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DonutsRMeh @lemmy.world

Looking for a "set it and forget it" distro

Hi all, Relatively long time Linux user (2017 to be precise), and about two 3rds of that time has been on Arch and its derivatives.

Been running Endeavour OS for at least 2.5 years now. It's a solid distro until it's not. I'd go for months without a single issue then an update comes out of nowhere and just ruins everything to either no return, or just causes me to chase after a fix for hours, and sometimes days. I'm kinda getting tired of this trend of sudden and uncalled for issues.

It's like a hammer drops on you without you seeing it. I wish they were smaller issues, no, they're always major. Most of the time I'd just reinstall, and I hate that. It's so much work for me.

I set things the way I like them and then they're ruined, and the hunt begins. I have been wanting to switch for a long time, and I honestly have even been looking into some of those immutable distros (that's how much I don't want to be fixing my system.

I'm tired, I just want to use my system to get work done). I was also told that Nobara is really good (is it? Never tried it). My only hold back — and it's probably silly to some of you— is the AUR. I love it.

It's the most convenient thing ever, and possibly the main reason why I have stuck with Arch and its kids. Everything is there.

So, what do y'all recommend? I was once told by some kind soul to use an immutable distro and setup "distrobox" on it if I wanted the AUR.

I've never tried this "distrobox" thing (I can research it, no problem). I also game here and there and would like to squeeze as much performance as I can out of my PC (all AMD, BTW, and I only play single player games).

So, I don't know what to do. I need y'all's suggestions, please. I'll aggregate all of the suggestions and go through them and (hopefully) come up with something good for my sanity. Please suggest anything you think fits my situation. I don't care, I will 100% appreciate every single suggestion and look into it.

I'm planning to take it slow on the switch, and do a lot of research before switching. Unless my system shits the bed more than now then I don't know. I currently can't upgrade my system, as I wouldn't be able to log in after the update. It just fails to log in.

I had to restore a 10 days old snapshot to be able to get back into my damn desktop. I have already copied my whole home directory into another drive I have on my PC, so if shit hits the fan, I'll at least have my data. Help a tired brother out, please <3. Thank you so much in advance.

167 comments

  • I am responding to you as well as n00bs, or the curious, at large. Debian is your answer, or, fedora and suffer gnome. Following is how I do it.

    Debian trixie

    Above link is the net installer, download it, burn it to a USB nub, boot to it - be connected when you run it. Think about whether you want to allow root (I do, certainly) and how you want your partitions formatted. I use ext4 for my / (root) partition with noatime and discard and XFS for /home with noatime. Ridiculously fast with an nvme drive. Hot damn. I have 32GB of ram so I do not create a SWAP partition. I can suspend just fine.

    When you get to package installation and you're presented with desktop environments, whatnot - uncheck everything (arrow, spacebar) except system utilities near the bottom...continue the installation, grub options will probably be: no, yes, and if you are not dual-booting, no. Continue to reboot

    after reboot....

    You will be in a tty, nothing but black screen and a login prompt, it's cool. Login as root, install sudo and aptitude (apt install sudo aptitude), following, run visudo. Add your uname below root near the bottom. If you're the only one using this machine add like this: <your username> ALL=(ALL:ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL ctrl+x to close, y, then enter. logout.

    Log in as your user. I have a script I run now that installs the apps I use on my desktop - I do not use Gnome or KDE or a desktop environment, but, openbox, instead, for a zillion reasons. Productivity, responsiveness and customization to name a few.

    Here is the script:

     
        
#!/bin/bash
# Check root
[ "$(id -u)" -ne 0 ] && { echo "Must run as root" 1>&2; exit 1; }

# Install packages
echo -e "\e[1mInstalling packages...\e[0m"
[ "$(find /var/cache/apt/pkgcache.bin -mtime 0 2>/dev/null)" ] || apt update  
apt -y install xorg openbox lxpanel thunar thunar-archive-plugin intel-microcode claws-mail polkitd xinit intel-media-va-driver-non-free
apt -y install curl feh bat lsd unclutter numlockx wget whois mesa-utils mesa-va-drivers mpg123 alsa-utils ffmpeg bc jq libnotify-bin mc lshw lsof ncal ncdu inxi psmisc s-tui sed cpufetch dfc sysstat tar unzip zip x11-xserver-utils htop apt-utils at preload pwgen usbutils vnstat xpdf oxygencursors gpicview jpegoptim libimage-exiftool-perl
apt -y install tango-icon-theme keepassxc lxappearance obsession scrot gvfs-backends arandr menu menu-xdg mesa-utils pnmixer bogofilter bleachbit gifsicle
apt -y install geany geany-plugins claws-mail-bogofilter lynx alacritty claws-mail-fancy-plugin claws-mail-pgpmime claws-mail-tools claws-mail-pgpinline claws-mail-vcalendar-plugin
apt -y install rsync xscreensaver gpicview xscreensaver-gl xscreensaver-gl-extra fd-find libxml2-utils starship pulseaudio
apt -y install meld mintstick ips tldr mpv net-tools neverputt gnome-characters mpv gparted bsd-mailx pkexec xclip gsimplecal
apt -y install hwinfo iftop imagemagick acpi lm-sensors python3-pexpect preload pwgen s-tui sensible-utils catfish iotop pithos
apt -y install xdg-user-dirs-gtk xdg-utils xdotool unzip usbutils util-linux vym yelp zenity zip silversearcher-ag galternatives 
apt -y install planner libreoffice libreoffice-gtk3 xfce4-screenshooter smartmontools screenfetch gimp obsidian-icon-theme orage gmrun synaptic yad zim bashtop grc duf

    Save it as a file, make it executable (chmod +x) and run as sudo: sudo ./NAME.sh

    When it's done you're fabulous. Log in to the emptiness of openbox by issuing: startx at the command line. Right-click and find the menu.

    Now, openbox uses 3 files: autostart, menu.xml, and rc.xml and it gets better from there in your terminal with a functional .bashrc, .bash_functions, and .bash_aliases. You will likely edit ~/.profile as well to include any bin directories 

     
        
# set PATH so it includes user's private bin if it exists
if [ -d "$HOME/bin" ] ; then
    PATH="$HOME/bin:$PATH"
fi

# set PATH so it includes user's private bin if it exists
if [ -d "$HOME/.local/bin" ] ; then
    PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
fi

if [ -d "$HOME/.local/share/scripts" ] ; then
    PATH="$HOME/.local/share/scripts:$PATH"
fi

    Of course I have tweaked-out files replete with functionality and customizations. This is a set it and forget it desktop that will remain bullet-proof on Debian. Nothing is free, esp functionality you want/demand - it's your box on Linux, you will create it.

    I usually install the liquorix kernel, as well, like this, from a terminal, as a regular user:

    curl -s 'https://liquorix.net/install-liquorix.sh' | sudo bash

    If you do that, reboot after installing. It's a modified kernel for desktop use, makes things a little faster, easier. I have a game that plays smoother after I install it and boot to it.

    People ask for easy set-and-forget Linux distributions all the time completely ignoring the fact that the OS they are typically coming from, WIndows, is definitely not. It's a haughty demand, actually, especially when there are a zillion ways to get set-and-forget in Linux.

    Now, the above script will install a wicked desktop, but, you must edit ~/.config/openbox/autostart and put what you want started when you login in there; for example, I use the lxpanel, unclutter, numlockx, and some other stuff, following are some of those entries:

     
        
sh ~/.fehbg &
unclutter &
numlockx &
lxpanel &
#orage &
pnmixer &
#redshift &
(sleep 4s && ~/bin/fastcompmgr -o 0.4 -r 12 -c -C) &
(sleep 4s && ~/bin/frank) &
(sleep 15s && xscreensaver -no-splash) &

    In my ~/.config/openbox/rc.xml file I have some handy keybinds:

     
           
 <keybind key="A-F2">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>gmrun</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>
    <keybind key="W-p">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>planner</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>
    <keybind key="W-e">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>x-text-editor</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>
    <keybind key="W-f">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>thunar</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>

    IN ~/.config/openbox/menu.xml I have completely customized it and it's fabulous - you don't need an app to do this, just open the file...

    Behold, my menu; I get to it by hitting win+z (rc.xml file entry)

    Here is my menu entry for scrot, that I rarely use because the functions are bound to keys in rc.xml:

     
        
<menu id="scrot" label="Scrot" icon="/usr/share/icons/Dracula/apps/scalable/screenie.svg">
      <item label="click and done" icon="/usr/share/icons/Dracula/apps/scalable/screensaver.svg">
        <action name="Execute">
        <execute>
        scrot -q 100 '%Y-%m-%d_$wx$h_%X.jpg' -e 'mv $f ~/scrots/'
        </execute>
        </action>
        </item>
        <item label="delay 5" icon="/usr/share/icons/Dracula/apps/scalable/shotwell.svg">
        <action name="Execute">
        <execute>
        scrot -q 100  '%Y-%m-%d_$wx$h_%X.jpg' -d 5 -e 'mv $f ~/scrots/'
        </execute>
        </action>
        </item>
        <item label="Select Area" icon="/usr/share/icons/Dracula/apps/scalable/shutter.svg">
        <action name="Execute">
        <execute>
        scrot -q 100  '%Y-%m-%d_$wx$h_%X.jpg' -s -e 'mv $f ~/scrots/'
        </execute>
        </action>
        </item>
        <item label="screen with 20% thumb" icon="/usr/share/icons/Dracula/apps/scalable/silicon-32.svg">
        <action name="Execute">
        <execute>
        scrot -q 100  '%Y-%m-%d_$wx$h_%X.jpg' -t 30 -e 'mv $f ~/scrots/'
        </execute>
        </action>
        </item>
</menu>

    That will get you started - there are so may helpful and useless tutorials out there, you will find a good one.

    Additionally, I am a terminal user because it's fast and beautiful, esp alacritty and kitty. You may customize each, check this out:

    Or, this:

    I get that not everybody likes to use the terminal as much as I do but I would be remiss if I neglected to bring it up, for its amazing functionality. The bash functions and aliases I use are handy and fast bring me wicked function, I even type: wc to get a gorgeous weather report.

    I left a lot out for you to find. Linux is amazing, as most of us know, but it requires you to work with what is available, or, create it yourself. What is available, however, is amazing and will more than fit your needs. As far as folks complaining about specific apps, please. If blender doesn't do it for that function you need then don't use blender, find another way, or stick to windows and make the best of it. Or, change your expectations.

    As far as system snapshots, backing up, stuff like that - there are a zillion ways. I keep it simple and rsync my ~ to a USB nub. Fast and reliable and I'm not adding a bunch of supporting nonsense or overhead to my system. I use firefox and install it with another script:

     
        
#! /bin/sh
sudo install -d -m 0755 /etc/apt/keyrings && wget -q https://packages.mozilla.org/apt/repo-signing-key.gpg -O- | sudo tee /etc/apt/keyrings/packages.mozilla.org.asc > /dev/null && echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/packages.mozilla.org.asc] https://packages.mozilla.org/apt mozilla main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mozilla.list > /dev/null && echo '
Package: *
Pin: origin packages.mozilla.org
Pin-Priority: 1000
' | sudo tee /etc/apt/preferences.d/mozilla && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install firefox

    This system can do anything and most of it with keybinds. Most of the apps I use daily can be customized to great affect, as well the desktop. If you want tiling it's easy enough to install cortile or the like and have at it. Put an entry for it in your autostart file.

    There is a bit more I do like add this to ~/.profile to autostart from startx: [ "$(tty)" = "/dev/tty1" ] && exec startx

  • I have Fedora on my work laptop and vanilla Arch on my tinkering laptop.

    I think instead of thinking about "set it and forget it", you might want to think about "if shit happens, how fast can I fix it?". That is because stuff break or there are bugs . If you use a very old and LTS distro, you might be comfortable but there might be bugs that do not get fixed until much later. Eg: Debian's kernel used to be able to suspend-then-hibernate, then they jump to one that cannot. So if you want that feature back, you need to wait.... until Debian catches up with mainline's fixes.

    So if you only use your computer for web, email, movie. Then any distro will work.

    Now, imo there are 2 types of problems in Linux:

    1. Boot/GRUB/partition problems: this can happen if you're dual boot, or a config goes wrong. To fix, usually you need to boot a live cd.

    Pop OS would be #1 choice just because it has a "Recovery Partition" with live environment. You can reinstall the entire OS while you're on the plane, without wifi or any USB.

    Arch would be #2 here, just because the arch iso is so good. It is minimal and has all the tools you need to fix stuff: partitions, wifi..etc. Plus, it boots in tty so it is faster for fixing.

    1. Problems with library mismatch: for this you want one with good snapshots built in. So OpenSUSE or if you know how to configure btrfs, maybe Fedora. I would still go Pop OS here, so you can configure btrfs AND get the recovery from point 1) above. Linux Mint would be #2 choice because they have timeshift built in.

    So the TLDR for you is: pick Pop OS for the recovery partition. Also, use btrfs. Lastly, configure your disk nicely, i.e. dont do any crazy LVM encryption, just use standard layout so when comes the time to fix, it is easier.

  • Look. I've been there. I started my Linux journey with Arch based distros, then distrohopped a lot, and finally found the best for me, and what I personally consider the best either for normal users or those that don't want to do any maintenance.

    It's the Universal Blue family of distros: Bazzite (gaming / KDE / gnome) Aurora (standard / development / KDE) Bluefin (standard / development / gnome)

    Set it and forget about it. It just freaking works. For GUI apps install from the Discover app store (which uses Flatpak), for cli apps use Homebrew (brew install whatever). If you can't find something, open Distrobox (already included) create an Arch container, install whatever you want from the AUR, and use it like you're used to. It works like freaking magic.

    If somehow you manage to brick your installation, when you reboot you'll be able to boot to a past snapshot.

    You just can't fail with this. It's the best of the best IMHO.

    • You absolutely can fail. I daily drive bazzite but many things have been pretty rough:

      Any coding apps that will use an external device -> you can't use flatpak. You have to use distrobox that constantly freezes your entire mouse for 3-5 seconds upon any sort of dialog, settings, saving, anything where it has to access the filesystem. Then you have to add udev rules to directories that in the documentation says not to write to, and reloading the rules doesn't work for testing, you have to fully restart with every minor change or it will seem like the change didn't work.

      Luckily most device drivers seem to work in the provided arch distrobox but holy dependency hell. Things will fail to install because they need a package that exists on the host but not the container so you get an unsolvable "file exists" conflict. When installing a package, it will sometimes just try to grab an old version of a dependency specifically that will 404 out instead of just grabbing the most recent version (never happened on arch itself to me)

      Setting up a plasma vault with gocryptfs was not fun figuring out how. Also ran into tons of dependency problems and the fact that fedora just abandoned it specifically. Ended up just having to stick the binary in a random folder and point to it.

      Any sort of document authentication/signing -> doesn't work and will not work in the future for a long time.

      You absolutely have to install rpms still for corectrl, any external devices, like drawing tablets, etc...

      Some games inexplicably use <50% GPU and <40% CPU with terrible framerates and will not go any higher (or lower) no matter what, switching between low and high settings and resolution results in 0fps change.

      When I have my config set and don't have to change anything, it is super super nice to never have to manually update, but anything outside of very basic usage is weaving through nonstandard undocumented territory.

      Bazzite trades maintenance headaches for configuration and installation headaches. For me, that is worth it.

      • I'm sorry Bazzite didn't work out for you.

        Your use case sounds like a better fit for Arch, since you have very specific needs like adding uncommon device drivers, gocryptfs, udev rules, etc. For anyone else, wanting to try Bazzite, I'll answer the rest of the topics:

        Flatpak apps with external devices

        All apps I've tried support external devices just fine, in the event the app you need doesn't support external devices out of the box, try adding USB device access through the app's permissions in the System Settings app.

        Distrobox Freezes & dependencies

        I have an all AMD desktop PC, and an intel laptop, Distrobox runs perfectly fine. Every package will rely on dependencies inside Distrobox.

        Edit: after writing this post, I realized I needed someway to de-drm my Audible books, so I installed the Libation RPM in my Fedora Distrobox, it failed to launch because it needed libicu or something like that, so I opened the Fedora Distrobox terminal and typed sudo dnf install libicu, done. Launched perfectly like it was installed on my base Bazzite installation. But all the dependencies remain isolated, unable to crap all over my system if something happens. My system remains shielded from dependency apocalypse.

        Encryption

        Bazzite supports LUKS full disk encryption.

        corectrl

        Use LACT, you can install it through the Bazzite Portal (that's Bazzite 1st run app, you can run it anytime though)

        RPMs are needed for any external devices, like drawing tablets, etc..

        Any external devices would be a great overstatement. I have the standard PC Peripherals, then I have: xbox 360 controllers, xbox series X controllers, Thrustmaster Wheel, Logitech x56 Flight Stick, none of them require any RPM and just work out of the box, unlike on Windows. For drawing tablets, there are tons that are supported right out of the box without any additional driver, for example Wacom.

        For any developers out there wanting to customize Bazzite to fit your particular use case, you can even easily fork the distro and build your own and still get auto-updates, with any additional device drivers, RPMs, and whatever else you want to fulfill your edge use case. Follow this link here.

  • OpenSuse Leap or even Tumbleweed. After getting the media codecs up and running, and remembering to set you firewall zone to "home", you're pretty golden.

    • Opensuse is absolutely not a set it and forget it distro. I get recommending your favorite distro to other users, but telling them it's an easy to use distro is absolutely false and sets them up for disappointment. You have to download the codecs yourself if you want to do so much as watch a video on firefox, for which you have to add a new repo. I've tried it for two days and I've already spent half of them fixing bugs or snapping back to a version that worked because it froze after sleeping before I even did anything with it other than log in.

      • I can't speak for you but I didn't have to do any of that, my installs worked out of the box...

      • I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I've used it as my daily driver with minimal effort post installation on multiple occasions, usually on work laptops where time spent tinkering is time wasted. I've found it to be a good choice in that context. I now own my own business, and OpenSuse has allowed me to repurpose older laptops as workstations for my employees with minimal effort.

        The only actual pain point I've seen is setting up a wifi enabled printer ... required that I change my firewall zone so the printer could be discovered. And that only required a few minutes to figure out. The fact that the firewall is set to a more secure default is probably a feature, not a bug.

      • ... that is def not my case, openSUSE is saving me a lot of time.

        I've switched all my fiends & family (desktops) to Tumbleweed like 5 years ago bcs I don't have to do any maintenance ever (not even customisation at the beginning, beyond setting them accounts). It has always been stable with exception that they only became "almost" out-of-the-box gaming friendly only in recent year or two.

        Tumbleweed is just there, always updated, and feels nice. Oh, it's not the quickest boot maybe?

        Previously (15+ years, maybe 20 my parents) I had my family on Debians/Ubuntus which were stable but always very fiddly to distro upgrade, I don't even remember what went wrong with old Fedora, but I changed it back in less than a year (almost 10 years ago, not relevant).

  • ubuntu LTS is like this for me, but i can't recommend snaps. use it if you plan on uninstalling it and using flatpaks instead. i had a brief stint with mint and fedora and they seem good too.

    in general, regardless of distro, i wait for the .1 releases after a big update, doing this has saved my ass before.

    • Snaps, flatpck and app images, everything works ok usually on Ubuntu (if you have plenty of drive to store them all)

  • OpenSUSE Leap is the way to go my dude. It's been formulated by pedantic Germans and you can't go wrong with YAST/zypper for package management.

167 comments