elementary OS Guide

Overview

elementary OS was founded in 2011 by Daniel Foré. It's known for its beautiful Pantheon desktop environment and curated app ecosystem through AppCenter.

Quick Facts

Based On	Ubuntu LTS
Package Manager	APT / Flatpak
Default Desktop	Pantheon
Release Cycle	Following Ubuntu LTS
Support Period	Follows Ubuntu LTS
Init System	systemd

Who Should Use elementary OS?

macOS users - Familiar aesthetic and workflow
Design enthusiasts - Beautiful, cohesive UI
Privacy-conscious users - No tracking or data collection
Casual users - Simple, distraction-free computing
Developers - Vala-based app development ecosystem

Tip

elementary OS follows a "pay what you want" model. You can download for free, but consider supporting the project if you find it valuable.

Installation

elementary OS uses a simple graphical installer:

Download from elementary.io (pay what you want, $0 works)
Create bootable USB using Etcher or similar
Boot into the live environment
Click Install and follow the wizard
Set up your account and enjoy

bash

# Verify your download
sha256sum elementaryos-7.1-stable.20230926rc.iso

# Compare with checksum from elementary.io

Package Management

elementary OS uses Flatpak for applications through AppCenter:

bash

# Update system packages
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

# Flatpak apps (preferred method)
flatpak install flathub app-name
flatpak update

# APT for system packages
sudo apt install package-name

# AppCenter CLI (for elementary apps)
io.elementary.appcenter --help

Info

elementary OS prioritizes Flatpak apps from AppCenter and Flathub. This provides sandboxed, secure applications with automatic updates.

Key Features

Pantheon Desktop

Beautiful GTK-based desktop with a dock, multitasking view, and consistent design language across all applications.

AppCenter

Curated app store with native elementary apps and Flatpak support. Developers can publish and earn money from their apps.

Privacy Focus

No tracking, no ads, no monetization of user data. Privacy is built into the design.

Picture-in-Picture

Keep videos floating while you work. Integrated into the window manager.

Default Applications

elementary OS Apps

Files	Clean, tabbed file manager
Web (Epiphany)	WebKit-based browser
Mail	Email client with conversation view
Music	Music player with streaming support
Photos	Photo management and editing
Code	Developer-focused text editor
Terminal	Clean terminal emulator

FAQ

Is elementary OS really free?

Yes! The "pay what you want" includes $0. It's completely free to download and use. Payments support development.

Can I install Ubuntu apps?

Yes, elementary is based on Ubuntu, so APT packages work. However, non-elementary apps may not match the design aesthetic.

Why is the browser called "Web"?

elementary uses simple, descriptive names for apps. Web is GNOME Web (Epiphany) with elementary styling. You can install Firefox or Chrome if preferred.

Summary

elementary OS offers a polished, beautiful Linux experience focused on design and privacy. Key takeaways:

macOS-like aesthetic with Pantheon desktop
Curated AppCenter for quality applications
Privacy-focused with no tracking
Based on Ubuntu LTS for stability
Pay-what-you-want model supports development