Linux guide for power users (2022)

s/ipconfig/ifconfig/

> Overall, from the one of your reply, I have the impression that you might be happier switching to a less opinionated distro like Void Linux or Gentoo. Something as curated as Ubuntu isn't a good fit for you.

I agree, but I work in infosec. Nobody ever got fired for running Ubuntu, particularly when there's at least some auditing of source before they push out deb packages. I know there are minimal case studies, but one day someone will get malware into a distro, I'd like to reduce the risk that it happens to the distro I'm running.

I also moved away from Gentoo ~ 10 years after systemd was mainstream, at that point it was basically impossible to get Bluetooth Audio working without pulseaudio, which seemed impossible to run without Systemd. I fully understand that Systemd is probably better in a lot of use cases and I really don't care what's running under the hood, provided it doesn't get in my way.

Edit: And the reason I hate whatever is responsible for the 'ip' command is that it's virtually impossible to google specifically for that command (y'know, because 'ip' was a protocol not a command, convoluting things unnecessarily)...

Some of your complaints are practical but 2 specific ones I'd note: "ip" has been the tool you wanted to use since even the mid 2000s - ifconfig wouldn't even show you every IP on an interface since then unless it had an alias. Something that may help you make the transition is the "-brief" (-br for short) switch which gives a very compact simple output that is a little easier to visually parse. If you're using a systemd-networkd system, "networkctl status" is also handy.

For systemd, I have never been bitter about it, but while it has changed many commands and interfaces or ways you work, if you just dig a tiny bit below the surface it has SO many modernsations and conveniences that more than make up for it. Make your own rosetta stone for your top commands, but then look around at all the other things systemctl, etc, offer and find some pluses to make the pain worth it :)

See also: https://github.com/certsimple/rosetta-stone

(and agreed with all of your other points, and there's still something to be said for the push button utility of ubuntu, etc; to your point, a lot of infosec people, including at large enterprises, prefer gentoo.. I know many of them and am one myself.)

1. Install Xubuntu

2. Start your session

3. Run

    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install pocillo-icon-theme materia-icon-theme fonts-clear-sans

5. Remove the default desktop wallpaper, use something else.

6. Edit the XFCE panels

6.1. Create a panel to use as a start menu/taskbar/clock.

6.2. Create a panel to use as a dock. Make the icon size larger and make it autohide. Add multiple "Launcher" items to it with the programs you regularly use.

7. Install more stuff

    # The most similar terminal to iTerm2
    sudo apt install tilix

    # Similar to Alfred on macOS
    sudo apt install kupfer

    # Install a web browser
    sudo apt install firefox

    # Webcam software
    sudo apt install guvcview cheese

    # Flatpak
    sudo apt install flatpak

9. Install an office suite (for example, https://www.freeoffice.com/en/)

For games, Lutris and Steam are your friends.

- You can install JetBrains Desktop, then install all the IDEs you need. Once you open your desired IDE, disable the unneeded plugins, and exclude the directories you don't want indexed. You can also disable feature you don't use like folding, code lens, breadcrumbs, etc.

- Install Rust (https://rustup.rs/) then install useful Rust system tools such as ripgrep, fd-find, bat, hyperfine, helix editor, tokei, etc.