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About the Book

Perhaps you've heard of Linux before. Maybe you know it as that operating system for computer wizards with the cute penguin mascot. While that characterisation isn't completely wrong, Linux is not just for the computer wizards. So many more people, of all stripes, use it on their desktops than you might imagine.

If you're wondering if you'll fit in among this crowd, don't worry! Linux is for everyone. Whether you're an accountant or a visual novel fanatic, you can keep doing what you love on your computer with Linux.

Whether you're worried Windows no longer has your best interests at heart, or you're just plain curious, this guide will help you get up and running while avoiding all of the usual potholes and footguns along the way.

If you tried Linux a long time ago, you'll be glad to know all aspects of the desktop have only gotten better over time. You might not even recognise it!

It's not 1998 anymore. It's been over 30 years since Linux was first released, and the Linux Desktop has undergone seismic shifts in usability and capability over the years. This book is designed for the modern age and helps you take advantage of all the latest technology available for desktop Linux. Even if you've used Linux before, things have changed a lot in just the last few years.

That's not to say the Linux Desktop isn't as quirky as it has ever been, but the jankiness has been sanded off in many areas. There's plenty you can do on Linux, and yet it would be a lie to say there isn't a cost to that freedom most of your penguin friends aren't forthcoming about. This guide acknowledges the limitations of the Linux world and doesn't try to hide them from you.

In this book, you'll find chapters about:

• getting your new Linux distribution setup on your computer
• providing step-by-step guidance for installation, software compatibility,
• gaming, and productivity
• exploring the history of desktop Linux
• the bright yet uncertain future of Linux

Buy this book now and dip your toes into the weird and wonderful world of Desktop Linux. Just don't blame me when your house starts filling up with penguin plushies and red hats.

About the Author

James North

James North started using Linux on the desktop in 2020, primarily out of curiosity. The technology was starkly different to the Microsoft Windows system James was familiar with, but so was the culture and philosophy. Somewhere along the way, it became about far more than just Linux. You can't learn much about Linux without also learning a lot about computing and free software in general.

5 years later, James is still using Linux on the desktop.

James is the resident system administrator and lead UI designer at Evolvepreneur. All the servers, as you would expect, run on Linux.

James maintains a weblog at jamesnorth.net

James hosts a wiki about visual novels at wiki.vncompat.org

James' free software tools, including mkshousetsu and feedhook, can be found in several places:

• Codeberg: codeberg.org/gnuisance
• Forgejo Instance: forge.jamesnorth.net