I use my computer for so many things and I have about 200 applications on my computer. I don’t know why, but it bothers me that everything happens on this one machine as well as seeing so many app icons (even grouped into folders). It’s not an option, but I’d prefer to have dedicated computers for broad categories of tasks (Audio DAW, video editing, bash scripting, web dev, gaming, system stuff like disk space visualisation, web apps for social media and video sites, games, communications, office, music and film.

So I was thinking of installing something like openSUSE in a VM on my iMac. But I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. Putting CPU intensive applications onto the VM is pointless since they’ll struggle more. But putting convenient apps on the VM seems like a mistake too because it means that quick utilities like calendar, voice memos, alarms, contacts etc become inconvenient.

Anyway. I miss the days when all these functions weren’t service by the same hardware and screen. Does anyone who can relate have any ideas?

One thing I’ve done is have my music served by Navidrome on a headless server.

    • FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      22 days ago

      Many of them only get used once per year, but when I’m asked to produce something with them I need to be ready.

      Anything I haven’t used in a year gets archived, generally. something like FTP clients (which I rarely use) have passwords etc stored so I don’t want to get rid of those because the setup again would be tedious.

      There are about 30 Apple apps that are built in that I’d love to get rid of but can’t, eg Stocks and Chess. They can’t be uninstalled.

  • pp99@sh.itjust.works
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    22 days ago

    qubes os is for you. Don’t be scared by it as you can start using it without paying attention to many of its security features like disposables, proxy vms, etc. Just think of it as several vms with a shared clipboard, file sharing mechanism and a convenient apps menu. You can learn later it most advanced stuff

  • tal@lemmy.todayEnglish
    0·
    22 days ago

    I use my computer for so many things and I have about 200 applications on my computer. I don’t know why, but it bothers me that everything happens on this one machine as well as seeing so many app icons (even grouped into folders).

    If what you want is organization from a workflow standpoint, I think that you’d have an easier time just using some form of launching system that doesn’t show a single monolithic menu of all your installed executables. Either have a launcher that permits breaking up stuff by task and lets you customize those groups, or just use a non-menu-based launching system.

    I mean, /usr/bin on my system has 2694 entries. I don’t see them, though, since I’m launching software via bash or tofi, so…shrugs

    VMs can have uses, but I’d mostly either use them for software compatibility, or to isolate things for security reasons. They wouldn’t be high on my list of tools to organize workflow.

  • MNByChoice@midwest.social
    0·
    22 days ago

    Could running a VM help me organise my computer better?

    No more than extra boxes will make your physical things more organized. In fact, I think it will make things worse.

    VMs have great uses, but not this.

    Folders are great though.

  • WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    22 days ago

    but I’d prefer to have dedicated computers for broad categories of tasks (Audio DAW, video editing, bash scripting, web dev, gaming, system stuff like disk space visualisation, web apps for social media and video sites, games, communications, office, music and film.

    those are not broad categories

  • ocean@lemmy.selfhostcat.comEnglish
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    22 days ago

    You mention not liking everyone on one device. Get a real calendar, alarm clock with radio, etc all at the thrift store :)

    I also run a lot of my stuff through my service as webapps. If I’m not using it I get of it

    • FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      22 days ago

      I do like my physical clock and calendar etc. I use pen and paper when I can too.

      The clock isn’t removable though and I think that with my ADHD I might need to keep the calendar and reminders apps. Or my next post might be about even bigger problems :)

      • ocean@lemmy.selfhostcat.comEnglish
        0·
        22 days ago

        Since we seem similar I’ll recommend keeping a pen and paper on you always and just writing stream of consciousness no rules. I really enjoy this :)

        I get you. I write down my daily tasks but then put into reminders. You might enjoy running baikal on your server for caldav. It syncs well with iPhone and everything else

        • FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.worldOP
          0·
          22 days ago

          I used to love writing (creative, journaling or free-flow) and I keep meaning to get back into it. Thanks for the encouragement there!

          Edit: the main reason I stopped was when I realised that I never read what I wrote.

  • Toes♀@ani.social
    0·
    22 days ago

    If the hardware supports virtualization it should not affect the performance of cpu bound applications. (Assuming you have adequate system resources) It does harm the performance of GPU applications however.

    It was drilled into me in school that you should be using separate environments for certain tasks.

    Software development tools can interfere with video games for example. Or running a lamp stack in the same environment as your personal data is also foolish.

    There’s also tools like podman that can help you further divide environments. (But understand it’s not a security tool)