An old Linux journey, a few distro-hopping adventures, and a return to a community that has remained close to me.

The Beginning: Fedora 36

My Linux journey started long before Fedora became part of my story. I spent years using Ubuntu, but eventually, around 2022, I found myself exploring Fedora.

Fedora introduced me to a different side of the Linux ecosystem. I started taking Linux more seriously, explored GNOME, and gradually became more interested in the community behind the distribution.

What started as another Linux distribution to experiment with eventually became something more meaningful.

I became a Fedora contributor in 2022.

Ten Releases Later

Fedora has evolved considerably since Fedora 35.

Between Fedora 36 and Fedora 45, the project has continued moving forward with improvements across its desktop experience, kernel, hardware support, package ecosystem, and development workflows.

Meanwhile, my own Linux journey took several turns.

I explored different distributions and desktop environments, including:

Ubuntu and Linux Mint

Fedora Workstation

Arch Linux

Garuda Linux

CachyOS

Omarchy

NixOS

I experimented with KDE Plasma, GNOME, tiling window managers, different kernels, NVIDIA drivers, gaming configurations, and various approaches to customizing a Linux workstation.

Some experiments worked beautifully. Others reminded me that troubleshooting Linux can occasionally become a full-time occupation.

The Arch and NixOS Chapters

Arch Linux taught me to appreciate control and understand what happens beneath the desktop.

CachyOS introduced me to performance-focused optimizations, while Omarchy gave me another perspective on a carefully configured desktop environment.

NixOS was another interesting chapter, particularly its declarative configuration approach.

Each distribution offered something different.

But somewhere along the way, I started thinking about Fedora again.

Returning to Fedora

My return to Fedora was not about declaring another distribution the winner.

It was about reconnecting with an ecosystem I had been part of since 2022.

I returned to Fedora 44 and subsequently moved to the Fedora 45 development stream, exploring KDE Plasma and comparing its desktop and graphics stack with the other distributions I had been using.

Coming back after so many releases gave me an opportunity to appreciate just how much the project had evolved.

More importantly, it reminded me that a Linux distribution is not simply an operating system.

It is also the people, maintainers, testers, developers, documentation writers, and contributors who make the ecosystem possible.

Fedora Is More Than a Distribution

Being a Fedora contributor changed how I looked at open source.

You begin to understand that the software you install every day is the result of thousands of people collaborating, reviewing, testing, fixing, and maintaining it.

That community aspect is something I have always valued.

Distro-hopping gave me technical exposure, but contributing to an open-source ecosystem gave me a different perspective.

I don't believe users need to remain loyal to one distribution forever.

Experimentation is part of what makes Linux interesting.

However, sometimes returning to an old community reminds you why you became interested in Linux in the first place.

What's Next?

I'm looking forward to continuing my Fedora journey, exploring its development, improving my understanding of the ecosystem, and staying involved with the community.

Ten releases have passed since Fedora 35.

Linux has changed. Fedora has changed. And I've changed too.

But my interest in open source remains.

Sometimes the best way forward is to revisit where your journey started.

See you in the Fedora community! 🐧