In a previous article, I discussed the evolution of software installation on Linux, beginning with the early days of compiling software from compressed packages known as tarballs. Red Hat developed the package managers yum and later dnf, while Debian introduced apt. Other distributions, such as Arch, use pacman, and Suse employs Zypper and Yast. Although … Read more
In the early days of Linux, installing software applications was much more difficult. Most software was not distributed in easy-to-install packages. I frequently had to download source code, which usually came as a ‘tar’ file that had to be extracted and then compiled to run on the system. There was usually a four-step process which … Read more
A couple of weeks ago, while volunteering at the public library, a patron came in with a laptop. He was trying to reinstall Windows 11 but was having trouble installing the wireless driver. He asked for my help. I found the laptop’s model and serial number and searched online, which indicated that it had a … Read more
I have done a lot of distro hopping and continue to experiment with different Linux distributions. I started with Linux before Fedora or Ubuntu existed. The first distribution I really explored was Red Hat 6.1, back in 1999. At that time, it used the LILO bootloader, and the distribution was available on CD-ROM. I installed … Read more
The first Linux CD I bought in the mid-1990s was Red Hat 5.0. It came with a book that claimed you could learn Linux in twenty-four hours—or maybe it was a week—but in any case, that seemed unrealistic. Before diving into the Linux learning curve, I had some experience with MS-DOS and, prior to that, … Read more
One of the questions I often receive from people I talk to is, “Why should I use Linux?” Let’s be honest—most department stores and online retailers are selling Windows machines from various vendors. Most of our neighbors use Windows, and while many people have Android phones, which run Linux in their pockets, very few use … Read more
In 2026, privacy isn’t a niche concern — it’s a daily negotiation. Every device, every app, every operating system wants a piece of your data. Windows and macOS increasingly tie core features to cloud accounts, telemetry, and background analytics. Linux stands out because it flips that relationship: instead of your computer watching you, you decide … Read more
Desktop Linux has been prematurely declared “dead” more times than can be counted. The operating system continues to evolve, adapting to the changing technological landscape and meeting user needs. With a diverse range of distributions and a passionate community behind it, Desktop Linux remains a vital option for many individuals and organizations seeking flexibility, customization, … Read more
I just finished volunteering at the local library, where five Dell Optiplex All-in-One computers were replaced by several newer All-in-One PCs running Windows 11. The library’s tech support does not support Linux, so the older PCs, which have i5 CPUs and 8 GB of RAM, were deemed obsolete. These Dell computers were manufactured in January … Read more
Recently, I came across a blog post about the latest release of Plasma KDE Neon, and it piqued my curiosity. I decided to download the KDE user edition, which is approximately 3.2 GB. I created a live USB installation stick and inserted it into one of the USB ports on my Dell Latitude 7410 laptop. … Read more
