DistroSea – test distros with your browser!

At DistroSea, you can test drive 50+ operating systems with 500+ different versions.

All of these Linux distros can easily be tested on your web browser without making a live USB or installing on your personal computer.

This is truly an amazing platform; no login is needed, just “verify you’re human” and continue.

Visit DistroSea on your desktop/laptop:
https://distrosea.com/


The best Linux distros for beginners

The best Linux distros for beginners: Expert tested

The best Linux distros for beginners are as easy to use as MacOS or Windows – really!

With three decades of Linux experience, the author of the following article is ready to help you choose the version of Linux that will get you started on the right foot.

So, your journey will not only be as easy as possible but also fun, reliable, and safe.

The best Linux distros for beginners:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-linux-desktops-for-beginners/


Linux in Space

Did you know…

Linux is used by every major space programme in the world, including NASA and the ESA. Private space companies like SpaceX also leverage it, with the latter having completed 65 space missions (and counting) with the assistance of a fault-resistant Linux system in their powerful Falcon 9 rockets.

Hey, while we’re on subject, be sure to check out this story:
Meet the AI Astronaut Powered by Ubuntu


Back in 1984

Yeah, my Microsoft computing “career” started back in 1984, with the Beta release of MS-DOS 4. It was notable for its support of FAT16 hard disk partitions greater than 32 MB and the addition of the MS-DOS Shell.

This was before the release of MS-Windows, and thus, MS-DOS 4 was basically a file management system.

Subsequently, I suffered through Windows 1, 2, 3, 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, and the most criminally underrated operating system of all time – “Vista!”

However, I will say that Windows XP/Pro is probably one of the best Operating Systems ever released; when coupled with the MS Office programs, “Excel” and “Word” there was nothing that compared to the productivity that the MS suite offered.

But times change, and they did for the better, me thinks. Along came the Linux distributions that offered everything that Microsoft did – and more!

I’ve also experienced Windows 7, 8, and 10, (as they were installed on laptops that were purchased; of which their hard drives have been formatted and “Winblows” permanently erased) and boy am I ever glad that Linux distributions are available! as I really don’t know how anyone could be satisfied with today’s MS-Windows versions.

So, if you’re not already a Linux user, get going – start using a Linux distribution and start a new computing life.

You will never look back!


Ubuntu Pro – The most comprehensive subscription for open-source software security

Ubuntu Pro – The most comprehensive subscription
for open-source software security

Ubuntu Pro features:

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM)

Enable your developers. Upgrade at your own pace while keeping your whole stack secure.

ESM provides 10 years of vulnerability management for critical, high and selected medium CVEs for all software packages shipped with Ubuntu.

Learn more about ESM
https://ubuntu.com/esm

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Live kernel updates

Minimise downtime and unplanned reboots with patches for critical and high-severity kernel vulnerabilities.

64% of IT professionals spend more than 100 hours per year on unplanned work. Livepatch allows you to patch CVEs without rebooting machines outside of planned maintenance windows.

Discover Livepatch
https://ubuntu.com/livepatch

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Compliance and hardening

Reduce your operational risk with certified automation tools for hardening and compliance profiles, including CIS, DISA-STIG, FIPS 140, and Common Criteria.

Ubuntu Pro offers tooling to achieve and maintain compliance on-premise and on public clouds: AWS, Azure and GCP.

Learn more about compliance and hardening
https://ubuntu.com/security/security-standards

And Unbuntu Pro has more to offer! Visit the Ubuntu Pro page:
https://ubuntu.com/pro


LUKS – easy disk encryption

Linux Unified Key Setup (or LUKS for short), is a disk encryption specification widely used in Linux systems.

Created by Clemens Fruhwirth in 2004, it’s designed to provide a standardized encryption mechanism that’s both secure and user-friendly.

It protects data by encrypting it inside physical and logical disk partitions so that only authorized users can access the content of that encrypted partition.

Get the scoop on LUKS from the “How-To-Geek”
https://www.howtogeek.com/what-is-luks-and-how-does-it-secure-your-linux-file-system/


AlmaLinux – seriously scientific

Want to get serious about a Linux distribution, then why not try what the scientific community uses?

The AlmaLinux OS Foundation, the nonprofit that stewards the open-source CentOS alternative AlmaLinux, has announced that CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics and Fermilab, the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in the United States, will use AlmaLinux as one of the standard Linux distributions for experiments at their facilities.

Get AlmaLinux:
https://almalinux.org/get-almalinux/


Zorin OS – beautiful!

Hey, wanna try a real nice distro – try Zorin OS!

Zorin is a distribution based on Ubuntu, (which is based on Debian) that’s just a really nice choice; it installs easily, has a fantastic user interface, and Zorin “Core” is free to use.

With it’s smooth look, slick visual effects, and great performance, it just might become your Linux daily driver.

Get Zorin OS here:
https://zorin.com/os/download/


DistroWatch, watching since 2001

What is DistroWatch? DistroWatch is a website dedicated to talking about, reviewing and keeping up to date with open source operating systems.

The site particularly focuses on Linux distributions and flavours of BSD, though other open source operating systems are sometimes discussed.

There’s a lot of information out there on Linux distributions and Distrowatch collects and presents that information in a consistent manner to make things easier.

DistroWatch is THE place to go for the scoop on Linux distributions.

Visit DistroWatch:
https://distrowatch.com/


Proxmox – it’s awesome

Just discovered this awesome product… Proxmox!

Proxmox Virtual Environment is a complete, open-source server management platform for enterprise virtualization. It tightly integrates the KVM hypervisor and Linux Containers (LXC), software-defined storage and networking functionality, on a single platform.

You can easily virtualize even the most demanding of Linux and Windows application workloads, and dynamically scale computing and storage as your needs grow, ensuring that your data center adjusts for future growth.

It’s easy to start: Just download the ISO image and install Proxmox VE on your hardware. In five minutes you’ll be creating your first virtual machines and containers.

Get your Proxmox here:
https://www.proxmox.com/en/products/proxmox-virtual-environment/get-started


Stōk it, baby!

This is some good cold brewed java right here; Stōk cold brew is some good stuff!

With something like 130mg of caffeine per serving and a great taste that’s always smooth – I’ve been hooked on Stōk from day 1.

Cold brew is steeped in water, without heat, for 10-24 hours while iced coffee is brewed hot and then poured over ice. But there’s more to it than that.

Stōk cold brew has more caffeine per serving than iced coffee; it’s filtered to remove bitterness and brings a smoother taste; and Stōk uses a higher ratio of beans to water than hot-brewed coffee.

Stōk – get some!
https://www.stokbrew.com/cold-brew/cold-brew-coffee/


Gnome Extensions – desktop fun

Here’s the Gnome Extensions that are currently installed on my Ubuntu system; which provide not only some cool looking eye-candy, but also some very useful features.

The extensions have been an automatic addition to almost all my Linux installations, dating back to the original Compiz Fusion days.


Gmail – a neat tip

In case you didn’t know, you can quickly create a Gmail alias by using the plus “+” symbol.

It’s also know as “plus addressing” – a handy way to create unique email addresses that can receive mail in an existing Gmail account.

Just add a “+” symbol and any word or combination of characters after your username and before the “@” symbol and the message will be delivered to your inbox using the variation.

For example, it can be used like this:

If your address is john@gmail.com

You could use something like,
john+work@gmail.com
john+home@gmail.com
john+newslettter@gmail.com

I think you can see how handy this little tip is… messages received to those + addresses can be filtered to organize your messages automatically. Also, an unlimited number of + addresses can be created while using a single Gmail account.

Enjoy!
BONUS: The “plus addressing” also works with Hotmail and Outlook!


Gnome Boxes – easy virtualization

This is simply the easiest way to run virtual machines on your Linux system!

If you’re looking for the most user-friendly virtual machine managing software, then look no further than Gnome Boxes.

Currently, there’s seven virtual machines set up on my system using Gnome Boxes; they were super easy to set up and they run perfect.

Simple as selecting the ISO image of the OS I wanted to install, provide a few parameters, and run the selected OS installation program.

“Thank You” to the Gnome Boxes team for making this fantastic software available.
https://apps.gnome.org/Boxes/


GIMP, it keeps getting better

The GNU Image Manipulation Program, commonly known by its acronym GIMP, is a free and open-source graphics editor.

GIMP is freely available for use on Windows, Linux and macOS; it’s licensed under the GNU General Public License.

I’ve been using GIMP for almost 20 years now; graphics for countless projects, from websites to memes have been created with the help of the GIMP.

When a program has been part of your daily use for two decades, it’s gotta be good. If you’re a GIMP user, then you already know its value; if you’ve never tried it, then it’s time you gave it a go.

Get your GIMP:
https://gimp.org/


Tails, for security

Looking for a Linuz distro that provides the security you’re wanting? Well, take a look at “Tails” for your secure system needs.

Tails, or “The Amnesic Incognito Live System”, is a security-focused Debian-based Linux distribution aimed at preserving privacy and anonymity against surveillance.

It connects to the Internet exclusively through the anonymity network Tor. The system is designed to be booted as a live DVD or live USB and never writes to the hard drive or SSD, leaving no digital footprint on the machine unless explicitly told to do so.

Get your copy of Tails:
https://tails.net/


Simply, Lovable!

Hey, I tried “Lovable” and told the AI engine to build me a website; after just a couple of minutes, the site was finished!

On top of that, it was surprisingly good looking. I recommend trying this neat tool, and you can do it for free; use the following link and create something lovable:
https://lovable.dev/


Plucky Puffin has arrived

In case you missed it, two weeks ago Canonical released Ubuntu 25.04, codenamed “Plucky Puffin,” available to download and install.

Ubuntu 25.04 delivers the latest GNOME 48 with support for triple buffering and an improved install and boot experience. The introduction of a “devpack” for Spring expands toolchain availability in Ubuntu.

Get the latest Ubuntu here:
https://releases.ubuntu.com/plucky/


Namecheap – inexpensive but good

Namecheap is an American company that was founded in 2000 as domain name registrar, (hence the name – Namecheap) and has since grown to become one of the largest independent domain registrars in the world, with over over 17 million domains under management.

In 2007, Namecheap began offering shared hosting and by 2012 their product range extended to include Reseller Hosting, Virtual Private Servers, and Dedicated Servers.

My personal experience with a Namecheap shared hosting account has been a excellent; I’ve hosted several WordPress websites on their servers and have not encountered any problems.

A while back, there was a glitch when renewing SSL certificates, but NC has since corrected the problem and they automatically install. Also, if something still goes awry, they have created a proprietary script that will install a certificate.

I believe that Namecheap offers an outstanding service, and their prices are fantastic. Give ’em a try, I bet you’ll like Namecheap too.
https://www.namecheap.com/


openSUSE – try it!

I’ve run several releases of openSUSE; if you’re looking for an excellent and solid distribution, you may want to add it to your distro list, and it might even become your favorite.

openSUSE offers two variants, “Leap” and “Tumbleweed” to choose from:

“Leap” is openSUSe’s latest major distrubution; a stable operating system that receives regular application and security updates to harden your OS. New and experienced Linux users get a solid Linux distribution with Leap.

“Tumbleweed” is a rolling release for any user who wishes to have the latest packages. For Power Users, Software Developers and openSUSE Contributors who require the latest software stacks, the best choice is Tumbleweed.

Read more about openSUSE here:
https://www.opensuse.org/