So you just installed Linux on an old laptop for the first time. Or maybe you did months ago and it’s just been sitting unused in your office since. Now what? Is there anything to do besides surf the web?
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Yes, there are tons of things you can do on your new Linux system that it was built to handle and usually don’t cost anything. If I have a free weekend at home, these are the things I’m doing with my Linux computers.
Pick up a free Linux-native game
The open source gaming world is thriving
These days when you hear about gaming on Linux, it’s almost always in the context of Steam and Proton or maybe Lurtis or another platform with install scripts and compatibility layers to aid in playing Windows games. If you step outside of Microsoft’s box, though, there’s a world of free and open source games that don’t require .
These games are built by teams of passionate, usually volunteer, developers who are literally doing it for the love of the game. There’s also usually a vibrant community dedicated to these games. Since they’re almost always open source, modding support and level editors verge on requisites in the native Linux gaming world.
Installing one of them is one of the easiest and most fun things you can do with your Linux computer right now.
So what should you play? I’ve discovered several Linux ports of classic games where you’ll find the likes of OpenRA recreating the original Command & Conquer games. There’s also Endless Sky letting you explore galaxies like you might remember in Escape Velocity.
Don’t sleep on the original games available in Linux repositories either. The side-scrolling adventure game CaveStory NX is a classic, and I hear that Xonotic is a very fun arena shooter.
Try customizing the desktop environment
Exercise the freedom Linux grants you
You probably already know that your Linux desktop environment, like GNOME, KDE Plasma, or Xfce, is very flexible and can customized to heart’s content. What you might not know is there are often features and configurations buried in the settings that are unconventional and sometimes just plain weird.
For example, looking at the desktop effects settings on my KDE Plasma computer, there’s a “Fall Apart” animation for windows that makes any window you close break into pieces as it disappears from your desktop. It’s sure to entertain anyone you’re showing your Linux computer to.
I also know there are lots of GNOME shell extensions that change how the desktop environment looks and behaves. I don’t use GNOME much myself, but I know a lot of people love the Blur My Shell extension.
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There are also themes developed by fans that can give your desktop a specific look or emulate a specific version of a specific operating system. There are ways to make Plasma look like MacOS, and Xfce is easy to convert to a Windows 95-like experience.
Find an app to replace big tech software
Go off the grid, Tux-style
I’m constantly seeking out handy software for Linux. In fact, I write every week about what I’ve been finding, showing off what apps I think are worth trying.
The fun part is when you discover an app that can totally replace apps or websites from big tech that you’ve been relying on for years. For example, GNOME Maps can potentially replace Google Maps for you, while LibreOffice and OnlyOffice are meant to take Microsoft Office’s place.
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Have an old telescope in the garage? Start using it again with the first app.
You can also find offline replacements for websites you might have been relying on. Ticket Booth lets you track your movie watchlists like Letterboxd does, and KeePassXC gives you a password manager that doesn’t require any online registration. There’s so much to discover if you visit Flathub or search your distro’s built-in repositories.
I’ll also give you a little secret to how I find useful apps: there are huge lists for those who know where to find them. The full list of KDE applications is a great browse, and GNOME has its own app list you’ll have a lot of luck rifling through. Linux fans often make lists on Reddit and other community discussion websites, so I regulardly read through recommendations there too.
That’s all my ideas for this weekend. If you’re still bored with your Linux PC next week, I might have more ideas. Until then, you might look into some homelab ideas for the weekend, if you’re the self-hosting, tinkering type.
