Pika is slightly different in how it stores data (since it does incremental backups, can do encryption, etc.) but as far as restoring data is concerned it’s pretty much the same as copying files to a different drive.

I haven’t used Timeshift for a while. On closer inspection they do say “Timeshift is designed to protect system files and settings. It is NOT a backup tool and is not meant to protect user data.”

So I guess it’s the opposite of Pika. Timeshift backs up your system, Pika backs up your user data.

Timeshift can do both if you want it to though, by going into Users tab and selecting Include Everything, then removing any Filters.

I haven’t used Timeshift to restore data, but going by their Github page it looks like it restores everything to where it was before. So the restore process (in case your OS drive dies, for instance) might be to install your OS, install Timeshift, then select Restore. It’ll restore your previous user, settings, etc. Then you reboot for the restored data to appear.

Do I reinstall the whole system, install Pika, point it at its old backup folder and have it restore? If so, what does it actually restore? Does it originally back up apps, their data and whatever I have in my home folder, then it restores all of that to the new system? Or does it only back my config files and home folder?

Pika backup is made for backing up files, rather than a full system. By default it only includes your home folder, and excludes things like cache folders. Per their Github: “Pika Backup is designed to save your personal data and does not support complete system recovery.”

The file restoration feature is more like plugging in a USB drive with files stored on it. Pika backup mounts your backup as if it were an external drive, then allows you to copy your files from it.

You might want to consider a system backup tool like Timeshift instead. That seems like a closer match for what you’re describing.

You could try Bluefin (Gnome) or Aurora (KDE). https://projectbluefin.io/ It’s an immutable OS based on Fedora. They have a developer version with certain developer tools pre-installed. The development environment is largely based around containers and virtual environments. eg. Using DevPod to run your software projects within developer containers instead of installing the tools directly on your host operating system.

I haven’t used the Modos Paper Monitor. Not even sure if it’s actually for sale.

You could look at the Dasung Paperlike monitors though. Or the Onyx Boox Mira. They should be much the same (ie. they’re e-ink monitors), though they are quite expensive. They’ve been out for years, so there are plenty of videos, reviews, second hand units, etc. out there.

I have one of the Onyx Boox Mira monitors (the 13" one). It’s a bit small and cost more than I’d like, but it has helped with eye strain as someone who works on a computer all day. Speed isn’t an issue. It’s plenty fast for anything except watching videos or gaming. The main caveat with any e-ink monitor is that it’s black and white, so you’ll need to tweak things on your PC to get a good experience. That usually means putting things in light mode or high contrast mode.

I have a Mac Mini M1 and Asahi Linux works very well on it. Pretty much everything I use already has an aarch64 version. The IDE I was using doesn’t, so I switched to the JetBrains equivalent, which does work on ARM.

The one big letdown is that displayport doesn’t work. Only HDMI does. But going by your other comments you’re using a macbook rather than a mac mini, so that might not matter to you.

I’m sure it’ll only be a matter of time before they realize their oversight though. So thank you in advance for the powershell script ;)

I wound up installing the “Move Mouse” software to keep Microsoft Teams active. Seems to do the trick.

I used to show up as idle a lot because I have communications stuff like Teams on my (very slow, old, underpowered) work-owned laptop, and I do my actual work from my home PC. So the more I’m working, the less likely I am to show up as being active on Teams. But managers don’t understand logic. They only understand a little green check next to your name. So… Move Mouse it is.