emacs.dz VS awesome-emacs

I also want to add that there is a large list of personal Emacs configs out there that you can take inspiration from https://github.com/caisah/emacs.dz

You could also scour emacs config files, probably of the classic variety, for inspiration.

I found this kinda of directory of configs, maybe it can be helpful: https://github.com/caisah/emacs.dz - I'm not sure if they're beginner-friendly, but some seem to be well documented, at least from a quick look.

There's also emacs configurations list

I think a nice overview is at https://github.com/caisah/emacs.dz

There are lots of other "starter kits". There are also lots of Emacs users who have posted their configurations. In some cases, they won't work directly for you, but might give some inspirations. Others are more like starter kits. Here's one list: starter packs and config files. However, I can't vouch for any of them, and they may be built on their own set of unusual assumptions that you don't like but can't figure out how to disable. Some might only work with older versions of some packages. Some might only work in the latest, pre-release versions of Emacs. Etc.

This might provide an interesting resource to reference: https://github.com/caisah/emacs.dz

“A community driven list of useful Emacs packages, libraries and other items.” https://github.com/emacs-tw/awesome-emacs

I've used emacs for about the same (started with microemacs in the 80s). I also had an extremely crufty init.el and recently decided to start over. I compared 19 emacs distributions (from this list and this r/emacs post). I looked at

But, to be honest, I think it simply is not for everyone. But sure one thing is lacking (as far as I know): a metatutorial. Like a big "chart" telling people what can be done with Emacs (with a few examples), something like https://github.com/emacs-tw/awesome-emacs for newcomers.

Awesome-emqcs is a great resource for knowing what packages are there: https://github.com/emacs-tw/awesome-emacs

For packages, Checking what people in the community commonly use, such as in https://github.com/emacs-tw/awesome-emacs/ or checking packages for review in Doom Emacs helps a lot in selection. There are also great guides, such as Kristoffer Balintona's https://kristofferbalintona.me/categories/guides/. Personally, my bias in selecting packagges is towards the ones that integrate well with built-in Emacs functionalities. I could provide you a list if you want.

Take it slowly, check some packages that seem like they might be useful to you: (check https://github.com/emacs-tw/awesome-emacs out for example).

Awesome Emacs for utility-oriented packages

Awesome Emacs, a community driven list of useful Emacs packages, utilities and libraries