In the first part of this series I showed how easy it was and the great performance I got when installing Ubuntu 24.04 LTS on a 2015 MacBook Air to give it a new lease on life.
The turn over is.... Surprise! As I mentioned before, all the laptop's functionality works perfectly! Plus, the system speed is noticeably better compared to macOS. And that is awesome.
Now that I have a fresh Ubuntu installation, what are the next steps? There are a ton of very professional websites showing advanced first steps in Linux in general (deleting unused users, securing root, enabling SSH access, setting up a firewall, among a lot others). After researching online, I've compiled a list of essential and straight-forward first tasks:
Update the System
Keeping your system updated is essential for getting the latest security patches and an optimized experience.
First, refresh your local package index by running the following command in the terminal:
sudo apt update
Then, upgrade your packages to the latest versions with this command:
sudo apt upgrade
Finally, open the Software Center to check if any installed applications have pending updates.
Get Familiar with the GNOME Desktop
Even though I’ve used Linux—and specifically Ubuntu—before, I mostly use Windows on a daily basis. GNOME is quite intuitive, but it's a good idea to spend a few minutes exploring its options, menus, applications, and getting comfortable with the system.
Customize the Desktop
In the Settings menu, you'll find tools to personalize the system. The Appearance section is especially useful, allowing you to switch to dark mode, change the wallpaper, and adjust the dock’s position.
Install Your Preferred Software
The easiest way to install software is through the Software Center, which includes many popular applications.
In my case, I've already installed some essentials that I frequently use and will add more as needed:
- Brave – This browser looks promising, and I’m eager to try it. Ubuntu comes with Firefox by default.
- Visual Studio Code – A versatile code editor and development environment.
- Element – A Matrix client for decentralized communication.
- Prioritize Security: Enable and Configure the Firewall
- Ubuntu includes UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall), which is simple to configure and effective.
Configuring Ubuntu Firewall (UFW, Uncomplicated Firewall)
UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) does not have its own web interface for configuration, so it is generally managed from the terminal in Linux operating systems. It is a firewall tool designed to be simple and easy to use, especially on Ubuntu and similar distributions, and it allows for simplified firewall rule management through command-line commands. Therefore, I'm going to provide here a few basic steps to configure it.
To check the current firewall status:
sudo ufw status
By default, it will be inactive, so activate it with this command (NOTE: Do not activate it if you're connected to the Ubuntu via SSH or you would lose connectivity with it):
sudo ufw enable
Then, set a basic policy by denying incoming connections by default and allowing outgoing ones:
sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw default allow outgoing
Next, allow exceptions to browse the web (enabling HTTP and HTTPS ports) and to access the device via SSH:
sudo ufw allow http
sudo ufw allow https
sudo ufw allow ssh
Advanced Steps
Many guides mention the option of enabling Flatpak, an alternative to Snap, which is Ubuntu's default package manager. Each has its pros and cons, so it’s a good idea to research both before making a choice. You can find more details about these package systems in this link.
Conclusion
My last experience with Ubuntu was a few years ago, and returning to it now, I’m impressed with its evolution. Compatibility with older hardware has improved, and today it offers a much smoother and efficient experience. For me, installing Ubuntu on my MacBook Air has been a success: it went from barely usable to fast, user-friendly, and fully compatible.
With the steps outlined here, you have a solid foundation to start exploring Ubuntu.
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