Matt Hartley

According to various sources, Linus Torvalds once said: “If Microsoft ever does applications for Linux it means I’ve won.” Well if this quote is in fact valid, then Linus has indeed won. In this article, we’ll examine whether or not the war was won or if this is merely a battle to prolong Microsoft’s reign […]

Without question, the past few years have been huge for the Linux desktop. From Docker containers to Valve’s Steam software making additional games available for Linux users, it’s been a wild ride. In this article, I want to touch on the sensitive subject of Linux freedom vs. Linux convenience. Practicality vs. Politics While there are […]

Recently there has been concern surrounding the possibility that one day Windows could be open source. The previous CEO of Microsoft stated point blank that he viewed the concept of open source as a cancer. Is this about-face an indication that Microsoft has evolved and accepts that open source provides far greater value? Even more […]

Ask any casual Linux enthusiast whether Linux is easy to use and they’ll tell you once installed, it’s very simple to navigate. The problem with the Linux desktop in 2015 isn’t how easy the desktop environment(s) are to work with, but whether the applications provided are easy enough for the average user at a workstation. […]

Every time I hear of another great open source project shutting its doors, I hold my breath in hopes it will be forked. Sadly though, this isn’t a great plan for all projects. Sometimes these projects are rich in users but poor in developers. In this article, I’ll explore this issue and what can be […]

On it’s own, Ubuntu is a solid desktop Linux experience. It offers ample application choices and it’s easy to use. But one area I would like to see greater focus is mirroring one desktop to another. That is, being able to find the same documents and other files I use on both desktop machines. In […]

Ubuntu security isn’t difficult: Hardening your Ubuntu installation is usually a straight forward process. Yet sometimes in our haste, we forget to address important security measures early on. In this article I’ll share my essential Ubuntu security hardening techniques. Anti-virus software isn’t needed For most Ubuntu users the idea of using an anti-virus on their […]

Like most people, I find myself using the same VoIP options everyone else is using. Thankfully, these days there are far more options available than what we might think. Today, I’ll look at these options and also explore up-and-coming alternatives as well. Skype Coming from any other platforms, Linux VoIP clients often find themselves being […]

Over the years I’ve found that a significant hurdle to getting family and friends to switch to Linux comes from its lack of familiarity. This is especially true when it comes to troubleshooting any issues. Obviously, when a malfunction occurs it’s not always possible to be there in person. However thanks to the wonders of […]

By now, most of you have likely heard about the new Ubuntu phone selling out fairly quickly after its release. In a crowded mobile market, any new entries to the smart phone operating system space must find their niche fairly quickly. We’ve seen how failing to address this can lead to mediocre results with Windows […]