The Leanpub Podcast 🎙 Feat. Jay LaCroix, Author of Switching to Linux: A Practical Guide for Windows and Mac Users
In this episode of the Leanpub Podcast, Len Epp interviews Jay LaCroix, creator of Learn Linux TV and author of Switching to Linux: A Practical Guide for Windows and Mac Users.
Episode Details
In this episode of the Leanpub Podcast, Len Epp interviews Jay LaCroix, creator of Learn Linux TV and author of Switching to Linux: A Practical Guide for Windows and Mac Users. Jay shares the story of how he discovered Linux, built one of YouTube's largest Linux education communities, and wrote a practical guide to help newcomers make the transition from Windows or macOS with confidence. Drawing on more than two decades of professional Linux experience, he explains why Linux has never been more accessible and practical for everyday users.
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The conversation explores how to choose the right Linux distribution, what new users should expect during the transition, hardware compatibility, gaming on Linux, the role of the terminal, and the misconceptions that often discourage people from making the switch. Len and Jay also discuss AI, open source software, content creation, and why learning Linux remains a valuable skill for developers, IT professionals, and curious computer users alike.
Whether you're considering Linux for the first time or looking to deepen your understanding of the open source ecosystem, this episode offers practical advice, encouraging stories, and a realistic look at what modern Linux has to offer.
Episode Links
- 📚 *Switching to Linux: A Practical Guide for Windows and Mac Users*: https://leanpub.com/switchingtolinux
- 🎥 LearnLinuxTV: https://www.learnlinux.tv
- ▶️ LearnLinuxTV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LearnLinuxTV
- 🎙️ Leanpub Podcast: https://leanpub.com/podcast
- 📖 Leanpub: https://leanpub.com
This interview was recorded on July 2, 2026.
About the Book
Switching to Linux is the start of an extremely fun journey - but knowing where to start is another matter entirely! This book is your guide through that transition. It was written by Jay LaCroix (creator of the Learn Linux TV YouTube channel) with over 20 years of experience helping people make Linux approachable.
Whether you're fed up with Windows nudging you toward Microsoft Edge or Apple prompting you to sign in to yet another account, Linux offers a computing experience designed to work for you, not against you. But making the jump can feel overwhelming if you don't know what to expect. "Switching to Linux" removes that uncertainty by walking you through every stage of the process - from understanding what Linux actually is, to choosing a distribution, installing it, and using it confidently day to day.
Along the way, you'll learn how to find and install software, connect hardware like printers, Bluetooth devices, and external displays, manage your files, enjoy multimedia and gaming, use the command line, and keep your system secure. Each chapter is written for real beginners - no prior Linux experience required. By the end, you won't just have Linux running on your computer. You'll understand it!
About the Author
Jay is a passionate technologist and enjoys working on just about any form of technology he can get his hands on, and spends his free time tinkering with network/server hardware, virtualization, Raspberry Pi’s, writing scripts, and more. Of all the technology he works with, Jay is the most passionate about Linux and its community. With over two decades of experience supporting Linux professionally, Jay started Learn Linux TV – an education company that focuses on teaching concepts that surround Linux and related technologies. As part of this company, Jay writes Linux-related books and produces training content that teaches important concepts from an experienced and hands-on perspective. The YouTube channel of the same name now has over 1 million subscribers and well over 60 million views. Outside of Linux, Jay enjoys collecting classic video games.
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