Part 2 of a mini-comic by MilkyTrickster

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

Source: Grumpy-TG on DeviantArt

Source is Onimai

transcription: friend asks if I am gay

no panel: normal response

yes panel: "you will never know"

Description: A picture of a simple box trap. The bait consists of a Blahaj, a plushie of Bridget (from Guilty Gear), a Monster energy drink and a copy of the video game "Celeste". A caption above the trap says "pspsps".

Description: Photo of a complicated found ball-shaped science experiment (gamma ray detector).
Upper caption says: "The results could be a fluke. It requires further study."
Caption at the bottom says: "Until then definitely cis tho."

⚠️ Trade offer ⚠️

I relieve:

• Basic human respect.
• Headpats.

You receive:

• My eternal love.
• Tech support.
• 4.5h infodump about my favorite game.

First of all, I'm not a mod, just a curious user. I was told the rules exist because it was a rule of the original reddit and the community demands it. For me personally, it feels like I'm told how to have fun, so I'm very curious if you like/dislike this rule or if you're indifferent.

A picture of colorful compression socks. A caption at the tops says "Compression socks". A caption at the bottom says "When you are definitely cis but of a certain age".

A picture which displays the spectrum of light, highlighting the visible wavelengths. The picture is titled "girlhoo is a spectrum" reframes visible light as "visible girlhood".

Picture of a broken egg, on the broken shell's inside are tally marks, foot prints of a hatchling lead away from the broken egg.

From the kaiju movie "Colossal Beast Gappa" (1967)

So I've been thinking about Linux recently, and I'm told this is where the Linux experts hang out. I have a lot of questions that I can barely articulate, so I'm just hoping someone gets where I'm coming from.

I always knew there were more than two operating systems, but the closest I got to open-source software was dabbling with Firefox and OpenOffice in college. I'm an engineer, and trying to stay compatible with all the engineering programs means you're probably going to use Windows whether you like it or not, so I never seriously considered another OS until now. I'm proud of being good at Windows, but also bitter about it… I can't shake the nagging feeling that I've been missing out.

So I started looking up guides on Linux, and I have so many questions.

I'm astonished by how many distros there are. It's not just Ubuntu, we have Mint and Zorin and MX and enough options to make my head spin. So how do you choose a distro? Do you just know, or do you have to try them all? Trying one is daunting enough. I'm afraid people might lose respect for me and the open-source software movement if I change my mind. Is there some place where you can try distros on for size without the trouble and risk of migrating multiple times?

How do I know if Linux is right for me? How do I know Windows is wrong? If I loathe my user experience with Windows, is that the fault of Windows or just me? If Linux starts feeling comfortable, how do I know it's because I've made the right choice and it's not just inertia setting in? Does that even matter?

I'm at least good with Windows, but I lack the intuition of the average Linux user. Could I really master Linux the way I have Windows, or would my awkward personality relegate me to being a permanent tourist?

Is my hardware too old to start tinkering with OSs?

I know your choice of OS should take priority over your programs, as long as those programs aren't vital, but I have a full Steam library and don't look forward to losing any old friends. Can I partition my drive? Is that worth the trouble, switching from OS to OS depending on circumstances? I hear some distros these days can run some windows programs, and that you don't have to leave your old programs behind the way you used to, but can I count on that trend continuing?

Will losing touch with the Windows environment make it more difficult for me to succeed in a Windows-dominated career?

Sorry for the ramble. I'm probably overthinking this. I overthink everything. But I also grew up in a time and place where changing OSs meant you risked losing everything.

EDIT: The post title has been updated from “Need help with Linux” to “egg🐧irl” to meet local standards. This post happened because I was writing a post for a tech forum, but had other things on my mind, things which I’ve yet to find the courage to verbalize directly. I appreciate the advice and encouragement, both about migrating to Linux, and… yaknow… “migrating to Linux.”

This painting is called "Elective Affinities" by René Magritte and to me it feels as if it was made for c/egg_irl

[Transmasc Meme]

Lots of hugs to our incredible transmasc lads!

Visual transcript:4-panel drake template. Coco Bandicoot confusedly looking at a tiled gif of the DRG Engineer having a bit of a dance, then putting her goggles on and poses with a finger-gun whilst holding a pickaxe leaning on her shoulder.

Text transcript:"Hmm..... Prolly cis, buuuut..... GOALS~"

Art by me.

Game: Deep Rock Galactic by Ghost Ship Games. Coco Bandicoot from Crash Bandicoot.

If you're a trans, gender diverse or questioning and you've got a history in this sub, please either DM or reply below if you're interested in moderating.

Ideally you'll have an account on lemmy.blahaj.zone or be willing to make one, as that will allow you to see all reports for the community, but it isn't strictly essential.

Me irl

From the webcomic "Pepsiaphobia" by Daisy McGuire

Creator is @faewyld.bsky.social