Some time back I switched to using a tiling window manager. After some time I started wondering "this can't be all, what else is possible?" All fatalities start from a question like that.

Then I took a stroll in unixporn. I've always known about it but was happy enough with my setup that I don't bother spending the time. But this time my qtile setup was just ugly (even though it works). So I was motivated to see what's possible from qtile users.

Turn out the entire pasttime is known as "ricing desktop" (don't ask why). From this point it's a demonstration of how powerful the original sin of envy is. Once I see how lacking my setup is compared to what's done by others, I have no choice but to pick a design and the bear the cost getting it to that level.

The most glaring thing I missed was the fact that in order to look and function well, the minimal tiling window manager needs to work with at least five or six more tools to get the desired result. When bundled together it's hardly minimal anymore.

The first thing I lacked was compositor, which I think is responsible for giving the desktop transparency and enabling any gaming at all. And then there is program launcher, wallpaper changer, color scheme manager, notification widget and so many more.

I have two choices of approach. I can pick a design I like, learn the tools and sculpture it step by step. Reaching the end goal here may take months. The upside are that I know the tools inside out; it's like building your own house, the fact that you're able to is an achievement by in and of itself. Hardcore gardeners would understand this.

The other choice is to take the complete dotfiles and install-scripts supplied by 'designers' and use them as is. Their script won't be perfect but I know enough to adjust it to my situation. I fall for the temptation. The gratification here is instant, I got my desktop up to shape in one day.

Unlike real world home makeover, I don't have to do it all over again when switching computer. All I need to be a good enough setup script to run in a fresh computer.

The desktop is more of a home to me than where my ass sits. It's the dojo where my mind and spirit reside most of the time. The comfort of the desktop home overrides the discomfort of unfamiliar meatspaces. Therefore it's unacceptable for me to settle for the same desktop design everyone uses, it needs to accommodate my quirks ultra specifically.