Yeah! Did that once, many years back. took a couple weeks. Used a ripper program that went out on the net and got all the metadata, saved to a HD (now on the third one). Put the CDs in Logic cases (no-wear), recycled the jewelboxes.

Over time, started to drop album folders into VLC, save the playlists, at ur fingertips.

Not until there hasn’t been any for a century. P.S. Best of luck.

I’d guess, with all the veterans living here, that the ‘near future’ isn’t so dangerous.

Me too. Especially more at home weatherwise that my old one. (Stayed too long … just becuz my ancestors made a mistake.)

When we humans are feeling powerless (usually, we’re right), we often do those things.

When we move somewhere else, for a while we’re relieved. Slowly we realize everywhere has problems.

Hmm. Sure, Vlad. Wait: how much will that pay, per child per month?

Guess not, Gnome desktops have nothing on them.

You can install Mint alongside Win in a dual-boot configuration … then you can switch to it to figure out the gaming situation. (You just need to learn how to do that dual-boot install carefully. I recommend reading in the LM forums to learn that: https://forums.linuxmint.com/ ) OR you can install LM on a second drive, as many have.

I think the last time I installed Mint (21.2) it DID create a swapfile. Don’t use it, so commented that out in /ETC/FSTAB.

When I started with Linux, I was happy to learn that I didn’t need a bunch of separate partitions, and have installed all-in-one (except for boot of course!) since. Whatever works fine for you (-and- is easiest) is the right way! (What you’re doing was once common practice, and serves just as well. No disadvantage in staying with the familiar.)

After I got up to 8GB memory, stopped using swap … easier on the hard drive -and- the SSD. (I move most data to the HD … including TimeShift … except what I use regularly.)

I use Mint as well; for me this keeps things as simple as possible. When I install a new OS version (always with the same XFCE DE) I do put THAT on a new partition (rather than try the upgrade route and risk damaging my daily driver) using the same UserName. A new Home is created within the install partition (does nothing but hold the User folder.)

To keep from having to reconfig -almost everthing- in the new OS all over again I evolved a system. First I verify that the new install boots properly, I then use a Live USB to copy the old User .config file (and the apps and their support folders I keep in user) to the new User folder. Saves hours of reconfiguring most things. The new up-to-date OS mostly resembles and works like the old one … without the upgrade risks.

I didn’t mention any problems I don’t have. I just don’t waste time on updates I don’t need. I already have the older one, and it works just fine. (Now and then I hear of a new version that’s better, and switch to it.)

Besides, we both know that sometimes updating Linux software does create problems … which is proven by the existence of Arch Wiki … and Debian stable … or force us to relearn some ‘improved’ features (prime example: KDE’s ‘Kate’ editor.) And don’t get me started on Gnome.

Anyway … so long as you’re enjoying yourself with Arch, good for you.

Oh yeah, I don’t doubt Arch is solid, just different strokes for different folks. I got a bunch of stable apps I use all day every day to get stuff done, including some coding and keep up. Solid OS for my needs, no racing stripes, does what I need -every- day. I invest my limited OS time in maintenance/backups.

I recently began moving to Mint 21 from 3 NO-TROUBLES years in 19.3. Install from ISO in 20 minutes, copy my apps & configs over, done. Just as with 19.3. No doubt about smooth sailing. Point releases every few months, done in 5 min. Support 4 more years.

Ubuntu’s updates keep up with Debian’s snail-like stable version. In over 10 years using Ubuntu-based distros, I’ve seen very few app updates … even between major updates.

Debian’s unstable may have more updates, I’d guess. (I might actually try Debian 12 soon.)

And there’s always the PPA route. I’m usually busy using current app versions, and so don’t often understand that ‘bleeding-edge’ approach (esp. with all the memory and cores we’ve got.)

Gotta admit that Arch is what keeps the Arch Wiki a super resource!

Not complaint but suggestion: When I get to the bottom of a column of msgs and click the NEXT button … page should scroll to the top!