The differences do seem enormous when one first encounters linux. They shrink every install though, but it takes some time for the magic to wear off.

Nice! I need to learn recovery methods. I am so used to scorch earthing an install when it goes wrong, which is not useful.

I guess I can try it, since I did not like, wipe everything.

I have been rekindling my patronage to my county’s libraries and archive.org.

Sure, these are DVDs, but they can be upscaled and are easily backed up.

I buy a crap load of books like I have a spending problem, but I get them used from bookstores and thriftstores. Libraries will always have something I can’t find, with the added glory of browsing serendipity.

Sure, I like to pirate, but there is more treasure at your ports than you think.

Everything you typed out was a painful rediscovery on my part. I basically had to ignore my principles at every moment, but using Windows eventually became too gross, I had to get out.

For the money I spent experimenting with proprietary software, I could have donated to projects making the alternatives.

This is not a lesson I will need to learn again.

Yes. The cost is reasonable, and think it is worth it!

Right now I am using Tracktion Waveform, but I do not love it.

I am looking at Reaper, and I do like the workflow, but the way it loads plugins puts me off. Not horrible, I just need to do extra work to make it work.

Your knowledge of Unix systems is incredibly powerful, and I highly respect that. You are in control of your system, which is the ultimate goal of personal computing. It is even more powerful that your mental models are reflected in your system. That is super cool, I hope to get their some day.

I am also very happy you enjoy trying out new technologies, and don’t have the grumpy jadedness of just using what you always use.

For me I thoroughly enjoy learning new skills that unlocks the power of all my many computers, and put them to use. Computing should be fun and empowering, and too often people deprive themselves of fun.