20 Things to Do After Fresh Installation of Fedora 26 Workstation

Fedora 26 Workstation is an operating system built on the Linux kernel, which provides users with a highly customizable, secure, and powerful computing experience. It is designed to cater to developers, system administrators, and users who want to leverage the latest technologies and features. If you have just installed Fedora 26 Workstation, here are 20 essential things you can do to make the most of your new installation.

1. Update Your System

After installing Fedora 26, the first thing you should do is update your system. This ensures you have the latest packages and security patches.

sudo dnf update

2. Install Essential Packages

Fedora 26 Workstation comes with a minimal set of packages installed by default. Install essential package groups for multimedia support, development tools, and productivity software.

sudo dnf groupinstall "Multimedia Support" "Development Tools" "Fedora Workstation Productivity"

3. Install Additional Software

Install popular applications to enhance your productivity and multimedia experience:

• GIMP An open-source image editor

• VLC A media player that plays almost any video or audio format

• LibreOffice A productivity suite with word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software

sudo dnf install gimp vlc libreoffice

4. Enable RPM Fusion Repositories

RPM Fusion is a third-party repository that provides additional software packages not available in official Fedora repositories, including proprietary software like Adobe Flash and NVIDIA drivers.

sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm

5. Customize Your Desktop

Fedora 26 Workstation comes with the GNOME desktop environment, which is highly customizable. Change wallpapers, icons, themes, and fonts by going to Settings ? Appearance.

6. Install GNOME Shell Extensions

GNOME Shell extensions add functionality and improve productivity. Popular extensions include:

• Dash to Dock Adds a dock for easy application access

• TopIcons Plus Displays system tray icons on the top bar

• User Themes Allows custom themes for the desktop

sudo dnf install gnome-shell-extension-dash-to-dock gnome-shell-extension-topicons-plus gnome-shell-extension-user-theme

7. Install Alternative Desktop Environments

If you prefer different desktop environments, install KDE Plasma or Xfce and choose them from the login screen.

sudo dnf groupinstall "KDE Plasma Workspaces"
sudo dnf groupinstall "Xfce Desktop"

8. Configure Firewall Settings

Fedora 26 includes firewalld for system security. Configure firewall rules by going to Settings ? Privacy ? Firewall or using the command line.

sudo firewall-cmd --list-all

9. Install Alternative Terminal Emulators

While GNOME Terminal is the default, you can install alternatives like Terminator or Konsole for enhanced features.

sudo dnf install terminator konsole

10. Set Up System Backup

Configure automatic backups using Deja Dup, which comes pre-installed. Launch it from the applications menu and follow the setup wizard to protect your important data.

11. Optimize Power Settings

Configure power management to extend battery life or reduce power consumption. Access power settings through Settings ? Power to adjust screen brightness, suspend behavior, and power button actions.

12. Install Advanced Text Editors

While gedit is the default text editor, developers might prefer more feature-rich alternatives.

sudo dnf install vim emacs nano

13. Set Up Development Environment

Install development tools and create virtual environments for programming projects.

sudo dnf install git nodejs npm python3-pip
sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools"

14. Configure Network Settings

Set up network connections, VPN, and proxy settings through Settings ? Network. Configure Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and mobile broadband connections as needed.

15. Install Package Manager GUI

For users who prefer graphical package management, install DNFdragora for an intuitive interface.

sudo dnf install dnfdragora

16. Set Up VPN Connection

Configure VPN for privacy and security. Install OpenVPN or use the built-in network manager to set up VPN connections.

sudo dnf install openvpn NetworkManager-openvpn-gnome

17. Install Multimedia Codecs

Enable playback of various audio and video formats by installing additional codecs from RPM Fusion repositories.

sudo dnf install gstreamer1-plugins-base gstreamer1-plugins-good gstreamer1-plugins-ugly gstreamer1-plugins-bad-free gstreamer1-plugins-bad-free-devel gstreamer1-plugins-bad-freeworld

18. Configure Printer Setup

Set up printers through Settings ? Printers. Fedora includes CUPS for printer management and supports most modern printers automatically.

19. Install Flatpak Applications

Enable Flathub repository for additional applications distributed as Flatpaks.

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

20. Join the Fedora Community

Connect with the Fedora community through forums, mailing lists, and IRC channels. Contribute to documentation, testing, or development. Visit the official Fedora website to explore community resources and contribution opportunities.

Conclusion

These 20 post-installation steps will help you optimize Fedora 26 Workstation for your specific needs. From system updates and essential software installation to community involvement, each step enhances your Linux experience and ensures a productive, secure computing environment.