OK, so we have been using Linux more or less as our main desktop Operating System here at Mission Control since 2016. Sure we use MacBooks from time to time – and even the odd Windows machine when a PUBG or Fortnite session is ABSOLUTELY required. But for the most part, since late 2016, it’s been all Linux, all the time here.
And we have been SUPER proud of that.
Back in 2018, we worked closely with Microsoft to deploy the first Linux-optimised environment onto the new Azure platform. That was huge for us. And while it completely validated our view (and anyone else you will ask) that Linux is king in the Server World, there was still a nagging disappointment that the Linux Desktop experience was lagging behind (and losing ground by the day) to macOS and Windows. The death knell seemed to sound for good in November 2020 with Apple’s release of the M1 Architecture for their MacBook and Mac computers – it was simply too perfect for anyone (and especially Developers) to consider another OS – even Windows!
And with that, the last five years has made us feel a bit stubborn in our ongoing passion and defence of the Linux desktop. In fact, our distro-hopping has only increased, with a few years fully dedicated to OpenSuse, several years in the desert of Fedora and Ubuntu-based derivatives, and even a few dalliances with atomic desktops like Nix and Bluefin. All the while we have remained steadfast in our proclamations that the supreme interaction of daily computing comes by way of the Linux kernel.
Case in point – here’s our CEO giving an online seminar late last year for The National Museum of Computing on the history (and potential) of Linux on the Desktop.
But this may be it, folks – this may indeed FINALLY be there year of the Linux Desktop. Mark it on your calendars – this is happening. 🐧🐧🐧
A few things have really come together to make this ongoing ‘meme’ a potential reality for this year and next. Let’s start with our old friend, Apple.
For many of us, Apple was the contrary and irreverent choice of the rebel-minded digerati since the early 2000’s. Windows was clearly the more practical platform for both Developers and Executives throughout the tech and corporate world – right up until 2010 when something began to change. A radical shift started to occur – pushing consumers and prosumers alike to the more culturally exciting and relevant platform that connected so well with our new toys, the iPhone and iPad. And for most of us, we never looked back. Macs were faster, better built, carried more pop cache, and showed a certain level of class and taste that Windows machines lacked (and really, still do).
But here’s the thing – macOS and Apple hardware, while arguably perfect in just about every way – is supremely BORING.
MacBooks and Studio Displays and even iPhones may indeed be the apex of utility and reliability (or better described perhaps as ‘appliances’), but the connection between user and computer and the wonder and adventure of computing has been lost. Worse, it’s now mediated completely by Apple with draconian publishing rules for Apps, enforced design updates (gulp, liquid glass), and maddening control measures across every aspect of the experience. When you use an Apple platform, you are not using a device. You are interacting with a set of rules defined by committee. At best you are a few steps removed from inputting heat times into a microwave, or setting the brew duration on your coffee machine. The Apple experience is now transactional and hollow.
Enter Linux.
While those of us in the Linux world have suspected the appeal of this entirely open (at times frustratingly open!) computing experience could appeal to a broader swathe of the Developer and tech-enthusiast community, we have been disappointed year after year with the failed pronouncement that this year – YES this year (!) – will finally see a mass adoption of this underappreciated platform.
But the perfect storm has arrived. Apple is finally being seen for what it is, and the Developer community has a number of new tools to get them excited. Primary among these is Omarchy – the new Arch/Hyprland spin from none other than David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH) of Ruby on Rails and Basecamp/37Signals fame.
At Mission Control we have been using Arch since 2017 in many forms – from Openbox to KDE Plasma to i3 and even Gnome desktop environments. Arch is probably our most used base for many of our machines, and even server instances. Last year a few of us played with Hyprland and were mightily impressed, but the time involved in tweaking it, customising elements, and making it fast and suitable for our needs was simply not practical. Then last month we tried Omarchy – and we were off and running in no time flat. It was the Hyprland experience we had been waiting for, and for the first time in years, there has been ZERO distrohopping within these walls.
It helps that we are all Basecamp and 37Signals product users, sure. But changing from some defaults and keybinds to other Apps and systems is a complete breeze with Omarchy. It’s fast, super stable, and a real delight to use. As Linux users, we thought computing could not get more rewarding than using KDE or even a tiling window manager like i3 – but boy, were we wrong.
Smiles all around the place. 🤩🤩
And it’s not just us. The Developer community is moving from Apple to Omarchy/Linux in droves…and this project has wings. Even the old-guard Linux community is standing up and taking notice.
It’s actually occurred to us, this may be more than a single post – this may be a longstanding series. And with our new found fervour for Omarchy which has truly re-awakened our love of Linux – this is only the beginning.
And for the first time in years, we are not alone.
Welcome to the year of the Linux Desktop!
