What Is GNOME? A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Linux's Most Popular Desktop

I felt like my computer was working against me for the longest time. I never ever liked the bloatware or mandatory updates while I was in the middle of something important. That all changed when I switched to Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. , and I didn't realize exactly how awful my experience was with my tech until I made that switch.

What is Linux?

One of the things that makes Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. so flexible is that there are many different desktop environments. GNOME (say a hard G, like guh-nome) is one of them. I've liked my GNOME experience in Zorin OS.

My Zorin computer

GNOME isn't the only option. Mint's Cinnamon is not GNOME, but it did come from it. That's why I mention Zorin more in this post than Mint. Because Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. is open source Software whose code is publicly available and modifiable. Transparency, collaboration, and often free as in free lunch are important parts of the open source model. , and so is GNOME, anyone can take the code and build something new. That's what Mint did with Cinnamon.

What is open source

Familiar with everything you need

GNOME is a free open source Software whose code is publicly available and modifiable. Transparency, collaboration, and often free as in free lunch are important parts of the open source model. (FOSS) desktop environment that comes with a lot of core apps, workspace switching capability, and some customization features. This saves you money, headaches, and gives you more privacy.

Core apps and obedient settings

When your Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. distro Bundles the Linux kernel with other software components for a complete operating system (like Zorin or Ubuntu) comes with Gnome, you'll have core apps that you need, like files, a text editor, screenshots, and the terminal a text-based tool where you navigate your system and run commands by typing instead of clicking in a user interface . You can still use your favorite browser Lets you visit pages on the internet, examples are Safari, Edge, Firefox, or Brave. to do all the things you need to do.

Browser options in Linux (or anywhere else)

Time tested and surprisingly familiar

It's been around for a long time, but was considered "too different" by your average person. However, it will feel more familiar than you'd think. Modern Windows and macOS have adopted similar features like workspace switching, search-driven app launching, and the center dock/task bar. So it will likely feel familiar to you even if you have heard otherwise in the past. If the look isn't your cup of tea, you can change the look how you want, and it'll stay that way.

Conclusion

Windows costs hundreds of dollars. macOS locks you into their expensive ecosystem. Both companies collect way more data about you than they should.

Gnome is free, respects your privacy and your settings, and has influenced the look of the other big name operating systems. Save money, have better privacy, and have a better experience on your computer with Linux An alternative to Windows or MacOS on computers. .

If you want to try Linux without installing, use a live usb, but make sure to back up anything important just in case something goes wrong.

The live usb is important to test how well a distro Bundles the Linux kernel with other software components for a complete operating system will work on your hardware, but the website distrosea lets you try different distros Bundles the Linux kernel with other software components for a complete operating system if you want to narrow it down.

I recommend starting with Zorin, but Mint is also a good choice.