Linux Desktop From Zero

Instructors: Noah Gift

Access provided by George Mason University

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Install Kubuntu on a Framework Laptop from a flashed USB and complete first-boot setup including partitioning and user accounts
Configure System Settings end-to-end — display scaling, multi-monitor, user accounts and sudo, software installation via Discover and apt
Customize the KDE Plasma desktop with global themes, widgets, virtual desktops, Activities, KRunner, keyboard shortcuts, and workspace effects
Use the terminal for navigation, file operations, user and group management, system monitoring with top/htop/journalctl, and basic troubleshooting

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

1 assignment

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 5 modules in this course

This course takes you from a brand-new Framework Laptop and a blank USB stick to a fluent Kubuntu power user. Across four modules you assemble the hardware, flash and install Kubuntu, configure System Settings (display, users, file managers), customize the KDE Plasma desktop (themes, widgets, virtual desktops, KRunner, keyboard shortcuts, workspace effects), and gain the daily-driver skills that matter — terminal navigation, file operations, user and group management, system monitoring, and the LibreOffice trio (Writer, Impress, Calc). Every lesson is a screen-recorded walkthrough — you watch the actual click path and command sequence, not abstract diagrams. By the end you can install Kubuntu on a Framework, customize it without breaking anything, and use the terminal and LibreOffice with confidence. Aimed at first-time Linux desktop users who want a hands-on, modular, repairable laptop and a desktop environment they can shape to their own work.

Assemble a Framework Laptop, flash a verified Kubuntu USB, and complete the first-boot install with partitioning, account creation, and an encrypted home directory.

What's included

6 videos4 readings

6 videosTotal 20 minutes

Course Overview5 minutes
What Is Kubuntu3 minutes
Introducing the Framework Laptop4 minutes
Creating a Bootable USB2 minutes
Assembling the Framework Laptop3 minutes
Setting Up Kubuntu3 minutes

4 readingsTotal 4 minutes

Key Terms: Course Overview, Kubuntu, and Framework1 minute
Reflection: Course Overview, Kubuntu, and Framework1 minute
Key Terms: Bootable USB, Hardware Assembly, and Kubuntu Install1 minute
Reflection: Bootable USB, Hardware Assembly, and Kubuntu Install1 minute

Tour System Settings, configure display scaling and multi-monitor, create user and administrator accounts, navigate the Linux filesystem hierarchy, and install software via Discover, apt, snap, and flatpak.

What's included

6 videos4 readings

6 videosTotal 33 minutes

Tour of System Settings4 minutes
Configuring the Display4 minutes
Setting Up User Accounts6 minutes
Dolphin File Manager7 minutes
Linux File System Hierarchy7 minutes
Installing and Updating Software5 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Key Terms: System Settings, Display, and Users10 minutes
Reflection: System Settings, Display, and Users10 minutes
Key Terms: Dolphin, Filesystem, and Software10 minutes
Reflection: Dolphin, Filesystem, and Software10 minutes

Apply Global Themes, configure widgets and the panel toolbox, set up virtual desktops and Activities, master KRunner and keyboard shortcuts, and tune compositor effects and screen edges.

What's included

6 videos4 readings

6 videosTotal 31 minutes

Changing Themes and Icons7 minutes
Customizing Widgets4 minutes
Virtual Desktops and Activities5 minutes
KRunner4 minutes
Keyboard Shortcuts4 minutes
Workspace Behavior7 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Key Terms: Themes, Widgets, and Activities10 minutes
Reflection: Themes, Widgets, and Activities10 minutes
Key Terms: KRunner, Shortcuts, and Workspace10 minutes
Reflection: KRunner, Shortcuts, and Workspace10 minutes

Develop terminal fluency with the navigation trio and file-operations five, manage users and groups with useradd and usermod, monitor and troubleshoot with top and journalctl and recovery mode, and operate Writer with paragraph styles, Impress with slide masters, and Calc with pivot tables.

What's included

10 videos6 readings

10 videosTotal 57 minutes

Basic Terminal Navigation4 minutes
File Operations in the Terminal7 minutes
Viewing and Editing Files9 minutes
User and Group Management7 minutes
System Monitoring and Management6 minutes
Basic Troubleshooting5 minutes
LibreOffice Writer5 minutes
LibreOffice Impress5 minutes
LibreOffice Calc6 minutes
Course Conclusion3 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Key Terms: Terminal, File Ops, and Editors10 minutes
Reflection: Terminal, File Ops, and Editors10 minutes
Key Terms: Users, Monitoring, and Troubleshooting10 minutes
Reflection: Users, Monitoring, and Troubleshooting10 minutes
Key Terms: LibreOffice and Conclusion10 minutes
Reflection: LibreOffice and Conclusion10 minutes

Take a blank Framework Laptop (or a comparable machine) and ship a fully configured Kubuntu daily driver with documented configuration choices, a 5-minute terminal-proficiency screen recording, and a LibreOffice document trio (Writer, Impress, Calc).