Valnet Inc. on UNIX-based OSes Like SerenityOS, Clinging Onto Windows, Proxmox, and GNU/Linux

posted by Roy Schestowitz on Aug 19, 2025

• XDA ☛ This UNIX-based operating system looks like it's from the 90s, but it's still receiving updates

  First launched in 2018, the open-source SerenityOS offers its users a stripped-back GUI-based operating system that melds a 1990s desktop aesthetic with a focus on productivity for power users. It isn't Linux, but SerenityOS is a UNIX-like OS, built on a custom core and uses no licensed components. So, while it can run MP3s, other media and related codecs currently covered by licenses are not supported.

• Make Use Of ☛ Everyone Says Linux Is Better Than Windows, but I'm Not Buying It

  I’ve lived in Windows land my whole life, and every so often, I catch myself wondering if I should finally try Linux. But then, without fail, I remember why I haven’t taken the plunge. ​​​​​​

• XDA ☛ I'm staying on Windows, but I'm not happy about it [Ed: Sadistic tendencies]

  I've been experimenting with various Linux distros, and I've found Mint Linux and Zorin OS to be the most suitable for Windows-to-Linux converts. I’m also improving my skills as I continue my journey, much like I did with Windows. However, I haven’t made it my daily driver yet as I’m still working on tailoring it to my specific needs. I’ve used Mac enough to get around, and it’s pretty easy to figure out anything. The problem there is that I'd feel like I’m cheating on my wife. So, for now, I will keep limping along on Windows.

• XDA ☛ I found the perfect Proxmox backup system that is both safe and simple

  Backups are one of those things we all promise ourselves we’ll sort out later on, but that later never arrives. We set them up only when it’s too late — when an update messes things up, a dead drive breaks things down, or some random error keeps your system from booting. I have been there.

  I moved my secondary server to Proxmox to experiment with a bunch of things. That meant I ended up breaking something or the other almost every weekend, necessitating a solid backup strategy. If anything broke, I could quickly restore to the last saved point and get going without missing a beat. And for that, I needed a backup strategy that’s safe, cost-effective, and easy enough to run without becoming a chore.

  Turns out Proxmox already has everything you need to strike that balance. It did need a lot of tinkering, but I finally landed on a strategy that just works and stays on guard to save me from disasters.

• XDA ☛ This one simple Proxmox setting can improve virtual machine performance

  Setting up Proxmox Linux containers (LXC) and virtual machines (VMs) is what makes this hypervisor an invaluable tool for home labs. It's powerful, light, and fast, but there are a few tweaks one can make to make it even better. One is to enable community updates, unless you have a subscription, of course. But another may not be too obvious, especially if you're just starting out with your first Proxmox deployment. I'm talking CPU passthrough to VMs and how selecting the right one ("host") can improve performance.

• XDA ☛ The hidden risks of using Windows-lookalike Linux distros on your PC

  As Microsoft ends support for Windows 10, many PC owners are searching for alternatives that don’t require buying a new machine. Linux often enters the conversation because it’s free, secure, and works well on older hardware. Among the options, some distros are designed to look and act like Windows to make the switch feel seamless.

  While this might sound appealing, it’s not necessarily the best path for newcomers. The short-term comfort of a familiar interface can hide deeper issues that surface only after you’ve started using the system regularly. These problems often lead to frustration, wasted time, and, in some cases, abandoning Linux entirely.

• XDA ☛ I swapped my resource-hungry apps for terminal alternatives, and it changed everything

  I’ve been using Neovim as my main text editor for a couple of years now, starting back in my freshman year of university, and it’s easily one of my favorite apps of all time. If you are a computer science student or someone who codes a lot, it is worth checking out. For those unfamiliar, Neovim is essentially a modern fork of Vim, a minimal text editor that comes pre-installed on most UNIX-based systems, but with plenty of improvements and extra functionality.

  The biggest shift from most editors is how it changes the way you interact with text. Instead of clicking around to place your cursor, Neovim keeps you on the keyboard at all times, with every action performed through keybinds.

  You are not expected to take your hands off the keyboard, which I actually prefer. If you enjoy customizing your setup, you can also apply a wide range of themes and tweak the interface to look exactly how you want.