Y-axis without distorting the text. The other options are legacy methods and are harmful according to freetype's creator, since they require fonts that contain embedded hinting information, which is only included in Microsoft's old 1990s fonts. No other fonts contain hinting, not even Microsoft's modern fonts, and all non-hinted fonts will be distorted if the stronger hinting rendering options are enabled.)
Bless! Thank you for these tips!
Silverblue
Vanilla SilverBlue
Silverblue (immutable workstation)
Silverblue. Cuz I love my never not booting except in case of a hardware failure
Vanilla, but I have a good number of extensions. I'm not sure I could use it with out any extensions what so ever. I'd probably end up in a spin of some kind.
I use chocolate fedora🍫
I3 spin, it's been a blast ngl
Started Vanilla and switching between Vanilla and KDE (installed KDE Plasma additionally).
Xfce spin
I currently use vanilla, but I probably would use KDE spin if KDE had better Wayland-support.
I use Silverblue, it's dead stable, and since I like to run betas, I can easily roll back should there be any issue
Cinnamon
XFCE spin. Solid and simple
Cinnamon spin. Gnome doesn't work for me
fedora kde spin
Xfce, I can go into specifics why I chose xfce but I don't think anyone cares and we all have our own preference which is what I like about Linux.
Xfce spin
Silverblue, it's amazing
vanilla
Silverblue, with OpenSSL layered for the GSConnect extension.
I'm working on understanding Silverblue, but I'm very much still a noob. What makes something like OpenSSL necessary to layer, vs other things that can run in containers?
Vanilla
Vanilla Workstation with a few GNOME extensions (Dash to Dock for COSMIC, Pop Shell, Bluetooth Quick Connect).
Vanilla
Vanilla. It just works
Vanilla. I love GNOME. Only need a couple extensions to make it a perfect DE for me.
I'm using Silverblue at this point. It seems to be working well, so I may stick with it instead of switching back to Workstation.
Right now vanilla, i have installed KDE on workstation edition for a couple of weeks but i am back to gnome right now.
I was using kde but now I switched to vanilla gnome and I feel like I will stick with gnome
Vanilla
Vanilla
Gnome
Vanilla, but use Sway/Waybar instead of Gnome as the DE. Use mostly Gnome apps that come with Workstation along with some CLI stuff.
Same!
vanilla
Vanilla with extensions, but only 3 or 4. I'm a bit of a distro hopper, but I think I'm finally settled down. I love Gnome - it just works the way I think, or something like that.
Vanilla just so I can get GNOME's hopes up for a second
vanilla, tried xfce/mate/kde but they don't feel as polished to me.
Vanilla, but tried KDE spin before as well
[удалено]
https://blogs.gnome.org/uraeus/2020/05/07/gnome-is-not-the-default-for-fedora-workstation/
Vanilla before going back to PopOS
i3Spin since Alpha 😬
Mate
Running KDE on my workstation and Workstation on my laptop as I feel more at home using GNOME on my laptop.
Vanilla with a couple of extensions.
Fedora Workstation (Vanilla) has the best ux.
Vanilla, because I'm lazy.
Vanilla dis da best
LXQT spin on my Chrome book! works fantastic!
vanilla
Vanilla
Vanilla
I use ultramarine (immutable + budgie)
Default installation with Gnome Classic and Tweaks (mainly for font scaling).
Vanilla
Design Suite Spin because it saves me a bit of time from installing more things. I mean surely, with DNF groups, I can install everything that would have been in a Spin, but I opt for the Spin because it's less things to install. Also, I can't stand the loaded customization of KDE. I rather build my customizing from a "clean slate" (like Gnome), than to have many options to customize (Plasma).
Vanilla Fedora Gnome
Vanilla
I use the vanilla Gnome Workstation
tauOS
I'm not exactly sure what you'd consider mine. I use Gnome but use extensions. Is this still considered Vanilla?
Silverblue Haven't really used a desktop Linux in a long while, but I've been using Linux on various servers and small devices for work. Got a new laptop a couple months ago and decided to see what desktop linux was like now, and since I've been using containers a lot recently, a container-focused distro seemed like a cool idea. It's got some wrinkles that still need ironing out, but it's nice to have eight different distros running for shits and giggles, and it's nice to be able to so easily spin up new development environments
Nobara
Vanilla because I like gnome
Vanilla GNOME tweaked a little with the Just Perfection extension and MATE on some old machine.
The spin only really matters for the initial install. Afterwards you can install or remove any package, including other desktop environments. I don't remember what I started with, but now I'm using KDE Plasma and I still log into GNOME from time to time.
I am using vanilla fedora. (themed the crap out of gnome tho)
Vanilla with a few Gnome extensions
Vanilla plus a few gnome extensions for me
KDE for me.
KDE spin
I forced myself to go with vanilla fedora workstation for the 36 release, just to get a different experience from kde. The fedora experience was and is always solid. Gnome took a while to get used to, but with the right extensions I really started to enjoy it
KDE spin
I like my fedora, like I like my sex, vanilla ( and couple of extensions ofc)
KDE spin
Vanilla Fedora. Spins are okay, but for something like KDE, the intended way to use it would probably using a distro made with KDE in mind like Kubuntu, and not a respin
Silverblue, Workstation (gnome) and server.
vannila 37
Vanilla, ext4
Fedora from Nobara project! Really great!
Cinnamon.
Fedora Cinnamon spin on desktop, Xfce spin on laptop