Oreon 10, our favorite Windows replacement, has just been updated -- and it's about to get much, much better!


The biggest problem with saying goodbye to Windows 10 or 11 is knowing what to use instead. macOS is a great choice, but you’ll probably need to buy a Mac to run it, so that makes it an expensive option.
There’s no shortage of Linux distros you can use, including the big ones like Ubuntu and Mint, but they aren’t for everyone. One relatively new choice is the stunning Oreon 10 which we declared had "arrived to replace Microsoft Windows" when it launched last December. That OS has just received a big update, but it’s what’s coming next that has us most excited.
The stunning EndeavourOS 'Mercury' arrives to replace Microsoft Windows -- download it now!


If you’ve had enough of Windows 11, or are considering moving away from Microsoft when the tech giant pulls the plug on Windows 10 later this year, there are plenty of options available to you, ranging from the likes of Nitrux Linux to the just-updated, gorgeous EndeavourOS 'Mercury'.
The successor to EndeavourOS 'Neo' has been in development for quite some time, but it's a great update and not only fixes loads of problems but also introduces some great new features.
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors v8.3 now handles Apple iWork files on Windows, macOS, and Linux


Dealing with Apple iWork files on non-Apple systems has always been a bit of a headache, but at least there were solutions. Apps like Microsoft Office and LibreOffice have long been able to deal with iWork formats, converting Pages, Numbers, and Keynote into formats that are more universally accepted. Now, however, with version 8.3, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors steps up, adding iWork compatibility for users on Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms.
This update lets users peek into iWork files without needing Apple's own software. While you can't edit these files directly yet, there's a conversion tool that can turn them into DOCX, XLSX, or PPTX, making them editable in the familiar formats. This move cuts out the need for extra software or asking for different file types from colleagues.
Windows 12 won't pull me away from Linux unless Microsoft fixes these 5 things


Windows 12 has been the subject of leaks and speculation, which can be totally fun to discuss and imagine. But let’s be honest, folks -- that operating system is not likely to arrive this year. In fact, it could still be several years away. On a positive note, however, that should give Microsoft plenty of time to make sure the OS is actually worth using.
As a regular Linux user, I have some very serious demands if I’m ever going to consider switching, and Microsoft has a golden opportunity to get things right. Here are five things the company needs to deliver before I even think about going with Windows 12.
Ubuntu Linux on WSL gets massive upgrade with new tar-based install that makes Microsoft Store optional


If you are a Linux fan that is forced to use Microsoft Windows for some reason, you know how valuable Windows Subsystem for Linux is. If you aren’t familiar, WSL allows you to run a Linux environment from within Windows -- no virtual machine needed. It’s pretty wonderful.
Well, folks, today, Ubuntu on WSL gets a very useful upgrade that both developers and enterprises should really love. You see, thanks to Microsoft’s new tar-based distribution format, Ubuntu can now be installed and managed without relying on the Microsoft Store. That’s right, y’all -- no more struggling with Store-related headaches.
Forget upgrading to Microsoft Windows 11: Nitrux Linux 3.9.0 is the operating system you need!


With Windows 10 set to reach its end of life later this year, Microsoft has been taking every opportunity to heavily push Windows 11 as the only upgrade path for users. The latest operating system share figures from StatCounter show the message is getting through -- slowly -- with Windows 11 achieving 36.65 percent of the market, an increase of 2.53 percentage points since last month.
What that means, of course, is that Windows 10 still has 60.33 percent, suggesting users aren’t in a huge rush to move away from their OS of choice to the AI-riddled sequel. Let’s be honest, Windows 11 isn’t the only game in town for Windows 10 users looking to make the move. One of the more popular alternatives is Nitrux Linux, which has just hit a new milestone.
CachyOS February 2025 release is here to make Arch Linux more accessible


CachyOS fans, get ready -- this first release of 2025 (download ISO here) was definitely worth the wait. The team held off until NVIDIA’s latest driver was available to make sure users with Blackwell-based 50xx series GPUs had a seamless experience. Now, with the 570 driver in place, Blackwell support is fully integrated.
For those unfamiliar, CachyOS is an Arch Linux-based distribution that focuses on performance and optimization. It builds on the power of Arch while adding aggressive compiler optimizations, a user-friendly setup, and custom tweaks designed to get the most out of modern hardware.
Sick of Microsoft Windows? Solus 4.7 could finally get you to switch to Linux


If you’re tired of Microsoft’s bloated Windows operating system, and you are looking for a fresh alternative, Solus 4.7 could be the Linux distro for you. Code-named “Endurance,” this new release (download here) is chock full of updated software, improved hardware support, and polished desktop environments. The name “Endurance” is not random, either -- it was deliberately chosen to reflect the team’s promise to deliver consistent updates and a reliable experience.
All four editions of Solus comes with updated core apps, including Firefox 134.0.2, LibreOffice 24.8.4.2, and Thunderbird 128.6.0. Multimedia playback is to the desktop environment you choose. For example, Budgie and GNOME editions ship with Rhythmbox and Celluloid, while Plasma users get Elisa and Haruna, and Xfce uses Parole.
Wine 10.0 uncorks smoother support for running Windows apps on Linux


The Wine team has officially released Wine 10.0, marking a full year of extensive development with over 6,000 changes. This stable release introduces major updates designed to improve performance, compatibility, and visual experience when running Windows applications on Linux (and other non-Windows platforms).
Perhaps the most impressive arrival in Wine 10.0 is the addition of full support for the ARM64EC architecture, now on par with ARM64. This allows developers to build hybrid ARM64X modules that blend ARM64EC and ARM64 code in a single binary. While currently reliant on an experimental LLVM toolchain, the upcoming LLVM 20 release should streamline support. The update also introduces 64-bit x86 emulation, using ARM64EC to allow Wine’s internal processes to run natively, reducing the need for resource-intensive emulation.
Say goodbye to Windows 11 and switch to MX Linux 23.5 for a faster PC


Tired of the constant updates, bloat, and resource demands of Windows 11? Aren't we all? MX Linux could be the perfect solution to your woes, and thanks to its lightweight nature -- especially compared to Windows -- it could make your PC run even faster!
The latest version of this lightweight Linux distribution has just been released, offering a Windows alternative that’s fast, user-friendly, and entirely free. Built on the rock-solid Debian 12.9 “Bookworm” base, MX Linux 23.5 combines performance, flexibility, and simplicity -- qualities that Microsoft's operating systems always seems to struggle with.
Linux Foundation launches Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers initiative with backing from Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Opera


The Linux Foundation has announced the launch of "Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers," an initiative aimed at funding and supporting open development within the Chromium ecosystem. The purpose of this effort is to provide resources and foster collaboration among developers, academia, and tech companies to drive the sustainability and innovation of Chromium projects.
As Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation, explains, “This project will provide much-needed funding and development support for open development of projects within the Chromium ecosystem.”
Can siduction OS seduce you into saying goodbye to Windows 11 in 2025?


The start of a new year is always a chance to reassess priorities, try to break old habits, and make lifestyle changes that bring us closer to the life we want to live. New Year’s resolutions typically center around health, career, or relationships, but there’s another area worth considering -- the software and tools we rely on daily.
If you’ve been thinking about leaving Microsoft Windows 11 behind and diving into the world of Linux, this could be the perfect time to do so. (Like all resolutions there’s no guarantee you’ll stick to it of course, but like that well-meaning health kick, it’s worth giving it a go.)
Linux-powered Serpent OS reaches its first major development milestone -- download it now!


The team behind Serpent OS has announced its Linux distro has entered alpha. The operating system, built by industry veterans with decades of experience, is a heavily engineering-led project that seeks to redefine how Linux is distributed. In the team's own words, it "represents the next evolution in Linux distributions". It offers a stateless design and atomic updates, ensuring that system changes either complete fully or roll back seamlessly if issues arise, which should guarantee reliability and stability.
The new alpha release is tailored for UEFI systems only, with secure boot support planned for future updates. For now, x86_64-v2 builds are available with GNOME and COSMIC desktop environments.
How Santa Claus could transform Christmas with Linux


Santa Claus may be magical, but even the most legendary figure could benefit from some modern technological enhancements. If he adopted the Linux kernel, which powers the world’s most flexible and open-source operating systems, the jolly old man in red could take his North Pole operations to the next level. Here are five ways Linux could transform Santa’s workshop for the better.
First, Santa could use Linux for inventory management. With millions of toys being produced, stored, and delivered annually, managing his inventory must be a logistical nightmare. Linux-based solutions like Odoo or Openbravo provide powerful tools for tracking inventory, ensuring Santa’s elves never run out of key materials like wood, plastic, or glitter.
Linux predictions for 2025


As we close out 2024, we Linux enthusiasts are once again looking ahead to what the future holds. While Linux has long been the unsung hero of technology, powering servers, supercomputers, and the cloud, it’s also a dominant force in the consumer space, even if many don’t realize it. With Android leading the way as the most widely used Linux-based operating system, 2025 is shaping up to be another landmark year for the open source world.
First and foremost, Linux will continue to dominate the enterprise sector. Businesses have realized the cost and flexibility benefits of moving away from proprietary systems. Linux already powers most cloud infrastructure, and as organizations look to tighten budgets, more companies will opt for open source solutions to run their operations. With major providers like AWS and Google Cloud leaning heavily on Linux, its role in the corporate world is only growing stronger.
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