Last updated on June 3, 2025
I wanted to write an article on open source software, and specifically Linux. Sometimes I forget how deeply I understand these systems—and that many people don’t. This makes it even more important to organize my thoughts and explain why Linux and open source matter, especially for those who haven’t explored them yet.
What is Open Source?
Simply put, open source means the source code is publicly available. You can view it, use it, and often modify it for your own purposes. This doesn’t always mean it’s free in every context, but in most practical cases—especially online—it is.
Compare this to Windows or macOS. These are closed-source systems. Their code is proprietary and hidden—not just for business reasons, but also meaning users have no idea what their systems are doing in the background. In contrast, open source doesn’t allow for hidden, nefarious processes. This transparency is why privacy advocates prefer open source tools.
Open source isn’t just a licensing model—it’s a philosophy built on openness, trust, and shared control. That mindset—of control, ownership, and transparency—has shaped how I think about software and why I built a site like Behind the Build. I’ve always appreciated seeing how things work beneath the surface.
Why Linux?
Linux is an open source operating system that comes in many versions (called distributions or “distros”). While most people stick with Windows or macOS, Linux powers most of the internet. Web servers, cloud infrastructure, and even smartphones (via Android) often run on Linux.
Even Microsoft, once an open source opponent, now actively supports Linux. You can run Linux within Windows (via WSL), and Mac users can access many Linux tools using Homebrew or MacPorts.
So you don’t even need to fully switch systems to benefit. You can run Linux tools locally, use virtual machines like Oracle VirtualBox, or containerize services with Docker. All of this gives you powerful command-line access to run tools and automate tasks.
LAMP Stack: A Real-World Example
Here’s a practical case: this very website runs on a LAMP stack:
- Linux (Debian, in my case)
- Apache (web server)
- MySQL/MariaDB (database)
- PHP (server-side scripting)
All of these components are free and open source. Even WordPress, the CMS I use, is open source. WordPress.com charges for managed services, but WordPress.org gives you the same software to host yourself—for free. If you’re technically competent, your monthly cost could be $0. I currently pay $5/month to Linode to host my virtual private server.
Common Open Source Tools I Use
Here’s a glimpse into tools I use regularly:
🖥️ Core System & Shell Tools
- Linux – Core OS; I use Debian for my servers.
- bash / zsh – Shell environments.
- top / htop – System resource monitoring.
- tail – View the end of log files.
- cat – Display file contents.
- dig – DNS query tool.
🌐 Web & Server Tools
- Apache – Web server for handling HTTP requests.
- MySQL / MariaDB – Open source relational database.
- PHP – Backend language powering WordPress and more.
- SSH / ssh-agent – Secure remote access and key management.
- SCP – Secure file transfer via SSH.
- rsync – Efficient file sync over network.
- Docker – Containerized app environments.
- VirtualBox – Virtual machine manager.
- WireGuard – Modern, fast VPN protocol.
🧱 WordPress Development
- WordPress – CMS platform, fully open source.
- WP-CLI – Command-line interface for WordPress.
🔄 File Syncing & Storage
- rclone – Sync files to cloud storage providers.
- Syncthing – Peer-to-peer folder syncing.
- KeepassXC – Local password manager.
- Cryptomator – Encrypted cloud storage vaults.
🧰 Development & Scripting
- Python – Versatile scripting language.
- Homebrew – Package manager for macOS/Linux.
- Visual Studio Code – Open source code editor.
🗂️ Knowledge & Productivity
- Obsidian – Markdown-based knowledge management.
- LibreOffice – Free office suite.
🎞️ Media Tools
- yt-dlp – Download audio/video from streaming sites.
- ffmpeg – Powerful media converter.
- Handbrake – Video converter.
- Audacity – Audio editor.
- VLC – Media player.
- Whisper – Audio transcription by OpenAI.
- Pinta – Simple image editor.
🔍 Miscellaneous & Monitoring
- Librewolf – Privacy-focused Firefox fork.
- Glogg – Log file viewer.
Why the Command Line Matters
The command line can look intimidating at first, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to use a computer. Once you learn the basics, you realize that many graphical applications are just interfaces for running these same commands behind the scenes.
Take Handbrake, for example. It simplifies video conversion using a GUI, but under the hood, it’s calling ffmpeg. You can do the same manually if you know the command.
Example:
ffmpeg -i input.gif output.webp
This command converts a GIF to WebP—what Handbrake might be doing through a GUI.
Commands can be turned into scripts, or saved as aliases. This makes repetitive tasks fast and automated. Your command history (history) can even show you what you’ve typed recently for reuse.
Example wp-cli Command:
wp post list --post_type=chapter --fields=post_title
This prints all your custom post titles—faster than clicking through WordPress.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to switch entirely to Linux or open source software. But the more you understand what’s possible, the more you’ll see where you’re wasting time using inefficient tools.
Linux, open source apps, and the command line can feel like stepping behind the curtain. It’s not about being a tech wizard—it’s about using smarter, free, transparent tools that let you build, control, and understand your digital environment. That’s worth learning.
