The first thing I do when I get a PC is speed run wiping Windows, and switching it to Linux. I've been using Linux for so long it was too hard for me to use Windows 11 when I tried it again. It's so foreign to me now. I just can't get used to using my P.C. primarily using a mouse. I can't give up my keyboard and my terminal.
Pull in systemd? I've used it on non-systemd distros. It needs something to manage the seat, set up a runtime dir. But it never forced me to have systemd.
I hear you! When I get a new "Windows" machine, I pull the drive before even booting for the first time, install a new blank drive, then install Linux. That way I can stick the pristine Windows drive back into the machine if I need to return it for some reason. After a while, when I'm no longer concerned about returns, I wipe the Windows drive to use for something else.
What requires returning a used computer in a state where it effectly has never been used? Are return policies assuming you used it as a cutting board?
I was trying to do something last week on Windows and it just felt so wrong. It’s only been three years and I’m still on 10. I have to eventually get over keeping it dual boot because there’s really no going back.
If you return it for repair without Windows they’ll just install Windows and send it back without fixing what actually was the issue.
From experience you don't want to use a USB to ethernet adapter /bridge / whatever the fuck for important connections. If you're making a router you should have minimum two real ethernet ports, one for the WAN and one for the LAN. You could kind-of get around that with vlans and a managed switch in front of it but then you're adding a ton of complexity (and need to trust the switch + it takes power too) for no good reason.
Just use a good distro that packages it so you don't need to use the AUR. You're not gay, are you anon?
I already have an OpenWRT router but I want something in front of it as the only direct to Internet connection in the network, which is what the 3050 is intended to be. Some people have managed to populate the VGA slot with a second ethernet port though an m.2 to gigabit NIC adapter, which I recon might be worth a shot. Managed to find someone selling 3050s for less than 50$ a pop, so it won't be a huge investment even if it goes tits up.
I'm going to suggest one of the many chinese ARM based SBCs with two ethernet ports and (optional) POE. These are basically made for VLAN/Firewalls and VPNs to get across to the US net. Good for a firewall if that's your only use (and VPN work). Something like the Yuzuki Avaota-A1 is good for this. 2GB version is enough, just toss a BSD on there.
