This article will cover a guide on using GameMode, a free and open-source command line utility you can use to improve the performance of games in Linux. The utility works with native Linux games as well as with Windows games running in Linux using Wine or Steam’s Proton compatibility layers.
GameMode and its features?
GameMode is a tool that allows you to modify the system settings and performance of games on a case-by-case basis without applying it system-wide. This allows you to have better control over your gaming experience. GameMode uses its own set of configuration files residing in a different location. The settings that apply when a game is started with GameMode enabled will be reverted back to the baseline settings (i.e., those that are put forth by the game’s native launcher) when a user quits the game to the desktop.
How to use GameMode?
There are a few different ways to use GameMode. The easiest way is to install the GameMode daemon and client. The daemon will automatically detect the running game and apply the necessary optimizations. The client can be used to manually enable and disable GameMode.
Alternatively, some games may include support for GameMode built-in. For example, Feral’s game ports for Linux support GameMode out of the box.
How to install GameMode on Linux
Search your chosen Linux distribution’s package manager for “GameMode” and install it. For example in Debian base distributions, you can use this command:
sudo apt install gamemode
Was installation successful?
Verifying utility command is part of the GameMode package. This command runs the simulation of the effects of tweaks applied by the game mode. Run the command to verify if GameMode is installed properly in your system and if everything works as it should:
gamemode-simulate-game
The following command should exit without producing any output or error messages after running for 10 seconds if the GameMode is working correctly on your Linux PC.
How to use it with games running through Wine and Native games
The process is really simple, just put this command before the wine command and the executable will run with GameMode:
gamemoderun wine "executable"
or if you don’t want to use wine:
gamemoderun "executable"
In order to use GameMode to run Steam game, simply go to the properties of the chosen game and under the launch options menu settings put:
gamemoderun %command%
Gamemode and Linux for gaming?
Linux can be used for gaming using GameMode but not all games are compatible with GameMode. But generally speaking, yes Linux can be used for gaming and its popularity for gaming is growing.
Distrowatch is a website that tracks Linux distributions and provides information and reviews. Today, we’ll check the most popular Linux distros list from DistroWatch.com and tell you more about them. We’ll also give you our opinion on which one is the best.
Which Linux distribution is the best one?
To be clear, there is no best distribution of Linux. This is totally up to users and what functions or software are looking for. Distrowatch bases its top distribution list on users’ opinions. But keep in mind, that count of Linux users has been growing in the last few years and the majority of them are normal users looking for ease of use. So, it is understandable if at the top of the list we’ll find distros focusing on ease of use and sometimes also gaming features like pre-installed Lutris.
Linux terminal
List of most popular Linux distros
MX Linux
MX Linux is a cooperative venture between the antiX and former MEPIS communities, using the best tools and talents from each distro. It is a midweight OS designed to combine an elegant and efficient desktop with simple configuration, high stability, solid performance, and a medium-sized footprint.
MX Linux features a unique combination of the Xfce desktop environment with tools from the antiX distro. It is also lightweight and easy to use, making it ideal for use on older or less powerful hardware. It was founded in 2013 and is currently being developed by a team of volunteers. MX Linux is based on Debian’s Stable branch.
EndeavourOS
EndeavourOS is a community-driven, Linux distribution based on Arch Linux. It was created in 2017 by a team of developers who wanted to provide a user-friendly alternative to Arch Linux.
It uses the same package manager (Pacman) and repositories as Arch Linux, but it also includes a graphical installer and additional user-friendly features. EndeavourOS is designed to be a rolling release distribution, which means that new software updates are available as soon as they are released upstream.
The main differences between EndeavourOS and Arch Linux are the inclusion of a graphical installer and additional user-friendly features. EndeavourOS is also more beginner-friendly than Arch Linux.
Manjaro
Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. Within the Linux community, Arch itself is renowned for being an exceptionally fast, powerful, and lightweight distribution that provides access to the very latest cutting-edge – and bleeding-edge – software. However, Arch is also aimed at more experienced or technically-minded users. As such, it is generally considered to be beyond the reach of those who are new to Linux. Manjaro bridges the gap between these two extremes.
It was created in 2011 by a team of core developers, Manjaro provides all the benefits of the Arch operating system combined with a focus on user-friendliness and accessibility.
Pop!_OS
Pop!_OS is a Linux distribution created by System76. It is based on Ubuntu and uses the GNOME desktop environment. Pop!_OS is designed to be easy to use and provides a streamlined experience for users. It includes a custom user interface, a custom theme, and a range of applications pre-installed. Pop!_OS is available id free and you can download it from the System76 website. It’s getting in popularity among Linux gamers. Some of the best features include the following:
A custom user interface that is easy to use
A custom theme that is pleasing to the eye
A range of applications pre-installed, including a game store
Regular updates and support from System76
Ubuntu
Ubuntu was created by Canonical Ltd. and released on October 20, 2004. It is based on Debian and uses the GNOME desktop environment. Some of the best features of Ubuntu include its ease of use, a wide range of applications, and excellent documentation. It is also one of the most popular Linux distros.
Fedora
Fedora was created in 2003 by Red Hat. It is based on the Linux kernel and GNU programs. It is free and open-source software. Fedora has a reputation for being a cutting-edge distribution. It is often the first to include new versions of programs and features. Fedora is also known for its strict adherence to free software principles. This can make it difficult to find proprietary drivers and software for Fedora. However, there are many community-supported alternatives available. The main difference between Fedora and Red Hat Linux is that Fedora is a community project while Red Hat Linux is a commercial product.
Debian
It’s my favorite distribution and in my opinion also the best Linux distro. Debian was created in 1993 by Ian Murdock. It is based on the GNU/Linux operating system. Debian is one of the most popular GNU/Linux distributions. Debian is known for its stability, security, and freedom. You can use it as a desktop operating system, but it is also popular among developers and system administrators.
Garuda
Garuda Linux is a GNU/Linux distribution based on the Arch Linux operating system. It was created by the team at Garuda Linux in order to provide a more user-friendly and customizable experience for users of Arch-based distributions. The distribution includes a variety of user-friendly features, such as a graphical installer, pre-configured desktop environments, and a wide range of software applications. Garuda Linux is also available in a variety of different editions, each of which is designed for a specific use case.
Linux Lite
Linux Lite is a free and open-source software operating system for computer users who do not want to deal with the hassles of installing and using a more complicated full-fledged Linux distribution. It is based on the lightweight LXDE desktop environment and is therefore relatively fast and resource-friendly.
Linux Lite was created in 2012 by Jerry Bezencon. It is based on the Ubuntu LTS (Long Term Support) release, and thus benefits from its five-year support cycle.
Some of the best features of Linux Lite include its ease of use, wide range of included software, and attractive default theme. It is a popular choice for users who are new to Linux, as well as for those who want a lightweight and relatively simple distribution for older or less powerful computers.
Best Linux distro for 2022
As you can see, most of the distributions mentioned in the list above are based either on Debian or Arch. So, we can say that these are the most popular Linux distros for 2022. If you are just starting your Linux Journey, I recommend going with Debian, it’s one of the oldest Linux distros, it’s stable and you can find literally a ton of documentation all over the Internet. Debian is also very customizable, so you can set it up in a way that will exactly fit your needs. You can try to install Debian with our tutorial for beginners!
Bored with Chrome OS? Tired of having a limited operating system on your Chromebook? Then you might want to try Gallium OS.
GalliumOS is a Linux distribution for ChromeOS devices, designed to offer a more traditional, user-friendly Linux experience. GalliumOS includes many performance, battery life, and security improvements, as well as a wide variety of popular Linux applications.
So if you’re looking for a more versatile and user-friendly operating system for your Chromebook, be sure to check out this great alternative. Or you can just install Debian and optimize the whole system to your needs.
Differences between ChromeOS and Gallium OS
There are a few key differences between Gallium OS and ChromeOS. Gallium OS is based on Ubuntu, while ChromeOS is based on Gentoo. This means that the software repositories and available packages are different for each operating system.
Chromebook
Gallium OS is also designed specifically for Chromebooks. This means that it has optimizations for Chromebook hardware, and the interface is designed to be used with a touchscreen.
Finally, ChromeOS includes a number of features that are not available on Gallium OS. These include the ability to run Android apps, and support for Google Play.
Reasons to install GalliumOS
There are a few reasons you might want to install GalliumOS on your Chromebook. GalliumOS is a lightweight Linux distribution that is specifically designed for Chromebooks. It’s a great alternative to ChromeOS.
One reason to install GalliumOS is that it can give you more control over your Chromebook. With GalliumOS, you can install any Linux software that you want. This means that you can use your Chromebook for tasks that are not possible with ChromeOS. For example, you can use GalliumOS to run a server or to develop software.
Another reason to install GalliumOS is that it is much faster than ChromeOS. This is because Gallium OS is designed to be lightweight and to use fewer resources than ChromeOS. This makes GalliumOS ideal for older Chromebooks that might struggle with the resources required by ChromeOS.
Finally, Gallium is a great alternative to ChromeOS if you are looking for a more traditional Linux experience. GalliumOS includes a desktop environment that is similar to what you would find on a typical Linux distribution. This can make switching to GalliumOS much easier for Linux users who are used to a specific desktop environment.
There are a lot of reasons you might want to record your screen on Linux. Maybe you’re making a tutorial, or maybe you just want to show off your sweet Linux setup or new distro to your friends. Linux screen recorder app is a great way to do this and it can be really simple.
Whatever the reason you have, there are plenty of great screen recording apps for Linux to choose from. Here is our list of 5 best apps available right now:
1. OBS Studio – best screen recorder for Linux
OBS Studio is a popular choice for screen recording on Linux, and for good reason. It’s a powerful and feature-rich app that can handle just about any screen recording task you throw at it. You can even stream with it on popular streaming platforms like YouTube or Twitch. OBS Studio is free and open source, and it’s available for all major operating systems, including Linux.
OBS Studio
2. SimpleScreenRecorder
SimpleScreenRecorder is, as the name implies, a simple screen recorder for Linux. It has a clean and straightforward interface that makes it easy to use, even for first-time users. SimpleScreenRecorder is free and open source. It’s available for Linux and Windows.
3. RecordMyDesktop
RecordMyDesktop is another popular screen recording tool for Linux. It’s a bit older than some of the other options on this list, but it’s still a solid choice. RecordMyDesktop is another open source application on our list. You can download version for Linux and Windows.
4. Linux screen recorder Kazam
Kazam is a simple, lightweight screen recorder for Linux. It has a minimal interface that makes it easy to use. Kazam is free and open source. It’s available for Linux and Windows. Before OBS came in, it was my personal favorite.
5. VokoScreen
VokoScreen is a screen recorder with a focus on ease of use. It has a simple interface and it’s designed to be as easy to use as possible. VokoScreen is free and open source. It’s available for Linux and Windows.
You don’t know what is Ventoy? Never heard of it? It’s an open-source bootable USB creation tool that allows you to turn any ISO or IMG file into a bootable USB drive. Ventoy can boot from ISO, IMG, VHD, WIM, EFI, and DMG files, making it one of the most versatile bootable USB creation tools available. It also supports booting from encrypted ISO and IMG files, making it a great option for security-conscious users.
Can I boot from Ventoy on every PC?
It is compatible with most PCs. However, some PCs may have BIOS/EFI issues that prevent Ventoy from working properly. But this never happened to me. So you can be almost 100% sure it will boot without any trouble.
How to install Ventoy
It depends on what Linux distribution are you using. You can find the detailed information on the author’s page. This tool is available in some Linux repositories. For example, you can install it on Ubuntu or Debian using this simple command:
sudo apt-get install ventoy
How to use this tool
Ventoy comes with a command-line interface and a GUI. You can use either one. It supports various Linux distribution ISO files, and it can boot from a hard drive, USB flash drive, and virtual machine.
To boot from a USB flash drive, you need to copy Ventoy to the root directory of the USB flash drive and COPY the ISO files into the Ventoy directory. It will automatically detect the ISO files and show them as a boot menu. There is also an option to let Ventoy prepare USB for you. In this case, two partitions will be created on your USB drive – one for the bootloader and the second one for ISOs
Ventoy can also be installed on CD or DVD
It can also boot from CD/DVD, but as you probably know, you cannot change data on this type of medium once it’s written. So this won’t be our use case.
This great tool is available in the following Linux distributions:
Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian, elementaryOS, Kali Linux, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, CentOS, Arch Linux, Gentoo, Manjaro, Chakra Linux, Mageia and more. Don’t know what distro to choose? Check out our list of best Linux distributions!
Use cases
Ventoy is a great tool if you need to install multiple Linux distributions on one USB drive, you want to try a Linux distribution without installing it on your hard drive or you want to install Linux on a computer that doesn’t have an optical drive.
The Gnome Drawing app is a great way to get creative with your Linux desktop! It allows you to easily create drawings and sketches, and it comes with a variety of different tools and features that you can use to customize your work.
The app comes with a variety of different tools, including a pencil, a brush, and a pen. You can use these tools to create sketches, drawings, and other artwork. The app also includes a variety of different color options, so you can create colorful designs.
Additionally, the Gnome Drawing app includes a variety of different effects that you can use to enhance your artwork. You can use the blur effect to make your drawings look more realistic, or you can use the glow effect to add a bit of extra flair.
Discover the features of the Gnome Drawing app and see how it can help you unleash your creativity!
Gnome Drawing is a user-friendly drawing app that is perfect for all ages and skill levels.
The app offers a variety of features, including a wide range of brushes and colors, that allow you to create beautiful works of art.
Gnome Drawing is also a great tool for learning to draw, as it offers a number of helpful tutorials.
With its easy-to-use interface and wide range of features, Gnome Drawing is the perfect drawing app for all your needs!
Unleash your creativity and make beautiful drawings!
Drawing app is a simple, yet powerful drawing tool that you can to create beautiful drawings and sketches. The app features a variety of drawing tools, including a pen, pencil, and brush, that can be used to create stunning sketches and drawings. The app also includes a variety of layer options, which can be used to create complex drawings. You can get it in Gnome App store
The latest version of the desktop environment GNOME 43 offers its users simplified access to settings, additional applications built on the GTK 4 toolkit with modifications of their graphical interface and various other interesting changes.
The release of a new version of the desktop environment
GNOME 43 was announced this week with several interesting changes and extensions to its application features that can significantly facilitate their use. Developers have also moved on to a newer version of the GTK 4 toolkit, and finally, the dark theme of the environment has been modified.
The transition to GTK 4 was completed for the GNOME Files file manager, GNOME Maps, Builder, Console applications and a few others. These applications should therefore be faster and their interface more cohesive with the overall look of the environment. The GNOME Files graphical interface has also undergone additional changes and developers are promising, in particular, improved clarity in search files or better adaptation to various resolutions.
Other applications also presented improvements in functionality. The contacts in the GNOME Contacts directory can now be imported and exported in the Virtual Contact File (vCard) file format, the GNOME Calendar got a sidebar with a list of upcoming events and the GNOME Calls application supports encrypted VoIP communication in addition to faster launching. Finally, the section with information about the hardware was added to the security settings of the system, which could help detect possible problems with its state, configuration or vulnerability associated with the firmware.
A more detailed overview of all the changes to the release of the GNOME 43 desktop environment was published in the statement on the release.gnome.org website. This version of GNOME could also become part of the upcoming major releases of the Fedora 37 or Ubuntu 22.10 (try to install it in Virtualbox) Linux distributions.
RPCS3 is a PlayStation 3 emulator for Windows and Linux. It is the most advanced PlayStation 3 emulator, allowing you to play your favorite PS3 games on your PC. The emulator is still in development, but it is already able to run many popular games, including God of War III, Uncharted 2, and The Last of Us.
In this guide, we will show you how to install RPCS3 on Ubuntu 22.04. We’ll also show you how to configure the emulator to get the best performance.
Installation of RPCS3 on Ubuntu 22.04
The first thing you need to do is download the RPCS3 emulator from its official website. Once the download is complete, open the downloaded file with yourarchive manager. Extract the contents of the archive to your home directory. Now open a terminal and navigate to the RPCS3 directory. Run the following command to install the dependencies for RPCS3:
Once the dependencies are installed, you can run the emulator by executing the rpcs3 executable. RPCS3 and compatibility The RPCS3 emulator is still in development, so not all PlayStation 3 games are compatible with it. However, there are a number of popular games that work well with the emulator.
Some of the best PS3 games that you can play on RPCS3 include God of War III, Uncharted 2, and The Last of Us.
Hardware requirements for RPCS3 on Ubuntu
In order to run the RPCS3 emulator, your computer must meet the following hardware requirements:
CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 or AMD FX-8300
GPU: Nvidia GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870
RAM: 4GB
Best PS3 games
God of War III
God of War III is an action-adventure game that was released for the PlayStation 3 in 2010. The game is set in the fictional world of Greek mythology and follows the story of Kratos, a Spartan warrior who is on a quest to kill Zeus. God of War III is an incredibly popular game, and it is one of the best PS3 games that you can play on RPCS3.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is an action-adventure game that was released for the PlayStation 3 in 2009. The game is set in the fictional world of Nepal and follows the story of Nathan Drake, a treasure hunter who is searching for the lost city of Shambhala. Uncharted 2 is one of the most popular PS3 games, and it is one of the best games to play on RPCS3.
The Last of Us
The Last of Us is was released for the PlayStation 3 in 2013. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world and follows the story of Joel and Ellie, two survivors who are trying to find a cure for a pandemic that has ravaged the world. The Last of Us is one of the best PS3 games, and it is an excellent game to play on RPCS3.
RPCS3 on Ubuntu – Great way to play PS3 game on PC (some of them)
In this guide, we have shown you how to install RPCS3 on Ubuntu 22.04. We have also shown you how to configure the emulator to get the best performance. So let’s play some PS3 games on our Linux PC!
These days, more and more people are using virtual machines (VMs) for a variety of tasks. VMs allow you to run multiple operating systems on a single computer, which can be very useful for development, testing, and even production environments. Ubuntu in VirtualBox is the way.
One of the most popular VM platforms is VirtualBox, which is free and open source. In this article, we’ll show you how to install Ubuntu in VirtualBox.
Installing VirtualBox
VirtualBox is available for a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can download it from the VirtualBox website.
Once you’ve downloaded the installer, run it and follow the prompts. On Windows, you’ll need to agree to the terms and conditions and then choose whether you want to install for all users or just the current user. But hey, we’re not using Windows here… And as linux users we simply can run something like:
sudo apt install virtualbox
Once the installation is complete, launch VirtualBox from the system menu or command line.
Setting up a VM
Now that VirtualBox is installed, you’ll need to create a VM. This is where you’ll install Ubuntu.
To create a new VM, click the “New” button in the VirtualBox manager window. You’ll be asked to choose a name and operating system for your VM. For the name, you can enter anything you like. For the operating system, choose “Linux” and then “Ubuntu 64-bit” from the drop-down menu.
Click “Continue” and you’ll be asked to set up how much memory to allocate to your VM. The default is 512 MB, but you should increase this if you have enough RAM.
Click “Continue” and you’ll be asked to choose whether to create a new virtual hard disk or use an existing one. Choose “Create a new virtual hard disk” and click “Create”.
You’ll now be asked to choose the type of virtual hard disk. Choose “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)” and click “Continue”.
You’ll now be asked to choose the storage type for your virtual hard disk. Choose “Dynamically allocated” and click “Continue”.
Now you have to specify the size of your virtual hard disk. The default is 8 GB, but you can increase this if you have enough space on your physical hard disk.
Click “Create” and your VM will be created.
Installing Ubuntu in VirtualBox VM
Your VM is set up, it’s time to install Ubuntu in VirtualBox. To do this, you’ll need to download the Ubuntu ISO from the Ubuntu website.
Once the ISO is downloaded, mount it to virtual machine in it’s properties.
Click the “Start” button in VirtualBox and your VM will boot from the ISO. You’ll be asked to choose your language and then you’ll see the Ubuntu installer. Click “Install Ubuntu” and you’ll be asked whether you want to install third-party software. Choose “No” or “Yes” accordingly to your needs and click “Continue”.
You’ll now be asked how you want to install Ubuntu. Choose “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” and click “Continue”.
Now you have to confirm your choices. Click “Install Now” and your installation will begin. Follow the prompts and enter your personal information when asked. Once the installation is complete, click “Restart Now”. Your VM will reboot and you’ll be asked to remove the ISO. Remove the ISO and click “Continue”.
After restart, you’ll boot in to your new Ubuntu VM (you can use this tutorial also for Debian).
HW Acceleration – GPU
If you want to use hardware acceleration for your VM, you’ll need to install the VirtualBox Guest Additions. To do this, click “Devices” and then “Insert Guest Additions CD image”. A popup window will appear. Choose “Run” and then “Run”. Enter your password and click “Authenticate”. The installer will run and you’ll be asked to reboot your VM. Once your VM has rebooted, hardware acceleration will be enabled.
Usage Cases of Ubuntu in VirtualBox
Now that you know how to install Ubuntu in VirtualBox, you might be wondering what you can do with it.
Here are some ideas:
Development environments: You can use a VM for your development environment and keep your host operating system clean and safe, without security risks. This is especially useful if you need to develop for multiple operating systems.
Testing: VMs are perfect for testing because you can easily snapshot your VM and roll back if something goes wrong.
Production environments: VMs are often used for production environments because they can be easily backed up and migrated.
Gaming: You can use a VM to play games that are not available on your host operating system.
Flatpak vs Snap. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the main differences between Flatpak and Snap and some of the main benefits that each one offers.
What is Flatpak?
Flatpak is a technology for creating and distributing software applications in a manner that is similar to a traditional software package, such as a .rpm or .deb file. However, unlike traditional software packages, which are typically installed on a user’s computer by a package manager. So, Flatpak applications are in the isolated sandbox that is isolated from the rest of the system. This allows Flatpak applications to run on a variety of different Linux distributions without the need to recompile them for each distribution.
What is Snap?
Snap is a package manager for Ubuntu that allows you to install and manage apps. The Creator of Snap is Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, and was first released in October 2016. Snap is very easy to use and easy to install. It is also a secure environment so that you can rest assured that your apps are safe to use. Snap is a great alternative to other package managers such as apt and yum.
Flatpak vs Snap
The main difference between Flatpak and Snap is their design. Flatpak is a technology for creating and distributing software applications. On the other hand, Snap is a package manager. This means that Flatpak applications can run on a variety of different Linux distributions without the need to recompile them for each distribution. Snap apps can only run in an environment they’ve been compiled for.
Origin of Flatpak and Snap
Flatpak was originally developed by Red Hat as a technology. I should fulfill the need for creating and distributing software applications. However, the project was later abandoned by Red Hat and picked up by a community of developers. Snap comes from the hands of Canonical, the company behind the Ubuntu Linux distribution.
Safety of this solution
Both Flatpak and Snap applications are running in a sandboxed environment. It means complete isolation from the rest of the system. This isolation makes it difficult for malicious code injection into Flatpak and Snap applications. This fact makes them safe to use. On the other hand, both Snap and Flatpak are more robust than packages from the package manager of your distribution. However, if you are looking for a sandboxed environment, there you probably couldn’t find anything better these days.
Which one is better?
There is no clear answer as to which technology is better. Both Flatpak and Snap have their advantages and disadvantages. Flatpak main purpose is creating and distributing software applications. Snap functionality is closer to classic well know package managers. This means that Flatpak applications can run on a variety of different Linux distributions without the need to recompile them for each distribution. So, Snap applications can only run on the distribution for which they were compiled.
