Day: January 28, 2026

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Linux is my primary computer environment

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For twelve years now I’ve used Linux as my primary desktop operating system. I can’t imagine using any other operating system on my computer. Here’s why:

  • It’s totally free with easy updates via apt-get. Distribution upgrades sometimes requires a bit of tweaking of files but are relatively easy to use. No fancy installers that block what you are doing or lots of windows to click through.
  • Software all comes through the apt-get mechanism, you don’t have to go to risky websites to download software.
  • Standard Unix programs and functions are easy to script in bash and pipe their output between processes.
  • Most things nowadays are done on the web and the Linux web browsers are in most ways the same as the commercial platforms.
  • OpenOffice is a fully functional and stable office platform for all my office software needs.
  • QGIS as somebody who enjoys mapping and exploring land has become a killer geographic information system, especially in recent years. It takes full advantage of the GRASS platform and various Unix based GIS software.
  • Great professional web development tools that are running in their native environment
  • I am not a fan of overly glossy things, so I use the fast and simple XCFE desktop environment which is great because it never changes. Even Linux itself pretty much stays the same, although little things evolve over the years.

The “Pavement Princess” Trap (And Why You’re Broke)

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This is something I think about a lot. Not because I don't make good money and my investments have done well, but I know a truck is going to be used and used up, and after 15 years be garbage. But what is time and life if you don't do something with it? Travel and have adventures? It's nice to say, a 20-year old Honda Civic gets you to the Maul most of the time, but what if you care about things besides driving to SuperDuper Wally World, your office and the Maul? I guess an old clunker works, and I hate the message spending all that money on a SuperDuty sends, though I also know the cost of a SuperDuty really is only a few months of Capital Gains the way the market grew last year. But what if I invested that extra $20k or $40k and got an old clunker? Questions on my mind. Truth is it probably doesn't matter that much, as while it will dip my cash account for now, it won't impact my retirement or investing stragety nor the income I have coming in. Still I'm conflicted.