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Ten ways to use open source everyday

Many people don’t realize the abundance of free and open-source resources available online. Here are some of my favorite open-source tools across different categories, designed to enhance your daily life, work, and digital experience.

Browsers

Firefox stands out as a privacy-conscious and open-source browser. Chromium is another open-source browser that was developed at Google.

Web Privacy

To enhance your online privacy, consider using uBlock Origin, an open-source browser extension that effectively blocks advertisements and neutralizes privacy invasion. Privacy Badger, maintained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, is another excellent option that automatically learns to block invisible trackers.

Password Management

Secure passwords are crucial for online safety. Bitwarden helps you generate strong, unique passwords for each website and securely store them in the cloud, accessible across various devices via browser plugins, desktop applications, and mobile apps.

Messaging

Signal is a highly recommended platform for secure messaging on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. It utilizes your existing mobile number and offers robust encryption to protect your communications.

Office Tools

LibreOffice is a powerful and free open-source office suite that serves as an excellent alternative to commercial options. Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, it allows you to own your documents without needing expensive software.

Blog Builder

WordPress is a versatile and popular open-source blogging engine suitable for sharing opinions, creating low-cost writing platforms for students, or establishing a business web presence.

Media Repository

When creating content, OpenClipart provides a wealth of images in various formats that you can quickly and legally share. Additionally, Creative Commons Search Portal helps you search CC-licensed works across multiple platforms and offers licensing options that simplify sharing while ensuring proper attribution.

Video Conferencing

Jitsi and Big Blue Button have transformed online interaction and learning for virtual meetings and conferences.

Educational Resources

Open educational resources (OER) such as OER Commons and MIT OpenCourseWare provide openly licensed content for various educational levels. OpenStax offers peer-reviewed textbooks that are openly licensed and available for free.

Podcast Tools

If you’re interested in podcasting, Audacity is a user-friendly, multi-track audio editor and recorder available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, and other operating systems. It is free and open-source software.. Open Broadcaster Software is another great tool for live streaming and video recording. OBS works on Windows, MacOS or Linux.

Conclusion

Incorporating open-source software into your daily routine can be both empowering and rewarding. These tools provide powerful features and customization options while fostering community and collaboration. By embracing open source, you gain control over your digital experience, support innovation, and contribute to a global movement committed to making software free and accessible for all.

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Unlocking the power of Linux

My initial reaction to Linux was that I did not fully understand its range of tools. At that time, I was the technology director for a small K-12 public school district with limited resources but a growing number of classrooms, learning labs, and administrative offices. I came from a social science background, and although I was willing to learn, I was acutely aware of how little I knew. It did not take too long to understand what powerful tools enabled me to discover our network and learn the intricacies of TCP/IP.

Here’s a list of ten tools that became a significant part of my repertoire. I used them to teach others about network computing and the power of Linux.

The ping command is one of the most frequently used by sysadmins. It utilizes ICMP packets to verify whether two machines are connected.

$ ping 192.168.86.1

I learned that I could also ping a domain. 

$ ping donwatkins.info

The traceroute command displays the route from your current machine to the remote server/system, showing each hop along the way.

$ traceroute donwatkins.info

Traceroute can identify the network path, detect latency, locate network issues, and visualize network topology. Here is the result of the traceroute command:

1   192.168.1.1  1.114ms  0.234ms  0.125ms 
2   67.252.48.1  21.260ms  12.357ms  20.123ms 
3   24.58.217.101  29.425ms  32.921ms  32.608ms 
4   24.58.38.176  10.866ms  11.450ms  10.017ms 
5   24.58.32.62  25.848ms  25.377ms  15.594ms 
6   66.109.6.2  24.275ms  *  30.399ms

The mtr command is a combination of ping and traceroute. It is used to track for packet loss. MTR is a versatile and dynamic tool that provides sysadmins with valuable insights into network performance and helps them identify and resolve issues efficiently. 

$ mtr donwatkins.info

You can use the ifconfig tool to find your IP address. It provides TCP/IP information for all your network addresses, including the loopback address. 

$ ifconfig

The netstat (network statistics) command-line tool provides detailed information about network connections, routing tables, interface statistics, masquerade connections, and multicast memberships on a system. If you want to see all the network activity on your system, consider using the following command. 

$ netstat -a

If you are looking for DNS information, dig is the tool you should use. It is a flexible tool for interrogating DNS name servers. It performs DNS lookups and displays the answers returned from the name server(s) that were queried.

$ dig donwatkins.info

One of my favorite tools for discovering what traffic is coming across my network is tcpdump. It is a powerful command-line packet analyzer used for network traffic monitoring and analysis. It captures and displays the packets being transmitted or received over your network. You need administrative privileges to run the command. 

$ sudo tcdump

The whois command queries databases that store registered domain names and related information. This command is useful if you need information about a specific domain, such as its registrar.

$ whois donwatkins.info

If you are looking for a powerful and versatile tool for network discovery and security auditing, then Nmap is for you. It can discover devices on a network, identify their IP addresses, and collect information about them, creating a detailed network inventory. Be sure to check the Nmap project website for excellent documentation on its use. I use nmap to scan my router to check for open ports. 

$ nmap 192.168.1.1

One of my favorite network monitoring tools is ntopng. It is a web-based application for monitoring network traffic released under the GPLv3 license. Ntopng is the modern version of the original tool, ntop, created by Luca Deri in 1998. It has been significantly improved in performance, usability, and features.

I am a graphical learner, and Etherape helped me visualize TCP/IP traffic across our network. Etherape is easy to install on either .deb or .rpm based systems. 

$ sudo apt install etherape
or 
$ sudo dnf install etherape

Only an administrator can run Etherape, so you must add sudo to your command when executing it. 

$ sudo etherape

Be sure to consult the documentation and Linux manual pages for all these commands to explore all the different options open to you as a Linux system administrator.

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An Introduction to Krita: A Powerful Tool for Digital Artists

Welcome to the exciting world of digital art! Whether you are an experienced artist or a curious beginner, Krita is a name you should know. Developed by the KDE community, Krita is free and open-source digital painting software that has gained immense popularity in art. It has powerful features and is easy to use, with a user-friendly interface and extensive customization options.

What is Krita?

Krita is digital painting software designed for artists of all skill levels. Although I wouldn’t consider myself a well-known digital artist, Krita allows me to easily create high-quality graphics for my presentations. It is available for download and installation on Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

Key Features

Customizable brushes: One of Krita’s standout features is its extensive collection of brushes. With over 100 preloaded brushes and the ability to customize and create your own, you have endless possibilities.
Layers and masks: Krita features a powerful layer system that enables non-destructive editing, allowing artists to experiment and refine their artwork easily. Additionally, masks let you apply effects or adjustments to specific areas without changing the original layer. This level of flexibility is a significant advantage for artists who enjoy fine-tuning their work.
Intuitive Interface: Krita’s user interface is designed with artists in mind. It’s clean, intuitive, and highly customizable. You can arrange your workspace to suit your preferences, ensuring all your essential tools are within easy reach.
Advanced color management: Krita offers a variety of color spaces and profiles for artists who need precise color accuracy. Whether you’re working on a project for print or digital display, Krita’s advanced color management tools ensure your colors appear exactly as intended.
Animation capabilities: Krita provides animation features along with its powerful painting tools. Users can create traditional hand-drawn animations utilizing the timeline and onion-skinning tools.

Screen picture by Don Watkins CC by SA 4.0

Community and Resources

One of Krita’s best aspects is its vibrant and supportive community and excellent documentation. Numerous tutorials, forums, and resources are available to help you get started and enhance your skills. The Krita website is a valuable source of information, providing user guides, tutorials, and galleries that showcase stunning artwork created with Krita.

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Ventoy: The Ultimate Multi-Boot USB Tool

Giving friends and neighbors a bootable USB drive containing your favorite Linux distribution is a great way to introduce neophyte Linux users to the experience we all enjoy. Many people have never heard of Linux, and putting your favorite distribution on a bootable USB drive is a great way to break the ice.

I taught an introductory computer class to a group of middle schoolers a few years ago. We used old laptops, and I introduced the students to Fedora, Ubuntu, and Pop!_OS. When the class was over, I gave each student a copy of their favorite distribution to take home and install on a computer of their choice. They were eager to try their new skills at home.

A friend introduced me to Ventoy, which (according to its GitHub repository) is “an open-source tool to create bootable a USB drive for ISO/WIM/IMG/VHD(x)/EFI files.” Instead of creating separate drives for each Linux distribution I want to share, I can make a single drive with all my favorite Linux distributions on the drive!

As you might expect, a USB drive’s size determines how many distributions you can fit on it. On a 16GB drive, I placed Fedora Cinnamon and Fedora KDE Plasma and still have over nine gigabytes free to hold other distributions.

Get Ventoy

Ventoy is open source, with a GPL v3 license, and available for Windows and Linux. There is excellent documentation on downloading and installing Ventoy on Microsoft Windows. The Linux installation happens from the command line, so it can be a little confusing if you’re unfamiliar with that process. Yet, it’s easier than it might seem.

First, download Ventoy. I downloaded the archive file to my desktop. Next, extract the ventoy-x.y.z-linux.tar.gz archive (but replace x.y.z with your download’s version number) using the tar command (to keep things simple, I use the * character as an infinite wildcard in the command):

$ tar -xvf ventoy*z

This command extracts all the necessary files into a folder named ventoy-x.y.z on my desktop.

You can also use your Linux distribution’s archive manager to accomplish the same task. After downloading and extracting, you can install Ventoy to your USB drive.

Install Ventoy and Linux on a USB

Insert your USB drive into your computer. Change the directory into the Ventoy folder, and look for a shell script named Ventoy2Disk.sh. For this script to work correctly, you must determine the correct mount point for your USB drive. 

$ lsblk

The results show that my USB drive is mounted at /dev/sda. On your computer, the location could be /dev/sdb or /dev/sdc or something similar.

Once you’re sure of your drive’s location, run the script:

$ sudo sh Ventoy2Disk.sh -i /dev/sdX

This formats the drive and installs Ventoy to your USB. Now, you can copy and paste all the Linux distributions that will fit on the drive. If you boot the newly created drive on your computer, you’ll see a menu with the distributions you have copied to your USB drive.

Build a portable powerhouse

Picture by Don Watkins CC by SA 4.0

Ventoy is your key to carrying a multiboot drive on your keychain, so you’ll never be without the distributions you rely on. You can have a full-featured desktop, a lightweight distro, a console-only maintenance utility, and anything else you want.

I never leave the house without a Linux distro, nor should you. Grab Ventoy, a USB drive, and a handful of ISOs. You won’t be sorry.

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MyTop Five KDE Apps

I’ve been using Fedora 41 KDE Plasma for awhile now and I’ve already discovered some of the great available apps that I use daily. My top five are: Okular, Spectacle, Gwenview, Dolphin and Konsole.

Okular is a versatile and powerful document viewer. It supports many document formats, including PDF, EPUB, DjVu, and Markdown, as well as image formats like JPEG, PNG, and GIF. Okular has great annotation tools that make adding inline and popup notes and highlighting text easy. I can easily add my text to PDFs. Okular can speak the text if I choose that option. Okular is available on other platforms, including MacOS and Windows. It is open source with a GPL v2 license.

Spectacle is a simple yet powerful screen capture utility. I can capture the entire desktop or just a specified rectangle. I can easily copy and paste the image or save it by default to the ‘screenshots’ folder inside my ‘Pictures’ folder. I can also save images in various formats, including PNG, TIFF, JPEG, PCX, WebP, and many more. I can also annotate and edit screenshots before saving them. The spectacle is available on Linux with a GPL v2 license.

Gwenview is a user-friendly image viewer that includes many powerful tools. I can open images with a double-click, rotate them left or right, crop, flip, adjust colors, remove red-eye, and even annotate. I can view pictures in full-screen mode and even create a slideshow. Gwenview has a ‘Share’ option in the menu bar that lets me send images directly to Google Drive, NextCloud, Imgur or via Bluetooth to another device or user. Gwenview is open source with a GPL v2 license.

Dolphin is a powerful graphical file manager. Dolphin is packed with productivity features designed to save you time. With multiple tabs and split view capabilities, you can easily navigate multiple folders simultaneously, allowing for efficient drag-and-drop file operations between views. The right-click menu offers a plethora of quick actions, such as compressing, sharing, and duplicating files. You can even add your own custom actions for additional functionality. Dolphin is open source with a GPL v2 license.

Konsole is a terminal that runs a command shell. It’s easy to use. It supports a great deal of option with a right click that include tabs, multiple profiles, bookmarks support, saving output. It is available on macOS and Windows. It is open source with a GPL v2 license.

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Fedora 41 KDE Plasma: A Fusion of Performance and Elegance

It has been some time since I last enjoyed a Fedora spin. I began my journey with Fedora when it was first introduced in 2003, having previously used Red Hat Linux versions 7, 8, and 9. In my work for the Franklinville, New York school district, I utilized Fedora to develop content filters, data storage systems, and various other devices. Interestingly, during a trip to Portland, Oregon, I visited a school district that had adopted a Fedora-based Linux terminal server project.

During that trip, we were invited to the Portland Linux User Group, and that night they distributed CD-ROMs with Ubuntu 5.04, Hoary Hedgehog. At the time, I purchased a white-box laptop from a nearby custom builder, and I was having trouble getting its wireless card to work smoothly with Fedora. That particular version of Ubuntu just worked right out of the box. My workflow then revolved around Fedora, but I decided to make this Ubuntu distribution work—and I did.

Recently, after listening to Linux Unplugged and the rave reviews, Fedora 41 was getting along with positive reviews of KDE Plasma from Felim Whitley on Linux After Dark that I decided to download and try Fedora 41 KDE Plasma.

I downloaded the ISO onto my Linux Mint Cinnamon daily driver and created the live USB drive with Fedora. I took a spare Dell Latitude 5410 that I had, and in about ten minutes, I had a Fedora KDE Plasma installed. I have used Kubuntu, and long before that, I had experienced the K-Desktop and decided I liked Gnome better. You could say I was prejudiced. But that prejudice was overcome by the design and layout of this particular Fedora spin.

I have used many Linux distributions since installing Red Hat 6.1 in the late 1990s. I’ve consistently been a Linux Mint Cinnamon user since 2020. Mint Cinnamon is still running on my main machine. Nonetheless, I found this version of Fedora compelling. The workflow is very similar to Mint Cinnamon—the location of the main menu and the panel where I can launch frequently used applications. I have complained about the mirrors supporting Fedora in the past and found mirrors for Ubuntu more responsive. That situation seems to have changed for Fedora.

I have found Fedora’s software center helpful and have installed applications from there. I have also used ‘dnf’ to install applications from the command line. The installation times have been great. I love Fedora’s implementation of Wayland and PipeWire. I also installed Cronopete, which is my go-to backup utility for Linux. I don’t know whether it is the Dell or Fedora, but I have found using my Soundcore Bluetooth headphones easier. I added my Brother multifunction color laser quickly with no additional software installation necessary. I enjoy this version of Fedora.

I’m still kicking the tires. I’m familiar with many software choices and learning to use new KDE software like Gwenview and Spectacle. The beauty of Linux and open source is that so many choices and options don’t exist in proprietary software.

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ActivityPub is revolutionizing social media

I have been a Mastodon user for nearly six years. I started on Fosstodon and have since moved to Mastodon. social but that’s unimportant because both Mastodon instances are connected with the ActivityPub protocol. ActivityPub is a protocol created for decentralized social networking which enables seamless communication between different servers. I can make a post on Fosstodon that is shared across the entire Fediverse regardless of which instance I shared it. This enables sharing across multiple platforms without having each function as a walled garden. That is the vision of ActivityPub.

This gives users more control and freedom over their social media experience. Instead of being confined to a single platform, ActivityPub allows users to interact across interconnected services. You can easily connect and communicate with others whether you are on Mastodon, Peertube, Pixelfed, or any service that implements ActivityPub.

ActivityPub empowers users to host their servers, ensuring data privacy and ownership. ActivityPub provides the opportunity to move to a more open, user-centric internet where a few large corporations do not hold control.

In addition to my accounts on Mastodon that communicate with each other with ActivityPub, I also have an account on Pixelfed, and this blog connects to the Fediverse with the ActivityPub protocol so that every time I add a new blog post, it is shared to the broader federated network. That is because there is an ActivityPub plugin for WordPress.

Here’s a list of ActivityPub services along with descriptions of their functionalities:

For a complete list of services and sites that ActivityPub enables, consult this curated list and join the Fediverse.

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My Favorite Linux and Open Source Podcasts

I spend a lot of time on the road or walking around my village and enjoy listening to podcasts about various topics. One of my interests is keeping up with the latest news and information about Linux and open source, and that led me to Jupiter Broadcasting, an open-source (both in topics covered and its license) podcasting network. I met Jupiter’s cofounder Chris Fisher when I visited System76 headquarters in 2018.

I am a regular listener to Linux Unplugged, billed as “Your Weekly Linux Talk Show.” Each week, Chris Fisher is joined by Brent Gervais and Wes Payne to discuss the latest developments in Linux and open source. I learn something new with every show, including great show notes with links to all topics covered in the shows. All the shows are released with Creative Commons share-alike licenses.

Jupiter Broadcasting has a family of shows, which includes Coder Radio, which is a weekly show about software development. The network also produces another of my favorite podcasts, Self Hosted which features hosts Chris Fisher and Alex Kretzschmar as they share their experience with self hosting and guide you through their latest adventures. In the show they chat about innovative software and cutting-edge hardware to optimize your network, manage smart devices, and ensure the security of your data on cloud services.

Late Night LInux is a family of shows started by producer Joe Ressington. The Late NIght Linux family includes Late Night Linux, 2.5 Admins, Linux After Dark, Linux Matters, Linux Dev Time, Hybrid Cloud and Ask the Hosts.

All the shows are great, and I started listening to Late Night Linux about five years ago. I look forward each week to engaged conversations and rollicking good times with host Joe Ressington, joined by Sysadmin Felim,  technical writer Graham, and engineering manager Will as they delve into the latest developments and releases in the world of free and open-source software. They also tackle broader issues and trends with a candid approach. Expect colorful language, strong opinions, and ribbing aimed at Félim over AI and the cloud.

2.5 Admins has become another favorite since it debuted. Each week features two sysadmins called Allan Jude and Jim Salter and Joe Ressington, producer/editor who can just about configure a Samba share.

Linux After Dark is another favorite. On each show, Sysadmin Chris Pearse, cloud consultant Gary, and developer/admin May join Joe to talk about their recent Linux-related experiences and discuss some of the more philosophical aspects of being a Linux user.

All the Late Night Linux family podcasts are released with Creative Commons share-alike licenses.

Immersing yourself in Linux and open-source podcasts is a fantastic way to stay updated, learn from experts, and connect with a passionate community. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer, these podcasts offer invaluable insights, tips, and stories that can help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of open-source technology.

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Echoes of the Land: Indigenous Names Across the United States

Influential Individuals advocate for alterations to the traditional names of well-known landmarks on our maps. I reside on land that the Haudenosaunee people initially owned. I requested from ChatGPT a list of U.S. geographic locations with names originating from indigenous languages, including their meanings, where possible.

States

  1. Alabama – From the Choctaw word Albaamo, meaning “thicket-clearers” or “tribal town.”
  2. Alaska – From the Aleut word Aláxsxaq, meaning “mainland” or “great land.”
  3. Arizona – Likely derived from the O’odham word ali ṣona-g, meaning “small spring.”
  4. Connecticut – From the Algonquian word Quinnehtukqut, meaning “long tidal river.”
  5. Dakota (North Dakota, South Dakota) – From the Sioux word Dakota, meaning “allies” or “friends.”
  6. Illinois – From the French adaptation of the Algonquian word iliniwek, meaning “tribe of superior men.”
  7. Iowa – From the Dakota Sioux word Ayuhwa, meaning “sleepy ones.”
  8. Kansas – From the Kansa (or Kaw) tribe, meaning “people of the south wind.”
  9. Massachusetts – From the Massachusett tribe, meaning “at the large hill” or “near the great hill.”
  10. Michigan – From the Ojibwe word mishigamaa, meaning “large water” or “large lake.”
  11. Minnesota – From the Dakota word Mnisota, meaning “cloudy water.”
  12. Missouri – From a Siouan word, likely meaning “people of the big canoes.”
  13. Nebraska – From the Otoe word Ñí Brásge, meaning “flat water,” referring to the Platte River.
  14. Ohio – From the Seneca word Ohi:yo’, meaning “good river” or “large creek.”
  15. Oklahoma – From the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning “red people.”
  16. Tennessee – From the Cherokee town name Tanasi, meaning uncertain but possibly “meeting place.”
  17. Texas – From the Caddo word taysha, meaning “friends” or “allies.”
  18. Utah – From the Ute tribe, meaning “people of the mountains.”

Rivers and Bodies of Water

  1. Mississippi River – From the Ojibwe word Misi-ziibi, meaning “great river.”
  2. Missouri River – Derived from the tribal name, meaning “big canoe people.”
  3. Ohio River – From the Seneca word Ohi:yo’, meaning “good river.”
  4. Chattahoochee River (Georgia) – From the Creek words chatta (rock) and hoochee (marked), meaning “painted rock.”
  5. Potomac River – From the Algonquian word Patawomeke, meaning “river of swans” or “trading place.”
  6. Susquehanna River – From the Lenape word Siskëwahane, meaning “muddy river.”

Mountains and Valleys

  1. Appalachian Mountains – From the Apalachee tribe, meaning “people on the other side.”
  2. Shenandoah Valley (Virginia) – Believed to mean “daughter of the stars” in Algonquian.
  3. Teton Mountains (Wyoming) – From the Lakota word Tihtaŋka, meaning “big breast.”

Cities and Other Areas

  1. Chicago (Illinois) – From the Miami-Illinois word shikaakwa, meaning “wild onion” or “wild garlic.”
  2. Seattle (Washington) – Named after Chief Si’ahl (Chief Seattle) of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes.
  3. Tucson (Arizona) – From the O’odham word Cuk Ṣon, meaning “black base” (of the mountains).
  4. Milwaukee (Wisconsin) – From the Algonquian word Millioke, meaning “good land” or “gathering place by the water.”
  5. Cheyenne (Wyoming) – From the Dakota word Šahíyena, meaning “red-talking people.”

National Parks and Natural Landmarks

  1. Yosemite (California) – From the Miwok word Yohhe’meti, meaning “those who kill” (a name for a tribe).
  2. Denali (Alaska) – From the Koyukon Athabaskan word Deenaalee, meaning “the high one.”
  3. Acadia (Maine) – From the Mi’kmaq word akadie, meaning “place of abundance.”

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com

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Open Source: How to Get Involved and Make an Impact

Linux, LibreOffice, GnuCash, and Audacity are all open-source projects, meaning the folks who write the code and/or the documentation are usually not paid for it. It’s quite impressive when you think of it. In a day when nearly everything is monetized, open source is still free. I used open-source software for years before contributing anything, including money, to pay for the wealth of intellectual capital I used.

Platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket host many open-source projects. Many of the projects have communities around them. You can join forums, Slack channels, or mailing lists where you can interact with project maintainers to get a sense of where and how you could fit in. You need to decide what you want to get out of contributing. What are you interested in? What topics animate you? Are you just looking to improve your portfolio, or are you interested in enhancing a particular software stack?

Start small: Begin with smaller contributions like fixing bugs, writing documentation, or improving test coverage. This helps you get familiar with the project and its codebase.

Submit a Pull Request: Once you have made some changes, submit a pull request explaining what you have done and why it is functional.

Engage and Learn: Participate in discussions, review others’ PRs, and contribute regularly. This engagement will help you learn and grow within the community. Use resources like Github Skills or Get Started with Gitlab.

Stay Persistent: Contributing to open source is a learning process. Don’t get discouraged if your initial contributions are not accepted. Keep learning and improving.

Some open-source projects are designed to help newcomers contribute to open-source software development.

First Contributions – Make your first contribution in five minutes.

Awesome for Beginners – A list of awesome beginners-friendly projects.

Awesome for Non-programmers – A list of open-source projects where you can contribute without programming knowledge.

A-Z resources for students – Curated list of resources for college students