Educator, education technology specialist,  entrepreneur, open source advocate. M.A. in Educational Psychology, MSED in Educational Leadership, Linux system administrator, CCNA, virtualization using Virtual Box. Follow me at @Don_Watkins .

Authored Content

Women programming

How I teach Python on the Raspberry Pi 400 at the public library

After a long year of putting plans on hold, declining COVID case numbers in the United States are bringing back community-based programming courses.
Don Watkins (Correspondent) 12 Jun 2021
Digital images of a computer desktop

How Linux made a school pandemic-ready

By going all-in on Linux, teacher Robert Maynord ensured his school was ready for remote learning—even before it needed to be.
Don Watkins (Correspondent) 27 May 2021 1 comment
USB drive

Keep multiple Linux distros on a USB with this open source tool

Create a multiboot USB drive with Ventoy, and you'll never be without your favorite Linux distros.
Don Watkins (Correspondent) 04 May 2021 4 comments
Working from home at a laptop

Making computers more accessible and sustainable with Linux

Free Geek is a nonprofit organization that helps decrease the digital divide by providing Linux computers to people and groups in need.
Don Watkins (Correspondent) 24 Apr 2021
Writing Hand

Restore an old MacBook with Linux

Don't throw your old, slow MacBook into the recycling bin; extend its life with Linux Mint.
Don Watkins (Correspondent) 22 Apr 2021 1 comment
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Contributed Content

Locks on a bridge in Paris

3 open source password managers

Keep your data and accounts safe by using a secure open source password manager to store unique, complex passwords.
Jason Baker (Red Hat) 04 Mar 2021 11 comments
Education is essential to being a sysadmin, developer, or any type of IT professional

The ultimate back to school guide to open source for teachers

Learn how to incorporate open source principles and technology into the classroom.
Lauren Pritchett (Red Hat) 16 Jul 2020 2 comments
Person in a field of dandelions

Announcing the Opensource.com Correspondent program

Top authors on Opensource.com have new levels of access, support, and exclusive opportunities.
Matthew Broberg (Red Hat) 25 Nov 2019 4 comments
Summer reading list

2019 Opensource.com summer reading list

13 books to inform and entertain you during the long, lazy days of summer.
Joshua Allen Holm (Correspondent) 28 Jun 2019 1 comment

Authored Comments

Commented on 9 Jun 2021
Configure FreeDOS in plain text
Great article Jim!
Commented on 29 May 2021
My family's Linux story
Great article. I remember Hoary Hedgehog 5.04. I was visiting Portland Oregon and was invited to the PLUG (Portland Linux User Group). They were distributing Ubuntu CD's and I picked up a copy. Prior to that I had been...
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