My New-New Linux

So I was feeling pretty good about my recent minimalist Linux laptop build, but something kept bothering me: there was a lot more desktop around the base install of Ubuntu Mate than I wanted. Additionally it appeared that there was some sort of kerfuffle about needing to pay to ensure that some apps (which were optional to use, sure) received security updates.

Frankly, I didn’t need the giant desktop and I didn’t want to find myself in some sort of situation of needing to subscribe to something to have this laptop be secure. I went looking for the most intentionally-stripped down distribution that wasn’t an explicit “Designed to run on a Raspberry Pi or an eee PC from 2002” distribution. My laptop is old, but it’s not a hardware hobbyist platform / hobbled.

AntiX

So I started playing with a few more distributions. One that was really attractive was antiX, a Debian-based distribution whose core install was more stripped down than Mate, fit into a smaller space footprint, and really kept out of the way. I also like that it takes an explicitly anti-capitalist take to computing hardware and promises that your “old” laptop is “plenty good enough.“¹ It’s a distribution of strong Unix opinions (preferring the rcS script architecture over systemd is a gutsy take) and minimalism.

But the thing was, as I was looking for some support on how to tweak something for antiX, some wag asked, well if yore going to go that minimal, why not simply use Debian? This question really stuck with me given that:

antiX is based on Debian
Ubuntu Mate is based on Debian
Debian is one of the distributions most-committed to the open-source philosophy

Remembering the swirl icon on CD reminded me of my early enthusiasm for Linux and open source again. It was my main OS on my home computer from 2000-2003 when I moved to Mac OSX. Could I go back home after nearly 20 years away? I decided to give the Debian installer a go.

Debian

Infinity swirl means quality

I imaged a USB key with the Debian netinst. That means that the USB key is pretty light and you’ll need a network connection. Back in the day, that meant a rope of Ethernet cable, but now the installer gets your WiFi up and running before it gets underway.

I used the text based installer. It was splendidly spartan. After configuring my disk partitions (an advanced choice; I cover my install formula below in high-detail), the installer asked me to verify the package set. I notably had to uncheck the desktop environment and check only “system tools.” The installer then went to work. A few minutes later, I rebooted.

As it booted up, I was dropped into a console with nothing else. I tried coding this way for a bit. Just my terminal and a book (OK, iPad). This was a really great way to Get Work Done and, honestly, I think when I’m really trying to focus, this is going to be my preferred route. The only downside was that I didn’t have a battery indicator, so I didn’t notice that my laptop was dying until it was dead. I fixed this by writing a little code to provide a battery percentage in my prompt.

Graphical mode using the “foot” terminal emulator to show what my default experience looks like

I was tempted to leave things this way, but the need for a PDF viewer and a browser really suggested some graphical environment. I just wanted it to be minimalist in look and feel.

Taskbar is…a clock and battery status: no noise, no embedded news/ad platform (ahem, Windows 11)

My solution here was to install Wayland and Sway. Wayland is a rendering technology that I don’t know anything about. Sway is a technology for putting windows on a screen in a keyboard-driven manner. These two together create a minimalist experience but provide just enough graphics interface scaffolding for a few graphical apps. I installed a PDF viewer called “Zathura,” the Firefox browser, and that was it. A simple invocation of apt (details below) got these installed. It looks like this:

“Foot” emulator on the left; “Zathura” on the right

Developing the plan I shared below took a little bit of effort, but now I have a wonderful environment for coding and researching that affords few distractions on a highly-open-source oriented OS. If you have ~20 gigabytes, I’ll suggest a glorious build that can make even decades old machines feel brand new. It also has a few features for the more ahem mature Linux user who might prefer bigger fonts. For those wanting a bespoke experience, here’s mine.

⚠️ Nerdy installation plan below⚠️

It need not be this complicated, the Debian installer can give you a rich alternative to Windows and Mac with a few default settings.

Install Plan (High Detail)

The first key was to come up with a better partitioning scheme. If this didn't
work out, I didn't want to have to migrate my data. So I created a `/home`
partition to hold my home directory: `.vimrc`, Sway configs and downloads would
be safe from future imaging.

I also created another partition for holding directories that are clones of
repositories. I don't want these cluttering my home directory on my `/home`
partition. Backing up my home directory can now be done on a USB key because
things that have remote backup built-in (as any code I check out does) doesn't
need it.

== Medium ==

Debian netboot should be sufficient provided one has network.

== Partitioning ==

Model: ATA SanDisk Z400s 2. (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 128GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/4096B
Partition Table: gpt
Disk Flags:

Number  Start   End     Size    File system     Name                          Flags
 1      1049kB  106MB   105MB   fat32           EFI System Partition          boot, esp
 2      106MB   123MB   16.8MB                  Microsoft reserved partition  msftres
 3      123MB   95.6GB  95.5GB  ntfs            Basic data partition          msftdata
 4      95.6GB  106GB   10.0GB  ext4            Debian OS
 7      106GB   110GB   4000MB  linux-swap(v1)  swap                          swap
 8      110GB   116GB   5999MB  ext4            Data
 6      116GB   127GB   11.5GB  ext4            /home
 5      127GB   128GB   944MB   ntfs            Basic data partition          hidden, diag

The partitions to pay attention to are that I allocated 10GB for debian (sda4)
and 11.5GB (sda6). Splitting these two means I can upgrade OS (sda4) and  just
"re-attach" /home (where my personal, volatile files are) by mounting sda6. To
further cut down on stuff that *is* backed up (i.e. is in git) from cluttering
up my home directory. I symlinked ~/Projects to /Data (sda8). I also added 4 GB
of swap (the memory that's on this system).

== Packages ==

Only install the system utilities. No desktops or any of that.

= Once you're booting up =

== Ctrl Caps in the Terminal==

vi /etc/default/keyboard
add ,ctrl:nocaps
run sudo setupcon

== Set EDITOR to vim ==

TMUX responds to this and generally, it makes life better

== Install Miscellaneous Software ==

sudo
ssh
bc
vim tmux git
wayland
sway
foot
inxi
light
lynx
parted
mako-notifier
swaylock
wl-clipboard
grim
slurp
jq
hugo
clisp
firefox-esr
fonts-iosevka
foot-themes
fuzzel
grimshot
gsfonts
fonts-color-noto-emoji
fonts-hack
zathura
tig
wofi
wtype

(Clone-able executables)
wofi-emoji
diff-so-fancy

== Vim Extensions ==
  Go in: ~/.vim/pack/plugins/start/
  
  https://github.com/preservim/nerdcommenter.git
  https://github.com/tpope/vim-surround

= Post-Config Options =

  Font line in foot.ini: `font=Hack:size=12,NotoColorEmoji:size=12,monospace:size=12`

== Sway Config ==

    # Default config for sway
    # Read `man 5 sway` for a complete reference.

    ### Variables
    #
    # Logo key. Use Mod1 for Alt.

    set $mod Mod4
    # Home row direction keys, like vim
    set $left h
    set $down j
    set $up k
    set $right l

    # Your preferred terminal emulator
    set $term foot

    # Preferred browser (install with apt)
    set $browser firefox

    # Your preferred application launcher
    # requires apt install fuzzel 

    set $menu fuzzel | xargs swaymsg exec --

    include /etc/sway/config-vars.d/*

    ### Output configuration
    #
    # Default wallpaper (more resolutions are available in /usr/share/backgrounds/sway/)
    # (apt install sway-backgrounds)
    #
    # Example configuration:
    #
    #   output HDMI-A-1 resolution 1920x1080 position 1920,0
    #
    # You can get the names of your outputs by running: swaymsg -t get_outputs

    output * bg /usr/share/backgrounds/sway/Sway_Wallpaper_Blue_1920x1080.png fill

    ### Idle configuration
    #
    # Example configuration:
    #

    bindsym $mod+Shift+Escape exec swaylock -f -c 000000

    exec swayidle -w \
             timeout 300 'swaylock -f -c 000000' \
             timeout 600 'swaymsg "output * dpms off"' resume 'swaymsg "output * dpms on"' \
             before-sleep 'swaylock -f -c 000000'
    #
    # This will lock your screen after 300 seconds of inactivity, then turn off
    # your displays after another 300 seconds, and turn your screens back on when
    # resumed. It will also lock your screen before your computer goes to sleep.

    ### Inputs configuration
    #
    # You can get the names of your inputs by running: swaymsg -t get_inputs
    # Read `man 5 sway-input` for more information about this section.

    input "1:1:AT_Translated_Set_2_keyboard" {
      xkb_options {
        ctrl:nocaps
      }
    }

    input "1739:32382:DELL073B:00_06CB:7E7E_Touchpad" {
           dwt enabled
           tap enabled
           natural_scroll enabled
           pointer_accel 0.7
    }


    ### Key bindings
    #
    # Basics:
    #
        # Start a terminal
        bindsym $mod+Return exec $term
        bindsym $mod+Shift+Return exec $term --config /home/heraclitus/.config/foot/foot.solarized.ini
        bindsym $mod+Shift+9 exec $term --config /home/heraclitus/.config/foot/foot.solarized-dark.ini

        # Need a browser
        bindsym $mod+Shift+b exec $browser

        # Kill focused window
        bindsym $mod+Shift+q kill

        # Start your launcher
        bindsym $mod+d exec $menu

        # Drag floating windows by holding down $mod and left mouse button.
        # Resize them with right mouse button + $mod.
        # Despite the name, also works for non-floating windows.
        # Change normal to inverse to use left mouse button for resizing and right
        # mouse button for dragging.
        floating_modifier $mod normal

        # Reload the configuration file
        bindsym $mod+Shift+c reload

        # Emoji support
        bindsym $mod+Alt+e exec $HOME/bin/wofi-emoij

        # Exit sway (logs you out of your Wayland session)
        bindsym $mod+Shift+e exec swaynag -t warning -m 'You pressed the exit shortcut. Do you really want to exit sway? This will end your Wayland session.' -B 'Yes, exit sway' 'swaymsg exit'
    #
    # Moving around:
    #
        # Move your focus around
        bindsym $mod+$left focus left
        bindsym $mod+$down focus down
        bindsym $mod+$up focus up
        bindsym $mod+$right focus right

        # Move the focused window with the same, but add Shift
        bindsym $mod+Shift+$left move left
        bindsym $mod+Shift+$down move down
        bindsym $mod+Shift+$up move up
        bindsym $mod+Shift+$right move right

    # Workspaces:
    #
        # Switch to workspace
        bindsym $mod+1 workspace number 1
        bindsym $mod+2 workspace number 2
        bindsym $mod+3 workspace number 3
        bindsym $mod+4 workspace number 4
        bindsym $mod+5 workspace number 5
        bindsym $mod+6 workspace number 6
        bindsym $mod+7 workspace number 7
        bindsym $mod+8 workspace number 8
        bindsym $mod+9 workspace number 9
        bindsym $mod+0 workspace number 10

        # Move focused container to workspace
        bindsym $mod+Shift+1 move container to workspace number 1
        bindsym $mod+Shift+2 move container to workspace number 2
        bindsym $mod+Shift+3 move container to workspace number 3
        bindsym $mod+Shift+4 move container to workspace number 4
        bindsym $mod+Shift+5 move container to workspace number 5
        bindsym $mod+Shift+6 move container to workspace number 6
        bindsym $mod+Shift+7 move container to workspace number 7
        bindsym $mod+Shift+8 move container to workspace number 8
        # bindsym $mod+Shift+9 move container to workspace number 9
        bindsym $mod+Shift+0 move container to workspace number 10
        # Note: workspaces can have any name you want, not just numbers.
        # We just use 1-10 as the default.
    #
    # Layout stuff:
    #
        # You can "split" the current object of your focus with
        # $mod+b or $mod+v, for horizontal and vertical splits
        # respectively.
        bindsym $mod+b splith
        bindsym $mod+v splitv

        # Switch the current container between different layout styles
        bindsym $mod+s layout stacking
        bindsym $mod+w layout tabbed
        bindsym $mod+e layout toggle split

        # Make the current focus fullscreen
        bindsym $mod+f fullscreen

        # Toggle the current focus between tiling and floating mode
        bindsym $mod+Shift+space floating toggle

        # Swap focus between the tiling area and the floating area
        bindsym $mod+space focus mode_toggle

        # Move focus to the parent container
        bindsym $mod+a focus parent
    #
    # Scratchpad:
    #
        # Sway has a "scratchpad", which is a bag of holding for windows.
        # You can send windows there and get them back later.

        # Move the currently focused window to the scratchpad
        bindsym $mod+Shift+minus move scratchpad

        # Show the next scratchpad window or hide the focused scratchpad window.
        # If there are multiple scratchpad windows, this command cycles through them.
        bindsym $mod+minus scratchpad show
    #
    # Resizing containers:
    #
    mode "resize" {
        # left will shrink the containers width
        # right will grow the containers width
        # up will shrink the containers height
        # down will grow the containers height
        bindsym $left resize shrink width 10px
        bindsym $down resize grow height 10px
        bindsym $up resize shrink height 10px
        bindsym $right resize grow width 10px

        # Ditto, with arrow keys
        bindsym Left resize shrink width 10px
        bindsym Down resize grow height 10px
        bindsym Up resize shrink height 10px
        bindsym Right resize grow width 10px

        # Return to default mode
        bindsym Return mode "default"
        bindsym Escape mode "default"
    }
    bindsym $mod+r mode "resize"

    #
    # Status Bar:
    #
    # Read `man 5 sway-bar` for more information about this section.
    bar {
        position top

        # When the status_command prints a new line to stdout, swaybar updates.
        # The default just shows the current date and time.
        status_command while true; do $HOME/bin/sway_bar.sh; sleep 1; done

        colors {
            statusline #ffffff
            background #323232
            inactive_workspace #32323200 #32323200 #5c5c5c
        }
    }

    # volume / brightness / media controls
    bindsym XF86AudioRaiseVolume exec pactl set-sink-volume @DEFAULT_SINK@ +5%
    bindsym XF86AudioLowerVolume exec pactl set-sink-volume @DEFAULT_SINK@ -5%
    bindsym XF86AudioMute exec pactl set-sink-mute @DEFAULT_SINK@ toggle
    bindsym XF86MonBrightnessDown exec light -U 5%
    bindsym XF86MonBrightnessUp exec light -A 5%

    # Screenshotting
    # Taken from: https://llandy3d.github.io/sway-on-ubuntu/extra/#screenshots
    bindsym Print exec grimshot --notify save screen
    bindsym Ctrl+Print exec grimshot --notify copy screen
    bindsym Shift+Print exec grimshot --notify save area
    bindsym Ctrl+Shift+Print exec grimshot --notify copy area

    # Mako
    # Taken from: https://llandy3d.github.io/sway-on-ubuntu/extra/#notification-manager-mako
    bindsym $mod+n exec makoctl dismiss
    bindsym $mod+Shift+n exec makoctl dismiss -a

    # Start programs
    exec mako

    include /etc/sway/config.d/*

== Battery Display functions for .bashrc==

    function battery_percentage() {
      current=$(cat /sys/class/power_supply/BAT0/charge_now)
      base=$(cat /sys/class/power_supply/BAT0/charge_full)
      percentage=$(( $current / $base ))
      if (command -v bc  > /dev/null 2>&1); then
        result=$(echo "scale=2; ${current} / ${base} * 100" | bc)
        echo -n $result
      fi
    }

    # Emojified battery display
    function battery_percentage_display-color() {
      result=$(battery_percentage)
      bold="\x01$(tput bold)\x02"
      reset="\x01$(tput sgr0)\x02"
      blink="\x01$(tput blink)\x02"

      if(($(tput colors)==256)); then
        red="\x01$(tput setaf 124)\x02"
        green="\x01$(tput setaf 034)\x02"
        yellow="\x01$(tput setaf 220)\x02"
        live_battery="\x01\xf0\x9f\x94\x8b\x02\x08"
        low_battery="\x01\xf0\x9f\xaa\xab\x02\x08"
        if [ -n "$result" ]; then
          case "$result" in
            100*|9*)        echo -ne "[ ${live_battery} ${green}${bold} ${result}% \x01${reset}\x02${live_battery}  ]";;
            [5-8][0-9]*)    echo -ne "[ ${green}${result}% \x01${reset}\x02]";;
            [4-9].00)       echo -ne "[ ${red}${bold} ${result}%\x01${reset}\x02 ]";;
            1.00|2.00|3.00) echo -ne "[\x01${blink}\x02${low_battery} \x01${reset}\x02 ${red}${bold}\x01${result}\x02% \x01${blink}\x02${low_battery}\x01${reset}\x02  ]";;
            [34]*)          echo -ne "[ ${yellow}${bold}${result}%\x01${reset}\x02 ]";;
            2[0-9])             echo -ne "[ ${yellow}${result}%\x01${reset}\x02 ]";;
            1*)             echo -ne "[ ${red}${result}%\x01${reset}\x02 ]";;
          esac
        else
        echo -ne ""
      fi
      elif (($(tput colors)==8)); then 
        red="\x01\e[0;31m\x02"
        b_red="\x01\e[1;31m\x02"
        bb_red="\x01\e[47;31m\x02"
        green="\x01\e[0;32m\x02"
        b_green="\x01\e[1;32m\x02"
        yellow="\x01\e[0;93m\x02"
        b_yellow="\x01\e[93;44m\x02"

        if [ -n "$result" ]; then
          case "$result" in
            1.00|2.00|3.00) echo -ne "[ \x01${bb_red}\x02${result}%${reset} ]";;
            [4-9].00)       echo -ne "[ \x01${b_red}\x02${result}%${reset} ]";;
            1*)             echo -ne "[ \x01${red}\x02${result}%${reset} ]";;
            2*)             echo -ne "[ \x01${yellow}\x02${result}%${reset} ]";;
            [34]*)          echo -ne "[ \x01${b_yellow}\x02${result}%${reset} ]";;
            [5-8][0-9]*)    echo -ne "[ \x01${green}\x02${result}%${reset} ]";;
            9*|100*)        echo -ne "[ \x01${b_green}\x02${result}%${reset} ]";;
          esac
        else
          echo -ne ""
        fi
      fi
    }


    if [ "$color_prompt" = yes ]; then
      # We set this string to ' b/c it will be evaluated by the shell later
      PS1='${debian_chroot:+($debian_chroot)}\001$(battery_percentage_display-color)\002 \u@\h:\w\$ '
    else
      PS1="${debian_chroot:+($debian_chroot)}[$(battery_percentage_display)%] \u@\h:\w\$ "
    fi

== Font Utilities ==

  fc-cache --verbose: Update the font cache. By default, it recursively
  searches ~/.local/share/fonts/ and /usr/share/fonts/.

  fc-list: Look through the font list to make sure all your fonts are
  detected.

  Emojis in foot
  https://codeberg.org/dnkl/foot/wiki#user-content-how-do-i-get-colored-emojis

  Font with emojis: https://packages.debian.org/buster/fonts-noto-color-emoji

= Troubleshooting =

== Lotta System Info ==

  inxi -Fxz; for focused battery information check out:

  `/sys/class/power_supply/BAT*/*` :  by itself it will get you CPU/Kernel/Storage

Footnotes

Look, planned obsolescence has a real cost and the relentless nag to buy new electronics for dubious benefits (“Faster!” “More!”) has a substantive, measurable impact on the planet’s resource use and incentivizes bad behavior in authoritarian regimes.

Linux
Debian