this post was submitted on 06 Dec 2024
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macOS is my favourite operating system. Finder in column view with arrow keys to navigate, combined with space for file preview, is incredibly fast and intuitive. Trackpad integration also results in less hand movement. I'm building a Linux (Bazzite) desktop, though, and I've set my sights on the stars.

nnn looks to be an incredible file manager, and was a great recommendation. It looks even more capable than Finder, albeit without scrolling/zooming previews, thanks to macOS having unmatched trackpad functionality. Not to mention Spotlight, which makes opening apps trivial--especially with Alfred available as well. I want to go beyond mere file management, though.

File managenent, browsing, gaming, everything. Just how much can you configure a Linux system to eliminate mouse usage? Shortcut guides welcome (I already know the major ones). I also have a keen interest in tiling window managers, but I've not delved that deep yet. I don't know how to set one up.

Guess I'm forced to learn Emacs/Vim/similar.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Very, I only really use my mouse for playing video games at this point. You don't really NEED to use Emacs/Vim/etc, but they do help a lot. Ranger (file manager), cmus (music player), qutebrowser (web browser, full featured unlike Lynx, which I do still like, but I use eww in place of it most of the time), etc, etc. Tons of stuff that can make your setup far, far less mouse dependent. Starting with learning the terminal, then using a twm is how I got to the point where I am now where all non-necessary mouse functions are replaced by keyboard keys. Just note that it did take about ten years to get here, though that wasn't me actively searching for ways to do it, more just naturally making my computer work how I wanted it to without the specific end-goal of zero mouse usage.

Edit: Forgot to include that I did most of this before learning Emacs at all. I've used nano for most of my time on Linux, only switching to Emacs last August. Only thing I didn't have before that was cmus. It also works as an email client, but ehh... I don't feel a strong need to switch away from Thunderbird at this point in time.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

As others have suggested, getting more familiar with the terminal and using a tiling window manager will help a lot. And yeah it's a great idea to learn Vim or other advanced terminal editors. I use Helix+Zellij for development, Vim for system configuration, and i3 or Sway for GUI stuff. Also check out w3m for simple web searches.

If you want to get rid of the mouse entirely, you can also try using a programmable keyboard with mouse support. I don't use a physical mouse anymore because I do most things in the terminal, and when I do need a mouse I just use my keyboard to move the cursor. For super mouse-heavy tasks like image editing it's good to keep one around or use a Wacom tablet

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

One of the early window managers was called Rat poison for this very reason.

As you're doing a bazzite build, it'll come with KDE/GS connect so you can use your phone.

We don't have a window manager in the Ublue space yet other than community images, but fedora atomic offers a sway spin, it won't be bazzite, but it'll run games just as well for the most part.

[–] [email protected] 70 points 2 weeks ago (6 children)

Step 1: open a terminal emulator of your choice. There's no step 2 because you are already done. All features, 0 dependency on your mouse.

You're welcome :)

[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Even better, after your machine boots up, press ctrl+alt+F(3-6) to access TTY sessions and then there is no mouse at all. Plenty of TUI apps work just fine here too.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Don't install a GUI and you can just skip this step

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Difference being you can still do things like launch steam games as long as you have a DE installed even if you’re using TTY primarily.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I was mostly being tongue in cheek, but I think it might be possible to launch steam in big picture mode, rendered by Gamescope, from the TUI. No DE required.

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 2 weeks ago

"If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe."

You could use terminal for everything, but first you must learn to use terminal.

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[–] [email protected] 32 points 2 weeks ago (9 children)

To achieve this you will need a tiling window manager like Sway, Hyprland, or i3 and try to use as many CLI-based programs as possible for everything else. For browsers, there are projects like Nyxt (and some others I can't remember) that allow you to use vim or emacs like shortcuts to browse around.

However most GUI apps probably won't support an all-keyboard workflow so you will still need one. Depending on what software you use, however, you could make the vast majority of your regular computing mouse-free

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I did mention tiling managers already. Other comment has me interested in NixOS, and I think I'll be changing my plans to account for both. It's a nerdier setup now, RIP Bazzite.

I love Mullvad browser, though. It's a great "peace of mind" browser. I'll stick with it for now, but I will be looking into Nyxt. Might take a while.

Thank you!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

I spent about a year in NixOS, and my main desktop still has it, though mostly out of laziness. I did end up switching back to Arch, mostly because if there's anything you need that isn't in the Nix repos it's a pain to install. The other big issue I had was the lack of documentation, so you'll be figuring a lot of stuff out completely on your own, because Nix works differently enough to everything else that a lot of general Linux resources just don't apply.

If I had a recommendation for switching to nixos, I'd probably say use the Nix package manager on Arch for a while first, and just slowly switch everything to Arch. It'll get you more familiar with everything, and then you can make the switch more easily.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

I would strongly recommend not to dive into NixOS yet.

It has its benefits and I think it's awesome, but it has a bit of a learning curve and you already have plenty of learning to do with going mouseless and the whole interface stuff. You do not want to deal withbreakages in unstable NixOS, or broken Nvidia drivers in stable.

If Bazzite's immutability is holding you back, just switch to another distro you are familiar with: Be that Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian, openSUSE, whatever.

Hyprland is the most complete and configurable tiling window manager today, so definitely start with that. You can install it in any Linux distro.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I have Arch familiarity already, and I'll use it if all else fails. I'll read into NixOS beforehand and decide, but I am a quick and determined learner. I want to expand my experience with this build. Won't do anything stupid--promise!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

I'd like to argue the other way: jump into whatever you find interesting and do stupid shit.

Unless this is a computer that your job relies on or whatever, then it doesn't matter how much shit you break, as long as you're learning what to not do next time.

It's pretty much how everyone who is all 'oh no! be very careful and take small steps!' started, but they've just forgotten about having done that.

(I've broken so much shit both personally and professionally, but it just served to make me less stupid in the future. Or uh, at least unlikely to do the same stupid thing twice.)

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Just avoid Nvidia to start with?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I am--I've gone with a Radeon 7900 XTX.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Damn, nice. That's the card I keep telling myself I should upgrade to. I have a 5700 XT and I really like it but I kinda want something newer with more power

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

The build is comedy.

Ryzen 9 9950X

Radeon 7900 XTX

4TB SSD

64GB RAM

4k120hz TV. That's something I didn't mention--this is a living room build. The ultimate infodumping experience.

It's important to note my current system is a MacBook (emulating retro), and a PS5/Steam Deck. My PC at work is an old desktop running Arch (I experiment in my free time). This is why I'm doing a build. If your card is only just starting to fall behind, I'd wait until next generation. It'll save you in the long run, which I think matters more than anything.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Last I checked there's a vim-ifying Firefox addon, don't know if it's maintained though

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

luakit works similarly too

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

XMonad would make that exceptionally easy. If you want to try it, I’d recommend doing it on NixOS and just forking a working config that uses a tiling window manager. This is a great config that I used as the foundation for my own: https://github.com/gvolpe/nix-config

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Until a port to Wayland is made, I would avoid using this DE. X.Org is unmaintained legacy software. Maybe Sway would work as a replacement?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

You're right, and it's such a bummer that Waymonad isn't a thing. No other window manager or DE comes close to XMonad for me. i3/Sway are way off, IMO.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

They’re working on Waymonad as we speak.

If OP didn’t notice, the config I linked also has a Hyprland option. Personally, I’m sticking to Xmonad until Waymonad is ready. Nothing comes close.

ps. I decided to start a sister community to my XMonad one for Waymonad. I will try to post updates there whenever possible.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

That's great! Last I checked, Waymonad was stalled indefinitely, so this is reassuring.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Should I just forego Bazzite entirely? NixOS seems fun. Might require more setup on the gaming end, but I'd like more UX freedom.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I’d go Hyprland if you’re looking for something similar to Xmonad for Wayland. It isn’t formally verified like Xmonad is, though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

For games, use Steam and Lutris Flatpaks. Should make it pretty simple.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

@Neptr @HEXN3T
there's a very huge warning everywhere against using Steam flatpak, don't, just don't

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

Where? Have a link?

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