Re: Using a FreeBSD desktop was somehting about dog food

On Sat, 26 Mar 2022 20:50:55 +0000 (UTC), doug wrote:
>Users who want to come into the Unix world have an easier path with
>Ubuntu.

Hi,

to get rid of X graphics issues on Linux I migrated away from AMD/ATI as
well as NVIDIA to Intel. For a lengthy period of time using Linux +
Intel was a pleasure. However, since the Intel X driver isn't maintained
anymore it's replaced by the modesettings driver. A lot of workarounds
are needed when using this driver and those do not necessarily help
very much, you e.g. might need to drop one or the other web browser.
Hardware video acceleration is tricky, even when using the obsolete
Intel driver, since not all apps are able to make usage of hardware
video acceleration.

Actually my workaround on Arch Linux is building my own long term
support kernel packages from kernel.org sources, hence I can still use
the X Intel driver.

To my knowledge suspending/resuming sound on Linux, at least on jackd
based installs, isn't working, too.

I'm doing a lot of art work (music, drawing, photo editing, stop
motion) on an iPad Pro, because there simply doesn't exist all the
needed software for FreeBSD or Linux. I need to admit that it has got
it's pitfalls, too. While it's e.g. easy to install new fonts, just a
minority of apps is able to access those fonts on an iPad Pro.

Apropos photography, yesterday I planned a shooting of the
International Space Station. This seems to be possible with Stellarium
on FreeBSD or Linux (or Stellarium + on an iPad), too, but it's not
self-explaining. I just tested if right now on Linux and an iPad.
Stellarium and Stellarium + are a PITA to use. Being able to see the ISS
is not the same as planing a shooting. When using e.g. SkySafari Pro on
an iPad, it's easy easy-peasy to plan a shooting, without ever reading a
manual. IOW Linux desktop design has got it pros and cons, too.

OTOH using an MUA on FreeBSD or Linux is a pleasure, but on an iPad
it's an accident.

Why not just using the tool that fits to a user's needs? One operating
system for this and another for that. Actually we can't wash our dirty
laundry with a toaster oven or bake through a frozen pizza with a
washing machine.

Regards,
Ralf