Going Linux

By Larry Bushey and Bill SmithTechnology

Going Linux episodes

September 20, 2025 Going Linux #472 · New Users Guide to Github
Welcome to the world of version control with Git and GitHub! We will walk you through the essential steps to get you started, from creating an account to making your first contribution to a project. This powerful combination of tools is fundamental for software development, but it's also incredibly useful for tracking changes in any set of files, from manuscripts to research data.

Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Going Linux #472 · New Users Guide to Github
01:16 Bill moves to Manjaro with KDE
02:21 Larry uses the Mint Cinnamon upgrade path to Release 22.2 (Zara)
03:45 Bill helps a friend with advertising in Windows 11's Solitaire game!
12:48 Welcome to the world of version control
13:48 What is Git?
15:14 So, what is GitHub?
18:12 Key benefits for a new user
21:59 Open Source alternatives
23:25 Starting to use GitHub
25:53 GitHub Desktop for Linux
28:47 AI Disclaimer
30:16 Picks: Micro and GitHub Desktop
32:19 goinglinux.com, [email protected], +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe
33:19 End
34 min
September 08, 2025 Going Linux #471 · Listener Feedback
Bill is hopping to a different distro (big surprise, right?)
Non-Windows computer does not track is the best? Tuxedo, System76, Framework, Dell XPS Series, some Lenovo Thinkpads, Linux Certified, Entroware
More emails on Accessibility, Problems with Linux Mint,a printer odyssey, pivot tables, Mint XFCE on an Acer Chromebook C720 ZHN, an unintended review of the System76 Lemur Pro, and App picks: Mirror Hall and Gnome Network Displays

Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Going Linux #471 · Listener Feedback
01:13 We're not dead yet!
02:50 Bill is hopping to a different distro (big surprise, right?)
06:21 Chad: What brand of non-Windows computer does not track is the best?
07:19 Tuxedo, System76, Framework, Dell XPS Series
08:18 Some Lenovo Thinkpads, Linux Certified, Penguin, Entroware
10:40 Linux pre-installed
11:21 Daniel: Follow up re: accessibility
13:18 Paul: Problems with Linux Mint
20:03 Ambrose: Printer odyssey
27:49 Stefan: About Pivot Tables
29:25 David: Linux Mint XFCE on an Acer Chromebook C720 ZHN
31:57 Reid wrote An Unintended Review - System76 Lemur Pro
38:17 App picks: Mirror Hall and Gnome Network Displays
43:26 goinglinux.com, [email protected], +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe
44:44 End
45 min
August 20, 2025 Going Linux #470 · How to try Linux without affecting your current system Pt. 2
Of course you could install Linux on a spare computer if you have one. OK, to many people the prospect of installing a new operating system can be daunting. You could also try running from a live USB drive. But fortunately, there are straightforward methods to explore what Linux has to offer directly from your Windows environment without altering your existing setup.

Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Going Linux #470 · How to try Linux without affecting your current system Pt. 2
01:42 Bill hops from Zorin to Linux Mint - here's why
03:34 Bill tests ChromeOS Flex
06:35 Help out PCLinuxOS
10:20 Larry is down to one computer
11:10 Disclaimer: No hardware-installed Windows were harmed in the production of this podcast
14:37 How can I try Linux without messing up my current computer?
15:33 1: Using a 'virtual' Linux
16:39 2: Windows subsystem for Linux
17:30 Linux in Virtualbox
18:56 Install and configure Virtual Box
23:51 Install 'Guest Editions'
25:25 Install Linux
27:38 First boot and Guest Editions
28:07 Install the Windows subsystem for Linux (WSL)
29:31 Launch WSL and complete the setup
30:03 Start using WSL
30:52 Just create a Live USB drive - it's easier
36:48 goinglinux.com, [email protected], +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe
38:00 End
38 min
July 08, 2025 Going Linux #469 · Listener Feedback
Bill tries ZFS. Our topics: Microsoft's support for Windows 10 is about to end - to keep your computer running a fully supported OS switch to Linux, Linux on Chromebooks, CD ripping, Cosmic Desktop Environment, Pivot tables, Linux and AI, Accessibility on Linux.

Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Going Linux #469 · Listener Feedback
01:35 Bill tries ZFS
03:07 Microsoft's support for Windows 10 is about to end - to keep your computer running a fully supported OS switch to Linux
06:18 Reid: Open Source contributions and installing Linux on Chromebooks
15:24 SirScout51: CD ripping
20:23 Cosmic Desktop Environment (DE)
24:56 David: LibreOffice Calc pivot tables
27:51 Ian: Switching to Linux and AI
37:58 Daniel: Orca Screen reader, Manjaro, Reborn and Solus Linux
44:15 Tolga: I'm not able to respond
46:52 Kenneth: Feedback and a recommendation
50:01 David: My Linuxbook
53:25 Daniel: What is the exact feed for subscribing? More on accessibility
62:55 End
1 hr 3 min
April 29, 2025 Going Linux #467 · Listener Feedback
We discuss Ubuntu Cinnamon vs. Linux Mint Cinnamon. Our feedback includes supporting open source, about Fedora, backup solutions, office suites, switching from Zorin to MATE, and 'What's wrong with the world?'.

Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Going Linux #467 · Listener Feedback
02:20 Bill is still running Zorin OS
02:27 Larry and Bill discuss switching from Ubuntu Cinnamon to Linux Mint and about open source funding
09:18 Reid wrote about supporting open source
12:08 Daniel asked about Fedora
14:55 Liz commented on the state of the world
22:35 David switched from Zorin back to MATE
27:10 Frank wrote with a quibble about our Office Suites episode
29:27 Gus provides a solution for a cheap Linux Backup
35:38 goinglinux.com, [email protected], +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe
36:35 End
37 min
April 09, 2025 Going Linux #466 · Using Linux to get things done in Work and School (Office Suites)
Bill distro hops. Larry considers a distro hop. Bill fixes his problem with Snap packages. Larry fixes his app probles. Is using AI cheating? We discuss what you get with these office suites: LibreOffice, WPS Offce, ONLYOffice, Calligra, and Microsoft 365 Online.

Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Going Linux #466 · Using Linux to get things done in Work and School (Office Suites)
01:24 Life gets in the way.
02:34 Bill's MX Linux hop update
03:21 The return to Zorin
04:45 Larry considers a switch to Open SUSE
07:01 Using Linux to get things done
07:39 Bill updates snapd and solves his problem with Snap packages
08:39 Larry reinstalls an app to solve problems
09:31 AI disclaimer for this episode - a GPT4All and Deep Seek collaboration
12:24 Is using AI cheating? Let us know
14:03 Check your distribution's repositories for packages before downloading from the webpages for each office suite we mention
16:31 LibreOffice - Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math, Charts
21:26 WPS Office - WPS Writer, WPS Spreadsheet, WPS Presentation, WPS PDF Reader
25:11 ONLYOffice - Document Editor, Spreadsheet Editor, Presentation Editor, PDF Editor
34:40 Calligra - Words, Stage, Sheets, Karbon, KEXI, Plan
43:31 Microsoft 365 'Free' er uh 'Trial' er uh 'Subscription' Online - Documents, Presentations, Workbooks
56:18 App pick: GPT4All
59:36 End
1 hr
March 26, 2025 Going Linux #465 · Listener Feedback

Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Going Linux #465 · Listener Feedback
01:35 Bill can breathe again
07:40 Reid: About the Lemur Pro
11:39 George from Tulsa: Learning the lesson again - buy hardware with Linux pre-installed
16:02 Guimar: Seeking advice on Linux
25:02 Roger: Microsoft news - Solar Winds
30:03 George: Commented on computer/monitor stands
33:13 George: On the M4 Mini
39:42 Harry: Shares his decision
41:26 Ambrose: About Linux kernel headers
50:18 Costas: The Ubuntu MATE installer
54:58 Gus: Comments on Snap packages
56:34 Ian: Remote access
58:05 goinglinux.com, [email protected], +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe
59:11 End
1 hr
February 24, 2025 Going Linux #464 · 2024 Year End Review
Bill commits to running MX Linux for a year and has issues with Ubuntu based distros. We discuss Linux drivers, the Cosmic desktop, Wayland display manager, gaming on Linux and much, much more.

Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Going Linux #464 · 2024 Year End Review
04:44 Bill commits to running MX Linux for a year
07:57 Bill has issues with Ubuntu based distros
17:44 Some Linux driver maintainers de-listed
21:23 New file system accepted - no bovine intervention
25:31 Good news for team green - Nvidia
28:08 The Cosmic desktop from System76 is making great progress
30:18 What's going on with Mozilla? 30% layoffs?
34:38 The Rasberry Pie foundation has been busy
37:00 Wayland display manager on Fedora and Ubuntu
42:40 RISC
44:43 Faster installs
46:39 HEIC - HEIF image support in Linux
50:14 Linux kernel cadence changed
54:25 Better gaming for everyone
56:34 Gnome feature fest
58:02 Ubuntu's anniversary flourishes
61:05 Wayland: All the cool kids are doing it
63:09 Ubuntu's desktop security center
65:00 Ubuntu app center can install .deb packages
68:50 Advances in gaming on Linux
69:42 Steamdeck uses Arch Linux
71:39 Fedora desktops galore
74:57 Intel has problems with 13th and 14th gen chips
76:60 goinglinux.com, [email protected], +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe
77:55 End
1 hr 18 min
December 20, 2024 Going Linux #463 · Top 5 Myths About Linux
Millions of computer users are already using or preparing to switch to Linux because soon, their computers won't be able to cope with Windows, and they cannot afford to upgrade their hardware. Linux is not just their only choice but also their best choice. Sometimes, though, it's the myths about Linux that stand in the way. In this episode we hope to dispel some of those myths.

Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Going Linux #463 · Top 5 Myths About Linux
01:29 Bill's computer upgrades
04:53 5 myths about Linux
06:18 Myth 1: Linux Is Difficult To Use
06:59 Linux setup in the old days woes
08:26 Today's experience
09:33 Setup today
11:57 Larry's Windows 11 install approx 2 hours
12:48 Larry's Ubuntu Cinnamon install under 30 minutes
13:49 Bill's Windows 11 install for games 1hr 23min
14:52 Bill's Bazzite install 23 min. Ubuntu 24.04 install 13 min
16:46 If you discount Microsoft's constant pressure to buy software, using the computer is about the same on Windows or Linux
18:01 Myth 2: Linux Has Too Few Application Programs
31:43 Myth 3: There Are Too Many Different Linux Versions
42:57 Myth 4: Linux Is Obsolete Because It's Old
46:50 Myth 5: Linux Is 100% Secure
51:43 Summary
53:05 goinglinux.com, [email protected], +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe
53:60 End
54 min
December 19, 2024 Going Linux #463 · Top 5 Myths About Linux
Millions of computer users are already using or preparing to switch to Linux because soon, their computers won't be able to cope with Windows, and they cannot afford to upgrade their hardware. Linux is not just their only choice but also their best choice. Sometimes, though, it's the myths about Linux that stand in the way. In this episode we hope to dispel some of those myths.

Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Going Linux #463 · Top 5 Myths About Linux
01:29 Bill's computer upgrades
04:53 5 myths about Linux
06:18 Myth 1: Linux Is Difficult To Use
06:59 Linux setup in the old days woes
08:26 Today's experience
09:33 Setup today
11:57 Larry's Windows 11 install approx 2 hours
12:48 Larry's Ubuntu Cinnamon install under 30 minutes
13:49 Bill's Windows 11 install for games 1hr 23min
14:52 Bill's Bazzite install 23 min. Ubuntu 24.04 install 13 min
16:46 If you discount Microsoft's constant pressure to buy software, using the computer is about the same on Windows or Linux
18:01 Myth 2: Linux Has Too Few Application Programs
31:43 Myth 3: There Are Too Many Different Linux Versions
42:57 Myth 4: Linux Is Obsolete Because It's Old
46:50 Myth 5: Linux Is 100% Secure
51:43 Summary
53:05 goinglinux.com, [email protected], +1-904-468-7889, @goinglinux, feedback, listen, subscribe
53:60 End
54 min

About Going Linux

From the publisher's feed

Once you become aware that there is a dependable, secure, capable, and modern computer system that rivals all others in popularity and actual use, you will want to try the Linux operating system on…