I like the default work flow of Gnome, but honestly, I prefer even more simplicity. So GENERALLY the first thing I do with Gnome is to tweak the main desktop work flow to meet my preferences.
If you are familiar with Gnome, it has a sort of mix (I am saying it like this because many readers are familiar with Apple and Microsoft, more than Linux) of functionality between Windows and Mac OS X, but with its own twist.
It has one bar on top, that contains a button, the date/time, and indicators/log-in/log-out section. The other two concepts it has is a full screen menu with a favorites bar, and a full screen activities display. The menu is as you would expect, kind of like Windows 8 or Mac OS X icon-based applications that you can scroll through and select the application you want to run. If you select activities it shows you the alternate screens and all your running apps that you can select, or move from desktop to desktop, etc.
It may sound confusing but it is actually very usable and despite the fact that it sounds like you have to take an extra step to see things, that really is not the case, I mean... how is it different from clicking the menu icon, scrolling around to find your pinned apps or whatever...? It isn't. In fact it is arguably faster.
That being the case, I still like to see my preferred apps and I actually don't mind using a menu to drill down. To achieve that (somewhat microsofty) functionality I install several Gnome extensions (Gnome extensions are a way to extend Gnome in a pre-defined and Gnome-controlled manner).
1. Install Dash to Panel.
2. Install Arc Menu.
At this point, technically, I could call it DONE. Installing Dash to Panel creates a bottom (well, you can move it to the top or sides if you want) panel that has the application button that comes with the Gnome favorites panel... that allows you to display apps instead of the activities when in full screen mode). But, I want instant access to my applications so I install Arc Menu, and in Dash to Panel I disable the application button. Arc Menu is a great little extension and it can mimic up to 10 or so different menu layouts... so go crazy with it. I stick to the default as I like its features.
Now I have a very Windows-like interface that suits ME (very subjective, many people would cringe at this). If it was enabled, I also disable desktop icons. I like a clean desktop.
All that is left at this point is to install my favorite applications (if they were not already pre-installed by the distribution). In my current situation, I installed the bare-bones minimal Ubuntu which really comes with no applications, except for a few configuration utilities, so I had to install what I wanted.
When I installed Ubuntu, I selected 3rd party installations. What this does is save me the pain of installing non-free/non-open source software drivers. Linux by default is open source and cannot tolerate (so to speak) proprietary software. It goes against the philosophy. That being said 99.9% of people who use and even develop linux realize that 3rd party drivers are SUPER DESIRABLE in many cases. Ubuntu allows the user to have most of those drivers installed when configuring your new system. That saves the pain of having to install Nvidia drivers, proprietary audio formats, motherboard drivers for sound or network devices, etc.
So that leaves me with the applications I like to use. Here are some things I always install:
1. Python3
2. Visual Studio Code (microsoft)
3. .Net
4. Sublime Text 3 (syntax editor, I own a license)
5. Sometimes, but not always, BeyondCompare (I own a license for an older version)
6. LibreOffice (like microsoft office, but free, hence "libre")
7. Rhythmbox (for music)
8. MPV for videos
9. Firefox
10. Thunderbird (email)
11. Google Chrome (for sites that just don't work right with Firefox)
By the way, if the new Microsoft Edge ever comes to Linux, I will install that. I already use it on my work Macbook Pro... it is quite nice.
12. OBS (an audio video capture tool)
13. One of several different audio/video editors like shotcut (to make my gaming videos)
14. WINE, WineTricks, PlayOnLinux, Steam and sometimes Lutris for gaming
15. Guake (a dropdown, quake-like console/terminal that is just cool)
16. Weather (adds weather to the date/time/notifications drop down)
17. Handbrake to burn DVDs
18. VLC... I think everyone installs Videolan... will play videos that no other software can...
19. HTOP (a resource monitoring utility that is light on resources)
20. Disks (usually comes with distros but not always, allows me to configure disk mounting)
21. Gnome Tweak tool... invaluable to change system fonts, and themes.
I also install other development languages as I feel the need. Right now most of my work is in Python so ... that is where I spend most of my time. I also install a database usually, like postgresql.
And that is it, that is my linux in a nutshell. Oh, as needed I will install things like Skype or some chat utility like hexchat... stuff like that. Odds and ends that I don't use NORMALLY but every once in awhile I find I need them... like Slack (ugh). Anyway... if you choose to try linux and have any questions I would be happy to help, or you can just check out stackoverflow... great site.
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