Miguel Leiva-Gomez, Author at Make Tech Easier

The Best Linux Desktops for a Touchscreen Monitor

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 19:25:06 +0000

The concept of using Linux on a touchscreen monitor or two-in-one computer has come a long way. Touchscreen support is now built in to the Linux kernel, so theoretically, any Linux distribution should be able to run with a touchscreen. That said, not every distribution will be easy to use on a touchscreen, and this comes down to the desktop environment each one works best with. You may have to choose the best Linux distros for a touchscreen that use the optimal desktop out of the box.

For example, using a tiling window manager like Awesome or i3 isn’t going to do you much good on a touchscreen without some heavy tweaking. Choose the right desktop environment, and you’ll have a much better time using Linux on this type of hardware.

The Best Linux Desktop Environments of 2022

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 19:25:40 +0000

As Linux users, we’re often spoiled for choice when it comes to software. There are some basic programs that we keep coming back to that are so integrated into the stack that we forget they’re even there. However, when it comes to things like desktop environments, it can be hard to determine the best option for exactly what you’re going to use it for. We have reviewed different Linux Desktop Environments, and there’s a lot of overlap between use cases. Here we show you the best Linux Desktop Environments for your particular use case.

Note: the following list is not listed in any particular order, and Window Managers are not included.

Content

1. GNOME Shell
2. KDE Plasma
3. Cinnamon / Pantheon
4. XFCE
5. Budgie
6. Deepin
Frequently Asked Questions

1. GNOME Shell

For (New) Laptop Users

For users of new laptops, I would recommend GNOME. One thing is for sure: Gnome is not the easiest to use straightaway. Its design... Read more

How to Fix Ubuntu Can’t Open the Terminal Issue

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 15:25:17 +0000

You can’t get the terminal in your Ubuntu machine to open. What can you do? While this issue seldom happens, it is a fact that the problem exists and can happen to you at anytime. Read on to learn what to do when your Ubuntu machine can’t open its terminal.

Content

Are You Missing the Icon?
Is There a Software Conflict?
Is the Terminal's Configuration Mangled?
Do Your Locales Need To Be Regenerated?
Re-Install or Use an Alternative
Frequently Asked Questions

Are You Missing the Icon?

If you’re only missing the icon from which you used to run the terminal, that doesn’t mean the actual terminal itself is gone. You can find it among the rest of your installed apps, through Ubuntu’s activities menu.

10 Useful Python One-Liners You Must Know

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Although it’s pushed well past the 30-year mark since its release, Python remains one of the most relevant high-level programming languages in existence. Many developers will opt to use this language to make applications that can easily be maintained and require minimal hand-holding to work in a number of operating systems and distributions of Linux.

One of the greatest benefits of Python is its ability to snake (pun completely intended) around a lot of conventions found in other languages with little effort on behalf of the programmer, letting you compose incredibly simple little “quips” to get the job done. Here are a few examples!

Content

1. Swap Variables Around
2. Do a Quick Napkin Factorial
3. Initialize and Declare Multiple Variables
4. Open and Read a File
5. Write to a File
6. Create a Ranged List of Numbers
7. Display All Users (In Linux/Unix/BSD)
8. Generate a Random Password
9. Find Instances of Anything Within Text
10. Convert Hexadecimal Expressions to Plaintext
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Copy and Paste Text, Files and Folders in Linux Terminal

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Copying and pasting is one of the most used actions on a computer. While it is easy to do so with the Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V keyboard shortcuts, on the Linux terminal it is not so straightforward. You have several options to get the job done. Here is how you can copy and paste text, files and directories in Linux terminal.

Content

Copy and Paste Text
Copy and Paste a Single File
Copy and Paste a Folder and Its Contents
Copy and Paste Multiple Files
Copy and Paste All Files of the Same Type
Make Copying More Interactive
Rsync vs CP
Move a File or Folder
Frequently Asked Questions

Copy and Paste Text

If you just want to copy a piece of text in the terminal, all you need to do... Read more

How to Connect Your PS4/PS5 to a Laptop or Mac

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Sat, 28 May 2022 15:25:26 +0000

When you have your PlayStation next to a monitor or TV, it’s convenient to hook up your console to your setup for quick and easy gaming. However, if you own something like a Mac or a laptop, you may need to do a little more legwork to play games on your screen. Let’s take a look at how you can connect PS4 or PS5 to your laptop or Mac.

Content

The Problem With Using a PlayStation's HDMI Cable on a Laptop or Mac
How to Play PS4/PS5 Games on a Laptop or Mac
How to Turn Off PS4/PS5 Controller
Frequently Asked Questions

The Problem With Using a PlayStation’s HDMI Cable on a Laptop or Mac

If you use a traditional computer and monitor setup that uses HDMI connections, plugging in a... Read more

5 Tools to Easily Create a Custom Linux Distro

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Tue, 10 May 2022 15:25:00 +0000

With so many Linux distros out there, you are probably wondering why someone would want to create their own distro instead of getting a ready-made one. While in most cases a ready-made distro is fine, if you want to have a distro that is 100 percent tailored to your needs, you may have to create your own.

With the right tools, creating your own Linux distro isn’t as hard as it seems, though it takes time for sure. There are many tools for the purpose – some of them are universal, and some of them are distro-specific. Here are a few of them.

Content

1. Linux Live Kit
2. Linux from Scratch
3. Customizer
4. MX Snapshot
5. Archiso
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Linux Live Kit

Linux Live Kit is a tool you can use to create your own distro or back up your system. It prefers Debian but fortunately can be run on other distros as well, provided it supports aufs and squashfs kernel modules. Linux... Read more

SD Card vs. SSD: What Is Really the Difference?

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 15:25:00 +0000

The solid state drive has given us a leap forward in the ability to open applications and read files quickly. Its storage mechanism operates under the same principles that other flash storage mediums use, namely non-volatile memory, which prevents memory from disappearing due to loss of power like it does in RAM. Since both SD cards and SSDs use solid-state storage and have no moving parts, is there any notable difference between the two types of memory? Shouldn’t a massive-capacity SD card be just about the same thing as a small SSD?

Explaining NAND Flash

Almost all the memory you use stored on a chip other than the RAM on your computer uses a technology known as NAND flash.

NAND flash memory depends on other hardware installed on the... Read more

Everything You Should Know About Your IMEI Number

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 15:25:00 +0000

IMEI numbers are a source of both mystery and paranoia within many circles around the Internet. These cryptic, nebulous numbers stamped around various parts of your phone are commonly used to identify it, leading some to wonder whether they can be used for surveillance and other nefarious activity. We’re here to demystify IMEI numbers and tell you exactly what they are, how they work, and how you can find them.

If you know what an IMEI number is and just want to know how to check the IMEI on your phone, you can jump straight to it here.

Content

What Is an IMEI Number?
What Is the Purpose of an IMEI Number?
Can the Government Use My IMEI Number to Track Me?
Is My IMEI Number Valid?
How to Check Your IMEI Number
Run IMEI Check for Your Phone
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Web3 and How Will It Change Your Digital Life

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:25:00 +0000

The Internet went through massive shifts, starting in the ’90s, where some innovations were adopted by enough of its users and developers that they eventually became standards. Sites like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Reddit all represent what we now call Web 2.0.

The definitions can get a little fuzzy, but looking in the broad strokes helps us understand what kicked off the transition between Web 1.0 and the next iteration. This will also help us understand how the emergence of Web3 will work.

Content

The Arrival of Web 2.0
What Is Web3?
The Pros and Cons
Frequently Asked Questions

The Arrival of Web 2.0

When the Internet was just starting to enter homes around the world, servers and bandwidth were expensive commodities. Getting a site... Read more

Top 7 Debian-Based Distros to Try If You Want an Ubuntu Alternative

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 15:25:00 +0000

Ubuntu is by far the most popular distros for people who want to try Linux for the first time. Without a doubt, it’s one of the easiest to use, is generously versatile in a wide range of situations, and everything from installation to initial setup is “touch and go.” The powerful APT package manager and wide feature set that appeals to Linux users from all walks of life gives all Debian distros a significant advantage over others. We offer a short walkthrough of several Debian-based distros for those looking for an Ubuntu alternative.

Content

1. Kubuntu
2. Linux Mint
3. Pop!_OS
4. Zorin
5. MX Linux
6. Lubuntu
7. Deepin
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Kubuntu

Ubuntu uses the GNOME desktop environment with a custom shell developed by its publisher.... Read more

How to Fix the Ubuntu Login Loop

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 15:25:00 +0000

One of the more common and arguably most frustrating bugs experienced by Ubuntu users is the login boot loop. When you try to log in to Ubuntu after starting up, you get taken right back around to the same login screen, and the process repeats indefinitely.

It might seem like you’re out of luck, but there are a couple of ways to break the loop. The most common cause is a strange permission issue with a file Ubuntu needs to start the graphical desktop. You can work your way around it by entering the command line shell and correcting the file permission. It’s a quick fix, and it works in most cases.

Content

Log in to the Shell
Check the Permissions of Xauthority
Change the Permissions of Xauthority
Other Options
Reinstall Your Desktop Environment
Frequently Asked Questions

5 Arch Linux Distros That Are Easier to Install and Use

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 16:25:00 +0000

Arch Linux is probably one of the most “for geeks” Linux distributions, with a delightful experience for every aficionado seeking to push the bleeding edge of what Linux can do. Its nature and target user make it challenging to use and install, with a steep learning curve that can put off even seasoned Linux users. Your computer becomes a project, you become the engineer in charge of it, and Arch hands you a magic wand to achieve your wildest dreams – provided you learn how to use it.

If you’d like to harness the power of Arch Linux but don’t want to have to build everything from the ground up, the good news is that there are plenty of Arch-based Linux distributions that offer varying levels of granularity to your experience. Nearly all of them offer the simplicity of GUI-based installation, and each provides its own unique take on Arch Linux.

Below, you will find five Arch-based Linux distributions you can try.

Content

1. EndeavourOS
2. Manjaro
3. ArcoLinux
4. ArchBang
5. Garuda Linux
Frequently Asked Questions

Do note that Javascript is not the same as Java. Check out the differences here.

How to Fix Broken Packages in Linux

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 16:25:00 +0000

Linux package managers, like Apt and DNF, are extremely powerful and intuitive, but that doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong. Occasionally, a package install goes wrong, and you’re left to pick up the pieces. Package managers have the ability to fix broken packages and skip broken updates to get your system working again and avoid troubles in the future. This article covers how to fix broken packages in Linux.

These tips and tricks should help you get unstuck in most instances. They’re all fairly universal, but every situation is different, so keep that in mind when trying to debug your own situation.

Fixing Broken Packages in Ubuntu/Mint/Debian

Apt has a couple of flags you can use to fix missing dependencies or packages that broke for one reason or another during install. A common use here would be installing a third-party .deb and finding that it had dependencies you didn’t know about. Those... Read more

How to Fix the No Sound Issue in Ubuntu

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 16:25:00 +0000

An issue often faced by Ubuntu users after installing Ubuntu or upgrading to a new version is the sound problem, or more specifically, the “no-sound” problem. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is related to a misconfiguration in the speaker settings, or maybe your hardware is not well-supported.

For most people, it’s usually a pretty easy problem to resolve. This is because most problems stem from an issue with services running on the system. In this article we go through a few simple fixes you can try. You don’t necessarily have to try them all. Just start at the top of the list and work your way down.

Content

Install Volume Control for PulseAudio
Check Your Speaker Settings
Check the ALSA Mixer
Reload ALSA
Reinstall ALSA and PulseAudio
Advanced Troubleshooting
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Install Deb Package in Arch Linux

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:25:00 +0000

If you’ve used Linux for any amount of time, you’ve noticed that one of the most common methods to install third-party applications is via a .Deb package. Often times this is the only way to get this software, as the developers can’t be bothered to go through the process of packaging in the dozens of different formats the Linux platform offers.

Many non-Debian-based Linux distributions have their own ways of getting around this issue. However, out of all Linux distributions, Arch Linux has the most interesting ways of getting a Debian package working. In this article we outline three ways to accomplish this and discuss which one is best.

Note: the steps below will work for any Arch-based distro.

Content

Installing via the AUR
Install via Debtap
Installing Manually
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Use cURL for Command Line Data Transfer and More

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 16:25:00 +0000

If you’ve been following terminal-focused installation instructions for Linux applications for a while, you’ve probably come across the curl command at some point or another. cURL is a command-line tool for transferring data with URLs. One of the simplest uses is to download a file via the command line. This is deceptive, however, as cURL is an incredibly powerful tool that can do much more.

Content

What Is cURL?
Installation
Using cURL
Following Redirects
Resuming a Download
Downloading More than One File
Downloading with Authentication
Splitting and Merging Files
Other Useful Features
cURL vs. Wget
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrapping Up

What Is cURL?

Originally written by Daniel Sternberg in 1996 to grab financial data from web servers and broadcast... Read more

Steam Not Opening? Here Are the Fixes

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 05:25:00 +0000

Despite efforts from Epic Games and Microsoft to carve out territory in the vast PC gaming landscape, Steam still remains the top dog with a lion’s share of up to 70 percent of the entire global desktop gaming market. For people who are serious about PC gaming, there really is no choice but to install Valve’s frontend.

If Steam stops working properly, either you can’t make payments, or it doesn’t open at all, then you effectively get locked out of a world of gaming goodness. Before panicking about losing access to the most colossal library of PC games in the world, here are a bunch of Steam fixes that may help rectify the issue.

“Could Not Connect to Steam Network” Error

If, upon trying to sign into Steam, you get a “Connection Error” along with the above message, then the very first thing... Read more