Tsikbal: from my perspective

Second Screens and Real Utility: Rethinking the Admin Desk Beyond the Hype

2026-10-18T17:36:13.217-06:00

As someone who primary work is on the admin side of running a business, finding ideas on how to set up desks and work flows kinda of under served on social media.

What I've found that works for me has been mainly by talking with other people around me with the same work profile than me, or by experience. While creator setups can be of some help, admin work has some things that not the same on the details.

For example, a two monitor setup is quite helpful in admin work. Most of the time we are comparing information from two different apps, so having a second monitor handy, even an ultra wide one could be an option, we don't need a 4k with a high refresh rate monitor.

The same goes for laptops, and desktops. We don't need the greatest, or latest, hardware to do our work efficiently. 8GB or 16GB of RAM, with a 256GB or 512GB SSD are more than enough for admin work at most small and medium size businesses. Most of the time, if there is a limit is how the files that need to be shared can be shared cheaply and with ease.

Desks and chairs aren't much of a problem, since they are easier for each admin worker to know what is what they need, and what they need to organize on it.

If anything, speakers, webcams, microphones, and headphones tend recommended tend to be an overkill. Most consumer grade offering on these peripherals are more than good enough for most people. To be honest, most of what admin workers are sold on these peripherals are nice to have, but no actually needed. The same goes for mice and keyboards, most won't really notice a difference on the high end of those peripherals from a mid range one.

Personally, I feel frustrated I don't get ideas on targeted on my needs. Instead having to hunt for those ideas piece by piece, from places targeted to people that don't share my type of work. It almost feel like admin work is looked down to, and doesn't get the respect it deserves.

The Secret to Switching to Linux Isn’t Skill—It’s the Right Distro

2026-10-11T16:51:57.538-06:00

One of my main gripes with some YouTuber reviews of Linux, is that they center on how power users tend to set and use Linux distros. And that is something that pushes people from even trying Linux, because most people aren't power users, and just want their computer to let them do what they want.

Distros like Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Ubuntu, can be used by people who know how to use a computer that aren't into power user skills sets. Even their installation is easy enough to follow, since they guide you to the process and set things up for the user via a graphical interface. Even most system administration, like installing/uninstalling app, themes, keyboard layouts, can be do though a graphical interface without touching the terminal.

This makes these distros good starting point for people who just want to get away from Windows, try Linux out, or start learning Linux.

Yes, no Linux distro works exactly like Windows or macOS do. Yet, the learning curve is far more gentle that those YouTubers make it to be. It has become quite gentle, the biggest hurdle is apps. Not all apps that can be used on Windows or macOS are available on Linux, but most are. As such, unless an user depends on an app that isn't on Linux, and there isn't one that can replace it, there is no reason that the jump can't work.

Not only that, power users of Windows and macOS don't use the OS like the average user does. As such, I can see how a power user of any OS can have a hard time moving to another OS, while the same thing can't be said for the average user.

As such, the issue is not if the average user can make the jump to Linux stick. The issue is paring the user with the distro that will make the jump stick more likely.

Stability Where It Counts, Modern Standards Where It Matters

2026-10-04T00:21:48.823-06:00

With age, I've come to realize that become more selective where I want to be on the bleeding edge of tech and where I rather take a more conservative approach to the OS and apps I use for my daily life.

For example, I prefer to use Linux Mint on my laptops because of its focus on stability. While I see why some people prefer, or need, an OS with the latest and greatest, I prefer my OS to be stable and just add new things when they are mature. In apps like my web browser and office suite, I prefer to be a lot more up to date with modern standards.

All depends on what I need to use a certain piece of software for, and the same goes for hardware. Most of the the time I just need them to be stable for every day use, without any feature that gets on my way. I don't mind learning new ways to do things, if those news way will actually are a better way to do something. If not, there is no good reason to change anything.

Meanwhile, I don't mind software developers change the aesthetics of their app, or OS in the case of Linux Mint, until I actually use it. Most of the time, the change in aesthetics is not that much of a big deal, and I get used to the new way it looks rather quickly. Most of the time, I don´t notice it much.

When the workflow is changed, I reserve judgement until I actually have time to use it and see if it works for me. The reason I moved from Ubuntu to Linux Mint full time, was when Canonical dropped Unity and Cinnamon became the better fit for my needs. The reason I did not made the jump sooner, mainly was that Cinnamon wasn't mature enough for me when I first tried it.

At the end, I've become aware that one has to be selective where and when one can play conservatively. Sometimes, it is worth to be at the forefront of tech while others is better to wait for it to mature.

Why Small Businesses Deserve Better Apps (And How to Build Them)

2026-09-27T12:03:36.124-06:00

As someone who has spent all my professional life on small or medium enterprises, I find the apps targeting this sector to be either too expensive, not user friendly, or both.

There is a market for app development, specially for small businesses, since there isn't enough competition and the apps that are targeting this sector seem to see this businesses not worth much to give them the app their need or just want to sell them what big companies use.

Some don't use the app's full potential, because certain features of the app don't apply to the business. Other times, is because developer of the app doesn't offer the option to develop features the business needs, either because the developer doesn't offer the option to do so or because is too expensive for the business to do so.

In other cases, the business stop using the apps they paid because a failed implementation or they found it to be too complicated to train their employees to use it. At times, is the business owner who just grows frustrated, and decides to drop it because it proved way to hard to get the results she/he wanted to see.

Also some small and medium businesses choose not to get an app because they can't find the right one for their needs. So, they use apps that aren't ideal for their needs. At times having the information they need to run they business on separate apps that can't be integrated, making the decision making process harder and losing time looking for results.

Not having the best app, and being able to integrate it to other apps or to the business model, makes harder for small and medium business to adapt and keep being competitive. As such, the app market for small and medium business is leaving money on the table because there isn't enough offerings.

After a Decade with Firefox, I Made the Jump to Zen

2026-09-20T18:03:58.009-06:00

I've been using the Zen Browser for a about three months now, and it has done what no other web browser has been able to do for more than a couple of decades. It took the place of Firefox as my go to web browser, something that until a couple of months ago seemed unlikely.

To be honest, it helps that Zen is a fork of Firefox. It allows me to use my Mozilla account, which made the transition easier. Not only that, all the it feels a lot more modern and supports Firefox's add-ons. The only thing that it doesn't is Firefox's themes, but for me is not a big deal since Zen looks a lot better for me out of the box, and it just takes some tweaks to make it feel my own.

It also helps that it is a free and open source app, which I prefer over proprietary apps where is possible.

Honestly, I made the jump not because I didn't like how Firefox has changed with time. I just found that Zen comes closer to what I want my web browser to look and behave. And it helps that it not only a fork of Firefox, but its updates continue to have Firefox as a base.

Now, the browsers I can recommend are Firefox and Zen. Both are fully free and open source apps, with different take on how to implement a web browser, as such they target different people as an user base. Most importantly, along with other Firefox's based web browsers like LibreWolf and Waterfox, gives users alternatives for web browsers not based on Google's Chrome.

Personally, I see Firefox and Zen as the best options for mainstream users, or users that just want a web browser that with a focus more on their needs. Though I'd say that Zen is a bit more privacy focused that Firefox is nowadays.

Now, if only Linux Mint developers would allow to make web apps based on Zen it would be great...

Cyberpunk Is a Warning, Not a Blueprint

2026-09-13T18:37:26.730-06:00

As someone who likes Cyberpunk, and thinks that some of the tech shown on the media, it worries me that some people see Cyberpunk setting as something to strive for and not as the warning it is.

The unchecked implementation of tech, at times along side unchecked capitalism, creates societies where all the problems we currently face are made even worse creating a society that destroys itself or where the ones who control the resources basically enslave the rest of the population.

Cyberpunk is a warning about advancing tech without putting the needs of the people at large first. All tech development need a set rules that prevent a few to make use of it in a way that isn't in the best interest of the whole of society. Yes, tech needs to be developed, but in a way that benefits the most people possible.

We do need tech to make better worlds, and move forward in the best way possible. Yet, it should bring along the most people possible in a way that its implementation is a net positive. It should not be seen as zero sum game, but as something where most people can use to make their lives better as a society.

It is about making tech help bring the best for the individual, and the society at large. If we want individuals, and societies, to thrive to their full potential, both need the conditions to do so at the same time.

The warning is Cyberpunk is not tech, is how it was implemented, employed, or developed. Is the warning of how not to do tech.

Paper, Pens, and Practicality: Building the Ultimate Desk Setup for Administrative Work

2026-09-06T17:04:06.252-06:00

As someone who works at the administrative side of business for more of a decade, I find it frustratingly hard to find desk setups targeted the kind of work I do. Most of the time, the desk setups are targeted to content creators, gamers, or programmers.

The admin side is more of a side note for programmers and content creators, most of the time just pointing out storage options for the paperwork they need to do. Other than that there are some peripherals that could be used by admin workers, like mice, keyboards, and monitors. The chair is one where there some commonality, and the desk on some degree.

The desk is the most annoying part, since they all seem too big or too small for what an admin worker does on daily basis. Content creators tend to need more things on the desk, like lights, microphones, cameras, and the like. While programmers tend just to need their computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard, and some note taking implements with some stationary,

Admins tend to use a computer with its peripherals, but need more space for stationary like staplers, pens, tape, and more space for paperwork that is being worked on at the time. Some might need a printer, specially if working from home which doesn't need to be on the desk, but would be nice to hace it on the desk.

As such, our desk space for often than not lies between the programmer and the content creator. While I see most admins making a good use of standing desk, with a nice chair, finding the correct size can be difficult. Storage on, and around, the desk is another difficult thing to find, since our storage needs, don't need as many cables, and tech, like content creators.

The same goes for every day carry bags, since we don't have to bring with us cameras, lenses, and other support tech. While some of use might bring a laptop, we also bring food containers and other small items like an umbrella, notebook or pad, some pens. But, we are most likely to sit down for actual work at our office or home office desk. If we do sit at a café for example, is more likely we will manage email, or have a meeting with clients. As such, a tablet, or notebook, will be more enough to take notes or show the work done to the client.

The closest I've seen to my needs have been some lawyers, some programmers working for big tech companies, and some startup people, but they generally lose me when it comes to the bag they use. Specially when it comes with bringing the food they cook to work, since most of the time they get food service at work, or don't mention that part of at all.

I've been thinking about staring a place where to show case how admin workers setup their desks, and they manage their everyday carry. I just need to know if anyone would be interested.

Stop Gatekeeping, Start Listening: A Better Way to Recommend Linux

2026-08-30T16:46:04.694-06:00

As a Linux Mint user, and someone who advocates for Linux in general, I find that saying what distro should you recommend to new users, or the one users should have on their computers, is something that isn't useful in any way for a wider Linux adoption.

When helping new users choosing what Linux distro to begin with, we should actually listen to what they need from their OS. For some, Linux Mint will the best option, for others might be Zorin OS. Some might be better served by Pop!_OS, all comes down to what they need from their OS, and the computer they have.

Limiting new users to a single point of entry, is setting them up for failure to adopt Linux. Not every new user to Linux has the same same needs, skill level, computer, or expectations, for what Linux should be or do for them. As such, there is no ideal or single distro that should be said to be for new Linux users.

As for the arguments for which distro is the best, or be the Linux users should targets, is also one that should be more focused on the user instead of the distro itself. I've over a decade using Linux, and I've no intention to move to Arch or any other so called advanced distro. I plan stay on Linux Mint, with Pop!_OS being an option. The main reason is that both of these distros work for me without a problem, they just allow me to focus on my work without having to think about the OS.

This is why a prefer, and advocate for Linux. There is a distro that fits you, not perfectly but close enough. What Linux needs to be more widely adopted, apart for being installed out of the box on more computers, is people that actually listen to new users to guide them to the distro that best suits them.

After that, places where people can physically to get support when they need. Not only that, a place where they can talk to people about what they do on their computers, and get advice and tips to better use of their computer. Even learn about apps that can make their work easier.

While some people just need to read a wiki, go to a forum, or watch a YouTube video, to solve the doubts and problems they encounter, others are better served by meeting people in person to better understand and learn the same things. One the strengths of Linux are the communities that are built around it, distros, and other projects. We need to build them online and offline.

There more we focus on making Linux better for the people who actually use it, the better off Linux and its users will be in the long run.

De-politicizing Awareness: Why Everyone Should Be Woke

2026-08-23T17:23:08.749-06:00

Being woke, is being aware of social injustices around you. In a way, is the first step in making any society, or country, a better place for all those who make it up. No action can be made, if one isn't aware of said injustices.

So, being woke should not be considered to pertain to the left or right of the political spectrum. Everyone should be woke to the injustices happening around them, finding a way to correct them, and helping create a more just society. One could contend that a perfect society isn't something we can build, but we all should work to get as close to it as humanly posible.

As such, when anyone tries to use woke as an insult tells me that they are ignorant of what being woke means, or they don't want to be made aware of the injustice around them. Both are just as bad, and it makes it hard to move forward as a society.

While woke is something considered left leaning, it shouldn't be. Being aware of social injustice is something that people in the right and left should be aware of, and to work to fix. There is no reason why any one should argue that fixing systemic injustice is in the best interest of everyone.

Making a society more just for everyone, is something that benefits everyone in that society, directly or indirectly leveling the playing field benefits everyone. Being woke, and pointing to what need to be fixed is something that allows for actions to be taken that benefit everyone in the long run.

Yet, just being woke isn't good enough if it doesn't lead to action for the betterment of society. Pointing to an injustice needs to lead to actions to correct that injustice. We all have benefited from woke, but there is still much work to do and need to remain woke.

Geek Culture Didn't Turn Left—It Started There

2026-08-16T16:44:41.104-06:00

As someone who is into tech, science fiction, anime, and other things considered nerdy, it baffles me when people say that they have become woke or left leaning on the political spectrum. They always have been woke, or left leaning, in some way.

How much to the left they have been, can de debated and even said that it depends on the subject, creator, or community being talked about. But, all of these thing have been woke and left leaning for a long time. Many have been one of the outlets for creativity, and expression, that people in the left and minority communities, have had for decades. The conservative right has always shown no interest, and even repulsion, for all of these thing.

The sole exception is when they want to profit from the people who use, want, or are interested in these things. Specially with tech, which is where the left and right crash more often and in the open on how to handle the balance between profit and users rights.

It is worse when those in the right accuse those left leaning communities to becoming radicalized just because they voice concerns, or even disagreements, with their behaviors or where they want to take something. Just expressing any of these isn't becoming a radical, is just a natural way to let it be know where those people stand on something.

And when people, or communities, become radicalized it in answer of something. Most often than not, is the response to a radical move to the right. Radicalization doesn't happen in a vacuum, it is an answer to something. And while the have been some radical left people doing questionable things, most of questionable things that have happen have come from the right or in answer to something that right did.

Honestly, more left leaning people in tech, science fiction, anime, and such need to start to take a stance on things. Not just to make a stance, but to start a dialogue with everyone that has an stake. We all not need to agree on everything, but at least we all should be part of the dialogue to make things better.

And not everyone has to have a stance on everything, but at least on matters that they claim are important to them.

Software, OEMs, and Community: The Real Roadmap for Linux

2026-08-09T17:59:11.787-06:00

As a Linux user, I do advocate for Linux knowing that not everyone can make the jump for a variety of reason. From the apps they need for work aren't available on Linux, and there isn't a suitable replacement app for their needs, to the computer they is loaned by their work.

As such, what is needed to for wider Linux adoption is to increase the number of apps in Linux. Not only that, is bring the apps professionals use to Linux, so that more professionals can make the jump to Linux. Not only that, we need more OEM of computer and laptops to offer Linux preinstalled, since most of the average users don't want to go through the extra step of installing Linux on a new computer no mater how easy it has become lately.

Granted, is easier to convince them to do so on a computer they already own, and have financial incentive to keep running for years to come. Yet, when buying a new computer is whole different matter where Linux coming preinstalled would make it a lot easier for them to make the jump. This would be easier if display computers are made available for them to test the Linux distro before making the purchase.

One of the things I'd like to see, are places where people interested in Linux could go and physically meet people who use Linux daily on their main computers. This way, they could ask questions, and for help, from people who have the experience and know how to actually help. This would make people trusting Linux a lot easier, since having someone at the same place helping you build trust faster then trying to do so online.

At the end of the day, Linux is build to be used by people. So, making sure it reaches the hands of as much people as possible is vital to get it adopted. The more people use it, and talk about it in a positive way, the easier it will become for more people to make the jump.

What Linux needs are not gatekeepers, but people who help people make the best use of it.

Built for Work, Not Content: The Admin’s Guide to Real-World Desk Setups

2026-08-02T17:18:20.189-06:00

As someone who works on the administrative side of things, I find it annoying that when I look for desk and home office ideas most of what I find is most often focused for content creators or designers, some with a gamer side to it. While the gaming side of the set ups is are things I'd make use of, on the work flow side of things most are things that I simply don't need.

While things like keyboards, monitors, desks, and chairs, are things that people who work with computers on the administrative side of things can also find quite useful, other like cameras, lighting setups, and stream decks are expensive additions that won't see much use on our daily work.

The same sometime goes for backpacks for our everyday carry. They are just to bulky, mainly because they more often than not tend to include pockets for camera gear that as an administrative worker one doesn't need. They also leave out things like pockets to carry food containers, something many admin workers do find useful.

For most admin workers, our main tools work tools are our laptops and smartphones. These devices give us access to all the apps we need to have on daily basis, like camera, music, email, communications apps, and whichever app needed for getting work done. In-ear headphones are most often than not what admin workers reach for, because they are more practical because of their size and are what they already use.

For most admin workers that have online meetings, the camera, mic and speakers on their laptop are most often than not better than good enough for the takes. The again, some might go for in-ear headphone with mic included when they want some privacy, or not want to disturbe those around them.

When on the go, the laptop and smartphone combo is the most practical. While for some having a portable monitor is useful, for a quick online meeting, or work session at the cafe, the laptop and smartphone are all what is needed to be productive. The second monitor is better at the office, the place where most of the work that makes the best of it is done.

To be honest, while the home office and desk setups of content creators and designers are nice to look, most of the time they aren't what the best option for my work flow and other needs.

You’re Allowed to Be Human: Why Hiding Your Pain Is Killing You

2026-07-26T20:19:32.683-06:00

Something worse than feeling burned out, is the feeling that you got no one to turn to that won't make you feel like you are you blowing things out of proportion, that you are weak for feeling like that, or that you better get used to that because life is hard.

What makes it worse is the feeling that when you reach out to at least be listen to, you hit a wall of that make you feel like you aren't living to your potential. There is no way you can feel tired, angry, or frustrated, because you aren't doing enough to even begin to feel like that. And no matter what you do, you aren't doing enough to begin to feel like that.

Not only that, you are not entitled to feel any negative emotions. You are to feel happy, and show only positive emotions all the time and to everyone around you. There isn't even a good reason to say that something that happened, or someone did, made you feel anything negative, even if you controlled that negative emotion and didn't show it at the moment.

It only makes you feel worse, like you failed for feeling anything else than positive emotions.

What's worse, you start hiding or bottling negative emotions because if you even mention them the backlash only makes you feel worse about it. Even when all you want is someone to understand or listen to you, what you get is anything but support. All you get is the feeling of failing, or not being good enough.

The feeling of having to be perfect, or having not being able to feel anything else but happiness and positive things, pulls you down and makes you feel even more tired and burned out. The feeling that you have to always be positive, no matter how bad things around you are, only makes everything worse.

Not only that, that other people won't let you even mention that you felt anything negative makes you keep your guard up even among the people with who you are supposed to be able to relax and be free to at least say what makes you feel angry, sad, or tired without the accusation of being a bad person for feeling like that.

Life is though enough as it is, and not being able to at least talk about what make you feel anything negative to at least be a able to let it out make it even worse.

Having those negative feelings doesn't make you a bad person, or a less deserving one. It makes you human, you deserve to able to talk about them and to work them out.

The Best of Both Worlds: My Hybrid Laptop and Dual-Monitor Workflow

2026-07-19T17:13:14.360-06:00

While I prefer the laptop and smartphone combo since I like to be mobile, I've come to realize that when at my home or work office I do prefer a dual monitor setup. Mainly because my workflow at the desk benefits from the dual monitor setup, while if I am on the road my laptop is what I need.

The work I do at my home, or work, offices benefits of dual monitor setups since I need to compare information or check the info on different apps often. Meanwhile on the road, I'm just doing stuff than a single monitor is enough. Besides, my ideal dual monitor setup is my laptop monitor along side a 27" monitor as my primary one while I'm my offices desk.

For my ideal laptop monitor size, it would be the 15.6" one. It gives me the balance between screen size and portability I seek on a laptop. I tried a 13" laptop once, and I found it to be to small for my use, and larger screens on laptops make them to bulky for to carry around on daily basis.

On my desk, a 24" or 27" monitor gives the display real state I prefer on my primary display, while the 15.6" inch of my laptop is the perfect second display for my perfect dual monitor setup. I prefer having a smaller display for referencing, while I work on the larger display. Though, I could happy work with both displays being 15.6".

It has been about 4 years since I starting working with a dual monitor setup at my desks, and I've found that this setup is the best for my workflow. I prefer to have one app per display, so a wide aspect display doesn't seem to be a good option for me, but I still got to try it out.

Two Offices, One Flow: Setting Up Desks for Hybrid Work

2026-07-12T17:40:11.543-06:00

Ever since I moved jobs in May, I've come to realize that my every day carry has become quite minimalist. Other than my laptop, a bag with esencial cables, an umbrella, notepad, pens, daily planner, sun glasses and headphones on my backpack. In my pockets I just carry keys, wallet, smartphone, earphones, keys and my smartwatch. Other than that, I don't anything else on daily basis.

Any other of the things I need for work, are at my desk at home or work desks. And even on the desks, I try to just keep what I need to do on daily basis on both desk. What's on both desks is a bit different, but on both is a keyboard, mouse, desk mat, pens and pencils on a dedicated holder, and some notebooks at the desktop. On drawers cables, other things, that I need to use from time to time, but not often like a stapler, cables, and chargers.

My desk at work is still lacking somethings, like a lamp and plant. I'd like to add a second monitor but is not mandatory. To be honest, the administrative work area is still a work in progress. But this time, I've more of a say on how that desk is going to be set. We are still working on my schedule, so how many hours I'd be working from my home office, and how many I'd be working at the work office are fluid. Though having a well set up desk for administrative work will benefit everyone, since we are a couple of people that need to use on regular basis.

I've several ideas on how to improve both desks, but we'll see what and how those ideas can be implemented. The most important thing, is to make both desk places that are easy to work in, and help bring out the best work.

The SteamOS Effect: How Valve Turned Linux Into a Legitimate Gaming Platform

2026-07-05T15:43:19.030-06:00

As a Linux Mint user, that enjoys playing video games, that Valve decided to create SteamOS has been a blessing. Mainly because it means the video games are coming to the Linux desktops, when a few years ago being able to play video games on Linux was constrained due to the lack of people using Linux.

That Valve making its own Linux distro with SteamOS, Linux becomes a legitimate platform for video game distributions. Specially because Valve put a lot of work in Proton to bring video games playable on Windows to Linux via Steam. And while some titles on Steam have been developed for Linux, Proton expands the number of titles playable on Linux by orders of magnitude.

Personally, gaming was the only thing that could have made considered to dual boot Linux Mint and Windows, or having a dedicated PC gaming. Yet, now that Steam OS development has come, and made the need for that redundant.

While Linux might not become as mainstream as Windows or macOS, the fact that Steam OS has made gaming a thing on Linux makes me hopeful about the adoption of Linux.

Why My Backpack Has Over-Ears and My Pocket Has In-Ears

2026-06-28T17:17:06.600-06:00

Turns out that although I do love Bluetooth headphones, the form factor I prefer to use depends on what and where I'm going to be while using the headphones.

While I'm walking, at work on-site, or commuting, I prefer in-ear headphones. I prefer in-ear headphones while doing so, mainly because they are light, the sound quality is good enough, and more comfortable to wear while while I'm on the move.

Meanwhile, when I'm at my home office, café, or bar, I go for over-ear headphones. Mainly because they are better at isolating me for ambient noise, and thus help be better concentrate on what I'm doing, or just better shield myself from the ambient noise.

Currently I own a pair of in-ear and a pair of over-ear headphones. One pair of over-ear headphones is stationed at my home office, while the other comes with me in my backpack when I go on the road or just want to work somewhere outside other than my home office, or my desk at work.

When working at my desk at work, I've a pair of in-ear headphones living there for when I want to focus on a certain task or just not listen to the chatter of the clients or coworkers talking among themselves while not cutting myself from them if I'm needed. Another pair lives at my pocket, so it always comes with me on my walks or commute. Specially because, when on my way to, or from work, or walking, is when I've time to listen to the podcasts I like, or I just put some relaxing music.

At the end of the day, Bluetooth headphone have won me over.

Mugs and Mugs: A Grown-Up’s Guide to the Third Place

2026-06-21T20:09:23.732-06:00

With age, I've come to realize that the third place that work for me are actually two places. One would be the café, and the other the bar. Since I find that coffee and beer have become my go-to beverages when I want to relax. meet friends, do some writing, or just take my mind off whatever is bringing me down at the moment.

That is why I tend to prefer small-to-medium places, that play music that blends with the background when I'm there with friends, or just want to put on my headphones to listen to some of my favorite music. That it has WiFi is a big bonus, specially since I like to blog, stream music at times, or just watch some YouTube. Yet, consideres a bit of an option since I can use my smartphone as a hotspot, or I don't need it when I'm with friends or with coworkers.

My favorite cafés, and bars, tend to lend themselves to be places I can socialize or work in a more relaxed manner. Cozy in a way that helps to relaxed, and create a more friendly atmosphere depending on the situation.

The choice of going to a café, or a bar, is more dependent on if I'm going alone or with a friends, the time of the day, and my mood at the moment. As I said, coffee and beer are both my favorite drinks for some time off, do some work, and everything in-between. The weather may come into play, but more so when is hot. When is raining or a bit cold, either drink does a great job hitting the right spot when I need them to.

For now I can recommend Tierra Café, Magma Café, and La Flor de Cordoba. The first two are small cafés with a single location, while La Flor de Cordoba is more a mall chain that has managed to makes its locations feel friendly and cozy.

On the bar side of things, the one I can recommend and go regularly is Santas Alitas. They follow the franchise model, but they do well in making each location fit its surroundings. While all the locations feel cozy and relaxed, the main difference you find in each one it the music they play, and how the waiters serve. All are quite friendly, there are some minor difference depending on the main clientèle they serve at each location.

Other bars I also like, but stop going on regular basis because of the distance and opening hours is Over Wings and Games Bar, but are bars that I'd happily return if I have the chance. The same goes for DrünkenTap de Paseos del Sol, which is more of a craft beer spot, for those who like that type of beer.

At the end of the day, each will choose the third place that better suits their personal preferences.

Finding the Perfect Remote Desktop Fit: Why RustDesk Beats AnyDesk for Me

2026-06-14T16:35:51.775-06:00

After using AnyDesk for a couple of weeks, it didn't fit my needs. The license for the features I need is just to expensive. So, after a some research I moved to RustDesk, and it got all I need.

RustDesk is easy to use, and with a cleaner user interface that allows me to use it effectively. The best thing, is that my use of RustDesk means I don't have to buy a license since I don't need the features that come with it. As such, in both pricing and feature set RustDesk is a far better fit.

After a week of using RustDesk daily, I can say it is quite a good option. For me, the fact that it is open-source software, and it works on Linux Mint, RustDesk the more attractive option. Specially since I prefer to avoid proprietary software when there is an open-source option that works at least as well.

Honestly, RustDesk and Remmina have become my remote desktop apps of choice. While their use cases are a bit different, I would choose any of them depending on what I need to do. In the case of RustDesk, that is works on Windows and macOS too gives it an edge for me over the apps of the competition.

The Cozy Side of Linux: How Steam and Linux Mint Brought Back My Gaming Hobby

2026-06-07T17:28:19.790-06:00

If you told me five years ago I'd be playing video games via Steam on Linux Mint, on the daily basis I wouldn't have believed you.

Currently I play Palia, and from time to time I also play Sword of Convallaria. Both run rather smoothly on Linux Mint, so much so that Palia has become my cozy place to relax, and just forget about the world for a while. While there has been some hip cups along the way, the experience has been mostly positive, and getting better with each update of Steam on Linux.

So much so, that there have been days when I've lost track of time while playing. Honestly, if I could do anything to improve the gaming experience I have, it would be to add more RAM to my laptop just to give myself a wider margin in RAM usage during my gaming sessions while playing Palia, since is the game that seems to need a bigger RAM overhead.

As such, there are a lot of games on Steam than 16 GB of RAM would be more than enough, just as they would need on Windows. So, at the end comes to what each gamer actually needs to run the games they want without issues.

I didn't need much more reasons to stay on Linux Mint, but now that gaming on Linux Mint is actually doable easily is makes staying that much easier.

The Linux Mint development team has made strides on making the OS better with time, and now that they have made the choice take a longer development time to actually release an update with all the updates they want to make in a polished manner, makes for a better choice for an OS for more users.

Linux Mint is truly an user focused Linux distro.

Locked In: The Frustration of Limited Data Export in Laundromat Management

2026-05-31T16:49:46.753-06:00

One of the most helpful features that out current ERP(enterprise resource planning) system lacks, is the possibility to export anything other that the sales out of the system to a be able to work with the info with other software. Even the features to work with the info within the system is limited to basic things like adding, editing, or erasing data from the builtin databases.

Which limits its usefulness, since you can't use the data in the system to do things like calculate costs, or work with pricing, easily. Coming from ERP systems that had these features, this feels quite limiting.

Not that is makes it a bad system per se, it just feels that it still has more potential to give to make laundromat management a lot easier. A good thing it has for example, is that as admin I can be working on the databases changing, or adding, items without getting in the way of our operations team by having them change users every time something like that needs to be work on. Though it would be better, if could do it by being able to access just the database remotely without having to access the computer directly via a remote desktop application.

Using our system when you only have one location, is a solid 8/10 since it has almost all what one needs to manage a laundromat. It lacks some features that would greatly improve the ease of management, but as it is a set forward of having to do it by hand, or apps that aren't meant for the task.

Yet, since we have plans to expand our to other locations it time, it starts to became less useful for such management.

Software Is No Longer an "Afterthought" in Traditional Brick-and-Mortar

2026-05-17T15:37:12.646-06:00

I've noticed that the people who should at least understand how software licenses work, and how that impacts the they own or distribute, don't understand how it works or impacts their business.

Currently, I'm in the process of setting up a laundromat, and as part of the set up the people who are setting it up bundle the app that helps running it. As such, a member of the management team wanted to know if could install the app on as many computers of the management team as we wanted, or if the license of the app had any restrictions on it. To which the person doing the setup didn't know, or had an answer.

Which is important, because we have plans to expand to other locations around the city in time. And knowing if we could just keep using the app without paying for each install come into play, since the license isn't all that cheap. Which is not a problem, since it works, and it seems that we could work with the developer to add functionalities to the app to better work with how we want it to work for us. Like being able to connect remotely without the use of remote access tools like TeamViewer, and add more reports to help with other the administration of the laundromat.

With the app being such an import aspect to the administration of the laundromat they sell their service to setup, it would seem that knowing how the licensing works on the app the bundle it would be a lot more important for them. I can understand that they wouldn't have deep know how on the development side of it, but at least they should know details like if you could install it on more computers as needed.

It could be argued that not that many people who are setting laundromats know, or care, about how the app is licensed. Yet, with such apps becoming much more important to help owners manage their laundromat, and the chance for expansion, such knowledge is becoming far more important.

To be honest, I'm seeing a business opportunity for an app that simplifies not only the laundromat operation, but also it's management in the same app for owners, or managers, who run only one to a dozen. Specially with the younger ones who are already used to using computers, and smartphones, to help them do so.

For know, I'll be focusing on first making the laundromat work. After that, developing the app along side the needs of the laundromat, or the expansion to more locations, would be more interesting.

The Case for the "Micro-ERP": Why Small Businesses Need Better Integration.

2026-05-10T16:57:00.004-06:00

Finding apps that cover all aspects of the administrations of micro, and small, businesses, is something that proves to be hard and expensive to do. Shopping around apps for a laundromat has revealed that apps that are affordable focus to much on the operational side of things, and leave out the administrative side.

Most give allow to manage sales, and what is in stock, but when you want to know how the stock is used or accounting for the period directly from the app it can’t be done. Managing the operation is easy, but managing the administration is something that the apps can’t help you with. Which is strange, since that is something businesses of all sizes need to do, and being able to do so from the app you use on daily basis would make it more easy to manage.

The worst part, is that the ones that have the option are far too expensive for a micro, or small, business to pay. While doing the administration on other apps is doable, using the same app for all the needs of the business would make the app a lot more useful and effective.

What I wonder now, is why I don’t see such integration. The two main reasons I see, are that micro and small businesses aren’t asking for it, or what developers need to add those features isn’t there. Or it could be a mix of both, that in some sectors users aren’t asking for those features, so developers don’t look into them.

Coming from being on the administrative side of thing on a medium size business, I might have different expectations on the tools that these kind of apps need to have to help businesses reach their goals. Yet, I’m sure that development of these features for micro, and small, businesses is doable. Not only that, is something that would make those kind of businesses more resilient.

Another feature I’d like to see on those apps for micro,and small businesses, is the ability of users to use the app remotely and without interfering with the day to day operations. The way most developers expect remote access is not one that helps with this.

To be honest, that these apps are available for micro, and small businesses, is a huge step forward. Yet, there is still a lot of development room to make those apps even more useful, and valuable, for those businesses.

Escaping Google’s Influence: A Review of the Zen Browser

2026-05-03T14:25:00.001-06:00

I've been using the Zen browser for a couple of months now, and it is quite a great web browser. Before using Zen, I used Firefox for well over a decade and never imagined that I'd make the jump to other browser in that time.

Specially since I prefer open source apps, and most browsers out there are proprietary or heavily based on Chrome tech. While I used Android, Gmail, and Google Maps, I prefer my browser to be out of Google's influence. So, Zen being based on Firefox made it a good choice for me to at least give it a try.

To be honest, it took a really short time to make Zen my favorite web browser. Mainly because of two things, it is easy to easy to use, and I can use my Mozilla account with it. After a decade using Firefox, being able to use my Mozilla account made it a lot easier to make the jump, since all my history of use and other things came along to Zen without a problem. So much so, that I've been using Zen as I'd use Firefox from day one, with some minor adjustments that actually have made my web browsing that much easier.

So much so, that the only two web browsers I'd recommend are Zen and Firefox. Both work great on Windows and Linux, so they are some of the few apps I can recommend for users who use any of those OSes. I've personally used them on both, and they work the same, making them a no brainier to recommend.

If you are a Firefox user that is frustrated where it is going, or want a web browser that feels more modern that uses the same core tech, Zen is what you are looking for. The same if you want a modern web browser that uses none of Google's stuff under the hood.

At long last, there is and option to Google's dominance on the web browser arena-

The Case for Minimalist AI: Only Where We Want It

2026-04-26T16:58:00.001-06:00

There is no doubt that AI(Artificial Intelligence) is a useful tool in a variety of ways, from prompting ideas to analyzing data for patterns, but it doesn't need to be at the center of every action that a user makes with a computer, tablet, or smartphone. It shouldn't be integrated to every app either, the user should be the one who decide which apps should come with AI integrated to it, how and when to use it.

The push to integrate AI to everything by tech companies, is making what should be the next big thing in computing is being oversold to consumers and making many of them resistant to even learn to use it to their advantage. AI is a great tool to have in many ways, but it shouldn't on every app, and should a opt in when it is shipped with an app.

AI development has had several problems, one of the main ones when facing user is that companies don't seem to know how implement it and it has felt somewhat half baked at times. No only that, at times since companies don't seem to have a concrete idea what to with it, the users have done things that are questionable with AI tools Things like deep fakes of adult content with quite questionable themes.

Another thing, is pushing it on every product they have no matter if their users even want it or not. Some apps could have waited a bit longer, while others have no place of AI. One big example is Microsoft integrating Copilot directly on Windows by default. Copilot should be an app that has to be given permissions to what it has access and how much of it. Not every users needs to Copilot to make their computer useful to them, much to give it access to their whole computer.

At the end, AI to be most useful need to be in places where the user actually wants it to be and access only to what it needs to be useful at that task. What has put off users from AI is not that it exists, is that it companies have made misuse of it and tried to make users make use of no matter what they want.

To be honest, in time most people will end up using AI in some way because it is a great tool. But, now its adoption will take longer because companies made people distrust AI because of their actions.