Bobby Jack-Senior Author

Bobby Jack

Senior Author

September, 2024
BSc Computer Science (University of Southampton)
Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch
  • 192
    articles
  • 47
    Features
  • 69
    Lists
  • 76
    Guides

About Bobby Jack

A technology enthusiast, Bobby studied Computer Science at the University of Southampton before working in a number of roles across industries, from the private sector to the charitable one, at multinationals and startups. He’s helped maintain backend Java servers, designed databases and front-end interfaces, and created a bespoke content management system.

Bobby also enjoys video gaming, and has written for several outlets, including a stint as Editor-in-Chief at Switch Player Magazine and contributions to online magazine, SUPERJUMP. Bobby uses a Mac for day-to-day work and an Android phone for distractions.

Latest

A grid of 8 icons representing ambient sounds such as Stream, Train, and Fireplace.
Learning Linux with zero attention span is tricky, but these tips will help you focus

Avoid distractions, create a calming environment, and use simple, effective tools to your advantage.

A laptop displaying a web page with a dialog box and HTML markup shown below.
This is the easiest way to build interactive websites without JavaScript

You don’t need to write your own code to get modern, functional websites with powerful components, smooth animations, and request/response behavior.

A browser mockup showing a screen from the Command Challenge website which includes a task and an in-page terminal.
5 free games that make learning the Linux command line addictive

Learn new terminal techniques and test your understanding with these fun, interactive tutorials.

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Linux mascot waving inside the Windows 10 logo with the logos of some Linux distributions in front.
The clones of Windows: 6 Linux distros that tried to copy Microsoft’s style

Whether you can’t bear to part with the Windows 11 look, or you’re trying to recreate the heady days of Windows XP, there’s a Linux distro to help.

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A laptop showing a Linux installer with the option to edit a partition shown setting the mount point to /home.
Moving your Linux home folder to a dedicated drive is the distro-hopping secret I wish I knew earlier

You’ll definitely want to do this sooner rather than later, to smooth the process of switching distros.

2
A desktop under a desk with some Plasma windows, and in the background, the default Plasma wallpaper split between light and dark.
KDE Plasma feels faster after you disable this one animation nobody needs

Lots of KDE’s animations are superfluous resource hogs, but this one in particular has me reaching for the off switch.

7
GNOME Software open on a Star Labs StarLite Linux tablet
These 5 immutable Linux distros solve problems Windows users don’t even know they have

A read-only system may sound limiting, but it will free you from dependency hell and irreversible mistakes.

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Laptop with the Linux terminal open.
Please stop using these 7 deprecated Linux commands

Get with the program!

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The Linux penguin mascot wearing a Roman centurion helmet stands on a rock, raising a sword above a battlefield at sunset.
6 essential Linux desktop features that still haven’t made it to Windows

Linux does more with the mouse than you might realize, and it sometimes does windows better than… Windows!

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The Files GNOME app showing a Folder Sharing dialog.
I use this GNOME Files trick to instantly share any folder across my home network

Finally, a method that gives me easy access to files on any computer, even my Android phone.

A terminal window showing output from a program that has moved two files, with a macOS Finder window below showing their location.
This Python drop folder automatically organizes every file I download

Drop a file in a folder and have it processed automatically. It feels like magic, but it’s easy to set up—and there’s masses of further potential.

A terminal showing the rclone sync command in action on a colorful, wavy background.
I stopped using the official Google Drive app and switched to this simple terminal tool

Just as good as rsync, but works with Google Drive—and plenty more besides.

olivetin-featured-image
This self-hosted dashboard lets me trigger shell commands without typing anything

Anything your command line can do, at the click of a button.

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Linux mascot sitting on a chip with blurred code in the background.
Your Linux kernel keeps getting smarter—here's how

From Rust in the core to much improved NTFS support and better Mac compatibility, your kernel does it all.

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An image of multiple Git error messages.
The underused Git safety net that can save you from catastrophic code loss

It helps you find missing commits to recover lost work and undo costly mistakes.

A TUI file maanger showing an image preview of a grinning monkey, all on a bright pink and blue background.
This open-source app brings interactive file previews to your terminal—and its great

Yazi’s built-in preview does everything I need, and it can be configured to do even more

Linux mascot sitting next to a laptop with a security shield beside it.
These 5 Linux distros finally got DNS privacy right—most others don't

Conceal your tracks and protect against attacks with these distros that put DNS privacy at the forefront.

Dead Linux Penguin
These 5 distros prove that Linux isn’t immune to bloatware

Memory-hogging processes, unused packages, and gluttonous disk consumption conspire to ruin your Linux experience; don’t let them!

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A skewed screenshot of the spotify_player app in a terminal, showing a track playing with a graphic equalizer and a list of tracks below.
I replaced Spotify with a CLI music player and the only thing I missed was the algorithm

This app is perfect for all-day music sessions, when you just want it to get out of the way.

Concept of computer programming or developing software. Laptop computer with code on screen. Heart, message, cog, home, user, cloud, and lock icons.
Why developers are ditching GitHub for Codeberg and self-hosting alternatives

It’s supposed to be a decentralized service, after all...

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