In this episode, Erik discusses Linux has never quite become the everyday desktop operating system, despite powering much of the modern Internet and having a passionate community behind it. He explores what has held Linux back from mainstream adoption, and looks at how the end of Windows 10 support is pushing people to explore alternatives. Erik highlights Zorin OS, a Linux distribution designed to feel instantly familiar to Windows users, and explains why it might be the most compelling option yet for anyone user older hardware that is not compatable with Windows 11.

SHOW NOTES

Statcounter: Desktop OS Market Share Worldwide
https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide/
(Global operating system usage data, including Linux’s current ~3 percent share)

Linux Today: Microsoft Continues to Cite Linux as Proof It Is Not a Monopoly
https://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/microsoft-continues-to-cite-linux-as-proof-it-is-not-a-monopoly/
(Historical context on Microsoft using Linux’s existence during antitrust scrutiny)

Ars Technica: New Project Brings Strong Linux Compatibility to More Classic Windows Games
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/11/new-project-brings-strong-linux-compatibility-to-more-classic-windows-games/
(Explains Proton, SteamOS momentum, and why Linux gaming is suddenly viable)

Zorin OS Blog: Introducing Zorin OS 18
https://blog.zorin.com/2025/10/14/zorin-os-18-has-arrived/

SavvyNik (YouTube): Zorin OS 18 Overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni-JXsp0Vtw
(Visual demo of Zorin’s UI and Windows-like workflow)

Microsoft: Windows 10 End of Support: October 14, 2025
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-home-and-pro
(Official end-of-life documentation for Windows 10)

Microsoft Learn: Windows 11 Requirements
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/windows-11-requirements

Ubuntu Documentation: Linux Hardware and Driver Support Overview
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HardwareSupportComponents
(Context on device compatibility challenges that shaped Linux adoption)

GNOME Blog: Online Accounts and Cloud Integration in GNOME
https://blogs.gnome.org/
(Background on the online accounts integration used by distros like Zorin)

LibreOffice: LibreOffice for Windows, macOS, and Linux
https://www.libreoffice.org/discover/libreoffice/
(Open-source Office alternative recommended for Windows switchers)

Obsidian: A Powerful Notes App for Linux and Beyond
https://obsidian.md/
(Cross-platform note-taking tool mentioned as a OneNote replacement)

In this episode, Erik dives into why prompting AI is hard, especially for those of us who have spent twenty years being trained to search the web with short, concise queries. He unpacks the shift from keyword-driven search habits to the more detailed, creative instructions AI systems require, and explains what this new “prompt literacy” means for everyday users, educators, and anyone working with modern AI.

SHOW NOTES

• OpenAI: Best practices for prompt engineering with the OpenAI API

• Palantir: Best Practices for Prompt Engineering

• System in Motion: Why is prompting for image generation so difficult?

• Nielsen Norman Group: How AI Is Changing Search Behavior

• One Useful Thing: Working with AI: Two Paths to Prompting

CONTACT

Website:examining.ca

Twitter: @ExaminingPod

Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host

Website: erikchristiansen.net

Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca

Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, Erik talks about the rise of Agentic Web Browsers. These "next generation" web browsers are the new hotness, and companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, and Microsoft claim they can save you time by doing tasks on your behalf. But do they actually work? What are the risks of letting an AI control your browser?

SHOW NOTES

Consumer Reports: Should You Use an AI Browser Like ChatGPT Atlas?

ChatGPT Atlas browser

Microsoft Edge Copilot Mode

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:35 - What are agentic web browsers?
00:13:15 - Consumer reports agent browser comparison
00:23:22 - Tips
00:29:07 - Wrap up

CONTACT

Website:examining.ca

Twitter: @ExaminingPod

Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host

Website: erikchristiansen.net

Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca

Website: krishans.ca