This post is for those of you who are new to Linux and you are happy with the switch.

First: welcome and it's nice to see soany new people experiencing Linux for the first time and seeing what we have been on about for the past 3 decades.

I've posted some of these suggestions elsewhere, but I think a separate post is warranted.

If you like Linux and you want to make it even better, it's important to know that Linux is a global community. There is no CEO, no boss, no sales department. What you see today is the culmination of decades of passion projects, itches being scratched and people working together to create something for everyone. Nowadays, there are commercial companies involved, but the community is still a vital part of what makes this modern marvel work.

So how can you help?

Help each other out

The easiest way is to help others. Community support is a Linux superpower, and if you can help someone else with something they need, you become a part of it!

Adopt a project that you like

Why pay for something free you may ask, but freedom isn't free. Many projects need to cover their hosting costs, admin and some even pay programmers to make the software better.

Most of these projects also have ways to donate, and I would recommend it. It doesn't have to be a lot. Instead, small amounts on a monthly basis are best. This makes the project you are donating to have a much easier time planning and managing their admin, whereas large one off donations can make things harder. For instance, in some countries non profits have to spend all their money, and if they suddenly get a large amount they might struggle to do this.

My chosen project is KDE, but you can pick whichever one you like!

Make your voice heard

If you have hardware that doesn't work well on Linux, or has missing software that you had on Windows, create a support request with the vendor. Ask them where the software is for Linux. They will probably give a canned "no" answer. This is to be expected but if you don't tell them, they will never know.

Look for support when you purchase

Some PC hardware does not work well on Linux. This is rarer than it used to be, but it can be frustrating when you buy something only to realise that it is not working properly. Luckily there are more and more vendors that do support Linux and supporting them is good for everyone. If you do support them, remember to mention Linux compatibility as one of the reasons why you chose them.

Give your time

If you feel strongly and you want to help you can! You don't have to be able to program, because there are plenty of other things that can help. Translations and beta testing to find bugs, updating documentation, checking and removing duplicate bug reports, building themes or scripts, sharing your experience on social media. The list goes on. I know time is a rare commodity at the moment.

Political support

If you are politically inclined, get your local council to consider alternatives to expensive software licenses if they can. Support politicians that stand for open standards, right to repair, and using Linux and other free software.

Don't feel obligated

If you can't or don't want to take party that's also okay. Nobody is expecting anything from you. Your participation is a bonus, not a requirement. All of us are in different places in our lives and it's okay to choose how you or if you take part.

Be Kind and Respectful

There have been some bad patches in some communities, but this is much less common nowadays. Remember that the person on the other side of the interaction is not necessarily someone sitting in a corporate office. What they are giving can be a passion project, and we want to keep that passion alive. I am a programmer by trade, and sometimes I have to deal with difficult customers at work. My admittedly small projects are worth it in part because of how excellent the people who have used and contributed to my projects have been.

Have Fun

Your computer is yours again. You've escaped the digital goulags. You are not the product. Sometimes Linux can be frustrating, but don't forget to have fun.

I'm really heartened to see so many people trying Linux for the first time. Software is my obsessive hobby and my work. Welcome aboard!