Jack Wallen

Louisville

Writer at Freelance

Violent Delights 4 is now available for pre-order on Amazon. https://t.co/yJYfpwzxYh

Articles

My 6 must-have Linux apps for productivity, and why they make work easier

2 weeks ago | thetechstreetnow.com | Jack Wallen

9 minutes ago zdnet.com Since I made the jump to Linux all those years ago, I have never once found myself missing out on applications. Sure, there have been moments early on when I thought there were better options available on other platforms, but those days are in the past. Now, I have everything I need, and every app works exactly as expected. Before I continue, know this: I do not only define "productivity" as it relates to business, because I believe that is being shortsighted.
My 6 must-have Linux apps for productivity, and why they make work easier

2 weeks ago | zdnet.com | Jack Wallen

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETSince I made the jump to Linux all those years ago, I have never once found myself missing out on applications. Sure, there have been moments early on when I thought there were better options available on other platforms, but those days are in the past. Now, I have everything I need, and every app works exactly as expected.
This modular Android phone is the most gimmicky device I've tested so far - but it works

2 weeks ago | zdnet.com | Jack Wallen

ZDNET's key takeaways The Oukitel WP200 Pro is currently available for $599 on the company's website and will soon be sold via Amazon. A detachable Bluetooth earpiece with a touch screen that also attaches to a watchband makes this phone incredibly fun. The WP200 Pro is very heavy. Oukitel has produced some of the more interesting phones on the market. One phone includes a built-in projector, and all of the company's phones are relatively rugged and have batteries that crush the competition.
The easiest way to try out Ubuntu Linux

2 weeks ago | thetechstreetnow.com | Jack Wallen

29 minutes ago zdnet.com Don't have a spare computer? Afraid the installation will be too difficult? Here's a simple way to try out the OS without so much as a reboot. As a longtime user of Linux, I've reached the point where I can practically install the operating system in my sleep. OK, not literally, because, well... that would be impossible. But you know what I mean. Shall I continue?
5 Android browsers that are better than Chrome (and why I prefer them)

2 weeks ago | thetechstreetnow.com | Jack Wallen

11 minutes ago zdnet.com I make no bones about not being a fan of the Chrome browser. I do not use it on my desktops, laptops, or phones -- because Chrome is not all that concerned about user privacy. To make matters worse, Chrome is one of the most targeted browsers on the market. Although Chrome is one of the fastest browsers on the market, I feel better placing my security and privacy in the hands of more capable browsers.
5 Android browsers that are better than Chrome (and why I prefer them)

2 weeks ago | zdnet.com | Jack Wallen

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions.
6 small steps I took to break my phone addiction - and you can too

2 weeks ago | zdnet.com | Jack Wallen

Nanzeeba Ibnat/Getty ImagesAbout a year ago, I'd had enough. I felt as if my phone was in control. Any time I'd hear that chime or feel that vibration, I felt compelled to pick up the Pixel 9 Pro and see who or what was trying to tell me something. It didn't feel like a want; it felt like a need, a compulsion. I found myself checking out of reality for brief periods throughout the day, but those periods were growing less and less brief as time went on.
How to factory reset your Android phone without unlocking it first

2 weeks ago | zdnet.com | Jack Wallen

Jack Wallen/ZDNETRecently, I set up a new Android phone to review. The process went exactly as expected, and I ended up with a phone configured with the unlock PIN I typically use for review phones. After an update, the phone required the PIN for unlocking, but no matter how many times I typed the PIN, it would not unlock. Something had gone wrong, and I needed to access the phone for the review. Fortunately, I had encountered this situation before and knew exactly what to do.
How to start using the new Linux terminal on your Android device

2 weeks ago | zdnet.com | Jack Wallen

My themed Android keyboard is spacy. Jack Wallen/ZDNETI knew it was only a matter of time before Android had its own terminal app. Little did I know that Google would use the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF) to run a local virtual machine, powered by Debian, to give users access to a lot of powerful commands, even a package manager. And I am 100% on board with the addition.
How I automate basic tasks on Linux with bash scripts - and why you should try it

2 weeks ago | zdnet.com | Jack Wallen

The_Pixel/Getty ImagesBash scripts are one area of Linux that help to make it the marvel of flexibility and efficiency that it is. I have used bash scripts for just about everything, from backups to user creation, and much more, but there is one area where bash scripts really shine -- automation. Also: The first 5 Linux commands every new user should learnYou might be thinking this is too challenging for your skills, but you would be surprised at how easy it can actually be.