[ale] Weird window-manager shenanigans on debian 12...

[Daryl's Rural Roadside Honor System Vegetable Stand]

Over the past 'almost 20 years' I've tried debian many times... as an Ubuntu user (I think I've been using that since 6.06).

Back then, alot of stuff was 'buggy' and needed alot of care and feeding, including debian and ubuntu.

If you are still in the 'experimental phase' of your life, think about sticking it out with Debian... but realized it may not support the apps that you were used to... if you had been Ubuntu devotee previously.

Currently, I used Ubuntu. However, I use it cautiously: when an ".04" version comes out I install it 2 years after it was announced. By then, most the bugs are gone, the features and apps are working well also, and there is plenty of knowledge about it since is been in steady use globally for 2 years.

On the other hand, I use Debian for my raspberry pi 4b that I use as a "client" machine that backs up all of my Ubuntu 04 machines using rsync over ssh.

I do this because debian is smaller, and small still counts for an old pi (with no other hardware upgrades).

And, as far as I can tell, rsync over ssh works really fast as far as I'm concerned because I schedule the backup jobs to run when I'm sleeping. 

Also, I've gotta pi 5 with debian, that I use as a "traveling computer." It works just fine with wifi and I don't give a hoot if it gets crushed by the Delta airlines baggage handlers.

Just make sure important stuff on whatever hard drive you may attach to it is encrypted and backed up to a secure cloud, like proton.

So, I think you probably have, but if you haven't, ask yourself why you are gravitating to Debian. Every reason is a good one. Then, just have fun with it.

If you look around and ask the right questions in the right places, you can still get a used pi for around $28. You can try trashnoting.com to see if somebody who isn't using their pi will give it to you for free.

Daryl









On Friday, September 19th, 2025 at 1:27 PM, Wayne via Ale <ale at ale.org> wrote:

> 
> 
> 
> XFCE?
> 
> 
> On 9/19/25 5:39 AM, DJPfulio--- via Ale wrote:
> 
> > > William Wylde via Ale wrote on 2025-09-18 19:39:
> > > 
> > > > Yeah, I think I've figured out what happened. Something "updated"
> > > > and set wayland as the default graphical UI system.
> > > > Which is another reason to use Mint for GUI stuff and Debian only for servers.
> > 
> > The Mint guys have avoided Wayland and some of the worst parts that Canonical decided to inflict on their users.
> > 
> > I chose years ago not to use any DE - too much junk in the way on the desktop and far too many dumb interruptions. You can go with a pure WM-only setup too. ;)
> > _______________________________________________
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Take care,Phil Smith
2816 Summercrest Lane
Duluth, GA 30096
770 596 4686