Ubuntu: Up and Running: A Power Users Desktop Guide

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Programs made for Windows only run on Windows.

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The same is true of software made for macOS. Most Linux software is now available via app stores filled with free programs Linux App Stores Compared: Which One Is Right for You? Linux App Stores Compared: Windows users are being guided to an app store. Linux, meanwhile, has had an app store-style experience for years. But which one is right for you?

Using them is similar to using an app store on any other platform. Simply find the app you want and hit the install button. These app stores are the alternative to package managers, the traditional and more complicated way of getting software on Linux. Nowadays, you may never need to use a more advanced tool like Synaptic or Apper, but they do give you more control over what you install. While downloading installers directly from websites is not the preferred way to get Linux software, there are times when this is the only option.

This is how you get Google Chrome, for example. Package Formats Explained You've switched to Linux, and want to install some software.

But package managers differ depending on your distro. So which apps can you download and install?

It's all in the acronyms. Now that you know how to install apps, which should you grab? Whether you're new to the operating system or you're a seasoned user, you'll always find new and useful Linux software to love.

Getting Started With Linux and Ubuntu

These are our favorites. Updates are a free part of the Linux experience. They keep your system running the latest version of software. You may also receive enhancements to the user interface and patches to components that run in the background. Often it will have its own section, as is the case in Ubuntu.

In Linux, not only do you receive free updates to your apps, but you can upgrade from one version of a distro to the next without paying a dime. Upgrades, like updates, are always free. You may never have had to think about codecs before. They enable various multimedia files, such as music and video, to play on your computer. Simply, your Linux version didn't come with the necessary codecs, so let's find out how to install them.

Many codecs remain under copyrights, and desktop makers must pay license fees in order to legally distribute them. Laws change from country to country. Sometimes you will need to install additional drivers or codecs to make your experience complete. One of the first questions people ask when contemplating a switch to Linux is whether they can run a specific program. When we have only ever used one operating system, we tend to view apps as components any computer should be able to run.

But in most cases, an app is actually designed to run on only one operating system.

In order to run on a different one, developers have to build a separate version. Linux, too, needs its own version. Since not as many people run Linux on their desktops as Windows or macOS, developers often choose not to make a Linux version of software. There may still be ways to make that program work. You may have heard of emulators, software people use to play console video games on their PCs. These work by running code that is similar enough to imitate or emulate the original machines the games were designed for.

You can do the same thing with programs meant for personal computers. One answer is to use Wine, but while it can be very useful, it probably should only be your last resort. Because configuring Wine can be complicated, there are programs that try to do the hard work for you. The latter is a paid app that also exists for Windows and macOS. Virtual machines let you run an entire operating system inside your current one.

So when you need to run a particular Windows program, you can fire up your virtual copy of Windows and open the program there How to Set Up a Windows Virtual Machine in Linux How to Set Up a Windows Virtual Machine in Linux Many home users prefer to run a dual-boot setup when both Windows and Linux are needed, but if you'd rather run Windows inside Linux, here's how to set that up.

Unlike emulation, virtual machines are guaranteed to work.

What Makes Linux Different?

The downside is that you have to boot up a separate operating system in its own window, which can be time consuming and awkward. You also need to have a copy of Windows or macOS to run. Getting one can be difficult or expensive depending on your circumstances. But your journey is just beginning. There is so much to see and do in the world of free and open-source software.

Since everything is free, you can change your distro at any time or swap out your current interface for another. Here's how you can use Linux to stay on top of your finances. These ten apps don't form a cohesive office suite, but they come close, and are likely to help you be productive from your Linux desktop.

These days, you can even amass a large library of games. Here are Steam's finest Linux-ready titles, available to download to your PC at no charge. Are you considering making the switch to Linux? Is that something you did years ago?

What advice would you offer others thinking of doing the same? Share your words of encouragement, and things to look out for, in the comments below! Your email address will not be published.

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I'm trying to subscribe to the newsltr but hitting "submit" button results in err msg. What am i doing wrong? My home server runs Ubuntu and it runs for years and years without any need for supervision. My every day laptop is an Acer Aspire 5 with an 8th gen i7 also running Ubuntu and runs super fast and has never hard crashed So try Linux and if you don't like it go back BUT if you try it you may find utilities that work wonders even with Windows that may keep you coming back I love Gnome but my touchpad is too sensitive libinput and my intel wifi cannot get n usefull on lan.

These are supersimple things that are uresolveable - believe me I have spent hours on google and various forum. Tried ubuntu, opensuse and deepin. I would preffer if it doesn't support card readder, hdmi or BT: Getting Started With Linux and Ubuntu. February 26, 17 minutes. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Whatsapp Email. This guide is available to download as a free PDF. Feel free to copy and share this with your friends and family. Stay informed by joining our newsletter! Read our privacy policy. Scroll down for the next article. Choose among three desktop environments: Paperback , pages.

Published April 27th by O'Reilly Media first published To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Ubuntu , please sign up. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. May 25, Johan rated it really liked it Shelves: Very good book for the complete newbie and for those who have an incomplete knowledge of this operating system.

There are some quirks, but I will post a more extensive review next month. If you want to try out Ubuntu, this book will prove very helpful. Rvn6dlr rated it liked it Sep 05, Wil rated it really liked it May 28, Anderson rated it liked it Sep 16, Jeremy rated it it was ok May 15, Smedley54 rated it liked it May 16, Brad rated it it was ok May 12, Jerome rated it really liked it Sep 20, Dan Litwiller rated it did not like it Jul 15, David rated it liked it Aug 11, Tom Macintosh rated it liked it Jan 01, Anthony Straight rated it it was ok Jul 19, Robinson rated it really liked it Jul 19, Alex Demidov marked it as to-read Apr 22, Mohammad Alzahrani marked it as to-read May 31, Wcplanfi added it Jun 22, Christopher added it Dec 08, Rick Zwiep added it Jan 18, Adam Gilbert-Cole marked it as to-read Apr 14, Ben added it Aug 31, Jorge Amodio marked it as to-read Jun 25, Mark Davies added it Oct 24,

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