I have linux on one of my computers

[vicious1 (Ryan)]

“Year of the Linux desktop”

Well, you know what, I actually believe that is coming now. Windows is just rough to use these days. Updates are more unreliable than I can ever remember, version changes that block “old” computers. Activations that are a pain in the butt, mystery programs that just bog it down.

I tried to refresh my old desktop that I use for watching on a TV, it could be replaced with a $150 tiny PC for sure, but that isn’t as fun. So much BS, I just didn’t trust typing passwords into a Windows 10 machine that is not going to be getting security updates.

Then I realized most the programs I use are now browser based.

Slapped on Mint, install went perfect, and fast. Anything I need is preinstalled and easy to remove if I don’t want it there. Blazing fast, easy to use. The interface is not too unfamiliar. I found everything I wanted to try or tweak right away. Such a refreshing experience. I should have run some sort of benchmark before and after the installation to see the actual difference.

For the work computers, I just need EstlCAM. I am interested in seeing how to make that work, If I can I am definitely going to give linux a try here as well. Or maybe move to another CAM.

[vicious1 (Ryan)]

I have run Linux many times in the past, mostly Ubuntu but I did try a few other flavors over the years, something always felt off. This time it just feels, better.

[Jonathjon (Jonathan Jones)]

pretty sure lightburn/millmage moved away from linux as well. But I’m not 100% sure on that. MM has for sure become my “Main” CAM unless I need vcarve function, then I go back to estlcam for sure lol.

[orob]

My boys are running linux and use windows emulators for the few programs they want from that os. Has anyone gotten estlcam to run in an emulation on linux?

[RockinRiley (Riley)]

I have been in computers/ networking for 30 years. Linux has always fascinated me, but you can never get 100 percent to the goal line. Now for that it is easy to run windows in a container or VM like proxmox. Or wine. But it is hard to completely move over.

[RockinRiley (Riley)]

One thing I failed to mention, Linux is hardly ever failed, if ever! And auto updates USUALLY never need reboots! There are many GREAT reasons to use linux! If something I need to host I usually use Ubuntu ltsc! In fact I have a favorite laptop that is like 7 years old that I just installed Ubuntu on, since it would not go win 11! I am trying to use it exclusively, but there are many things like estlcam I bump up against! Some are just old hat things I need to relearn, but it is tough!

[vicious1 (Ryan)]

I looked through my apps, it seems like estlcam is the only one, millmage is now on that list. Might be fun to run a barebones windows iso in a vm…I am sure they are still out there.

I was surprised VSCode had a linux version, being Microsoft and all.

If I make a switch at work it will be on a dual boot for a very long time just in case.

[dos (Daryl)]

Linux resources at Microsoft

[RockinRiley (Riley)]

Microsoft started to embrace Linux 5 to 7 years ago. There is a embedded Linux shell you can install/run on windows. It all changed when people were walking away from Azure when they could not run Linux on it.

[orob]

Remember back when micrsoft hated linux and did all they could to discredit it? There was a clip I read once that said something to the effect of imagine what microsoft must have done to so many developers that they are willing to work day and night for free to not have to use MS products. Now MS has a WSL option to run linux in windows. How things have progressed… if you can’t beat them, join them. I’m just happy when stuff works.

[timonjkl (Tim W)]

MM? Sorry drawing a blank. Does vetric software run on Linux? What are you running containers on?

[Tokoloshe (Philipp)]

@vicious1

For the work computers, I just need EstlCAM. I am interested in seeing how to make that work, If I can I am definitely going to give linux a try here as well. Or maybe move to another CAM.

That’s my main problem. V-Carve also doesn’t have a Linux version.

@christian-knuell any chance for a Linux version of Estlcam?

[RockinRiley (Riley)]

So grblgru is linux ready

[Dreyfus]

If software was fully containeriased & OS independent that would do it for me I’d ditch windows tomorrow.

If you can run an entire LAMP server in a docker container you can surely run estlcam or lightburn in one. If fusion stops working on my windows 10 machine in November I think I’d rather get a Mac than a whole new PC just because m$ says I need one for windows 11.

[Tokoloshe (Philipp)]

I just had him reply to a bug report by me in a German forum. I would have given it a shot had it taken my dxf.

[dkj4linux]

I’ve recently loaded a bunch of miniPC’s and obsolete Chromebooks with LMDE (Linux Mint - Debian Edition) and set them up to be “headless” replacements for the machine-local Rpi4/5 CNC/“gcode sender” units I prefer to use instead of carrying my good laptop into the dusty CNC environment. These miniPC’s and ex-Chromebooks are much more powerful than the RPi4/5 and capable of running CNC.js/GSender/UGS/etc. quite nicely. I’m using Xrdp to remotely access each of the “headless” units… all of which are easily organized and accessed through Remmina Remote Desktop client running on my main laptop.

Lightburn on old Chromebook now running LMDE… interfaces Roly laser engraver…

UGS running on miniPC… interfaces MPR&P…

GSender running on same miniPC…

On my main Debian13 laptop I’m also running Carbide Create 6 and Estlcam 10 through Bottles… many other Windows apps supposedly run as well.

All of these machines/applications are running simultaneously and kept in the four individual workspaces I’ve got set up on my Debian laptop… all readily and quickly accessible. I’ve not had to leave my recliner to compose this post and access any of these machine/applications.

TBH I’m not – and will not – be running multiple laser and CNC jobs simultaneously… I’m only accessing the “headless” units that interface the machines.

Another IMO good/appropriate use of Gemini… I asked

I want to use an old chromebook running LMDE as a "headless" computer. I want 
to keep the lid closed and use xrdp to access all functionality remotely from a 
laptop and Remmina. What LMDE power and display settings need to be 
set to allow the old chromebook hardware to function with the lid closed?

I’ve extensive experience with Linux dating back to 1990-91 timeframe but have long since forgotten more than I ever knew about it. But I do recall how easily I could involve numerous machines and run multiple jobs simultaneously… and I now find Gemini exceedingly helpful when asking for help with commands/syntax/operations I’ve forgotten but know I should be able to do. And it’s fun seeing a bunch of obsolete and/or low-power machines all working together again…

Later.

[Jonathjon (Jonathan Jones)]

@timonjkl

MM? Sorry drawing a blank

MillMage

[timonjkl (Tim W)]

Thank you very much

[turbinbjorn (Torbjørn)]

I’ve been daily driving Fedora for almost a year now. It’s really nice, I like how snappy the interface is, and well integrated GUI apps are. My favourite feature is the very smooth effect when you switch workspaces or windows, you can stop half way in the transition and go back, if you change your mind (sounds silly, but it’s very intuitive when you the gestures have become muscle memory)

Recently I swapped this laptop with a Windows 11, Lenovo Yoga 14i. I bought it because I needed better integration with m365 and Teams. I want to use the Microsoft suite with my business, because it integrates best with the customers systems, and it just works. I’ve been dreaming of running my business on FOSS tools, but I’ve realized that I should spend my time on getting customers and hires, NOT on the office tooling… Spending 10$ a month on getting a full office suite with storage included, is a no brainer, compared to using days and days of troubleshooting - and having the customers not being able to join my meetings because I’m on a strange platform..

SOO - now I’m back on windows! It’s not a happy reunion. Windows feels clunky, the window/desktop-swapping “snaps”, it’s not a smooth move you can interrupt half way. This might seem like a silly feature, but it really examples how far Linux have come and thourough it works.

I hope that one day, if/when my business has reach a sustainable level of activity - that I can spend some of the time transitioning back to Linux/FOSS.

Being back on windows, I still rely on a few self hosted tools: Vikunja for kanban project/CRM managament, Trillium as a note taking “library” and Stirling PDF for pdf tooling. They run on a headless box with Proxmox in my basement, with off-site access using tailscale subnet routing.

Edit: Perhaps a middle road would be using Linux on my machines, but keeping a well specc’ed windows VM on Proxmox, and using that VM for work-related needs. Hm, interesting thought. I wonder how well it’ll integrate with usb cam, etc. Sounds a little tricky, when I think of it.

Edit #2: I forgot my favourite! (For personal use) Immich. Self hosted, top modern photo organizer/backup/gallery/ai tool. Feels amazing to organize and tidy my huge photo collection, on a box in the basement. Only hurdle is keeping it backed up..

[Tokoloshe (Philipp)]

@turbinbjorn

and it just works

Hahaha… Teams can s… Worst “software” I’ve ever used.