Linux version Archives

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

While we eagerly await the second coming of Steam Machines, it’s worth remembering what a gloriously awful mess Valve got itself in over a decade ago

Valve is reintroducing Steam Machines, a concept that initially faltered nearly a decade ago. The original Steam Machines were announced in 2013 alongside SteamOS and the Steam controller but faced challenges due to Valve's partnership model with various vendors, leading to a disjointed consumer experience. The gaming landscape shifted with the success of Windows 10, which solidified its dominance over Linux. Despite the original Steam Machines' failure, Valve launched the Steam Deck in February 2022, taking direct control of hardware and software, which proved successful. The new generation of Steam Machines will feature a custom AMD APU with a Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU, aiming to provide a better big-screen gaming experience, although it may have limitations in upgradeability. The reception of this new iteration remains uncertain as it approaches its market debut in 2026.

Winsage

October 15, 2025

This is the Linux distro you should use after Windows 10 support ends today

Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system has reached its end-of-life date, prompting users to migrate to Windows 11 or opt for extended support for an additional year. Users can also consider alternative operating systems like macOS or Linux. Linux Mint, particularly with its Cinnamon desktop environment, is recommended for Windows users due to its user-friendly interface that resembles Windows. Linux Mint is based on Debian, making it easier to find Linux versions of popular applications. While Linux Mint is a strong choice for beginners, users are encouraged to explore other distributions and desktop environments to find the best fit for their needs.

Winsage

October 1, 2025

4 Linux apps you can run in WSLg that make total sense on Windows

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows users to run Linux distributions on Windows without dual-booting or virtual machines, supporting both terminal and GUI-based applications. HiFile is a free multi-platform file manager for Linux with a dual-pane interface, while Foliate is an e-reader app exclusive to Linux that supports EPUB files and offers customization options. Apostrophe is a minimalist writing tool designed for distraction-free writing, supporting Markdown and document export in PDF or HTML formats. Some applications, like Obsidian, may perform better in the Linux environment even if they have Windows versions, enhancing workflows for users.

Winsage

September 30, 2025

I tried running Windows apps on Linux with Wine, but virtualization is still better

In recent explorations of running Windows applications on Linux, various solutions were tested, including WinApps, WinBoat, and Wine. Wine translates Windows API calls into POSIX calls in real time, allowing for lower overhead and improved performance, particularly with older applications. Successful installations included Winaero Tweaker, portable versions of Photofiltre 7 and Textroom, and Adobe Photoshop CS6, which had minor visual glitches but functional core features. DoubleKiller effectively identified duplicate files on Linux. The gaming experience with the Windows version of Re-Volt was positive, while attempts to install Microsoft Office 2016 were unsuccessful without an activation key. Modern applications faced significant challenges; Wine struggled with Adobe Creative Cloud, Affinity Photo 2, and Microsoft 365, while WPS Office had installation issues. The Wine team noted that newer applications are less likely to succeed due to complex UIs. In contrast, WinApps provided better support for more applications, despite performance trade-offs. The author expressed a preference for WinApps for modern applications and highlighted the superiority of native Linux apps for seamless functionality.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

5 apps that are way better on Linux than they are on Windows

GIMP and Krita perform better on Linux due to their native integration with system libraries (GTK for GIMP and Qt for Krita), resulting in a more responsive user experience compared to Windows. Kdenlive, a video editing software, is more stable on Linux, with fewer crashes and better performance due to its native MLT framework, while the Windows version often experiences issues. OBS Studio benefits from direct access to hardware resources on Linux, leading to lower latency and reduced CPU/GPU load, while capturing per-application audio is easier on Linux. VLC Media Player on Linux comes with full codec support out of the box, unlike the Windows version, which requires additional downloads. Linux's package management system allows for centralized software distribution and efficient dependency tracking, making it more secure and streamlined than Windows' fragmented approach to software management.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

A Linux terminal app for native Android development? Here’s why I’m bullish

Google is developing a new Linux terminal app for Android that allows developers to build applications directly on their devices using a Debian image within a virtual machine. This app will provide access to essential tools like Android Studio, although currently, Android Studio does not support ARM-based CPUs, which poses a challenge. Additionally, the Android Canary build includes support for Linux GUI applications, enabling users to run graphical applications such as Chromium, GIMP, and LibreOffice on devices like the Pixel 8 Pro. This initiative may contribute to merging Android and ChromeOS for a unified development platform. The release date is not specified, but Pixel devices are expected to be the first to receive the update.

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Google is building a Linux terminal app for native Android development – here’s why that’s huge

Google plans to introduce a new Linux terminal app for developers that will run a complete Debian environment on Android devices, allowing users to execute Linux commands directly. This app will enable developers to build Android applications directly on their devices using the Android Virtualization Framework, which boots a Debian image on a virtual machine. However, Android Studio does not currently support ARM-based CPUs, limiting its functionality within this environment. Additionally, the current Android Canary build supports Linux GUI applications, allowing users to run apps like Chromium, GIMP, and LibreOffice on devices such as the Pixel 8 Pro. The exact release date for these features is unclear, but they are expected to be available first on Pixel devices.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

I tried gaming on Linux — and it’s better (and worse) than you think

The gaming experience on Linux, particularly with Ubuntu, has been positive, with many single-player and co-op games performing well due to compatibility tools like Wine and Steam's Proton. While most Windows games can be played on Linux, limitations exist, particularly for MMORPGs and competitive multiplayer games that rely on kernel-level anti-cheat systems, rendering titles like Fortnite and Valorant unplayable. Some competitive games do offer Linux support, but this is not guaranteed. Additionally, accessory applications for gaming peripherals often lack support on Linux, although open-source alternatives exist. As of 2025, while Linux gaming has improved, significant gaps remain, particularly in compatibility with anti-cheat systems, making it less appealing than Windows for many gamers.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

Windows Finally Has a ‘Sudo’-Style Command Too

Microsoft introduced a new sudo feature in Windows 11 version 24H2, which began rolling out in October 2024. This feature allows users to execute commands requiring administrative privileges by prefixing them with "sudo." It offers three operational modes: default (executes in a new window), Inline (executes in the same window), and Input closed (executes in the same window without accepting input from other commands). To check for access to this feature, users can navigate to System Settings > System > For developers. If available, users can confirm actions via a pop-up after entering a command with sudo. Users not on version 24H2 or facing compatibility issues may consider using gsudo, an open-source tool that provides a Linux-like experience for command elevation.

Winsage

February 22, 2025

Hands-on: Ueli is a launcher you can use on Windows, macOS, and Linux — and it’s pretty good

Ueli is a cross-platform app launcher compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent user experience across these operating systems. The Windows and macOS versions are similar in functionality and design, though the Linux version is untested. Ueli offers a uniform interface with plugins that function identically on both Windows and macOS, but lacks a synchronization feature for settings across devices. Users can customize various aspects of their experience, including themes and search engines, but face limitations such as the inability to define specific prefixes for launching extensions. Ueli includes around 20 extensions, many disabled by default, which limits its versatility compared to competitors like Raycast and Flow Launcher. A notable feature is the Workflows extension, allowing users to create custom task sequences with a single command, although linking applications within workflows can be cumbersome on Windows. Overall, Ueli shows promise but has limitations that prevent it from fully competing with established tools.