Open Source

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GNOME Software open on a Star Labs StarLite Linux tablet
These 5 immutable Linux distros solve problems Windows users don’t even know they have

A read-only system may sound limiting, but it will free you from dependency hell and irreversible mistakes.

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An amiga PC with keyboard, joystick, and mouse, along with some games.
These forgotten operating systems were decades ahead of their time

These systems had slick UIs, multiprocessor support, multitasking and MIDI. What happened?

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Stacked Raspberry Pi boards showing Ethernet and USB ports from the side.
Raspberry Pi is a terrible Linux desktop, but these 4 alternate SBCs deliver mini PC-level performance

The Pi is great, but it isn't perfect for every application.

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A monitor viewed at an angle displays an instant messenger conversation. Timestamped messages alternate between Graeme in blue and claude in red.
AOL killed AIM years ago, but I brought it back and put Claude on my buddy list

A nostalgic trip back to the turn of the century, but with a robot friend from the future.

A hand-drawn font on a MacBook Air created using the Draw Your Font Claude Code skill.
I turned my daughter's handwriting into a font with one free Claude Code skill

I failed to follow the instructions to the letter.

KitchenOwl mobile app opened and displaying grocery items.
These 4 open-source apps solved problems I didn't think software could fix

Hidden gems like these are why I love open-source so much.

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Notepad with How to Geek intro note resting on desk next to sticky notes and pen holder.
3 brilliant free, open-source (FOSS) apps students should try this weekend (Aug 14–16)

Free, open-source software that does more for your studies than most paid apps.

LibreOffice Calc open to a blank spreadsheet on a laptop.
Stop paying for Adobe, Microsoft, or Mathematica—these free open-source alternatives will get you through college

Discover budget-friendly apps that handle symbolic math, image edits, document compatibility, and video editing so you can focus on coursework.

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Audiobookshelf, Nextcloud, and Jellyfin open in a three-split Zen browser window.
4 Docker containers I'm setting up before the new school year

I ditched Google Drive and Trello for these 4 Docker containers before the new school year.

Mailspring, Portmaster, LM Studio, Syncthing, Zen browser, brave browser, Super Productivity, KDE Connect, running on a Windows 11 PC.
8 underrated free apps I always install on all my PCs

Some useful apps fly under the radar, but installing them can completely change how you use your computer.

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UserLand on Pixel 9 Pro XL-1
UserLAnd gives you a real Linux distro on Android—without Termux's compromises

Termux is nice, but what if you want... More?

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A laptop on a wooden table with the BSD logo on the screen and a blurred devil in the foreground looking to the laptop.
6 BSDs worth trying instead of Linux

There's more to open-source OSes than Linux distros.

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An image of a desktop PC running Zorin OS with Google Chrome anZorin's Start menu is open.
These 3 Linux distros make leaving Windows feel natural

Zorin OS, Linux Mint, and Kubuntu all ease the move from Windows, but each one is better suited to a different kind of user.

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Tux, the Linux mascot, using a laptop in front of Cinnamon desktop mountains logo.
5 apps new Linux users should install on day one

Installing Linux is only half the job—you've got to set it up to accommodate your workflow as well.

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A PC monitor with a Linux terminal open showing the FastFetch output for Fedora.
If I were starting over with Linux, here's why I'd choose Fedora

Why Fedora is a Linux dev's favorite, and the daily driver of Linus himself.

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File Converter open in Windows 11 right-click context menu.
File Converter is the right-click menu upgrade every Windows user should install

File Converter makes a daily chore a two-click activity instead.

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Phone running LineageOS leaning against a box on a wooden side table.
LineageOS proves you don't need AI to make Android feel premium

A phone is classier without an AI button.

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The CLI for the rembg background removal tool.
I replaced Photoshop's AI background remover with this free open-source alternative

One more subscription service gone for good.

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A Home Assistant sticker sitting on top of a large analog clock.
Home Assistant's big improvements mean it's time to give the smart home platform a second chance

Home is where the smart is.

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A Kubuntu Focus laptop screen with the Yakuake terminal emulator for Linux visible and an APT package manager ugprade in progress.
I spent 15 years memorizing terminal commands the hard way—here’s what actually works

If you’re a beginner, it may take years before you encounter these simple tricks. In five minutes, I can make you better.

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