Stop using DICT dictionary apps (such as GNOME/MATE Dictionary)
MATE Desktop installs a Dictionary app (a fork of the retired GNOME Dictionary app). The apps don’t protect your pricacy, and you might want to stop using them.
Linux
I’ve been using Linux since 2004 and it’s my preferred server and desktop environment. I advocate for free-software and open-source, and blog about it to help more people use and discover it.
The auto-save feature in GEdit vs the new GNOME Text Editor
GNOME Text Editor, GEdit, and Kate all have a auto-saving feature designed to prevent dataloss. However, the implementations vary a lot with different trade-offs.
SELinux is unmanageable; just turn it off if it gets in your way
I’ve been an SELinux complexity apologist for years. Lately, I’ve concluded that every implementation with difficult-to-configure policies is just unmanageable.
How to install additional spell check dictionaries for Flatpak apps
Flatpak apps are isolated from- and doesn’t use the system’s spell checker dictionaries. Here’s how to install more language options into the Flatpak runtime.
How to run Windows 11 in GNOME Boxes (with UEFI and TPM2 emulation)
Windows 11 needs some extra config to run as a virtual machine in GNOME Boxes. Get it setup with UEFI secure boot, TPM 2.0 emulation, and accelerated drivers.
Why it’s easier to recover unsaved documents in Kate than GEdit
The Kate Editor has a great feature that prevents data-loss if the text editor or the system crashes. It auto-saves “.kate-swp” files containing unsaved changes.
Cardboard; an exciting scrollable tiling window manager
After the initial learning curve, I found that Cardboard WM help me stay focused on one task and it greatly reduced how much time I spent rearranging my windows.
How to use disposable VMs in GNOME Boxes (like Qubes, Windows Sandbox)
Self-resetting virtual machines make it easy to explore new (and untrusted) software, browse unsafe parts of the web, and open files from untrusted senders.
GNOME Boxes review: no-frills and no-thrills desktop virtualization
Easy-to-use settings-free virtualization works great when it works! Not so much if you’re running an unsupported operating system, e.g. a modern Windows version.
PlanetSide 2 is now available on Linux
My favorite online multiplayer game is finally available on Linux. Goodbye Windows!
How to change keyboard layout on the GNOME and Plasma login screens
Neither GNOME nor Plasma’s settings app has an option to change the keyboard layout on the login screen. Here’s how you make the change through the terminal.
WSLg simplifies running Linux desktop apps on Windows
Microsoft has added support for running Linux desktop programs through WSL and Wayland on Windows 10 through the new Windows Subsystem for Linux GUI apps (WSLg).
GNU Parallel can do anything, but scripting may be the better option
GNU Parallel is a powerful Linux parallelization tool for local and remote jobs. Its unique command syntax and complex requirements makes it difficult to use.