Friday, February 20, 2026

Learning Linux Part 5: So many Package Types

As a normal Windows user it is easy to go to some website, download an .exe and then click install.  As long as you are going to trusted sources the chance of getting a virus or malware is small.  Another great option is Chocolatey.  I have created install scripts to nearly setup a new PC quickly.  As a consultant that is sometimes given a client laptop for an assignment, I find it invaluable.  

When I found out the Linux had the idea of packages built into it I was tentatively excited.  I thought that I would be able to easily create an install script for Ubuntu using a single package manager.  I was wrong.  The Linux ecosystem for packages is splintered.  There are:

  • apt or .deb for Debian
  • snap for Ubuntu but you could use it for other Linux distributions
  • flatpak that can be used for any Linux distributions
  • rpm for Red Hat Linux distributions
  • pacman is for Arch Linux distributions that use .tar.zst
  • appimage is a single contained file
So packages may be only available in a single package repo.  They may be in multiple repos.  Some packages have different versions on different repos.  Some packages install but then don't run at all.  There are some custom repos that you can add for a package type.  

However there are positives:
  • It is possible to easily update all the packages you have installed for a repo.
  • There are GUI stores for the repos

I am still looking for some kind of Universal Store app that works well with snap, flatpak, and apt.  I will let you know what I find.

I have created a cheat sheet here:
https://cheatography.com/gregfinzer/cheat-sheets/linux-package-manager-commands/

I have also created some other documentation:


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Friday, February 13, 2026

Installing SQL Server on Linux in a Docker Container

 I have created two easy to use scripts to install docker and get SQL Server running.  


InstallSqlServerPart1.sh

#!/bin/bash
# Create directory
mkdir -p ~/docker/sqlserver
# Move into directory
cd ~/docker/sqlserver
# Create docker-compose.yml
cat <<EOF > docker-compose.yml
services:
  sqlserver:
    image: mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2022-latest
    container_name: sqlserver
    environment:
      ACCEPT_EULA: "Y"
      MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD: "Str0ng!Passw0rd123"
      MSSQL_PID: "Express"   # If this ever fails, use "Developer"
    ports:
      - "1433:1433"
    volumes:
      - sqlserver_data:/var/opt/mssql
    restart: "no"
volumes:
  sqlserver_data:
EOF
echo "docker-compose.yml created in ~/docker/sqlserver"
sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose -y
sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo systemctl start docker
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
docker --version


InstallSqlServerPart2.sh

#!/bin/bash

cd ~/docker/sqlserver
docker compose up -d
docker compose logs -f

After creating the two scripts, make them executable.
chmod +x InstallSqlServerPart1.sh
chmod +x InstallSqlServerPart1.sh

Then execute the first one:
./InstallSqlServerPart1.sh

Logout
Log back in

Then execute the second one:
./InstallSqlServerPart2.sh

Connect with this connection string:
Server=localhost,1433;Database=bedbrigade;User Id=sa;Password=Str0ng!Passw0rd123;Encrypt=True;TrustServerCertificate=True;

Docker Cheat Sheet
docker compose logs –f    # Watch logs to see it running 
docker compose ps         # Check if running 
docker compose stop       # stop 
docker compose start      # start again 
docker compose up -d      # create + start 
docker compose down       # remove container, keep data 
docker compose down -v    # remove container + delete data 




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Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Learning Linux Part 4: So Many Distributions

There are over 1000 different or distributions (distros) of Linux.  Like every other person looking at the world of Linux it is overwhelming which distro to pick.  This blog post is not about picking a distro but explaining the major branches.  I am in the process of picking a distribution.  I will give you my recommendation.  These are the current top 10 most popular Linux distributions.

GNU / Linux

│

├── Debian

│   │

│   ├── Ubuntu

│   │   │

│   │   ├── Linux Mint

│   │   ├── Zorin OS

│   │   └── Pop!_OS

│   │

│   └── MX Linux

│

├── Fedora Workstation

│

└── Arch Linux

    │

    ├── Manjaro

    │

    ├── EndeavourOS

    │

    └── CachyOS



It may also help to view it as a Periodic Table of Distributions


This page lists all of the distributions in one hard to read branching graph:

These are the major distributions:

This is useful to see which distributions are the most popular by activity:

This is useful to see which distributions are rated the highest:

I have created a handy dandy cheat sheet:

Video Resources


Every Linux Distro Explained in 13 Minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0sH_NqkunE

EVERY LINUX DISTRO Explained in 60 Seconds!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XkW3VTmwhJA

Every LINUX DISTRO Explained in 4 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKNMI6cYOFk



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Monday, February 2, 2026

Learning Linux Part 3: Linux on the Raspberry PI 5

The official Linux distribution for the Raspberry PI 5 is the Raspberry PI OS which is available in the Raspberry PI Imager.  It is based on Debian Trixie.

You would think that any ARM distribution would run on the Raspberry PI 5 but you would be wrong.  I tried downloading the ARM distribution of Ubuntu on Ubuntu.com.  I was only able to get the images that are part of the Raspberry PI Imager to work.  So I installed Ubuntu from the Raspberry PI Imager.  

I had tried  Ubuntu earlier with a Raspberry PI 4 with 4GB of RAM and it was so slow it was hard to navigate.  I had hopes that with a Raspberry PI 5 with 8GB of RAM and also a 1 Terabyte M.2 on my Pironman 5 that I would achieve performance enough where I could take this glorious RGB lit computer with me to show off to my friends at work and also maybe use it as a media server.  



I even made the Raspberry PI with Ubuntu look like Windows 11.

Windows 11 Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZqO0EY_yB8



I was let down with the performance.  When I tried watching YouTube videos with my Bluetooth Headset on Chromium or Firefox under Ubuntu, the audio cut out several times during video playback.  I also installed JetBrains Rider and attempted to compile and run unit tests for my open source project, Compare .NET Objects.  I would consider that project a tiny one.  The  CPU pegged at 100% while building the project and then it crashed Rider.  Sad.  

So I went back to Raspberry PI OS for the Raspberry PI.  I was able to watch YouTube videos without the audio cutting out.  I did not try to compile my open source project again.   In my opinion, the Raspberry PI OS doesn't look very good out of the box.  The whole reason why I wanted Ubuntu to work was that it looked so much better.  

Some Other Observations

  • Brave Browser does not work.  It has some crazy graphical glitches.
  • The Print Screen button does not work for Screen Shots
  • Libre Office Draw does not work.  All the icons are missing.
  • Beyond Compare does not work with Arm but it does work with AMD or X86

You can remote control VS Code on the PI.  I did not do that.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs-lfskyjt0

With the CPU being atrocious on performance for compiling, I am basically done with Raspberry PI.  So I am off to testing Linux in x86 land.  Tune in for the next exciting episode.  Same bat channel, same bat time.

Reference Videos

Top 7 Raspberry Pi Desktop OS 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCN3EkJlwAU

Raspberry Pi 5 Operating Systems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G6jZd4gHtM

I replaced my PC with a Raspberry Pi 5. Here's how it went.

Raspberry Pi OS 2025.11.24 Review: Incredible Performance Boost & New Features! #raspberrypi #linux
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3d1fXYGM1o

5 Best Operating Systems for Raspberry Pi 5

The BEST Operating System for Raspberry Pi 5? 
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