Things to Do After Installing Fedora 21 Workstation

Introduction

Fedora 21 Workstation is a popular Linux distribution that provides a stable and reliable platform for desktop users. It is known for its fast and responsive performance, modern desktop environment, and robust security features.

However, to fully optimize the system and take advantage of its features, it's important to perform post-installation tasks. In this article, we will discuss the essential things you should do after installing Fedora 21 Workstation.

Update and Upgrade the System

Keeping your system up-to-date is crucial for maintaining its stability, performance, and security. Updates provide bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches that address known vulnerabilities and issues.

To update and upgrade your Fedora 21 Workstation, you can use the Terminal, which is a command-line interface that allows you to interact with the system directly. Open the Terminal and type the following commands −

• sudo dnf update -y (This will update the system with the latest packages)

• sudo dnf upgrade -y (This will upgrade the system to the latest version)

It's important to keep in mind that upgrading the system can take some time and may require a reboot. Also, it's recommended to backup your data before performing an upgrade in case something goes wrong.

The benefits of updating and upgrading your Fedora 21 Workstation include −

• Improved performance and stability.

• Enhanced security and protection against vulnerabilities and threats.

• Access to new features and functionality.

Install Essential Packages and Applications

While Fedora 21 Workstation comes with a comprehensive set of pre-installed applications and packages, there are some essential ones that are not included in the default installation. These include multimedia codecs, browser plugins, and development tools, among others.

To install these packages and applications, you can use the Terminal or the Software Center, which is a graphical user interface that allows you to search, install, and manage software easily.

To install essential packages and applications using the Terminal, open it and type the following commands −

• sudo dnf install -y vlc (This will install the VLC media player, which supports various multimedia formats)

• sudo dnf install -y code (This will install Visual Studio Code, a popular code editor for developers)

The benefits of installing essential packages and applications include −

• Increased functionality and productivity.

• Access to new features and tools.

• However, some packages and applications may also pose security risks if not configured properly.

Customize the Desktop Environment

Customizing the desktop environment is a great way to make your Fedora 21 Workstation more personalized and efficient. You can change the wallpaper, themes, fonts, and other settings to match your preferences and workflow.

To customize the desktop environment, you can use the System Settings, which is a graphical user interface that allows you to modify various system settings and preferences, and the GNOME Tweak Tool, which is a powerful tool that allows you to tweak and customize the GNOME desktop environment.

To change the wallpaper, right-click on the desktop and select "Change Background". Here you can choose from a variety of pre-installed wallpapers or add your own images.

To change the themes and fonts, open the System Settings and go to "Appearance". Here you can select different themes, fonts, and icons to customize the look and feel of your desktop environment.

To install additional themes and icons, you can use the GNOME Tweak Tool. Open it and go to "Appearance". Here you can browse and install various themes, icons, and extensions to customize your desktop environment even further.

• The benefits of customizing the desktop environment include −

• Increased productivity and efficiency by optimizing the interface to your workflow.

• Aesthetic improvements that make using the system more enjoyable.

Configure Privacy and Security Settings

Privacy and security settings are essential for protecting personal data and sensitive information. By configuring the privacy and security settings, you can control who has access to your system and data and ensure that your information is kept safe and secure.

To configure privacy and security settings, open the System Settings and go to "Privacy". Here you can adjust the settings for location services, usage statistics, and online accounts.

To configure security settings, open the System Settings and go to "Users". Here you can manage user accounts, passwords, and authentication methods.

You can also use the GNOME Tweak Tool to configure additional security settings, such as disabling automatic login, disabling guest login, and enabling firewall.

• The benefits of configuring privacy and security settings include −

• Increased privacy and protection against unauthorized access.

• Improved control over system and data access.

• Reduced risk of data breaches and security threats.

Backup and Restore the System

Backing up the system is important to prevent data loss in case of system failure or malware attack. By backing up the system regularly, you can ensure that your data is safe and secure and that you can restore the system to a working state quickly and easily.

To backup the system, you can use the Terminal and run the "tar" command or use the Backup application, which is a graphical user interface that allows you to create and manage backups.

There are different backup methods you can use, such as full system backup, incremental backup, and cloud backup. Each method has its benefits and drawbacks, depending on your specific needs and preferences.

To restore the system from a backup, you can use the Terminal and run the "tar" command or use the Restore application, which is a graphical user interface that allows you to restore backups.

• The benefits of backing up the system include −

• Prevention of data loss in case of system failure or malware attack.

• Quick and easy restoration of the system to a working state.

• Increased peace of mind and confidence in using the system.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the essential post-installation tasks for optimizing your Fedora 21 Workstation experience. By following these tasks, you can update and upgrade the system, install essential packages and applications, customize the desktop environment, configure privacy and security settings, and backup and restore the system.