Linux Has Come A Long Way Since Its Inception In 1991, But For It To Improve Further, People Like You Need To Help Improve It.
Although Linux is a great operating system, some issues may limit its use compared to Windows or macOS. Linux distributions are community-driven projects; So, so if you want them to improve, you have to put in the energy and contribute.
Linux will not improve; you will help by writing code or testing beta versions. You can do many things to help improve your beloved operating system; in this article, we’ll take you further on Linux improvement methods.
1. Use Linux
If you are reading this, you are either a current user or used to Linux and still think about that pleasant experience. As a Linux lover, you should know that one of the most valuable ways to improve Linux is to use it.
The operating system lets you see its capabilities closely and identify where it needs improvement. Only then will you know which bugs you need to fix and which UI elements need to be improved and spend more time?
2. Linux beta testing
If you’re brave or have a spare machine, you can also test future versions of Linux on your device; Of course, you can also use a virtual machine.
For example, you can go from Debian Stable to Debian Testing and get a new experience if you use Debian. A distribution like Arch Linux allows you to identify and report problems faster to help improve Linux.
3. Report bugs
If you encounter a problem with a Linux distribution or an open source program, don’t just complain about it on forums or social media; Rather, do it yourself and use the bug reporting mechanism, A mechanism provided by the developers to report to them what is happening.
Most large open-source projects, including Linux distributions, use bug-tracking tools to track the progress of bugs. One difference between Linux and proprietary systems is that Linux does not hide its flaws.
4. Helping other Linux users
You may remember the first time you used Linux. What would you do if something seemed confusing to you? If so, where would you go for help? Where did you ask your questions, and how did you get the solution?
One of the great features of Linux is the large number of forums compared to other operating systems. For this reason, die-hard fans of Linux technology love it.
Community and user-to-user support for people using Linux has always been there, So don’t forget that you should also join these forums and help others in need.
5. Donate to Linux distributions
Although Linux is free, developing it takes time and money. Linux and open-source software are financed in different ways. Some software results from research projects, and universities provide their development budgets.
Other companies also support open-source development. Canonical is the Ubuntu and Red Hat developer, developing Red Hat Enterprise Linux. This company is an excellent example of this.
However, many Linux distributions and other open-source projects are funded by users like you. If you care about Linux, why not spend a little money to improve Linux?
For starters, many projects have donation pages where you can contribute directly. Some also have business pages where you can buy something to show your love for a particular project.
6. Contribute to Linux distributions
Linux seems more professional, But it still relies heavily on voluntary contributions. The Linux kernel, distributions, and other open-source projects are the shining jewels of the free and open software movement.
If you know how to code, you can donate some of your effort to your favorite distribution or other project. You can even improve the related help or wiki pages.
If you have graphic and artistic skills, you can contribute to the project’s graphic design or volunteer to create their website. Also, if you have other skills that might be needed, consider volunteering.