diff --git a/content/blog/making-linux-look-good/making-linux-look-good.md b/content/blog/making-linux-look-good/making-linux-look-good.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c576fee --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/making-linux-look-good/making-linux-look-good.md @@ -0,0 +1,116 @@ +---js +const title = "Making Linux look good"; +const date = "2025-03-26"; +const draft = true; +const tags = ["Linux"]; +--- + +One of the main problems with mainstream Linux adoption is that "normies" +think that it can't look good. However, they're often amazed whenever this +one shows them its setup. + +![The Kitty terminal on Hyprland with a background blur and visualizer behind.](https://media.everypizza.im/blog/terminal.png) +_This one's Vim while just starting out on this post._ + +## Difficulty + +Hyprland isn't the easiest to learn. However, the configuration isn't too +bad. This one uses mostly defaults for the Hyprland configuration, only +adding custom shortcuts. It's also not difficult to copy the default +waybar config and modify it a bit to use nerdfonts. + +## Wallpaper + +For wallpapers, this one uses [hyprpaper](https://github.com/hyprwm/hyprpaper) +and one of the default hyprland wallpapers ([wall2.png](https://github.com/hyprwm/Hyprland/blob/main/assets/install/wall2.png)). + +## App launcher + +For an app launcher, this one uses [wofi](https://github.com/SimplyCEO/wofi) +with a config copied from somewhere and modified a bit. + +![The wofi app launcher with a slightly transparent background and a visualizer over the wallpaper.](https://media.everypizza.im/blog/wofi.png) +_This one will eventually get background blur._ + +## Editor + +For a text editor, this one uses Vim with [SpaceVim](https://spacevim.org/). +SpaceVim also works in NeoVim, for those that prefer that. + +## Visualizer + +This one's visualizer is [XAVA](https://github.com/nikp123/xava). +While it is made for X11, it works just fine on Linux. + +## WM + +This is the largest part. For a window manager, this one uses +Hyprland. It mostly uses default settings, but has a few +[custom binds](https://git.everypizza.im/n/dotfiles/src/branch/main/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf) +for a few things. + +### Resource usage + +Hyprland doesn't use a lot of resources, maybe like 300MB total +(window manager + hyprpaper both use ~150MB each). + +## Qt apps + +Qt apps are suprisingly hard to theme when not using Plasma. +However, with the help of Kvantum, you can download themes +online and use them. This one is using +[https://store.kde.org/p/1201321](KvGlass) to get blur effects +in the one Qt app it regularly uses (the Strawberry Music + Player). + +## GTK apps + +This one uses a custom gtk.css, taken from +[https://gist.githubusercontent.com/taiwbi/0c33fa7afaa65d2a593e2f77fb3d4af6/raw/76d51226bc73a01daa20fcb3090e3079e5d96e53/gnome-transparent-sidebar.css](). + +## Music + +As mentioned before, this one uses the +[Strawberry Music Player](https://strawberrymusicplayer.org/). +It's very powerful, has built-in MPRIS, and is themable with +Kvantum. + +![A screenshot of the Strawberry Music Player.](https://media.everypizza.im/blog/Strawberry.png) +_Yes, this one has a bad music taste. No, it's not afraid +to admit that._ +n +## IM + +This one uses a few IM clients: + +- [Vencord](https://github.com/Vencord/Vesktop) (for Discord) +- [Dino](https://dino.im/) (for XMPP) +- [gomuks web](https://github.com/tulir/gomuks) (for Matrix) + +### Discord + +Vesktop is mostly normal, although it has a blurred +background. + +### Dino + +Dino is at default settings, but there's a custom +GTK theme in use. + +### gomuks web + +Default settings mostly but there's a very rushed +blurred background with Zen Browser. + +## Browser + +This one uses [Zen Browser](https://zen-browser.app/). +It has zoomer features like vertical tabs, and +transparency. + +## Ending thoughts + +Hopefully, this post inspires at least one reader to +try out theming Linux, and even sharing creations. +This one might make some Linux theming chats bridged +to mutiple instant messengers soon.