COMPUTER USER IN TRAINING
Hi, I am a computer user in training. I'm not very good with
these tools but I'm trying! So hard! Please forgive me for
being a n00b.
Operating Systems
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- 2023: Void, OpenBSD
- 2017: Ubuntu, Windows 10
- 2009: MacOS X
I don't remember the first operating system I ever used. I
suspect it was Windows 95, 98, or 2000. I was a kid and only
interested in computers for the games they could play. But I
did other things, too. Packed into my memories of playing
Roller Coster Tycoon, Restaurant Empire, and other cereal
box games are memories of using Ask Jeeves and HotBot to
search the web, Dreamweaver to build silly websites, AVG
anti-virus to remove malware, and pressing a spring loaded
power button to power off the computer when its processes
went arwy.
I used Windows (XP, Vista) up until I begged my Dad for a
Macbook, which I eventally received. I used the mac for
photo and video editing, instant messaging, and writing very
basic HTML/CSS. My first exposure to Linux happened during
this time, around 2007. I booted into a live image of
Slackware in order to get iPod Linux and Rockbox on my iPod
5G. I also played around with Ubuntu live disks, which I got
in the mail and used without much comprehension out
outcomes. Though I dipped my toes with these experiences
they were hardly proper introductions to the land of
Linux. It would be another decade until I'd gather real
insights and experiences into UNIX-like operating systems.
Over time I upgraded one Macbook to another, added a dual
boot into Ubuntu, and expanded my computer use into
programming (Android development, Processing, Java, Arduino)
persisting with this ecosystem until 2017 when I bought a
Dell laptop, which I use to this day. Up until summer 2023,
I had both Ubuntu and Windows partitions on the
laptop. Windows I needed for Adobe Creative Cloud software
like Illustrator and InDesign. Ubuntu I needed for web
development and menial programming tasks. The dual boot
setup was a pain in the arse. Many times the GRUB bootloader
would get wacked by a Windows update. And when my workflow
demanded software from both operating systems in sequence,
I'd have to accept the inconvenience of a power cycle. Ugh.
I switched to a new hard drive with a single Void parition in the summer of 2023. Void is lean and uncluttered. The full-disk encryption guide I followed didn't even include a step to setup X (I had to learn muself how to install `X' and configure my `.xinitrc' file to launch `i3' when I invoke `startx' in `tty'.) In fact, for even the most basic, taken-for-granted functions like connecting to a wireless network, [1|suspending the computer with a lock screen|/how_to_sleep_in_void.gph|roygbyte.com|70], and [1|connecting to external displays|/switching_between_tv_and_laptop_display.gph|roygbyte.com|70] I've had to learn, read, and ask. The outcome of all this toiling, head scratching, and tears is that I know quite a bit more about Linux.
I learned about Void from some IRC buddies, one of which
suggested I look into Deviun, too. Devuian is a fork of
Debian and Void is from-scratch. I searched both out from a
few angles: quality of documentation, popularity and user
base size, origins and mission statement, packages available
for installation. Ultimately, I chose Void because I knew
people using it, understood its documentation, and perceived
the quality of its codebase to be good. I've not been
disappointed by any of these attributes.
I love the challenge of using Void. But I'm also frequently
frustrated by my ignorance. I suspect it will take me
another decade to understand everything well enough about
Linux to feel uninhibited and uninconvenienced by my
computer. Interestingly, the Windows computer I use at work
makes me feel inhibited and inconvienced despite it being
"easier" to use. Sometimes things just don't work, and I
don't know how to find out why. I believe it boils down to
this contrast: as a Linux user I have to work towards my
computer's improvement by continually growing on what I
understand; as a Windows I've have to work towards accepting
that there will be things beyond my control and
comprehension.
I've also begun dipping my toes in BSDs. I have two OpenBSD systems: a virutal server that hosts my website and gopher, and a phyical computer that I setup to use for the [1|Old Computer Challenge|/old_computer_challenge.gph|roygbyte.com|70]. My use of either machine is minimal. I don't fuss with them much. They were setup by following I dont yet understand how the BSD kernel differs from the Linux kernel. I still have to read more about OpenBSD to understand a bit more of how and why it works the way it does.
Editors
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- 2023: ed
- 2020: Emacs
- 2016: Visual Studio Code
- 2014: IntelliJ
I started using Emacs about 3 years ago. Its users are
definitely part of a cult. Great. Every good editor should
be cult forming. Otherwise how will you be able to tease the
people who use and understand the thing you don't?
IMG monochwome.png
Emacs is highly extensible and well documented. Going from
novice to expert requires knowing maybe two dozen basic key
commands and having an appetite for Lisp. I got
there. Eventually. It was worth it. Emacs has become my text
editor, , , and . Given how much of my workflow had
consolidated into Emacs, it seemed to me I was on track to
living an life in Emacs (heck, if I could get a boyfriend in
Emacs I probably would)! But that all changed when I started
exploring programs like `lynx', `mutt', `weechat', and `ed'.
As a result of coercion from people on IRC I got to know
`ed' and started using him for remedial tasks like editing
my crontab or changing config files on my server. And you
know, `ed' is a really powerful tool! : `ed' is *the
standard*. And he's good for my brain! I've noticed that it
forces me to try and remember what's in the file and where
(or at least make a guess). The keybindings are elegant and
simple. It reduces the experience information overload I
sometimes get when looking at a file. It's pretty cool. I'm
excited to see where this `ed'-itor takes me!
Browsers
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- 2023: Lynx
- 2022: w3m, eww
- 2010: Firefox, Chrome
- 2005: ???
I've used other browser in the past (I remember Flock from
the early aughts,) but it's really just the big
three--Chrome, Firefox, and Lynx--with which I have a
personal history. Of the three, Chrome has been the most
damaging to my health. That I even touched Chrome was a big
mistake. Like smoking, it was a difficult habit to
kick. Everything I had was so well integrated into Chrome:
emails, passwords, and bookmarks. Ugh. Eventually I got away
from Chrome. I sought refuge in Firefox, something I had
used in the past. I use FireFox everyday as a full featured
browser.
For a lighter browsing experience I use a text-based
browser. `eww' was the first of this kind I used. It's a
browser inside Emacs, for the unaware. It's quite primitive,
but I found it integrated well into my Emacs workflow. It
was easy to get at and try. Eventually I learned about
`w3m', which actually can be used from Emacs too. Presently
I used `w3m' inside of Emacs for browsing the CommonLisp
hyperspec. But for most other easy-browsing tasks I use
Lynx. Lynx! I love you, Lynx!
Keyboards
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- 2022: Corne, Reviung41
- 2015: Ergodox Infinity
- 2013: Das Keyboard
I've been into keyboards (and typing) for a while. In high
school I plucked the keycaps off my Macbook Pro keyboard and
rearranged them into a Dvorak layout. Ever since then I've
been riding that keymap. Woo!
I've moved through a few different keyboards. The Das
Keyboard was my first mechanical keeb. After using that for
a year or so I boogied up to the Ergodox Infinity, which I
ended up using for 7 years without fail.
Last summer I decided to upgrade to a newer mechanical
keyboard. I reasoned this wise to do because I'd be starting
a part-time computer science program in the fall. For sure I
thought everyone would show up to the labs with their own
mechanical keyboards. For sure. As it turns out I was the
only person to get the message.
Anyways, I bought Corne and Reviung41 kits. The Corne is a
detached split with 42 keys, quite the step down from the
Ergodox's vaste landscape of keys. The Reviung is a split
with 41 keys. The Reviung I bought for bringing the
class. The Corne was to replace the Ergodox at
home. Initially I was a bit afraid I wouldn't like the
layered experience, where some keys are used to shift into
other layers making other keys available. And now? I don't
think I'd ever go back :) It's so cozy keeping the paws
centered on the keys. I feel very little strain after a day
of serious warrior-ing. Happy paws!
Switches are a whole other thing, and I'm not a big switch
nerd. I started with Cherry MX "Browns" in the Das, and then
mostly randomly chose The Zelios purple switches for my
Ergodox infinity. I liked the Zealios quite a bit and also
felt some allegiance to the company, given I'd used those
switches for quite a while. So when it came time to bulid
out the Corne and Reviung I chose Zelios again. I have a
pair of clacky (not to be confused with clicky!) clears--my
favourite--And tactile silents. I use the silents during the
workday and switch to the clacky's at night. (It's actually
quite nice to switch between boards for the different
programming contexts. This was a surprise discovery.)
IMG keyboards-compare.jpg
Programming
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- 2023: Awk
- 2022: Bash, ELisp, CommonLisp
- 2021: Lua
- 2015: JavaScript
- 2014: PHP
- 2013: Java
- 2012: Processing
My first exposure to programming was through , a dumbed-down
Java IDE and programming environment that encourages visual
exploration. I was quite the tender foot then. I remember
asking the professor why anyone would ever want to
program. Lol. Since then I've moved through lots of
languages though not everything sticks. I've flirted with
Haskell. I've admired C. I cast thirsty looks towards
Rust. The list above captures languages that've been more
than a one-night stand.
I have a huge crush on Lisp dialects. I really dig the
syntax and structure of these programs. The history of the
language is also important to me. Being a snot-nosed brat of
the garbage collected world, I really suffer from strongly
typed languages. Using Lisps at least I can say I'm with the
language that did it first.
Bash and Shell are my ride or die. I really get around with
these guys. They're super useful, well documented, and easy
to get along with. They help me optimize my workflow and
have fun without getting too deep into "what this all
means". And when Awk gets involved the heat really turns up!
Love you, Awk.
Computer Hardware
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- 2017: Dell XPS15 (9560)
- 2011: Macbook Pro
I was an Apple fanboy in my twenties and teens. Luckily I
got out in time to avoid the perils of a full Jobsian
transformation. Since then I've been using a Dell XPS. It
has been a solid machine. Every now and then I get tempted
into upgrading. But it works, so why bother, right?
IMG lappy-dell.jpg
IMG lappy-apple.jpg
My one reserve about my hardware history is that I have very
little experience with desktops. I find this kind of sad,
since they're more powerful, easily upgrade-able, and
all-around sick looking. Incidentally, I inherited an old
Lenovo ThinkCentre 3 years ago. My first desktop in ~13
years! I'd like to get it up and running and use it for an
"old computer challenge" before turning it into a server
(or, hell, maybe using it as my primary?)
Messaging
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- 2023: IRC
- 2022: Matrix
- 2020: Signal
- 2017: Telegram
- 2011: Messenger
- 2003: MSN
Of all the above messaging platforms, IRC is the only one
that has allowed me to gather new internet friends. I only
got onto it this year. At first I was quite scared! I had
been warned about IRC being full of old angry boomers. To my
delight it is! ;D And they're happy enough to let me move on
in and setup in the chat as a weirdo! I couldn't be happier
here :)
Special shout-out to MSN. I have such rich feelings of
nostalgia for that application.
Window Managers
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- 2022: i3
- 2017: Gnome
Switching to a tilling window manager has changed my
computer life so profoundly, I would *die* if I couldn't use
one anymore. I went from struggling to arrange workspaces
with a mouse (literally, I would make audible groans trying
to move windows) to not even having to think about what goes
where.
Atom/RSS Feeds
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- 2023: sfeed
- 2022: Thunderbird, Gazette
- 2021: NewsDownloader
Syndicated feeds are not a big part of my life. But I'd like
them to be! Imagine: knowing what's updated on websites or
blogs without having to visit them individually? Gosh.
I used to maintain the RSS/Atom plugin for
KOReader. Eventually I endeavoured to replace the plugin
with my own creation, Gazette. The plugin works and I spent
a lot of time building it (I even had to build an EPUB
library as part of the effort). It's a bit of a mess though
because unfortunately I was an aspiring Computer Science
student at the time. A bunch of gross Java ideas and garbage
seeped into the structure of the program. Ew.
Music Player
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- mocp
- mpv
- emms
- Spotify
Jobs
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- Web Developer
- Printer
- Teacher
- Web Developer
- Student
I tried to get away from web development. I really did. I
tried so damn hard. I became a graphic design and publishing
teacher. I learned to do letterpress and offset printing,
eventually starting a small print business. I couldn't stay
away. Teaching is a precarious field, and printing an
industry that pays little. After suffering through these
prospects I stuck it up and took the first web developer job
that would have me. Incidentally, it was also the first web
developer job I'd applied to in 2 years. Lucky me!
I've been at my current employ for 2 years. It has helped me
discover that I'm quite good at helping people use
software. I even kind of like it! I enjoy teaching skills,
explaining concepts, and encouraging people to advance their
understanding of technology. Having taught (and enjoyed it)
I should have known this much was obvious. But it took a
technical position for me to realize how much I enjoy
working with people /and/ technology.
If I'm being honest, I don't want to remain a web
developer/customer support hybrid for the rest of my
life. But I'm not sure *what* I want to be. I'm intrigued by
UX work, which I've done in part at my current job. I'm also
allured by backend development, although I doubt I've got
the chops. For now anyways, I'm getting the bills paid and
that's what counts.