End of 10: Linux Café Workshop in Dessau

Tux, the Linux mascot – symbol of open source and digital self-determination

Why Linux Cafés?

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft ended support for Windows 10. For millions of computers that don’t meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements, this means no more security updates – and for many users, the question of whether their computer belongs in the e-waste bin.

The answer: No. With Linux, these devices can continue to be used safely and productively. This is exactly where the End of 10 campaign comes in – an initiative by KDE Eco that supports people in making the switch and connects repair cafés, Linux user groups, and volunteers.

The Workshop in Dessau

On March 13–14, 2026, a workshop took place in Dessau where volunteers from across Germany gathered to exchange experiences and build shared structures. Organized as part of the End of 10 campaign, it centered on one key question: How do you organize a Linux Café that actually helps?

Participants came from diverse backgrounds: repair cafés, Linux user groups, adult education centers (Volkshochschulen), and private initiatives. Our colleague Goetz van Rissenbeck volunteered as both participant and technical contributor.

Topics and Outcomes

Structuring Linux Cafés

A Linux Café is more than an installation party. The workshop identified which formats work:

One-off events with open follow-up support
Regular meetups (e.g., every two weeks with a limited number of participants)
Introductory talks as a low-barrier entry point before any installation takes place
1:1 support during the actual installation

Key insights from practice:

Registration is useful to clarify expectations and skill levels upfront
Communicate prerequisites: back up your data, bring an external hard drive
Mind your wording: “Save your files” instead of “Make a backup”
Plan for aftercare: a regular Linux office hour, a Signal group, or a forum

Knowledge Base on Codeberg

A core topic of the workshop was building a shared knowledge base for Linux Cafés. The idea: instead of every initiative reinventing the wheel, we collect solutions to recurring problems in one place.

The knowledge base is being developed as a Hugo project on Codeberg. The repository is currently still privately maintained and is planned to be handed over to an organization (e.g. the End-of-10 community on Codeberg) in due course.

👉 Repository: codeberg.org/indux/LCRKB

The planned structure follows the typical hurdles encountered during Linux installations:

Installation – Secure Boot, BIOS keys, installer issues
Hardware – Wi-Fi drivers, graphics cards, printers
Linux Basics – command line, package management, first steps
Event Organization – planning, execution, aftercare

Contributions are submitted as Markdown files with tags, making content searchable and categorizable.

Print Materials and Outreach

The third focus was on materials that Linux Cafés need for their work:

Flyer templates with non-technical arguments for switching
Ready-made presentations for introductory talks
Marketing materials under open licenses (Open Educational Resources)

Why This Engagement?

Goetz volunteers for repair culture, open source and digital access in his own time – the workshop in Dessau was part of that. We’re happy when our colleagues pursue causes they care about alongside their work, and we’re glad to support it.

The End of 10 campaign strikes a nerve: it’s about sustainability (not discarding functional hardware), digital inclusion (not cutting people off from security updates), and self-determination (choosing your operating system as a conscious decision).

Organizing Linux Cafés: Field Report from the End-of-10 Workshop in Dessau