If you have been using Linux for +10 years, what are you using now?

Been using Linux for over a decade, and last few years Ubuntu (on desktops/laptops), plus Debian on servers, but been looking to switch to something less “Canonical”-y for a long time (since the Amazon search fiasco, pretty much).

Appreciate recommendations or just an interesting discussion about people’s experiences, there are no wrong answers.

Edit: Thanks for the lots of interesting answers and discussions. I will try a few of the suggestions in a VM.

  • OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml
    2·
    6 hours ago

    Question to users and distro hoppers. I’ve grown to love Mint used it for years. But sometimes it updates and moves my game folders, loses my saves and I have to hunt in my system and hope I find my precious years long game saves.

    Is there such thing as a distro that never changes the structure where truly all my files, system files, games will all be the same over years?

    I’ve tried NIX and liked it, I’ve tried LMDE and Stock Mint with Ubuntu bugs yay, I’ve tried base Debian 13, and lastly Fedora kinoite…

    Whats a system that updates but doesn’t lose my shit when I just want to game and use my PC? I like having all my files never move, structure of system never change, but having the ability to run steam and heroic games of all types. I’m still back to Stock Mint Ubuntu but dammit if they don’t introduce bugs sometimes. Like suspend / resume audio doesn’t work after sleeping my desktop and back on without restarting.

    • Liketearsinrain@lemmy.mlOP
      1·
      4 hours ago

      I am not a distro hopper, but I think you’re asking the wrong question

      I would keep your saves backed up and synchronized with a tool like rsync or git (not too great if they are larger sized files). It’s what most Linux users do with their config files for example.

      Other solutions are having a separate partition for /home (or /Games) so that you can even distrohop without worrying about this. If the game looks for saves in a specific folder you can create a symlink (a sort of “shortcut” that tells the game to look for saves in a certain directory)

      Not sure how experienced you are but I can try to explain it better if this seems suitable.

      • OhVenus_Baby@lemmy.ml
        1·
        2 hours ago

        This seems like the way that and maybe an immutable. Mint is just so damn intuitive which is why I keep going back. Nothing else makes a machine work with you than mint. Others you have to work against.

        I still believe my ask is on point. Some distros like Ubuntu based move system folder locations every few years. I don’t like a changing pc. I hate having to keep up with things. I’m a jump in and know how. I do wildly appreciate your XY link and think ultimately I do that often none the less. Thanks.