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.