Brief: LazPaint is an open-source Paint.NET alternative with cross-platform support. It is a lightweight program with a bunch of essential options to edit images quickly. Here’s an overview of LazPaint.
LazPaint: Open Source Paint.NET Alternative for Linux
If you are fond of using tools to quickly edit and manipulate images and screenshots, you may have heard about Paint.NET, which is available only for Windows systems.
It is a popular nifty tool to get a lot of basic editing tasks done along with a bunch of options available. You might be aware of several image editing tools but Paint.NET is a pretty popular option just because it is easy to use without any bloated feature for an average user.
LazPaint comes to the rescue as an impressive open source replacement to Paint.NET for Linux, Windows, and macOS. It offers most of the essential features one would need to manipulate images while being easy to use.
Since it is cross-platform application, even if you’re not using a Linux system, you could still start using it as a no-nonsense free and open-source tool, if that’s your priority. Now, let us take a look at some features it offers.
Features of LazPaint
As I mentioned earlier, LazPaint offers a bunch of essential features. Here, I’ll list the key highlights that can help you decide if you need it. However, I’d recommend you to explore it to know more about it.
All major file formats supported (including layered Bitmaps and 3D files)
Selection Tools, Crop to Selection, Selection Pen, Invert Selection
You should find it available in your official repositories to install it via your default package manager but to get the latest version, you will have to download the .deb file or compile it from source on non-Debian based Distributions.
I wish there was a Flatpak available to get the latest version on every Linux distribution — but nothing as of now.
It is available for Windows and macOS as well. You will also find a portable version available for Windows, that could come in handy.
I found it really easy to use and the variety of quality settings to re-sample (or resize) an image is definitely a good addition. If you’ve already installed it, you must have noticed that it does not take a significant amount of storage to get installed and is a lightweight program overall.
It’s snappy, and most of the functions that I tested in my quick usage worked quite well without any issues.
What do you think about LazPaint as a Paint.NET alternative? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
If you ever used a desktop Linux system, you must have seen this screen. This is called the GRUB screen. Yes, it is written in all capital letters.
Remember this screen? This is GRUB
In this chapter of the Linux Jargon Buster series, I’ll tell you what is Grub and what is it used for. I’ll also briefly touch upon the configuration and customization part.
What is GRUB?
GRUB is complete program for loading and managing boot. It is the most common bootloader for Linux distributions. A bootloader is the first software that runs when a computer starts. It loads the kernel of the operating system and then the kernel initializes the rest of the operating systems (shell, display manager, desktop environment etc).
Boot loader vs boot manager
I didn’t want to confuse you at this stage but I see no option to avoid bringing this topic. There is a blur line between a bootloader and a boot manager.
You already know that bootloader starts first and then loads the kernel into memory and executes it. A boot manager program allows you to choose between operating systems (if there are more than one OS on your system). A boot manager doesn’t load the OS directly,
Insert Image: Show partition table with ESP partition.
GRUB is both a bootloader and a boot manager. I’ll come back to GRUB in a moment. Let’s see other GRUB like programs.
Trivia
GRUB is acronym for GRand Unified Bootloader.
What are some other boot managing programs like GRUB?
GRUB is the most popular boot manager for Linux. But it is not the only one. There is this highly customizable rEFInd boot manager that some Linux users love to use.
There is systemd-boot text-based boot manager. You can guess that this is exclusively for systemd-based Linux distributions. Some distributions like Pop OS use the systemd-boot.
The usual GRUB screen you see is its menu interface. It allows you to choose the operating systems if there are more than one operating system. You can also choose to load a different kernel if your Linux distribution as more than one kernel installed.
Depending upon the configuration set by the Linux distribution, you may have some other entries on the GRUB menu.
You can also enter the command line menu of GRUB using the key c at the GRUB menu interface.
GRUB configuration file
Any changes you make to the GRUB from the menu interface is temporary. If you want to make some permanent changes to GRUB like changing the default timeout, you can change the configuration file after you boot into your Linux system.
The default GRUB configuration file is located at /etc/default/grub. There is also a /etc/default/grub.d directory. You may edit the /etc/default/grub file directly, however it is advised to make additional changes by adding config files (.cfg files) in this directory.
It allows you to change the boot order, default timeout etc. You can also use it to change the background of GRUB with a custom wallpaper.
This tool is unfortunately available for Ubuntu-based Linux distributions only.
Conclusion
I have touched everything on the surface. EFI, boot loading and GRUB itself is detailed and complicated topic and not in the scope of this article. This article intended to give you a high level overview of GRUB boot program.
Perhaps I’ll write a detailed guide on GRUB explaining the low level details. For now, if you want to learn more on GRUB, you can access the GRUB documentation in your Linux terminal using info grub command.
GRUB Manual can be accessed via Terminal
I hope you have a tad bit better understanding of what is GRUB now. Here’s a GIF to humor you.
What Is GRUB? UEFI don’t hurt me, no more… :)
I may not have answered all questions you have about GRUB. Please feel free to let me know in the comment section. I may update the article with your questions or suggestions.
An alternative way to try Fedora, is to get advantage of virtualization technology through an installation in VirtualBox. This way, you use Fedora like an application on your current operating system.
This way, you can perform more thorough testing without messing up your current operating system.
You can even copy your virtual setup and re-install it on some other system. Sounds handy? Let me show you how to do it.
Installing Fedora in VirtualBox
Let’s see the steps for installing Fedora Linux in Oracle VirtualBox.
If you are not familiar with fedora, there are a few images to be aware of.
Fedora IoT is to be used for scalable infrastructure, Fedora workstation is an image with a set of tools oriented for a desktop in a vanilla GNOME desktop environment and Fedora server as its name reveals, is tailored for a server or data center.
If GNOME isn’t your first choice, you can download a spin of Fedora desktop with an alternative desktop environment. For this tutorial, I chose Fedora 33 with the GNOME desktop environment.
Step 3: Create an empty virtual machine and configure it
Fedora requires a minimum of 20GB disk space & 2GB RAM, to install and run successfully. Although double those amounts is recommended for a smoother user experience. Based on that I will create and configure the virtual machine.
Start Virtual Box and click on New.
Create a new virtual machine
The most important option to pay attention, is the type to be set to Linux and the version to Fedora (64-bit). If you start typing Fedora at the name prompt, VirtualBox will automatically pick the correct settings for you. Although the name doesn’t have to be Fedora, it can be anything you like.
If you have access to 32-bit version only, you need to enable virtualization technology on BIOS, if you have an AMD CPU it is called SVM. Worst-case scenario is that your CPU doesn’t support virtualization technology. If you are not sure, check this first.
Once you have similar settings with me, click on the create button.
Name your VM and assign it at least 3 GB RAM
As mentioned before, you need at least 20 GB of disk space to be able to install Fedora. I have 32 GB of RAM on my system so I assigned 8 GB here. You should be fine with 3 GB of RAM.
A word about RAM consumption, the RAM will only be consumed by the virtual machine when you are running it. Otherwise, it will be available for regular usage.
Make sure that the rest of the settings match the example and click Create.
Assign 15-20 GB of disk space in VDI format
Before you click the start button of your virtual machine, you need to load the ISO as shown below [Optical Drive].
Add the Fedora ISO to optical drive storage
As your virtual hard drive is empty, the virtual machine will boot from this ISO. Think of it as using a live USB or disk for installing Linux.
Go to Settings and add ISO as optical drive
Then, if you have a multi-core CPU it is recommended to assign 2 or more cores for your virtual machine. You may find the CPU cores under the system tab. When you configure your system click ok and start the virtual machine.
Optional step: Assign number of CPU cores
Once you have configured everything, click on the start button to begin the installation.
Step 4: Install Fedora in VirtualBox
If you have followed the process correctly, when you start the virtual machine you will boot directly from the ISO file. When you see a similar to below screen select Start Fedora, and press the enter key.
Fedora running in live environment in virtual machine
To start the installation dialog box, click on Install to Hard Drive.
Click on “install to hard drive”
Before you proceed to the installation, it is essential to define your keyboard layout, your timezone and finally where the operating system will be installed.
Choose keyboard, time and date and then go to Installation Destination
The partitioning process is straight forward. You made some free space as VDI earlier. It should be automatically recognized.
Select your disk and set the storage configuration to automatic. Click on Done to go to the previous dialog box.
Disk should be automatically recognized
Once you have configured the above, click on “Begin Installation”.
Begin installation of Fedora
Now you just need to wait for five-six minutes for installation completion. Click on the “Finish installation” button when installation is finished.
As a last step, you need to power off your system. If you are unfamiliar with the GNOME desktop environment you can do it like so.
Turn off Fedora live environment after installation
You have to manually unload the ISO file that you loaded at the initial steps.
Remove Fedora ISO From Optical Drive
The next time you start the virtual machine with Fedora, you will be prompted to create a user account and set your password for Fedora Linux.
Use VirtualBox guest additions for additional features like clipboard sharing, folder sharing and more
Guest Additions are designed to be installed inside a virtual machine post installation of the guest operating system. They contain device drivers and system applications that optimize the guest operating system for better performance and usability.
The Guest Additions ISO file is mounted as a virtual CD-ROM in order to be installed.
This is a straightforward process. Simply click on the devices tab and then click on “Insert Guest Additions CD image”
You will be prompted to download the guest additions image, when prompt click on Download.
Install VirtualBox Guest Additions
Shared clipboard
At some point you’ll need to move some content between your virtual machine and the host operating system. The shared clipboard/drag and drop support will allow you to copy items on one platform and paste them on the other.
To enable this feature, choose Settings on the VirtualBox home page and follow the instructions as below. I find the Bidirectional option the most convenient.
Enable clipboard sharing between guest and host systems
Shared folders
There are two types of shares:
Permanent shares, that are saved with the Virtual Machine settings.
Transient shares, that are disappear when the Virtual Machine is powered off. These can be created using a checkbox in the VirtualBox Manager.
In this tutorial, I will make a permanent shared folder. In the VM settings add the host system folder you want to share and choose the name that you want to appear at your VM.
The next time you start the virtual machine, the folder should appear as a network drive.
Better video support
While the virtual graphics card which Oracle VirtualBox provides all the basic features, the custom video drivers that are installed with the Guest Additions provide you with extra high and non-standard video modes, as well as accelerated video performance.
Using Guest Additions, the guest OS’s resolution will dynamically resize as you adjust the VirtualBox window on your computer.
Finally, Guest Additions can take advantage of your computer’s graphics card. If you’re a gamer or using productivity software in a WM, this makes a huge difference.
USB and Network Devices sharing
With VirtualBox, users have the ability to use a fully-functional operating system, without having to do the setup on different hardware. However, sharing USB and network devices between the host and guest machine is not as straightforward as it should be.
This is for Linux only because I am using all this in Linux.
In order for VirtualBox to have access to the USB subsystem, the user (on host system) running VirtualBox must belong to the vboxuser group. To do this, open up a terminal and issue the following command:
sudo usermod -aG vboxusers 'your username'
Once you run the command, you should either log out and log back in, or restart your host machine.
At this step, plug in your USB stick and through your VM settings you should be able to find and add the medium as shown at the example.
Your USB will be accessible the next time you start your virtual machine.
Bonus Tip: Save and export the Virtual Machine so that you can use it later on any system
You may want to use your virtual machine to another computer or it is time to build a new machine and you need to keep your virtual machine as it is. You can easily export your current setup and import it to another machine at a few easy steps.
At the VirtualBox home panel, click on file and the export appliance. If you prefer keyboard shortcuts, you can simply click Ctrl+E.
Choose the virtual machine you want to export and click on next.
The Format option needs some attention. There are three different options of Open Virtualization Format 0.9, 1.0 and 2.0, which can be either ovf or ova extensions.
With ovf extension, several files will be written separately, compared to ova extension, which combines all the files into one Open Virtualization Format archive.
The default format, Open Virtualization Format 1.0, should be fine.
To finish the process, click next and at the next dialog box click export.
Conclusion
By using a virtual machine you can’t just test an operating system but deploy a fully functioning system, equally comparable to a physical machine. Nowadays, hardware has become so powerful and affordable that most of its power is not being utilized.
Through virtualization technology, you can use those wasted resources. The need for physical machines is reduced, and consequently the energy consumption is less. You can save money both from hardware and reduced running costs.
On a larger scale, server virtualization is more of a basic requirement than an advanced concept.
I hope you found this tutorial helpful in installing Fedora Linux in VirtualBox. If you face any issues, please let me know in the comments.
Etcher is a popular USB flasher app for creating bootable Linux USB drives. Let me show you how to install it and how to use it for making a live Linux disk.
Etcher: An open source tool to flash Linux ISO on SD Cards & USB drives
Ever since its first release, Etcher caught the attention for its neat interface and simplicity of use.
In this article, I will be focusing on the steps to help you install Etcher on Linux. And then, I’ll also show how to use it. Before I do that, let me give you an overview of the features it offers:
Features of Etcher
Validate drive before flashing
Beautiful user interface
Auto-detects USB drive/SD card to prevent wiping the HDD on your computer
Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, and Linux)
Fast flashing
Simple three-step process
On paper, you get everything one would need to flash OS images on an SD card and a USB drive. It is also exciting to know that they plan to add the support simultaneous writing to multiple devices as per their roadmap.
Installing Etcher on Linux
To get started, you have to grab the AppImage file that it offers (suitable for any Linux distribution) from its official website.
You just need to head on to its homepage and download the one for your system (32-bit/64-bit):
In my case, I got the 64-bit AppImage file for Ubuntu. You can go through our guide on using AppImage files on Linux, but I’ll give you a head start on what you need to do next.
You need to give the file permissions to execute and you can do that by right-clicking on the AppImage file -> Properties.
Next, click on “Allow executing as a program” under the Permissions tab as shown in the image below.
Now, just double-click on the AppImage file to launch balenaEtcher!
This should work on any Linux distribution. In either case, you can also head over to its GitHub releases section to find RPM, DEB, and the source file if you want to build it from source or just install it using the .rpm or .deb files.
It’s been noticed that when you use Etcher to create live USB of Linux distributions, it leaves the USB in an apparent unusable state where it has only a few MB of free state and cannot be formatted directly. On Linux, you can use the Disks tool to manually delete the partitions and then format it.
Using Etcher on Linux
It is just a three-step process to get started using Etcher. It should be self-explanatory as per the on-screen instructions after you launch it, but just to give you a head start, here’s what you have to do:
Step 1: Select the appropriate ISO image file or the URL of the file that you need to flash (as shown in the image below).
Step 2: Next, you will have to select the target device. It automatically detects and highlights removable devices to help you prevent selecting any internal storage locations.
In this case, I have a USB drive connected, and I have it selected as well (as shown in the screenshot below).
Step 3: Now, all you have to do is — flash the image and wait for it to complete successfully.
Etcher is a useful tool to flash OS images for both SD cards and USB drives. I tend to use it primarily to create live USB drives to test Linux distros and I’m happy with it.
What do you prefer to use to create bootable drives? Have you tried Etcher already? Let me know your thoughts in the comments down below.
