8 2018 Linux Predictions & Essential Tips for Mastering the Command Line

At the beginning of 2018, OMGUbuntu presented eight predictions about Linux development and offered guidance for newcomers.

Prediction 1: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS will become the most popular Ubuntu version

Ubuntu 18.04 LTS "Bionic Beaver" introduces many changes that surprise both new and existing users.

Prediction 2: Snap format will gain more vendor support

Snap already has backing from Microsoft, Spotify and, with Canonical’s continued promotion, more software vendors are expected to adopt it in 2018.

Prediction 3: Open‑source developers will embrace Flatpak

While Canonical pushes Snaps on the desktop, other Linux community members will shift toward Flatpak and the Flathub App Store, with Red Hat helping major applications adopt the Flatpak format.

Prediction 4: Ubuntu will dominate the Internet of Things

Ubuntu Core is well‑suited for the evolving challenges of IoT, providing standardized security and environment support.

Prediction 5: PipeWire will be used by more distributions

Fedora 27 already offers partial PipeWire support, and other distributions are expected to follow, using PipeWire to improve audio and video handling.

Prediction 6: Linux market share will increase

Linux continues to grow, with a dominant presence in the TOP500 supercomputer list (over 85% for more than a decade) and an expanding share in enterprise server deployments.

Prediction 7: Linux battery management will improve

In 2018, attention will focus on extending laptop battery life through better graphics drivers, kernel features, desktop environment tweaks, and background process reduction.

Prediction 8: 2018 may be the year of Linux laptops rather than desktops

More laptops will ship with Linux pre‑installed, from major brands like Dell, Lenovo, HP to smaller OEMs such as Slimbook, Station X, and Entroware.

Linux also underpins cloud computing and big‑data platforms; according to the Linux Foundation, 86% of enterprises use Linux for these workloads, and Linux is overtaking Unix as the preferred OS for such environments.

Learning advice for Linux beginners:

Master Linux commands – command‑line proficiency remains essential despite graphical advances. Commands cover installation, file handling, system management, networking, and security.

Choose a good book or tutorial – select resources that match your level and stick with them consistently.

Select a suitable distribution – popular choices for administrators include RHEL, CentOS, and Debian; the author recommends CentOS.

Develop a habit of working in the terminal – the CLI is the most reliable and flexible interface for system administration.

Practice hands‑on experiments – install a Linux distro on a computer and explore real‑world scenarios, such as setting up services.

Learn how to get help – use built‑in documentation, man pages, FAQs, and classic How‑to guides; they resolve a large portion of common issues.

Engage with the Linux community – ask well‑prepared questions on forums and mailing lists to receive effective assistance.

Discard Windows‑centric thinking – approach Linux on its own terms, preferably using an English locale to avoid unnecessary complications.

Key command groups include:

Installation and login: login, shutdown, halt, reboot, mount, umount, chsh File handling: file, mkdir, grep, dd, find, mv, ls, diff, cat, ln System management: df, top, free, quota, groupadd, kill, crontab, tar, last Network operations: ifconfig, ip, ping, netstat, telnet, ftp, route, rlogin, rcp, finger, mail, nslookup Security commands: passwd, su, umask, chgrp, chmod, chown, chattr, sudo,

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By following these steps, beginners can build a solid foundation and progress toward becoming competent Linux administrators.