Linux Threads
Join the How-To Geek community chatting about all things Linux.
Does Rust Belong in the Linux Kernel?
Critics say the kernel should stick to C, which is proven, lean, and fully understood. But Rust’s defenders argue it brings the memory safety Linux needs. Where do you stand on bringing modern languages into the kernel?
To the Linux Users Building AI Projects
With so many distros claiming to be “AI-ready,” which one is actually delivering? What’s your go-to AI/Linux stack, and why?
Which OS Do You Use on Your Raspberry Pi?
When you get a Raspberry Pi, you've gotta decide which operating system to install on it. Lately I've been using DietPi on my main Pi, but I haven't decided yet what to put on the other two I'm getting out of storage. Which one(s) are you using?
Do You Dual-Boot With Linux?
My main desktop has two internal drives on it, one with Windows and one with whatever Linux distribution I'm trying out. Do you keep a dual boot setup, either between Linux and Windows, or between other operating systems?
If You Aren't a Linux User, What's Stopping You From Switching?
If you use a different operating system like Windows or Mac, what is stopping you from switching to Linux? Every reason is welcome. Application issues, hardware issues, your habits, and so on.
What Do You Use to Remove Duplicate Files?
My old duplicate finder was tedious to use. What do you like? I'm currently running Widows 10 but I would like something that could also run on Linux, if possible.
How Did You Learn About the Linux Distro You're Using?
You'll hear chatter about the latest (or the most time-honored) Linux distributions from all kinds of sources, like Reddit threads, YouTube videos, or even our own Linux newsletter—which you can subscribe to at our newsletter page. I saw Kubuntu Linux mentioned in several Linux listicles, but I didn't come around to it until I'd spent some time daily-driving other KDE Plasma distros. Where did you first hear about the distro that you're using?
What Do You Use to Monitor Your Linux PC Resources?
When you're using any computer, it can be helpful to keep an eye on how your hardware is being used by the operating system. That's especially the case when you hit an unexpected slow down. For Linux, I use KDE Plasma's System Monitor on my desktop, and htop on headless servers. What's your preferred monitoring tool?
Which Linux Distro Should Be Added to WSL Next?
Recently, Microsoft made Arch Linux an official WSL distribution. It was followed a few days later by Fedora joining the WSL-certified train. If you're a Windows Subsystem for Linux fan, which distro do you think should become officially supported next? Or do you think Arch and Fedora were the only bases that needed covering?
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What Do You Run in Your Homelab?
If you operate a homelab, you probably have more than one project going. To name a few, I'm at the moment running Jellyfin for streaming media, Nextcloud for remotely storing and accessing files, and FreshRSS for a synced news feed. What do you self-host?
What Do You Do With Windows Subsystem for Linux?
Microsoft has been offering a tool for using Linux operating systems and applications on Windows for almost a decade now as WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux). There are several reasons to use WSL, though to be frank, I've always preferred to just use a Linux operating system bare metal when I have a Linux task. If you use WSL, what do you do with it?
How Do You Remember Terminal Commands?
One of the toughest parts of learning to use any command line is just recalling specific commands, their syntax, and what useful flags there are. Do you just keep doing web searches for commands until they're baked into your brain, or do you have another memorization method?
Will You Try Fedora 42?
Fedora Linux 42 came out of beta for a full release this week. It has several interesting improvements and additions, including support for x86 applications on ARM computers. Are you going to give Fedora 42 a try, or will you stick what you have?
Do You Care If a Linux Distro Is Standard or Rolling Release?
The Linux community likes to talk a lot about release cycles. Whether a distro is rolling release, meaning the system is continually upgraded through a stream of bleeding-edge updates, or if it has a standard release cycle, meaning regularly-scheduled releases (like the upcoming Ubuntu 25.04) bring significant changes and well-tested software all at once. Do you have an opinion on release cycles?
Which Terminal Emulator on Linux Is Your Favorite?
The terminal emulator is a ubiquitous part of the Linux computing experience for anyone who wants to do more than open a browser. But there are a ton of terminal emulator apps out there, from GNOME Terminal to Alacritty to the new kid on the block, Ghostty. Which do you prefer for command line work?
Which Linux Distribution Do You Recommend for Programmers?
Spend very much time in the programming world and you'll soon hear mention of Linux distributions. If someone is new to programming and considering using an operating system other than Windows and macOS to do their development in, what distro do you recommend?
What's a Linux Terminal Shortcut Everyone Should Know?
If you spend a lot of time using the Linux terminal, you no doubt have learned to operate more efficiently in it. What are some of your favorite tricks and shortcuts when you're issuing commands?
Which Linux Terminal Game Should I Play?
The Linux terminal is capable of not just productivity and computer management, but also fun. I know there are games out there that you can play inside the Linux terminal, but which ones do you recommend?
Which Linux Distro Do You Recommend to Gamers?
Gaming on Linux is a niche but growing world, especially with the arrival of the Steam Deck. In fact, read discussion boards and you'll learn the Steam Deck has turned a lot of people into Linux fans, or at least Linux-curious people. If someone wants to start using Linux as a desktop and plans to do a lot of gaming on it, which Linux distribution would you recommend to them?
Which Is Your Favorite TUI App on Linux?
If you want an interactive and graphical experience but without the overhead of traditional graphical user interfaces, another option you have is text user interfaces, or TUIs, in the command line. From htop to spotify-tui, you have a lot to choose from. Which are your favorite TUI apps on Linux or Mac?
Which Linux Distro Do You Think Is the Fastest?
A classic use for Linux is to breathe life into an old PC. Some distributions are more lightweight than others, though. Which distro in your experience has the most spring in its step?
What's the Best Ubuntu Keyboard Shortcut?
If you're a desktop Ubuntu user, you're probably all about optimizing your computing experience. Keyboard shortcuts are crucial to developing optimized computing habits. So which keyboard shortcuts do you recommend to other Ubuntu users?
What Do You Use to Stream Music on Linux?
Lately I've been listening to a lot more of my physical music collection than any music streaming service. When I do, lately, it's typically been through YouTube in Firefox. YouTube's music recommendation algorithm I've found to be on point. There are lots of options on Linux, of course, so what do you use when you stream music?
Which Linux Calculator App Do You Use?
Making quick calculations is a use for personal computers as old as computers themselves. You can do it using any number of apps, from spreadsheet apps, to command lines, to dedicated apps designed to look like hand-held calculators. Linux of course has a huge supply of free apps in these categories. So which app or interface do you prefer to do your calculations in?
Do You Still Run Windows Apps on Linux?
When you switch from using a Windows desktop to a Linux desktop, there are often Windows-only apps you find yourself still relying on, at least for a while. Personally, I don't have any at this point, unless you count a couple of Windows-only games I play using Proton. What Windows apps are you still running?
What's Your Favorite FOSS Game for Linux?
If you open your Linux distro's software repositories, you'll probably find quite a few games there. Many are totally free and open source (FOSS) and without ads. Games like 0 A.D. have been developed over the years mostly by volunteers so you can have free entertainment on your liberated PC desktop. Of the games you've tried, which do you recommend most?
Which Linux Distro Do You Think Is the Best for Beginners?
Look on any Linux blog or discussion form, and there will be people asking and trying to answer this question: what Linux distro do you recommend to beginners? I sort of grate against the question because I feel it wrongly implies that one can't simply install a distro and be happy forever. It implies distro hopping is inevitable and not just a habit for geeks and tinkerers. Still, you have to install something when you first become a Linux user. So what do you recommend to someone who's never used Linux before?
How Often Do You Open a Linux Terminal?
If you're using your Linux desktop computer for more than just browsing, at some point you've likely had to open a Linux terminal. If you're a power user, you're opening it frequently. I hit the Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut to open my terminal around two or three times a day—nothing unbelievable. How often are you looking at that prompt?
What Linux App Do You Use to Back Up Your Files?
If you don't want to lose the data on your computer, you've gotta back that thing up. On my Kubuntu laptop, I use a graphical frontend for rsync called Back In Time. I use it because it came preinstalled with the Kubuntu Focus edition operating system, and it's worked well for my needs. What do you use and why?
