We ❤️ Open Source

A community education resource

Don Watkins

I am Don Watkins, a free and open source software (FOSS) advocate, former correspondent at Opensource.com, where I had the privilege of working and writing with a great group of individuals who are passionate about all things open source including open education. I am an advocate of public libraries and teach Python programming using Raspberry Pi computers. I have recently moved much of my social networking to mastodon.social/@linuxnerd. You can find me on LinkedIn. I am a husband, father, grandfather, US Navy veteran, Yoga, mindfulness, and chocolate chip cookies.

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Articles by Don Watkins

System76’s COSMIC desktop: A hands-on tour of Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS

Don Watkins

15 open source backup solutions to protect your data in 2026

Don Watkins

Your 2026 quick guide to free Office alternatives

Don Watkins

6 must-read Linux and open source tutorials of the year

Don Watkins

Zorin OS 18 review: The Linux distro designed for Windows users

Don Watkins

How to turn any phrase into another language instantly

Don Watkins

Getting started with VirtualBox on Linux: From hobbyist tinkering to production prep

Don Watkins

How Linux Mint saved an eight-year-old PC

Don Watkins

How I brought old family photos to life with AI colorization

Don Watkins

From libraries to small businesses: Why WordPress remains the open web’s backbone

Don Watkins

12 everyday technologies powered by Linux

Don Watkins

Can AI take the grunt work out of grant work?

Don Watkins

How to use GenAI to create Common Core-aligned lesson plans in minutes

Don Watkins

How I use NotebookLM as my personal research assistant

Don Watkins

How to plan a low sugar diet using AI in minutes

Don Watkins

How to batch convert docx files using LibreOffice

Don Watkins

A simple guide to installing Nextcloud with snap on Linux

Don Watkins

VSCodium for middle school coding: A free, open source way to teach Python

Don Watkins

Getting started with Inkscape: The free and open source vector graphics editor

Don Watkins

Getting started with Jan: A private, open source alternative to ChatGPT

Don Watkins

How I used Pinokio to run OpenAudio and clone a voice in seconds

Don Watkins

Tired of complex AI installs? Try Pinokio

Don Watkins

Getting started with Darktable: A powerful free, open source photography workflow app

Don Watkins

Solving the right-click touchpad issue on Fedora KDE Plasma 42

Don Watkins

Linux-ready hardware: What to look for before you buy

Don Watkins

Getting started with Cronopete for Linux backups

Don Watkins

KDE Plasma turns your old Windows 10 machine into a modern Linux desktop

Don Watkins

Getting started with GIMP: The free and open source image editor

Don Watkins

Exploring Fedora KDE on a new Lenovo laptop

Don Watkins

Celebrating 20 years of Open Document Format: A milestone for digital freedom

Don Watkins

How UTM makes Linux virtualization easy on Apple Silicon

Don Watkins

How to restore Chrome audio on KDE Plasma

Don Watkins

Capture and annotate Linux screenshots fast with KDE Spectacle

Don Watkins

How to remove BitLocker encryption and install Linux on a locked laptop

Don Watkins

The open source apps I use on macOS for AI, coding, and creativity

Don Watkins

What is Openverse?

Don Watkins

Exploring Signal: Open source encryption for modern communication

Don Watkins

5 reasons to explore Open Clipart

Don Watkins

How to put text on a path using Inkscape

Don Watkins

10 essential networking commands for sysadmins

Don Watkins

Getting started with Krita: A free digital painting tool for beginners and pros

Don Watkins

10 open source tools you can start using today

Don Watkins

How to quickly build a multi-distribution Linux USB drive with Ventoy

Don Watkins

My top 5 must-have apps on Fedora 41 KDE Plasma

Don Watkins

The top Linux, open source, and sysadmin podcasts on my list

Don Watkins

ActivityPub explained: The protocol connecting the Fediverse

Don Watkins

Pixelfed: The open source alternative to Instagram

Don Watkins

Kiwix: The open source solution for offline content delivery

Don Watkins

How to use the dd command to create bootable Linux drives

Don Watkins

Getting started with Etherpad: The open source tool for collaboration

Don Watkins

How Joplin Web Clipper can organize your web content and keep your data secure

Don Watkins

Why Markdown is essential when you are writing for the web

Don Watkins

5 simple ways to help open source projects without writing code

Don Watkins

7 free multimedia and design tool tutorials

Don Watkins

How to create a holiday card with open source tools

Don Watkins

Open source for the holidays: Free tools to create cards, videos, and more

Don Watkins

Why Joplin is my go-to note-taking app

Don Watkins

How to remove metadata from photos using ExifCleaner

Don Watkins

The case for open source solutions in HIPAA

Don Watkins

How AI is making cancer detection faster and more accurate for doctors

Don Watkins

Getting started with PhotoCollage tutorial

Don Watkins

How to install and utilize Open WebUI

Don Watkins

Maximize your Mastodon experience: Top open source clients I’ve tried

Don Watkins

Exploring Hollama: A minimalist web interface for Ollama

Don Watkins

Seamlessly convert Markdown documents to Office formats with Pandoc: A how-to guide

Don Watkins

Harness the power of large language models part 4: Working with an AI chef

Don Watkins

A quick guide to create an efficient rubric using genAI

Don Watkins

Harness the power of large language models part 3: Create your own model with Ollama

Don Watkins

Enhance your writing skills with Ollama and Phi3

Don Watkins

Harness the power of large language models part 2: Working with Ollama

Don Watkins

Harness the power of large language models part 1: Getting started with Ollama

Don Watkins

Discovering system information with inxi

Don Watkins

5 Linux backup solutions to explore

Don Watkins

Trying the Cosmic Desktop from System76: A desktop paradigm change

Don Watkins

Getting started with Handbrake video transcoder

Don Watkins

Linux: The sustainable choice for computing and environmental responsibility

Don Watkins

Explore the intersection of programming and mathematics with Turtle graphics

Don Watkins

Getting started with Etcher.io

Don Watkins

Getting started with OpenCPN Chart Plotter Navigation

Don Watkins

Create stunning images with a few prompts using DiffusionBee

Don Watkins

Getting started with GnuCash for financial management

Don Watkins

Unleashing the power of Homebrew on MacOS

Don Watkins

NextCloud’s long-term vision, data privacy, AI features, and more

Don Watkins

Saving vintage recordings with Linux

Don Watkins

Getting started with Upscayl tutorial

Don Watkins

Getting started with Stellarium tutorial

Don Watkins

Getting started with Llamafile tutorial

Don Watkins