my browser won't show me the full hostname i'm connecting to. can't reinstall my OS on any of my main devices without phoning home to a manufacturer for crypto signatures. can't install a VPN app without showing ID.
is this dystopia yet?
@sneak no, because you can just use another browser that shows the full hostname and you can just use an other device with linux (...)
@scops linux desktop environments are ugly trash
@sneak it depends on what one prefer... :) if you like macOS, Elementary OS comes close for example. But yeah, i got your point ;)
@sneak Yes, Ubuntu is ugly, but I must agree with @scops, there are some beautiful #GNULinux distros out there.
If you end up using #Manjaro. I helped develop a GTK CSS file that improves the bottom panel.
https://forum.xfce.org/viewtopic.php?pid=59790#p59790
I also started a topic about blocking tech giants using data they provide. If someone is able to develop a script that automatically edits the hosts.txt file and the firewall (#pihole?) then you'll hardly need worry about surveillance 👌
@sneak @scops Manjaro is almost perfect, it comes with a slick flaticon pack for thousands of apps, called #Papirus.
https://github.com/PapirusDevelopmentTeam/papirus-icon-theme
After improving the bottom panel with my CSS. The only thing that's a bit odd looking in my opinion is the 'Whisker menu' (aka 'Activities menu'/'Start menu' if you are a windows user). I've already made it known on the Xfce forum, that one of my interests will be in improving the CSS for that menu also, but I'm fairly picky 😅 , it's actually awesome.
@sneak @juliank yeah... the "ugliness" is also not a UI thing exclusively... it's also how apps/services works together and how their UX is designed. i know why macOS - i use it since 10.0 - is _not_ ugly. but for me i take some downsides and pay with my time to make linux less ugly for me as replacement for macOS in the future *waiting for hardware* *still using macOS 14.x* ;)
@scops @sneak Yes UI/UX are hugely important.
To improve the functionality of the launcher icons (aka pinned apps) in the bottom panel, ToZ on the forums, with some suggestions from me, was able to develop something that I've found to be super functional.
https://forum.xfce.org/viewtopic.php?id=6168&p=2
There are a couple other weird issues, like the need to make the Date/Time settings easier to locate.
Instructions in the next toot
/1
On #Manjaro #Xfce the Date Time settings are strangely difficult to find.
- How I solve this is in the Whisker menu type 'Manj'. An application called "Manjaro Settings Manager" should appear.
- Right-click the program and select Edit Application...
- To the 'Name' field, add "(Date/Time included)".
Now try searching for 'Time' or 'Date' and the correct application should appear in the list.
@sneak @scops For sure, and those icons can be used on any GNULinux tbh.
I've found Xfce to be a lot snappier and nicer to use than any OS I've used in the past. I've also successfully on-boarded people to it, and they love it. In the "speak-aloud" user tests I've done they have had a really positive reaction to it.
Just don't dismiss it until you have a proper look at it.
@sneak @juliank the thing is; on linux (or BSD,...) you can define it yourself. just puzzle your DE you like. the possibilities are nearly endless. but yes, it (maybe) takes time and you need the knowledge to do it... but the distros are only "start points" - if you want.