New to Linux, running Debian (if that matters), dot files are configuration files, yes? Do I need to explore each app/UI/program to figure out the possible options? Are there any universals in Linux? Across distros?
Thanks!
Dot (.) files are hidden files/folders. Config files, for the most part, are located in the users home/.config folder. You should be spending very little time, if any, in that folder.
You should be spending very little time, if any, in that folder.
Hahaha, tell that to https://lemmy.ml/c/unixporn
Hi there! Looks like you linked to a Lemmy community using a URL instead of its name, which doesn’t work well for people on different instances. Try fixing it like this: !unixporn@lemmy.ml
You should be spending very little time, if any, in that folder.
I know what you mean, but man if this isn’t the exact opposite of me. If the program doesn’t store its config here I’m close to crusading.
~/.config really makes life a lot easier when backing up your dotfiles.
The standard is to have dotfiles in your ~/.config folder, however not all apps follow that.
Some apps dump their config files in your home, others only have files in /etc or /usr and you have to copy them yourself to modify them
If you use one of the standard graphical desktops (Gnome, KDE, …) you don’t need to explore all of the config files. The most important settings should be in a settings program.
And programs should (mostly) come with sane default settings anyways. Debian adds a few. So the usual way (for beginners) is to start with the defaults and change around stuff once you want to customize something, and starting with the software you use the most (like an text editor, …). The standard GUI software (like your browser, LibreOffice) has GUI settings dialogues anyways.
.bashrc in your home folder is pretty universal. It’s basically just stuff that gets run when you log into your shell, very useful. Set up some aliases and bash customization.
It doesn’t need to be (specifically) configuration files – you can add scripts as well. A script that installs every package you need and remove/mask the ones you do not, for example. Which can make a 30 minute long experience become a 3 one.
