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The Switch to Linux

Guides for switching to Linux and open source software.

Hand-coded on MX Linux
Core Reading
Featured Article

When the Things You Buy Stop Being Yours

From smart homes disabled by Amazon to heated seats behind a paywall, the era of owning what you pay for is ending. Here is what happened and what you can do about it.

Digital Ownership Nov 27, 2025
New

The Smart TV Problem

Your smart TV screenshots everything on screen up to 48,000 times per second and sells the data to advertisers. It happens even when using external devices like a gaming console or laptop. Here is what is actually happening, who profits from it, and what you can do about it.

Privacy Mar 2026

Your Old Computer Is Not Broken. Windows Is Just Done With It.

240 million PCs can not run Windows 11. Not because they are broken, but because Microsoft drew an arbitrary hardware line. Here is why Linux makes them fast again.

Old Hardware Feb 2026

Privacy Beyond Telemetry: The 15-Minute Network Audit

Most people lock down their browser but never check what their smart TV, phone, or thermostat is sending out. A practical guide to seeing what's on your network and shutting down what shouldn't be there.

Network Security Jan 21, 2026

The Backup Strategy: Automated, Encrypted, and Permanent

Hard drives have a 100% failure rate. Here is how to use the 3-2-1 rule and Linux automation to make sure you never lose a file again.

Security Jan 21, 2026

Installing Linux Without Removing Windows

You don't have to go all-in on day one. Keep your games and Windows apps while running Linux side by side. Here's how to set up a dual boot step by step.

Getting Started Dec 31, 2025

Making the Switch: Windows Software and Their Linux Alternatives

An honest look at what transfers easily, what takes some adjustment, and when you should just keep a dual boot for the stuff that doesn't work yet.

Practical Guide Dec 16, 2025

Not All Linux Is Created Equal

Choosing the right distribution matters more than most guides let on. We break down the differences between corporate-backed and community-driven options and why it matters for you.

Analysis Dec 5, 2025

From Windows to Linux: What the Switch Actually Feels Like

The immediate quiet, the workflow changes, and the end of forced updates. An honest look at what the first few weeks are actually like.

Experience Nov 28, 2025
Our Approach

What You Won't Find Here

  • Affiliate links to products we don't use
  • Corporate-sponsored reviews
  • Pretending everything works perfectly
  • Gatekeeping or technical elitism

What You Will Find

  • Honest assessments based on daily use
  • Clear explanations without unnecessary jargon
  • Acknowledgment that some things won't work yet
  • Open source advocacy without the preaching
Coming Soon
The Subscription Trap: Why Renting Software Costs You More
The Apps That Replaced Everything
What Windows Knows About You (And How to Find Out)