graphical user interface Archives

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Packet is an Android Quick Share App for Linux

Packet is a Linux application developed in Rust with a GTK4/libadwaita interface designed for wireless file transfer between Android and Linux devices. It utilizes Android's Quick Share feature, requiring devices to have Bluetooth enabled and be connected to a compatible Wi-Fi network. Users can easily send files by dragging and dropping them in Packet or using the Quick Share option on Android. The app allows customization of device names, visibility, download folders, and can run in the background. Packet is available for installation from Flathub or can be built from source on GitHub.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Updaing your Windows 10 PC? I found a Linux distro that can give it 5 to 10 more years of life

FunOS is a Linux distribution focused on stability, performance, and security, built on Ubuntu LTS. It features a lightweight architecture with Joe's Window Manager, resulting in an idle RAM usage of approximately 250 MB and an installer size of 1.8 GB. The installation process takes less than five minutes, and the desktop layout resembles traditional environments. FunOS lacks a graphical user interface for the package manager and does not include an app store, requiring users to manage software via the command line. Users can install Synaptic for easier software management. FunOS is designed for older Windows 10 machines, offering a practical solution for extending their lifespan without the bloat of heavier operating systems.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

This lean Linux distro can give your Windows 10 PC an extra 5 to 10 years of life

FunOS is a Linux distribution built on Ubuntu LTS, focusing on stability, performance, and security. It has an idle RAM usage of approximately 250 MB and an installer size of 1.8 GB, making it suitable for older hardware. The installation process is straightforward, taking about five minutes. FunOS features a familiar desktop layout but lacks a graphical user interface for the package manager and does not include an app store. Users can install Synaptic via the terminal for software management. FunOS is designed for users with older Windows 10 machines, aiming to extend their lifespan while prioritizing a simple and efficient user experience.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

This lean Linux distro can give your Windows 10 PC an extra 5 to 10 years of life

FunOS is a lightweight operating system built on Ubuntu LTS, focusing on stability, performance, and security. It uses Joe's Window Manager, consumes approximately 250 MB of RAM when idle, and has a compact installer size of 1.8 GB. The installation process is straightforward, taking under five minutes, and features a familiar desktop layout. FunOS lacks a graphical user interface for the package manager, requiring users to utilize the command line for software management, although Synaptic can be installed for easier application installations. New applications require a menu reload to appear. FunOS is suitable for aging Windows 10 machines, providing a reliable and efficient computing experience.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

I keep all of my software up to date with Winget, and here’s how you can too

Keeping software up to date is essential for an efficient computing environment, as updates introduce new features and fix bugs. The Windows Package Manager, Winget, allows users to manage software installations and updates via the command line interface (CLI) in Windows 11. To check for updates, users can run the command "winget update" in PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator, which shows outdated applications and their current and available versions. For updating a specific application, the command "winget update [application ID]" can be used, while "winget upgrade --all" updates all applications at once. Winget supports various command-line interfaces and has a repository of over 6,000 applications. For users preferring a graphical interface, tools like UniGetUI provide a simpler way to manage updates. Executing "winget upgrade --all" in an elevated CLI window is an easy method for updating all software.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Microsoft is bringing back Windows 10’s second hand display after backlash

Microsoft removed the clock display from the flyout menu of Windows 10’s taskbar calendar to eliminate the seconds display, which was consuming additional processing resources. In response to user backlash, Microsoft plans to reintroduce the seconds display with the upcoming cumulative update for Windows 10, designated as Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.5912 (update KB5058481), which is currently available to Windows Insiders and expected to roll out to all users later this month.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

How to install and use Ollama to run AI LLMs on your Windows 11 PC

The current landscape of artificial intelligence interactions includes cloud-based tools like ChatGPT and Copilot, but some users, especially developers, prefer running large language models (LLMs) locally. Ollama provides a solution for this preference. To run LLMs effectively, hardware requirements include a GPU, with larger models needing more computational power. For example, Google's Gemma 3 has a 1 billion parameter model requiring 2.3GB of VRAM and a 4 billion parameter version needing over 9GB. Meta's Llama 3.2 has similar requirements. A modern PC with at least 8GB of RAM and a dedicated GPU can utilize Ollama. To install Ollama on Windows 11, users download the installer from the official website or GitHub and follow the installation process. Once installed, it operates in the background, indicated by an icon in the taskbar, and can be accessed via localhost:11434 in a web browser. Ollama primarily uses a command-line interface (CLI), requiring users to use PowerShell or WSL. Key commands include "ollama pull" to install LLMs and "ollama run" to execute them. For instance, to install the 1 billion parameter Google Gemma 3 LLM, users would enter "ollama pull gemma3:1b". Running the models opens a chatbot interface for user interaction, and exiting can be done by typing "/bye". Setting up Ollama is user-friendly and requires minimal technical expertise.

Winsage

May 10, 2025

Best Windows apps this week

Windows 11, version 24H2 has officially rolled out, but some devices may face installation issues due to unresolved problems. This week features discounts on various apps, with users encouraged to check the Store for offers. BleachBit 5.0 has been updated, enhancing its functionality as a temporary file cleaner and secure file deleter, while discontinuing support for Windows 7 and earlier versions and addressing several DLL vulnerabilities. Sucrose is a new open-source wallpaper tool for Windows that allows users to download animated wallpapers or create their own, including transforming websites into dynamic wallpapers. Winhance 5 is a free utility for customizing Windows, allowing changes to system settings and removal of system apps, with a more intuitive graphical user interface compared to its predecessor.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

You Need a Windows Package Manager — Virtualization Review

Microsoft's WinGet is a command-line tool for managing software on Windows, allowing users to install, update, list, and uninstall applications. UniGetUI is an open-source graphical user interface that enhances WinGet's functionality, making it easier for users to manage software without using the command line. UniGetUI supports various package managers and features batch operations, automatic updates, and custom installation options. To install UniGetUI, users can execute the command winget install --exact --id MartiCliment.UniGetUI --source winget or download it from the Microsoft Store. Users can easily navigate its interface to discover, install, and uninstall packages.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

I ditched Windows Explorer for a terminal-first file manager, and I’m never looking back

Windows users often experience limitations with File Explorer, which can be slow and cumbersome. Yazi is an alternative file management tool built using Rust, designed for speed and reliability. It operates asynchronously, preventing freezes and inefficiencies, and features a minimalist terminal interface for efficient file management. Yazi is accessible for both power users and beginners, allowing navigation with arrow keys and mouse interactions. It includes advanced features such as batch renaming, multi-tab support, and scrollable previews for various file types. The command-line tool “ya” enhances plugin management and customization options, allowing users to adjust appearance and functionality. Yazi is available for download on GitHub.