The vacation season is upon us, and meaning pleasure, cheer, a monologue from Linus (Peanuts, not Torvalds), and presents.
If in case you have an open-source fan in your checklist, what do you get them? Socks? A tie? A tin of assorted popcorn flavors?
Or you may skip these presents and take into account, as an alternative, one thing from my checklist of unofficially sanctioned open-source vacation presents for 2024 (and past).
Additionally: One of the best vacation tech presents underneath $25
Are you able to get your Ho, Ho, Ho on?
Slip into your Reindeer onesie, seize a mug of cocoa, and browse on.
{Hardware}
{Hardware} is at all times a success with open-source followers, so why not begin with a present certain to place a smile on their faces? If you wish to splurge, take into account a laptop computer pre-installed with Linux, similar to certainly one of these nice machines:
- A System76 laptop computer System76 not solely produces high-quality laptops, however their customer support is among the greatest I’ve ever skilled.
- Purism Librem 14 laptop computer It is a powerhouse Linux laptop computer with a beautiful chassis, coreboot, and a disabled Intel Administration engine that features {hardware} kill switches for digicam and mic, wi-fi, and Bluetooth.
- StarLabs StarBook This laptop computer contains among the finest shows of any Linux laptop computer I’ve ever skilled.
- Malibal Aon S1 The Malibal Aeon S1 is without doubt one of the strongest Linux laptops I’ve reviewed to this point.
- TongFang GX5 15.3-inch Steel Ultrabook In case you’re on the lookout for a funds laptop computer that does not lack energy (and has Linux pre-installed), that is the one. It is also one of many few you may get with elementary OS pre-installed.
- Slimbook EVO 14 One other lovely laptop computer, the EVO 14 has an enormous battery, excellent efficiency, and kill switches for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mic, and digicam.
- StarLabs StarLite The StarLite is without doubt one of the few convertible Linux laptops you should purchase. Use it as a pill or a laptop computer; both approach, it performs like a champ.
In case you do not need to go the laptop computer route, possibly a System76 Thelio desktop or a Raspberry Pi starter equipment?
Software program
Software program is the difficult half as a result of most open-source software program is free. Nonetheless, that does not imply there’s zero software program to be bought. For instance, take into account a DaVinci Resolve Studio license in case your open-source fan is a budding filmmaker. Or possibly they’d like a Proton VPN license for an added safety/privateness enhance.
Different bits of software program you possibly can get in your open-source fanatic embody:
Books
Since I am an creator, I really feel compelled so as to add books to the checklist. In addition to, who would not like a superb guide? How about Linux Administration: A newbie’s information, possibly the Linux Bible, or certainly one of my favorites, At first… was the command line.
In fact, in case your open-source fan is extra of a fiction reader, I am going to plug certainly one of my very own books, Lament, which is crammed with Linux references.
Video games
Likelihood is fairly good that your open-source fan can be a video games fan. If that is the case, you may seize them a Steam reward card or — even higher — a Steamdeck! In fact, the Nintendo Change 2 is popping out in early 2025, so you possibly can at all times get them a Nintendo eShop reward card. One card sport I used to play fairly a bit was Netrunner. Though that sport is not obtainable, you should buy Android Netrunner, which is analogous.
Miscellaneous presents
If not one of the above piques your curiosity, listed below are some miscellaneous presents you may give your open-source fan:
From this checklist, it is best to be capable of discover one thing in your open-source fanatic this vacation season. If not, there’s but an alternative choice: Donating to the one you love’s favourite open-source challenge, similar to their favourite distribution, any one of many initiatives listed on Significant Code, Mozilla, GIMP, Geary, or simply about any open-source challenge in the marketplace.
