this post was submitted on 17 Jun 2025
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Do you suffer from software nostalgia? (lemmy.curiana.net)
submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net to c/linux@programming.dev
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I just got a new laptop, put Debian 13 on it, installed Plasma, started configuring all the tools. Everything works great but when I get to set up the screensaver I realize it's Wayland. So no xscreensaver. So no IFS.

I had those fractals welcoming me when my computer wakes up probably for 20 years now. Now I'm supposed to just setup normal lock screen and move on? Nope. xdm, .xsessionrc, xscreensaver. Now it feels like home again.

But it's stupid, right? Just use new tools. They have more features. Better integrations. I'm still thinking about switching back to Wayland...

So, do you suffer from software nostalgia (a term I just made up)? Do you stick to good old tools even when the modern replacements are better? Or do you always chase the latest tools without looking back?

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[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 27 points 1 day ago (3 children)

No chat service has felt as good to use as mIRC. I don't care about voice, video, stickers or other bullshit. I want to chat and have scripts telling people what music I am listening to on WinAmp. 😩

[–] swizzlestick@feddit.uk 9 points 1 day ago

mIRC the client, IRC the service/protocol. Espernet was my old home.

I utterly loved that client too, and it was my first foray into scripting. So much customisation, slap scripts, trivia bots etc etc. The da-da-da-da-ding of new connections and private messages....

Then of course there was XDCC for obtaining a whole plethora of media & games...

[–] miss_demeanour@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 day ago

ahhh...the undernet......

[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago

Same, but for irssi

[–] lnxtx@feddit.nl 2 points 17 hours ago

KDE Plasma 5.27.5, color selector, from... Windows 95 era?

[–] ramijames@programming.dev 16 points 1 day ago

No, I suffer from current software.

[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 17 points 1 day ago

Winamp. Because it really whips the llamas ass.

[–] Sev@fed.nullterra.org 6 points 1 day ago

I use modern tools but my workflow's still almost entirely CLI/TUI based where possible. I get the benefits of modern ergonomics and tech improvements but it still "feels like" the good old days so I refuse to "move on" from it. I don't know if I'd call that nostalgia but I often still get those same feelings of discovery and wonderment like back in the 90s going on the "information super highway".

Hmm, might need to find a good CLI fediverse client. We all yearn for the days of usenet and IRC. I think it's less about aesthetics and more about a return to virtual spaces that we own and not hosted by corporate interests.

[–] swelter_spark@reddthat.com 2 points 20 hours ago

Nothing wrong with preferring something you're familiar with and know meets your needs. I enjoy trying out new programs, but I end up using whatever meets my needs the best whether it's new or old.

[–] miss_demeanour@lemmy.dbzer0.com 11 points 1 day ago

I cry myself to sleep remembering how great WordPerfect 3 was...

[–] cerement@slrpnk.net 3 points 23 hours ago

Alpine Linux 3.22 introduced the 2019 patch to use TER16x32 console font – it’s not a bad font, but yeah: fbcon=font:VGA8x16

[–] Eat_Your_Paisley@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I do not and I really do prefer Wayland

[–] ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net 2 points 21 hours ago

I gave it a try but plasma doesn't even support independent virtual desktop on multiple screens. Sometimes the old tools are just better. It's back to awesome for me. And xscreensaver!

[–] supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 5 points 1 day ago

No, literally never

[–] Goten@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago

i suffer from all the dumb software that we still have to use. i dream of brain-machine-interfaces xD

[–] orionsbelt@midwest.social 1 points 1 day ago

i suffer.

[–] katze@lemmy.cafe 1 points 1 day ago

No.