It’s been a while since I last posted, and I wanted to take a moment to explain my absence. The truth is, I’ve been deep in the cycle that defines how I create and share content. My approach to posting has always been cyclical—I go quiet, focus intensely on a problem, work through solutions, and then, when I’m ready, I return to share what I’ve learned. Right now, I have something new to discuss: the pursuit of the perfect Linux system.
Does the Perfect Linux System Exist?
I think it does—or at least, I think it should. My recent journey has been an effort to create an operating system setup that is:
- Standardized – Easily deployable across different machines.
- Flexible – Works across various use cases (desktop, laptop, server, HTPC, gaming rig, and someday, even a phone).
- Lightweight & Modular – Free of unnecessary bloat, yet adaptable for different roles.
- Platform Independent – Not tied to a specific vendor or locked into an ecosystem.
This idea led me to re-evaluate my current setup, which brings me to KDE.
My Issues with KDE: A Philosophical Dilemma
KDE Plasma is fantastic in many ways—it looks great, functions well, and is a truly powerful ecosystem. However, it presents a few fundamental issues that conflict with my philosophy of computing:
- Configuration is Not Declarative
- One of the biggest frustrations is how dotfiles are not easily transferable.
- Copying KDE’s config files to a new desktop does not always work as expected, making portability a pain.
- KDE is Heavy
- While powerful, it carries a lot of bloat—things I don’t use or need.
- As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry famously said: “Perfection is attained not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to take away.”
- Tiling Window Management Feels Bolted-On
- I prefer tiling window managers, but KDE doesn’t natively support tiling.
- Solutions like Krohnkite exist, but they require extra setup and introduce their own complexities.
A New Computer, A New Challenge
Recently, I got a new machine, and setting it up has been more of a struggle than I’d like. I want to be able to deploy my OS instantly to any new computer I get, without going through the hassle of reconfiguring everything manually.
This has pushed me towards exploring different software options for:
- Window Managers
- Terminal Emulators
- File Managers
- Display Managers
- Shells
- And more…
I’ll be documenting my experience in the coming weeks, covering what these tools are, what I’ve chosen, and why. My hope is that my journey will not only help me refine my own workflow but also provide insight and inspiration for others looking to build their own perfect system. I have set myself a goal to build this perfect system over this year, ready for when I reset my computer next, at the end of year.
If you’re also on a quest for the ideal Linux setup, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Stay tuned for more posts.🚀
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