Objectively, with the question asked as it was; there isn’t one.

However, for my use case and preference, I’m gonna roll with KDE. KDE offers everything I need. It has an weasy to use task bar, a menu, tray icons for lingering apps and controls, its dark mode out of the box is good, it support hi refresh rate, even HDR if you want it it can be as simple or as complex as you want. I can stick with how it comes stock basically and rock and roll. The discover store is fine when needed but I use CLI to install and update most things.

I have tried GNOME,XFCE, Cinnamon, Hyprland, Cosmic, Mate, and more but none of them fit my workflow exactly how I see fit.

Your mileage may vary.

Any plugins you’d recommend specifically?

You’re one of the first people I have ever heard who loves GIMP. Usually people in that world are brainwashed into Adobes products.

I appreciate GIMP and other FOSS offerings.

I started my Linux journey out or curiosity as a preteen, didn’t stick with it. Dabbled in college wi5h Linux. Ultimately I started down a privacy rabbit hole, started hating Microsoft the more I learned. Switched to Linux. Sure, I started using Linux for my machines out of hatred for Microsoft and Apple (and google…) But ultimately, now I just love Linux.

I have freedom to do what I want, how I want. I love supporting open source initiatives.

I didn’t say it didn’t matter.

I have seen people already say similar, but felt like chiming in.

The underlying djstro chosen matters less than the desktop environment or lack thereof. Well, sure you want to pick a district that aligns with your ideals and philosophies. However, as a lot of windows users delve into using Linux they see the distro as what decides the look (and feel) of their new OS.

While many learn about different DEs through different distros, I do think that the DE matters more for workflow for average users.

That being said, I jumped from windows to Arch. I didn’t want to be behind on updates. I also am a tinkerer by nature. And I am in the IT industry, have been for more than a decade. So Arch felt right ti me. So I have tried many DE and always go back to KDE. I want war over any being “better.” That’s a personal choice sincerely.

Hyprland was fun to tinker with, and it can be pretty. But I dont care about ricing as much as many of the stereotypical Arch users.

While I love the idea or NixOS, I haven’t pulled the trigger myself. And that being said it doesn’t seem “noon friendly.” Mainly because it seems to to against the standard paradigms.

Its a choice on Linux.

Hey valid complaints. As someone not in the need for professional editing tools i felt I’d be better to ask than to assume! Thank you for sharing

How is running windows in a virtual machine going to get stopped? Please elaborate.

Can I ask you what “sucks” about GIMP?

I have used GrapheneOS on and off for 3 years or so.

I used to be on LineageOS with root. I did that so I could run a firewall, and have complete control over every aspect of my OS.

I tried GrapheneOS before they had ability for android auto. But lacking that, caused me to switch.

While my ultimate goal is to ditch big tech, Google, Microsoft, apple, etc I have to compromise a bit for some functionality.

That being said, having sandboxed Google Play has helped. Something I didn’t have on LineageOS.

Getting data to and from Debian won’t be an issue. Plug it in, and copy files to and from. Ezpz.

I use Arch BTW. And have had zero issues. So Linux compatability isn’t an issue.

As far as getting a Pixel with a headphone jack, that May be an issue. Security updates and software updates for a model with one may be an issue.

I have had GrapheneOS on a Pixel 7 Pro, and now an 8 Pro.

As much as I hate Google, I do like pixels. The 7 pro was miles better than my 8 pro.

I want to add, without Google play, you can still use Accrescent and Obtainium. While Accrescent is good, it has few apps. Obtanium you can pull from GitHub, F-Droid, Gitlab, and more and will check for updates.

I use both.

I would agree with this. I don’t see it as melodramatic.

Enthusiastic, yeah. And nothing wrong with someone interested in tech to also take the more poetic route of expression.

Many of the tech enthusiast types are more akin to mindless 1s and 0s. And not everyone is.

So like you did, rather lack thereof, the response of your own story is optional. I chose to share, because it’s fun to discuss. This isn’t a changelog, or patch notes. This is part or being human and sharing something other than binary data.

I have distro hopped like many others. Started out on Ubuntu more than a decade ago. It wasn’t something I loved then, or now. But tried a few more along the eayway.

Ultimately, I landed on Arch. I want newest packages available, I like to tinker. And I wanted arch so that I could learn how my OS worked on a deeper level than windows would ever allow me to learn without extra dissection. I swapped from being a windows user directly to Arch.

My first few Arch installs were done by hand, but anytime I reinstall now that I have an understanding, I use the ArchInstall script.

Arch for me is the perfect cross of form, functionality, and up to date with large dash of customizability.

Yes, I am familiar with what Gentoo is, but never delved into using it. The next “leap” or discovery I am going to invest time into is Nix.

That may help! Thank you!

It struggled with my NeuralDSP VSTs and BiasFX last I tried

Side note: yabridge may be of help for VSTs

Also, another DAWci recommend is Reaper