Matt Hartley

The new Chrome OS “Chromebooks” are right around the corner. And if you’re anything like me, the question about how this affects the rest of the Linux ecosystem is a nagging concern for you. Google has been supportive of Linux on the desktop and various open source applications, and has also pushed to get an […]

As things stand now, there are more Linux distributions available than most of us know what to do with. However, there are still instances where going along with the crowd and using a ready-made distribution might not be the right fit for your company. Whether it’s from a branding perspective or marketing opportunities, the reasons […]

Over the past week Linux users have expressed deep concern over Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype. This concern is understandable, since Skype is widely used on all three popular computing platforms. But rather than dwell on what we can’t control, I’ll instead look at what might be an opening for Skype alternatives should Microsoft pull the […]

Since its debut, I’ve had plenty of time to work with the latest Ubuntu release known as version 11.04. And even considering some of my earlier harsh criticism, I’ve indeed found some nuggets of goodness within the 11.04 release. This got me thinking. It appears the only gripe I have left is addressing Unity itself […]

Not too long ago, I wrote about Ubuntu’s embrace of the Unity desktop and what that would mean for Ubuntu users who might prefer a traditional GNOME shell. At the time, I was called out by some readers regarding my belief that Ubuntu was limiting itself with its choice in relying on Unity. Now as […]

Over the years I’ve found that it matters very little which Linux distribution we use when being dealt a heavy data loss. Clearly the importance of data backup is right up there with remembering to secure a network or making sure current software patches are applied. In short, it’s a pretty darned big deal. But […]

With each passing day, I find myself more amazed at the level of innovation shown from within the browser community. Both open source and closed source browsers on the Linux desktop manage to extend browser functionality far beyond the usual. This has proven both exciting and problematic. Exciting in the sense that we can now […]

I like to think of myself as a relatively long time Linux enthusiast. In fact, I feel like a fish out of water when asked to work on a Windows box or with a Mac. Like most of you, I can certainly make the adjustment for a day, but I always come away feeling a […]

Recently it was brought to my attention that all the desktop Linux hoopla in the world doesn’t mean squat without compelling applications to get the end user interested. To address this need, I’ve rounded up fifteen powerful Linux applications that reflect the best that Linux has to offer the desktop user, both in and out […]

(Editor’s note: Matt Hartley is a Linux expert who has written articles such as 20 New User Misconceptions about Linux and Open Source Alternatives to Google. Why does he carry an iPhone in his pocket?) What drives some people to use one mobile platform over another? Although I’m a diehard Linux advocate, I happen to […]