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(Two Column)
- Debian: inetutils Important Telnetd Login Bypass CVE-2026-24061 DSA-6106-1
Kyu Neushwaistein discovered that telnetd from inetutils does not sanitize the USER environment variable before passing it on to login. A remote attacker can take advantage of this flaw to login as root, bypassing normal authentication processes. For the oldstable distribution (bookworm), this problem has been fixed
- 30 years of ReactOS
ReactOS, an open-source projectto develop an operating system that is compatible with MicrosoftWindows NT applications and drivers, is celebrating 30years since the first commit to its source tree. In that timethere have been more than 88,000 commits from 301 contributors, for atotal of 14,929,578 lines of code. There is, of course, much left todo.
It's been such a long journey that many of our contributors today,including myself, were not alive during this event. Yet our mission todeliver "your favorite Windows apps and drivers in an open-sourceenvironment you can trust" continues to bring people together. [...]
We're continuing to move ReactOS forward. Behind the scenes there areseveral out-of-tree projects in development. Some of these excitingprojects include a new build environment for developers (RosBE), a newNTFS driver, a new ATA driver, multi-processor (SMP) support, supportfor class 3 UEFI systems, kernel and usermode address space layoutrandomization (ASLR), and support for modern GPU drivers built onWDDM.
- Rust 1.93.0 released
Version1.93.0 of the Rust programming language has been released. Notablechanges include in updated version of the bundled musl library,thread-local storage for the global allocator, some asm!improvements, and a number of newly stabilized APIs.
- Security updates for Thursday
Security updates have been issued by AlmaLinux (gpsd), Debian (inetutils and modsecurity-crs), Fedora (cpp-httplib, curl, mariadb11.8, mingw-libtasn1, mingw-libxslt, mingw-python3, rclone, and rpki-client), Oracle (gimp, glib2, go-toolset:rhel8, golang, kernel, mariadb-devel:10.3, and thunderbird), Red Hat (buildah, go-toolset:rhel8, golang, grafana, kernel, kernel-rt, multiple packages, openssl, osbuild-composer, podman, and skopeo), Slackware (bind), SUSE (ffmpeg-4, libsodium, libvirt, net-snmp, open-vm-tools, ovmf, postgresql17, postgresql18, python-FontTools, python-weasyprint, and webkit2gtk3), and Ubuntu (glib2.0 and opencc).
- [$] LWN.net Weekly Edition for January 22, 2026
Inside this week's LWN.net Weekly Edition:
Front: Singularity; fsconfig(); io_uring restrictions; GPG vulnerabilities; slab allocator; AshOS. Briefs: Pixel exploit; telnetd exploit; OzLabs; korgalore; Firefox Nightly RPMs; Forgejo 14.0; Pandas 3.0; Wine 11.0; Quotes; ... Announcements: Newsletters, conferences, security updates, patches, and more.
- [$] Cleanup on aisle fsconfig()
As part of the process of writing man pages for the "new" mount API, which has been available in thekernel since 2019, Aleksa Sarai encountered a number of places where the fsconfig()system call—for configuring filesystems before mounting—needs to be cleaned up. In the 2025 Linux Plumbers Conference(LPC) session that he led, Sarai wanted to discuss some of the problems he found,including at least one with security implications. The idea of the sessionwas for him to describe the various bugs and ambiguities that he had found,but he also wanted attendees to raise other problems they had with thesystem call.
- Pandas 3.0 released
Version3.0.0 of the pandas dataanalysis and manipulation library for Python has beenreleased. Notable changes include a dedicatedstring type (str), new "copy-on-write" behavior, and much more. This release also removesa number of features that were deprecated in prior versions of pandas;developers are advised to upgrade to pandas 2.3 and ensure code isworking without warnings before moving to 3.0. See the releasenotes for the full changelog.
- [$] Responses to gpg.fail
At the 39thChaos Communication Congress (39C3) in December, researchers LexiGroves ("49016") and Liam Wachter said that they had discovered anumber of flaws in popular implementations of OpenPGP email-encryption standard. They also released anaccompanying web site, gpg.fail, withdescriptions of the discoveries. Most of thosepresented were found in GNU PrivacyGuard (GPG), though the pair also discussed problems in age,Minisign, Sequoia, and the OpenPGPstandard (RFC 9580) itself. The discoveries have spurred some interestingdiscussions and as well as responses from GPG and Sequoiadevelopers.
- Security updates for Wednesday
Security updates have been issued by AlmaLinux (brotli and container-tools:rhel8), Debian (python-keystonemiddleware and python3.9), Fedora (cef, freerdp, golang-github-tetratelabs-wazero, and libpcap), Oracle (brotli, gpsd, kernel, and transfig), Red Hat (freerdp, golang, java-11-openjdk with Extended Lifecycle Support, libpng, libssh, mingw-libpng, and runc), SUSE (abseil-cpp, alloy, apache2, bind, cpp-httplib, curl, erlang, firefox, gpg2, grafana, haproxy, hauler, hawk2, libblkid-devel, libpng16, libraylib550, python-keystonemiddleware-doc, python-uv, python-weasyprint, squid, and tomcat), and Ubuntu (crawl and iperf3).
- Ryabitsev: Tracking kernel development with korgalore
Konstantin Ryabitsev has put up ablog post about korgalore, a tool he has written to circumvent deliveryproblems experienced by kernel developers using the large, centralizedemail systems.
We cannot fix email delivery, but we can sidestep it entirely. Public-inbox archives like lore.kernel.org store all mailing list traffic in git repositories. In its simplest configuration, korgalore can shallow-clone these repositories directly and upload any new messages straight to your mailbox using the provider's API.
- Remote authentication bypass in telnetd
One would assume that most LWN readers stopped running network-accessibletelnet services some number of decades ago. For the rest of you, this security advisory fromSimon Josefsson is worthy of note:
The telnetd server invokes /usr/bin/login (normally running as root) passing the value of the USER environment variable received from the client as the last parameter.
If the client supplies a carefully crafted USER environment value being the string "-f root", and passes the telnet(1) -a or --login parameter to send this USER environment to the server, the client will be automatically logged in as root bypassing normal authentication processes.
- Mozilla introduces Firefox Nightly RPM package repository
Mozilla has announceda repository with FirefoxNightly channel packages for RPM-based Linux distributions such as CentOSStream, Fedora, and openSUSE. Mozilla has provided a Debian repositorysince 2023.
Note that this repository only includes the nightly builds of Thefirefox-nightly package. Mozilla is not providing stablebuilds as RPMs at this time. However, the package will not conflictwith a distribution's regular firefox package; both packagescan be installed at the same time for those who wish to test thenightly builds. See the blog post for instructions on setting up therepository.
- [$] An alternate path for immutable distributions
LWN has had a number of articles on immutable distributions,such as Bluefin and Bazzite, in recent years. These distributions have taken a variety of approaches, includingusingrpm-ostree, filesystem snapshots, andbootable container (bootc) images. But thoseapproaches, especially the latter, lead to extra complexity for a userattempting to install new software, instead of justusing the existing package manager.AshOS (Any Snapshot Hierarchical OS) is an experimental AGPL-3-licensed"meta-distribution" that tried a different approach more in line withtraditional package management. Although the project is no longer updated,it remains usable, and can still shed some light on a potential alternate path for usersworried about adopting bootc-based approaches.
- Security updates for Tuesday
Security updates have been issued by AlmaLinux (gpsd-minimal, jmc, kernel, kernel-rt, and net-snmp), Debian (apache-log4j2 and dcmtk), Fedora (exim, gpsd, mysql8.0, mysql8.4, python-biopython, and rust-lru), Mageia (firefox, nss and thunderbird), Oracle (container-tools:rhel8, gpsd-minimal, jmc, kernel, net-snmp, and uek-kernel), Red Hat (net-snmp), SUSE (chromium, go, harfbuzz-devel, kernel, libsoup, rust1.91, rust1.92, and thunderbird), and Ubuntu (apache2, avahi, and python-urllib3).
- The end of OzLabs
OzLabs is a collection of Australianfree-software developers that was, for most of its history, associated withIBM. Members of OzLabs have included Hugh Blemings, Michael Ellerman, BenHerrenschmidt, Greg Lehey, Paul Mackerras, Martin Pool, Stephen Rothwell,Rusty Russell, and Andrew Tridgell, among others. The OzLabs "about" page notes that, asof January 2026, the last remaining OzLabs members have departed IBM."This brought to a close the Ozlabs association with IBM". Thusends a quarter-century of development history.
(Thanks to Jon Masters).
- Haas: Who contributed to PostgreSQL development in 2025?
PostgreSQL contributor Robert Haas has publisheda blog post that breaks down code contributions to PostgreSQL in2025.
I calculate that, in 2025, there were 266 people who were theprincipal author of at least one PostgreSQL commit. 66% of the newlines of code where contributed by one of 26 people, and 90% of thelines of new code were contributed by one of 67 people.
Contributions to the project seem to be on the upswing; in his analysisof development in 2024, there were 229 people who were the primaryauthors of a commit, and 66% of new lines of code were contributed byone of 18 people. The rawdata is also available.
- Linux Finally Retiring HIPPI: The First Near-Gigabit Standard For Networking Supercomputers
While the Linux kernel has been seeing preparations from NVIDIA for 1.6 Tb/s networking in preparing for next-generation super-computing, the kernel has still retained support to now for the High Performance Parallel Interface. HIPPI was the standard for connecting supercomputers in the late 1980s and a portion of the 1990s with being the first networking standard for near-Gigabit connectivity at 800 Mb/s over distances up to 25 meters. But HIPPI looks like it will be retired from the mainline kernel with Linux 7.0...
- Qualcomm QCS6490-based SBC supports Yocto, Ubuntu, and Windows on Arm
Advantech has introduced the MIO-5355, a 3.5-inch single-board computer based on Qualcomm’s QCS6490 and QCS5430 platforms. The board combines Arm-based processing, integrated AI acceleration, and rugged I/O support, with operating system options including Yocto Linux, Ubuntu, and Windows on Arm. The MIO-5355 is offered with either the QCS6490 or QCS5430 system-on-chip. The QCS6490 variant integrates […]
- UnifyDrive expands its private NAS lineup with UC450 Pro and UC250
UnifyDrive has expanded its private NAS lineup with the UC450 Pro and UC250, two closely related systems focused on local storage, processing, and on-device services. The models address different performance tiers, ranging from low-power, always-on operation to workstation-class workloads. The UC450 Pro is built around Intel’s Core Ultra 5 225H processor, which combines CPU cores […]
- PHPStan Now 25~40% Faster For Static Analysis
For those using the powerful PHPStan tool for static analysis on PHP code, this week's PHPStan 2.1.34 is promoting optimized performance with projects seeing around 25% to 40% faster analysis times...
- The CPU Performance Of The NVIDIA GB10 With The Dell Pro Max vs. AMD Ryzen AI Max+ "Strix Halo"
With the Dell Pro Max GB10 testing at Phoronix we have been focused on the AI performance with its Blackwell GPU as the GB10 superchip was designed for meeting the needs of AI. Many Phoronix readers have also been curious about the GB10's CPU performance in more traditional Linux workloads. So for those curious about the GB10 CPU performance, here are some Linux benchmarks focused today on the CPU performance and going up against the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 "Strix Halo" within the Framework Desktop.
- Get Your Zen on With Zen Browser
If you like Firefox’s engine but not its direction, Zen Browser gives you a familiar foundation with a more flexible UI, built?in theming, and productivity-focused features.
- Linux 6.19 ATA Fixes Address Power Management Regression For The Past Year
It's typically rare these days for the ATA subsystem updates in the Linux kernel to contain anything really noteworthy. But today some important fixes were merged for the ATA code to deal with a reported power management regression affecting the past number of Linux kernel releases over the last year. ATAPI devices with dummy ports weren't hitting their low-power state and in turn preventing the CPU from reaching low-power C-states but thankfully that is now resolved with this code...
- Mozilla starts offering RPMs of Firefox Nightly
More packaging options for the leading all-FOSS browserIf you can't wait to get the bleeding-edge version of Firefox, we have good news. Mozilla is offering native RPM packages of Firefox Nightly for Linux distros in the greater Red Hat and SUSE families.…
- 'No Reasons To Own': Software Stocks Sink on Fear of New AI Tool
The new year was supposed to bring opportunities for beaten-down software stocks. Instead, the group is off to its worst start in years. From a report: The release of a new artificial intelligence tool from startup Anthropic on Jan. 12 rekindled fears about disruption that weighed on software makers in 2025. TurboTax owner Intuit tumbled 16% last week, its worst since 2022, while Adobe and Salesforce, which makes customer relationship management software, both sank more than 11%. All told, a group of software-as-a-service stocks tracked by Morgan Stanley is down 15% so far this year, following a drop of 11% in 2025. It's the worst start to a year since 2022, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. While unproven, the tool represents just the type of capabilities that investors have been fearing, and reinforces bearish positions that are looking increasingly entrenched, according to Jordan Klein, a tech-sector specialist at Mizuho Securities. "Many buysiders see no reasons to own software no matter how cheap or beaten down the stocks get," Klein wrote in a Jan. 14 note to clients. "They assume zero catalysts for a re-rate exist right now," he said, referring to the potential for higher valuation multiples.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
- Half of Fossil Fuel Carbon Emissions In 2024 Came From 32 Companies
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Inside Climate News: Just 32 companies accounted for over half of global fossil carbon emissions in 2024, according to a report published Wednesday by the U.K.-based think tank InfluenceMap. That is down from 36 companies responsible for half the global CO2 emissions in 2023, and 38 companies five years ago. The analysis is the latest update to the Carbon Majors database, which tracks the world's largest oil, gas, coal and cement producers and uses production data to calculate the carbon emissions from each entity's production. The database, first developed by researcher Richard Heede and now hosted by InfluenceMap, quantifies current and historical emissions attributable to nearly 180 companies and provides annual updates. It is the only database of its kind tracking corporate-generated carbon emissions dating back to the start of the Industrial Revolution, research that's being used in efforts to hold major polluters accountable for climate harms. Despite dire warnings from scientists about the consequences of accelerating climate change, fossil fuel production is continuing apace. Last year, fossil fuel CO2 emissions reached a record high, topping 38 billion metric tons. In 2024 these emissions were 37.4 billion metric tons -- up 0.8 percent from 2023 -- and traceable to 166 oil, gas, coal and cement producers, according to the report. Much of the global carbon emissions in 2024 came from state-owned entities, which represented 16 of the top 20 emitters. The five largest emitters overall -- Saudi Arabia's Aramco, Coal India, China's CHN Energy, National Iranian Oil Co. and Russia's Gazprom -- were all state-controlled, and accounted for 18 percent of the total fossil CO2 emissions in 2024. ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, ConocoPhillips and BP -- the top five emitting investor-owned companies -- together were responsible for 5.5 percent of the total emissions in that year. Historically, ExxonMobil and Chevron rank in the top five for fossil carbon emissions generated from 1854 through 2024, accounting for 2.79 percent and 3.08 percent of overall carbon pollution, respectively. According to the analysis, the 178 entities in the database have generated 70 percent of fossil CO2 emissions since the start of the Industrial Revolution, and just 22 entities are responsible for one-third of these emissions. "Each year, global emissions become increasingly concentrated among a shrinking group of high-emitting producers, while overall production continues to grow. Simultaneously, these heavy emitters continue to use lobbying to obstruct a transition that the scientific community has known for decades is essential," said Emmett Connaire, senior analyst at InfluenceMap. The findings of the new analysis, he added, "underscore the growing importance of this kind of rigorous evidence in efforts to determine accountability for climate-related losses."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
- Wikipedia's Guide to Spotting AI Is Now Being Used To Hide AI
Ars Technica's Benj Edwards reports: On Saturday, tech entrepreneur Siqi Chen released an open source plugin for Anthropic's Claude Code AI assistant that instructs the AI model to stop writing like an AI model. Called "Humanizer," the simple prompt plugin feeds Claude a list of 24 language and formatting patterns that Wikipedia editors have listed as chatbot giveaways. Chen published the plugin on GitHub, where it has picked up over 1,600 stars as of Monday. "It's really handy that Wikipedia went and collated a detailed list of 'signs of AI writing,'" Chen wrote on X. "So much so that you can just tell your LLM to... not do that." The source material is a guide from WikiProject AI Cleanup, a group of Wikipedia editors who have been hunting AI-generated articles since late 2023. French Wikipedia editor Ilyas Lebleu founded the project. The volunteers have tagged over 500 articles for review and, in August 2025, published a formal list of the patterns they kept seeing. Chen's tool is a "skill file" for Claude Code, Anthropic's terminal-based coding assistant, which involves a Markdown-formatted file that adds a list of written instructions (you can see them here) appended to the prompt fed into the large language model (LLM) that powers the assistant. Unlike a normal system prompt, for example, the skill information is formatted in a standardized way that Claude models are fine-tuned to interpret with more precision than a plain system prompt. (Custom skills require a paid Claude subscription with code execution turned on.) But as with all AI prompts, language models don't always perfectly follow skill files, so does the Humanizer actually work? In our limited testing, Chen's skill file made the AI agent's output sound less precise and more casual, but it could have some drawbacks: it won't improve factuality and might harm coding ability. [...] Even with its drawbacks, it's ironic that one of the web's most referenced rule sets for detecting AI-assisted writing may help some people subvert it.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
- Blue Origin's Satellite Internet Network TeraWave Will Move Data At 6 Tbps
Blue Origin has unveiled an enterprise-focused satellite internet network called TeraWave, which promises up to 6 Tbps speeds via a mixed low- and medium-Earth orbit constellation. TechCrunch reports: The TeraWave constellation will use a mix of 5,280 satellites in low-Earth orbit and 128 in medium-Earth orbit, and Blue Origin plans to deploy the first ones in late 2027. It's not immediately clear how long Blue Origin expects it will take to build out the whole network. The low-Earth orbit satellites Blue Origin is building will use RF connectivity and have a max data transfer speed of 144 Gbps, while the medium-Earth variety will use an optical link that can achieve the much higher 6 Tbps speed. For reference, SpaceX's Starlink currently maxes out at 400 Mbps -- though it plans to launch upgraded satellites that will offer 1 Gbps data transfer in the future. "We identified an unmet need with customers who were seeking enterprise-grade internet access with higher speeds, symmetrical upload/download speeds, more redundancy, and rapid scalability for their networks. TeraWave solves for these problems," Blue Origin said in a statement.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
- Weight-Loss Drugs Could Save US Airlines $580 Million Per Year
An anonymous reader quotes a report from the New York Times: Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic have transformed millions of lives with easily administered treatments and quick results. Now it turns out the dropped pounds may have a surprising perk for airlines, too: lower fuel costs, as slimmer passengers lighten their aircraft's loads. According to a study published last week by Jefferies, a financial services firm, the four largest U.S. carriers -- American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines -- could together save as much as $580 million per year on fuel thanks to weight-loss drugs, known as GLP-1s. One in eight U.S. adults said they were taking a GLP-1 in a November survey published by KFF, a nonprofit health research group. Fuel is among airlines' largest expenses. The Jefferies study estimates that the four airlines will together consume 16 billion gallons of fuel in 2026 at a total cost of $38.6 billion, nearly 20 percent of their total expenses. The savings from skinnier passengers would amount to just 1.5 percent of fuel costs. But airlines and pilots must scrutinize even the smallest changes to a plane's weight and balance, and a lighter payload means each jet burns less fuel to generate the thrust necessary to fly. Investors could also stand to benefit: The researchers estimated that a 2 percent reduction in aircraft weight could boost earnings per share by about 4 percent. "Please note savings are before any lost snack sales," the Jefferies analysts added.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
- FBI's Washington Post Investigation Shows How Your Printer Can Snitch On You
alternative_right quotes a report from The Intercept: Federal prosecutors on January 9 charged Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, an IT specialist for an unnamed government contractor, with "the offense of unlawful retention of national defense information," according to an FBI affidavit (PDF). The case attracted national attention after federal agents investigating Perez-Lugones searched the home of a Washington Post reporter. But overlooked so far in the media coverage is the fact that a surprising surveillance tool pointed investigators toward Perez-Lugones: an office printer with a photographic memory. News of the investigation broke when the Washington Post reported that investigators seized the work laptop, personal laptop, phone, and smartwatch of journalist Hannah Natanson, who has covered the Trump administration's impact on the federal government and recently wrote about developing more than 1,000 government sources. A Justice Department official told the Post that Perez-Lugones had been messaging Natanson to discuss classified information. The affidavit does not allege that Perez-Lugones disseminated national defense information, only that he unlawfully retained it. The affidavit provides insight into how Perez-Lugones allegedly attempted to exfiltrate information from a Secure Compartmented Information Facility, or SCIF, and the unexpected way his employer took notice. According to the FBI, Perez-Lugones printed a classified intelligence report, albeit in a roundabout fashion. It's standard for workplace printers to log certain information, such as the names of files they print and the users who printed them. In an apparent attempt to avoid detection, Perez-Lugones, according to the affidavit, took screenshots of classified materials, cropped the screenshots, and pasted them into a Microsoft Word document. By using screenshots instead of text, there would be no record of a classified report printed from the specific workstation. (Depending on the employer's chosen data loss prevention monitoring software, access logs might show a specific user had opened the file and perhaps even tracked whether they took screenshots). Perez-Lugones allegedly gave the file an innocuous name, "Microsoft Word - Document1," that might not stand out if printer logs were later audited. In this case, however, the affidavit reveals that Perez-Lugones's employer could see not only the typical metadata stored by printers, such as file names, file sizes, and time of printing, but it could also view the actual contents of the printed materials -- in this case, prosecutors say, the screenshots themselves. As the affidavit points out, "Perez-Lugones' employer can retrieve records of print activity on classified systems, including copies of printed documents." [...] Aside from attempting to surreptitiously print a document, Perez-Lugones, investigators say, was also seen allegedly opening a classified document and taking notes, looking "back and forth between the screen corresponding the classified system and the notepad, all the while writing on the notepad." The affidavit doesn't state how this observation was made, but it strongly suggests a video surveillance system was also in play.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
- 'America Is Slow-Walking Into a Polymarket Disaster'
In an opinion piece for The Atlantic, senior editor Saahil Desai argues that media outlets are increasingly treating prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi as legitimate signals of reality. The risk, as Desai warns, is a future where news coverage amplifies manipulable betting odds and turns politics, geopolitics, and even tragedy into speculative gambling theater. Here's an excerpt from the report: [...] The problem is that prediction markets are ushering in a world in which news becomes as much about gambling as about the event itself. This kind of thing has already happened to sports, where the language of "parlays" and "covering the spread" has infiltrated every inch of commentary. ESPN partners with DraftKings to bring its odds to SportsCenter and Monday Night Football; CBS Sports has a betting vertical; FanDuel runs its own streaming network. But the stakes of Greenland's future are more consequential than the NFL playoffs. The more that prediction markets are treated like news, especially heading into another election, the more every dip and swing in the odds may end up wildly misleading people about what might happen, or influencing what happens in the real world. Yet it's unclear whether these sites are meaningful predictors of anything. After the Golden Globes, Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan excitedly posted that his site had correctly predicted 26 of 28 winners, which seems impressive -- but Hollywood awards shows are generally predictable. One recent study found that Polymarket's forecasts in the weeks before the 2024 election were not much better than chance. These markets are also manipulable. In 2012, one bettor on the now-defunct prediction market Intrade placed a series of huge wagers on Mitt Romney in the two weeks preceding the election, generating a betting line indicative of a tight race. The bettor did not seem motivated by financial gain, according to two researchers who examined the trades. "More plausibly, this trader could have been attempting to manipulate beliefs about the odds of victory in an attempt to boost fundraising, campaign morale, and turnout," they wrote. The trader lost at least $4 million but might have shaped media attention of the race for less than the price of a prime-time ad, they concluded. [...] The irony of prediction markets is that they are supposed to be a more trustworthy way of gleaning the future than internet clickbait and half-baked punditry, but they risk shredding whatever shared trust we still have left. The suspiciously well-timed bets that one Polymarket user placed right before the capture of Nicolas Maduro may have been just a stroke of phenomenal luck that netted a roughly $400,000 payout. Or maybe someone with inside information was looking for easy money. [...] As Tarek Mansour, Kalshi's CEO, has said, his long-term goal is to "financialize everything and create a tradable asset out of any difference in opinion." (Kalshi means "everything" in Arabic.) What could go wrong? As one viral post on X recently put it, "Got a buddy who is praying for world war 3 so he can win $390 on Polymarket." It's a joke. I think.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
- Apple Reportedly Replacing Siri Interface With Actual Chatbot Experience For iOS 27
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is reportedly planning a major Siri overhaul in iOS 27 and macOS 27 where the current assistant interface will be replaced with a deeply integrated, ChatGPT-style chatbot experience. "Users will be able to summon the new service the same way they open Siri now, by speaking the 'Siri' command or holding down the side button on their iPhone or iPad," says Gurman. "More significantly, Siri will be integrated into all of the company's core apps, including ones for mail, music, podcasts, TV, Xcode programming software and photos. That will allow users to do much more with just their voice." 9to5Mac reports: The unannounced Siri overhaul will reportedly be revealed at WWDC in June as the flagship feature for iOS 27 and macOS 27. Its release is expected in September when Apple typically ships major software updates. While Apple plans to release an improved version of Siri and Apple Intelligence this spring, that version will use the existing Siri interface. The big difference is that Google's Gemini models will power the intelligence. With the bigger update planned for iOS 27, the iOS 26 upgrade to Siri and Apple Intelligence sounds more like the first step to a long overdue modernization. Gurman reports that the major Siri overhaul will "allow users to search the web for information, create content, generate images, summarize information and analyze uploaded files" while using "personal data to complete tasks, being able to more easily locate specific files, songs, calendar events and text messages." People are already familiar with conversational interactions with AI, and Bloomberg says the bigger update to Siri will be support both text and voice. Siri already uses these input methods, but there's no real continuity between sessions.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
- Spotify Lawsuit Triggered Anna's Archive Domain Name Suspensions
An anonymous reader quotes a report from TorrentFreak: Spotify and several major record labels, including UMG, Sony, and Warner, have taken legal action against the unknown operators of Anna's Archive. The action follows the shadow library's announcement that it would release hundreds of terabytes of scraped Spotify data. Unsealed documents reveal that the court already issued a broad preliminary injunction, ordering hosting companies, Cloudflare, and domain name services, to take action. [...] All these documents were filed under seal, as the shadow library might otherwise be tipped off and take countermeasures. These documents were filed ex-parte and kept away from Anna's Archive. According to Spotify and the labels, this is needed "so that Anna's Archive cannot pre-emptively frustrate" the countermeasures they seek. The lawsuit (PDF), which was unsealed recently, explains directly why Anna's Archive lost several of its domain names over the past weeks. The .ORG domain was suspended by the U.S.-based Public Interest Registry (PIR) in early January, while a domain registrar took the .SE variant offline a few days later. "We don't believe this has to do with our Spotify backup," AnnaArchivist said at the time, but court records prove them wrong. The unsealed paperwork shows that the court granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) on January 2, which aimed to target Anna's Archive hosting and domain names. The sealed nature of this order also explains why the .ORG registry informed us that it could not comment on the suspension last week. While the .ORG and the .SE domains are suspended now, other domains remain operational. This suggests that the responsible registrars and registries do not automatically comply with U.S. court orders. [...] While the unsealed documents resolve the domain suspension mystery, it is only the start of the legal battle in court. It is expected that Spotify and the music companies will do everything in their power to take further action, if needed. Interestingly, however, it appears that the music industry lawsuit may have already reached its goal. A few days ago, the dedicated Spotify download section was removed by Anna's Archive. Whether this removal is linked to the legal troubles is unknown. However, it appears that Anna's Archive stopped the specific distribution of Spotify content alleged in the complaint, seemingly in partial compliance with the injunction's ban on 'making available' the scraped files.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
- Apple Developing AI Wearable Pin
According to a report by The Information (paywalled), Apple is reportedly developing an AirTag-sized, camera-equipped AI wearable pin that could arrive as early as 2027. "Apple's pin, which is a thin, flat, circular disc with an aluminum-and-glass shell, features two cameras -- a standard lens and a wide-angle lens -- on its front face, designed to capture photos and videos of the user's surroundings," reports The Information, citing people familiar with the device. "It also includes three microphones to pick up sounds in the area surrounding the person wearing it. It has a speaker, a physical button along one of its edges and a magnetic inductive charging interface on its back, similar to the one used on the Apple Watch..." 9to5Mac reports: The Information also notes that Apple is attempting to speed up development in hopes of competing with OpenAI's first wearable (slated to debut in 2026), and that it is not immediately clear whether this wearable would work in conjunction with other products, such as AirPods or Apple's reported upcoming smart glasses. Today's report also notes that this has been a challenging market for new companies, citing the recent failure of Humane's AI Pin as an example.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
- Nova Launcher Gets a New Owner and Ads
Nova Launcher has been acquired by Instabridge, which says it will keep the app maintained but is evaluating ad-supported options for the free version. Android Authority reports: Today, Nova Launcher announced that the Swedish company Instabridge has acquired it from Branch Metrics. Instabridge claims it wants to be a responsible owner of Nova and does not want to reinvent the launcher overnight. However, the launcher still needs a sustainable business model to support ongoing development and maintenance. To this end, Instabridge is exploring different options, including paid tiers and ad-supported options for the free version. The new owners claim that if ads are introduced, Nova Prime will remain ad-free. However, this is misleading, as ads are already here for some users. Last year, the founder and original programmer of Nova Launcher left the company, signaling its "death" as he had been the sole developer working on the launcher for the past year.
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- HAM Radio Operators In Belarus Arrested, Face the Death Penalty
An anonymous reader quotes a report from 404 Media: The Belarusian government is threatening three HAM radio operators with the death penalty, detained at least seven people, and has accused them of "intercepting state secrets," according to Belarusian state media, independent media outside of Belarus, and the Belarusian human rights organization Viasna. The arrests are an extreme attack on what is most often a wholesome hobby that has a history of being vilified by authoritarian governments in part because the technology is quite censorship resistant. The detentions were announced last week on Belarusian state TV, which claimed the men were part of a network of more than 50 people participating in the amateur radio hobby and have been accused of both "espionage" and "treason." Authorities there said they seized more than 500 pieces of radio equipment. The men were accused on state TV of using radio to spy on the movement of government planes, though no actual evidence of this has been produced. State TV claimed they were associated with the Belarusian Federation of Radioamateurs and Radiosportsmen (BFRR), a long-running amateur radio club and nonprofit that holds amateur radio competitions, meetups, trainings, and forums. Siarhei Besarab, a Belarusian HAM radio operator, posted a plea for support from others in the r/amateurradio subreddit. "I am writing this because my local community is being systematically liquidated in what I can only describe as a targeted intellectual genocide," Besarab wrote. "I beg you to amplify this signal and help us spread this information. Please show this to any journalist you know, send it to human rights organizations, and share it with your local radio associations."
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- Ozempic is Reshaping the Fast Food Industry
New research from Cornell University has tracked how households change their spending after someone starts taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, and the numbers are material enough to explain why food industry earnings calls keep blaming everything except the obvious culprit. The study analyzed transaction data from 150,000 households linked to survey responses on medication adoption. Households cut grocery spending by 5.3% within six months of a member starting GLP-1s; high-income households cut by 8.2%. Fast food spending fell 8.0%. Savory snacks took the biggest hit at 10.1%, followed by sweets and baked goods. Yogurt was the only category to see a statistically significant increase. As of July 2024, 16.3% of U.S. households had at least one GLP-1 user. Nearly half of adopters reported taking the medication specifically for weight loss rather than diabetes management. About 34% of users discontinue within the sample period, and when they stop, candy and chocolate purchases rise 11.4% above pre-adoption levels. Further reading: Weighing the Cost of Smaller Appetites.
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- Half of World's CO2 Emissions Come From Just 32 Fossil Fuel Firms, Study Shows
Just 32 fossil fuel companies were responsible for half the global carbon dioxide emissions driving the climate crisis in 2024, down from 36 a year earlier, a report has revealed. The Guardian: Saudi Aramco was the biggest state-controlled polluter and ExxonMobil was the largest investor-owned polluter. Critics accused the leading fossil fuel companies of "sabotaging climate action" and "being on the wrong side of history" but said the emissions data was increasingly being used to hold the companies accountable. State-owned fossil fuel producers made up 17 of the top 20 emitters in the Carbon Majors report, which the authors said underscored the political barriers to tackling global heating. All 17 are controlled by countries that opposed a proposed fossil fuel phaseout at the Cop30 UN climate summit in December, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and India. More than 80 other nations had backed the phaseout plan.
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- Adobe Acrobat Now Lets You Edit Files Using Prompts, Generate Podcast Summaries
Adobe has added a suite of AI-powered features to Acrobat that enable users to edit documents through natural language prompts, generate podcast-style audio summaries of their files, and create presentations by pulling content from multiple documents stored in a single workspace. The prompt-based editing supports 12 distinct actions: removing pages, text, comments, and images; finding and replacing words and phrases; and adding e-signatures and passwords. The presentation feature builds on Adobe Spaces, a collaborative file and notes collection the company launched last year. Users can point Acrobat's AI assistant at files in a Space and have it generate an editable pitch deck, then style it using Adobe Express themes and stock imagery. Shared files in Spaces now include AI-generated summaries that cite specific locations in the source document. Users can also choose from preset AI assistant personas -- "analyst," "entertainer," or "instructor" -- or create custom assistants using their own prompts.
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- Uncle Sam's VMware 'bargain' doesn't include the actual hypervisor
GSA trumpets 64% discounts on Broadcom's VMware portfolio, core vSphere platform mysteriously absent from agreement
The US General Services Administration is flogging discounts of up to 64 percent under a OneGov Agreement covering Broadcom's VMware portfolio – though the actual hypervisor that made VMware famous isn't included.…
- EU's Digital Networks Act sets telcos squabbling before the ink is dry
Comms harmonization plan already drawing fire from operators and Big Tech alike
The European Commission's proposed Digital Networks Act (DNA) to harmonize telecoms regulation is drawing criticism from industry bodies who either say it oversteps the mark or doesn't go far enough to galvanize the sector.…
- Europe's GDPR cops dished out €1.2B in fines last year as data breaches piled up
Regulators logged over 400 personal data breach notifications a day for first time since law came into force
GDPR fines pushed past the £1 billion (€1.2 billion) mark in 2025 as Europe's regulators were deluged with more than 400 data breach notifications a day, according to a new survey that suggests the post-plateau era of enforcement has well and truly arrived.…
- House of Lords votes to ban social media for Brits under 16
As public consultation kicks off, members of UK Parliament's second chamber highlight damage to children
UK government is edging closer to following Australia in blocking under-16s from social media accounts after the House of Lords voted in favor of a ban.…
- Rocket Lab's Neutron schedule under pressure after unexpected tank rupture
Launch vehicle due to make maiden flight this year, company promises update in February earnings call
Rocket Lab suffered a setback after a Neutron Stage 1 tank ruptured overnight while the company was performing a hydrostatic pressure trial at its Space Structures Complex in Middle River, Maryland.…
- Debian's FreedomBox Blend promises an easier home cloud
There are other home server, NAS, and media-streaming distros, but this aspires to much more
Hands On Want to get off someone else's cloud, especially if it's hosted in a country you don't trust? FreedomBox is an off-ramp, and it's included in Debian in the form of a Blend.…
- SAP scores £275M award from UK tax collector – sans competition
System handling £800B must be SaaS and sovereign. Only German vendor fits the bill, says HMRC
Updated The UK tax collector has awarded SAP a £275 million ($370 million) contract to move the system, which handles over £800 billion (c $1 trillion) in tax revenue and payments annually, off an aging legacy platform and onto its latest software.…
- British Army's drone degree program set to take flight
Program will train just 20 people per year
The UK government is investing in a defense-focused degree course to train both civilian students and soldiers to become drone technology specialists. However, it's only targeting a small number of people.…
- Splash-screen memories from a Bangkok ticket machine
When the operating system is older than the transport network
Bork!Bork!Bork! There's no keeping an obsolete operating system down, although keeping it operational can sometimes be a challenge, if public terminals are any indication. Today's bork uses an OS that dates back 26 years, but is still serving up train tickets.…
- Future jobs in AI will come with a hardhat and boots, tech bigshots argue
Jensen Huang and Alex Karp talk up trade skills as AI datacenters multiply, while Satya Nadella says the real test comes later
The leaders of the AI world descended on Davos, Switzerland, this week for the World Economic Forum, where they took turns lobbing their best guesses about what the next phase of AI would mean for jobs, as well as whether the AI bubble was real and when it may pop.…
- AI networking startup Upscale scores $200M to challenge Nvidia's NVSwitch
Plans to swing SkyHammer silicon into UALink switches later this year
AI networking startup Upscale AI on Wednesday announced it has raised $200 million in Series A funding to challenge Nvidia's dominance of switches for rack-scale AI systems, putting it in competition with the likes of Cisco and AMD.…
- AI hasn't delivered the profits it was hyped for, says Deloitte
Business transformation, but not much remuneration
Making money isn't everything ... at least not when it comes to AI. Research from professional services firm Deloitte shows that, for most companies, adopting AI tools hasn't helped the bottom line at all. But researchers still sing the technology's praises.…
- MIT boffins create device that 'paints' iridescent structural color in real time
From adaptive wearables to light-based signaling ideas, researchers are exploring what comes next
The feathers of a hummingbird, the wings of a butterfly, and the sparkle of an opal are all examples of nature's ability to produce structural, iridescent colors that typically require lab-grade materials and techniques to replicate. An MIT team says it has found a way to make that process far more accessible.…
- House GOP wants final say on AI chip exports after Trump gives Nvidia a China hall pass
Bill still needs to pass the House and Senate before the president can sign or veto it
President Trump's decision to green-light the sale of Nvidia H200 GPUs to China isn't sitting well with some of his Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives. These GOP politicians have proposed a bill that would give Congress final say over the export of AI chips to China and other countries of concern.…
- Don't click on the LastPass 'create backup' link - it's a scam
Phishing campaign tries to reel in master passwords
Password managers make great targets for attackers because they can hold many of the keys to your kingdom. Now, LastPass has warned customers about phishing emails claiming that action is required ahead of scheduled maintenance and told them not to fall for the scam. …
- Social Security Administration admits it underreported DOGE dirty dealings
Encrypted files, Cloudflare sharing, and political outreach surface in DOJ filings
DOGE's mucking around at the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been heavily scrutinized, but now the SSA itself is admitting it slightly underreported the unofficial agency's improper activities within its systems. DOGE employees may have been asked to assist a political advocacy group using SSA data, prompting Hatch Act referrals.…
- We come in peace, OpenAI tells locals near gargantuan Stargate facilities
AI darling on neighborly charm offensive amid datacenter backlash
OpenAI wants every Stargate datacenter campus to come with its own community plan reflecting "local concerns," including a commitment not to cause a hike in electricity prices, minimizing water use, and protecting local ecosystems.…
- Palantir CEO claims AI will mean western economies won't need immigration
Alex Karp can sniff out a hot potato topic, but what comes next in the act?
Opinion Palantir CEO Alex Karp has an inimitable aptitude for sniffing out the politically sensitive topic about which, by his own admission, he should not be speaking, but which will also win him the most attention.…
- Child safety or age-gating for all? UK social media ban plan draws fire
Open Rights Group says plans would create serious privacy risks
The UK government's proposed ban on under-16s using social media would amount to building a mass age-verification system for the entire internet, creating "serious risks to privacy, data protection, and freedom of expression," digital rights advocates have warned.…
- ATM takes a kicking yet keeps on ticking
But who is paying to keep the lights on?
Bork!Bork!Bork! Sometimes technology is made of sterner stuff than we give credit for, such as this ATM, which has clung on to life – and power – despite the indignities heaped upon it.…
- OpenAI will try to guess your age before ChatGPT gets spicy
Think of the children...and the monetization options available where they're not allowed
OpenAI says it has begun deploying an age prediction model to determine whether ChatGPT users are old enough to view "sensitive or potentially harmful content."…
- Amazon CEO Andy Jassy goes wobbly on AI bubble possibility
Sure it's a bubble and the deals are circular - that doesn't mean Amazon's not going to try to extract value from it
Could one of the most prominent tech company leaders be less-than-enthused about the AI economy? In an interview, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy didn't dismiss the idea that the AI bubble could pop, despite his company's massive investments in the technology. …
- AI researchers map models to banish 'demon' persona
Keeping models on the Assistant Axis improves AI safety
Researchers from Anthropic and other orgs have observed situations in which LLMs act like a helpful personal assistant, and are trying to study the phenomenon further to make sure chatbots don't go off the rails and cause harm.…
- Mozilla starts offering RPMs of Firefox Nightly
More packaging options for the leading all-FOSS browser
If you can't wait to get the bleeding-edge version of Firefox, we have good news. Mozilla is offering native RPM packages of Firefox Nightly for Linux distros in the greater Red Hat and SUSE families.…
- Remember VoidLink, the cloud-targeting Linux malware? An AI agent wrote it
AI + skilled malware developers = security threat
VoidLink, the newly spotted Linux malware that targets victims' clouds with 37 evil plugins, was generated "almost entirely by artificial intelligence" and likely developed by just one person, according to the research team that discovered the do-it-all implant.…
- Dead batteries cough up lithium after a bath in CO₂ and water, boffins say
Still or sparkling? Either way, the problem of scale remains
Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, and recycling them cleanly and safely at scale is still hard. Now, a Chinese research team claims to have discovered a way to recycle Li-ion batteries using carbon dioxide and water. Just don't expect it to revolutionize the market overnight.…
- Security: Why Linux Is Better Than Windows Or Mac OS
Linux is a free and open source operating system that was released in 1991 developed and released by Linus Torvalds. Since its release it has reached a user base that is greatly widespread worldwide. Linux users swear by the reliability and freedom that this operating system offers, especially when compared to its counterparts, windows and [0]
- Essential Software That Are Not Available On Linux OS
An operating system is essentially the most important component in a computer. It manages the different hardware and software components of a computer in the most effective way. There are different types of operating system and everything comes with their own set of programs and software. You cannot expect a Linux program to have all [0]
- Things You Never Knew About Your Operating System
The advent of computers has brought about a revolution in our daily life. From computers that were so huge to fit in a room, we have come a very long way to desktops and even palmtops. These machines have become our virtual lockers, and a life without these network machines have become unimaginable. Sending mails, [0]
- How To Fully Optimize Your Operating System
Computers and systems are tricky and complicated. If you lack a thorough knowledge or even basic knowledge of computers, you will often find yourself in a bind. You must understand that something as complicated as a computer requires constant care and constant cleaning up of junk files. Unless you put in the time to configure [0]
- The Top Problems With Major Operating Systems
There is no such system which does not give you any problems. Even if the system and the operating system of your system is easy to understand, there will be some times when certain problems will arise. Most of these problems are easy to handle and easy to get rid of. But you must be [0]
- 8 Benefits Of Linux OS
Linux is a small and a fast-growing operating system. However, we can’t term it as software yet. As discussed in the article about what can a Linux OS do Linux is a kernel. Now, kernels are used for software and programs. These kernels are used by the computer and can be used with various third-party software [0]
- Things Linux OS Can Do That Other OS Cant
What Is Linux OS? Linux, similar to U-bix is an operating system which can be used for various computers, hand held devices, embedded devices, etc. The reason why Linux operated system is preferred by many, is because it is easy to use and re-use. Linux based operating system is technically not an Operating System. Operating [0]
- Packagekit Interview
Packagekit aims to make the management of applications in the Linux and GNU systems. The main objective to remove the pains it takes to create a system. Along with this in an interview, Richard Hughes, the developer of Packagekit said that he aims to make the Linux systems just as powerful as the Windows or [0]
- What’s New in Ubuntu?
What Is Ubuntu? Ubuntu is open source software. It is useful for Linux based computers. The software is marketed by the Canonical Ltd., Ubuntu community. Ubuntu was first released in late October in 2004. The Ubuntu program uses Java, Python, C, C++ and C# programming languages. What Is New? The version 17.04 is now available here [0]
- Ext3 Reiserfs Xfs In Windows With Regards To Colinux
The problem with Windows is that there are various limitations to the computer and there is only so much you can do with it. You can access the Ext3 Reiserfs Xfs by using the coLinux tool. Download the tool from the official site or from the sourceforge site. Edit the connection to “TAP Win32 Adapter [0]
- Can you slim macOS down?
Howard Oakley answers a very interesting question is it possible to slim macOS down by turning off unneeded services and similar tricks? The answer is obviously no, you cannot. Classic Mac OS was more modular, with optional installs that the user could pick and choose, as shown above in Mac OS 9.1. These days with the SSV, choice is more limited from the start, with the only real options being whether to install the cryptexes used in AI, and the x86 code translator Rosetta 2. The latter is transient, though, and likely to go away next year. Like it or not, modern macOS isn’t designed or implemented to give the user much choice in which processes it runs, and architectural features including the SSV and DAS-CTS prevent you from paring its processes down to any significant degree. ↫ Howard Oakley Thats because macOS is not about creating the best experience for the user, but about creating the most value for shareholders. Giving users choice, allowing them to modify their operating system to suit their needs, removing unneeded components or replacing them with competing alternatives just isnt in the interest of shareholders, and thus, its not allowed by Apple. Thats exactly why theyre fighting the EUs very basic and simple consumer protection legislation tooth and nail with lies and propaganda, while giving Trump millions of dollars and silly plaques in bribes. Youre as much a user of macOS as a passenger on a ferry is its captain. If you just want to get from Harwich to Hoek van Holland, thats a fine arrangement, but if you want to explore beyond the bounds of the path laid out by those more wealthy than you, youre going to have to leave macOS behind and find a different ship.
- Air traffic control: the IBM 9020
The 9020 is a fascinating system, exemplary of so many of the challenges and excitement of the birth of the modern computer. On the one hand, a 9020 is a sophisticated, fault-tolerant, high-performance computer system with impressive diagnostic capabilities and remarkably dynamic resource allocation. On the other hand, a 9020 is just six to seven S/360 computers married to each other with a vibe that is more duct tape and bailing wire than aerospace aluminum and titanium. ↫ J. B. Crawford I was hooked from beginning to end. An absolutely exceptional article.
- What was the secret sauce that allows for a faster restart of Windows 95 if you hold the shift key?
I totally forgot you could do this, but back in the Windows 9x days, you could hold down shift while clicking restart, and it would perform a sort-of soft! restart without going through a complete reboot cycle. Whats going on here? The behavior you’re seeing is the result of passing the EW_RESTARTWINDOWS flag to the old 16-bit ExitWindows function. What happens is that the 16-bit Windows kernel shuts down, and then the 32-bit virtual memory manager shuts down, and the CPU is put back into real mode, and control returns to win.com with a special signal that means “Can you start protected mode Windows again for me?” The code in win.com prints the “Please wait while Windows restarts…” message, and then tries to get the system back into the same state that it was in back when win.com had been freshly-launched. ↫ Raymond Chen Theres a whole lot more involved behind the curtains, of course, and if conditions arent right, the system will still perform a full reboot cycle. Chen further notes that because WIN.COM was written in assembly, getting back to that freshly-launched! state wasnt always easy to achieve. I only vaguely remember you could hold down shift and get a faster reboot!, but I dont remember ever really using it. Ive been digging around in my memories since I saw this story yesterday, and I just cant think of a scenario where I wouldve realised in time that I could do this.
- The Xous operating system
Xous is a microkernel operating system designed for medium embedded systems with clear separation of processes. Nearly everything is implemented in userspace, where message passing forms the basic communications primitive. ↫ Xous website Its written in Rust, and its been around for a while so much so its sponsored by NLnet and the EU. The Xous Book provides a ton more details and information, with a strong focus on the kernel. You can run Xous in hosted mode on Linux, Windows, or macOS, inside the Renode emulator, or on the one supported hardware device, the Precursor. Obviously, the codes open and on GitHub (which they should really be moving to a European solution now that the Americans are threatening the EU with war over Greenland).
- Light mode! should be grey mode!
Have you noticed how it seems like how the light mode! of your graphical user interface of choice is getting lighter over time? It turns out youre not crazy, and at least for macOS, light mode has indeed been getting lighter. You can clearly see that the brightness of the UI has been steadily increasing for the last 16 years. The upper line is the default mode/light mode, the lower line is dark mode. When I started using MacOS in 2012, I was running Snow Leopard, the windows had an average brightness of 71%. Since then they’ve steadily increased so that in MacOS Tahoe, they’re at a full 100%. ↫ Will Richardson While this particular post only covers macOS, I wouldnt be surprised to discover similar findings in Windows, GNOME, and KDE. The benefit of using KDE is that its at least relatively easy to switch colour schemes or themes, but changing colours in Windows is becoming a hidden feature, and GNOME doesnt support it out of the box at all, and lets not even get started about macOS. I think light mode! should be grey mode!, and definitely lament the lack of supported, maintained grey modes! in both KDE and GNOME. Theres a reason that graphical user interfaces in the era of extensive science-based human-computer interaction research opted for soft, gentle greys (ooh, aah, mmm), and Im convinced we need to bring it back. The glaring whites we use today are cold and clinical, and feel unpleasant to the point where I turn down the brightness of my monitor in a way that makes other colours feel too muted. Or perhaps Im out of touch.
- The incredible overcomplexity of the Shadcn radio button
If only it was that simple cue the rollercoaster ride. What an absolutely garish state of affairs lies behind this simple radio button on a website. Im also well aware OSNews has a certain amount of complexity it might not need, and while I cant fix that, I am at least working on a potential solution.
- A lament for Aperture
Im not particularly interested in photo editing or management, professional or not, but one thing I do know is that many people who are miss one application in particular: Aperture. Discontinued over a decade ago, people still lament its loss, and Daniel Kennett explains to us layman why thats the case. Aperture’s technical brilliance is remarkable in how quiet it is. There’s no BEHOLD RAINBOW SPARKLE ANIMATIONS WHILE THE AI MAKES AUNT JANICE LOOK LIKE AN ANTHROPOMORPHISED CARROT, just an understated dedication to making the tool you’re using work for you in exactly the way you want to work. It’s the kind of monumental engineering effort that the user is unlikely to ever notice, simply because of how obvious it is to use — if I want to zoom in to this photo, I point at it with the zoom thing. Duh. Sure, it’s a tiny thumbnail inside a small thumbnail of a page in a book… but how else would it work? And that is why Aperture was so special. It was powered by some of the most impressive technology around at the time, but you’d never even know it because you were too busy getting shit done. ↫ Daniel Kennett I half-expected to get some wishy-washy vibes-based article about some professional photo management tool, but instead, I came away easily and clearly understanding what made Aperture such a great tool. Beng able to access any set of tools wherever you are, without having to take a photo to a certain specific place in the user interface makes perfect sense to me, and the given counterexample from the modern Photos application instantly feels cumbersome and grating. At this point its clear Apertures never coming back, but Im rather surprised nobody seems to have taken the effort to clone it. It seems theres a market out there for something like this, but from what I gather Lightroom isnt what Aperture fans are looking for, and any other alternatives are simply too limited or unpolished. Theres a market here, for sure. What other alternatives to Aperture exist today?
- You can apparently use Windows 7s compositor in GNOME, and vice versa or something
Theres cursed computing, and then theres cursed computing. It turns out that you can render GNOMEs windows with the compositor from Windows 7, dwm.exe. Yes. tl;dr of how this clusterfuck works: this is effectively just x11 forwarding an x server from windows to linux. the fun part is a) making gnome run with an already existing window manager (namely dwm.exe lol), b) making gnome run over x11 forwarding (it is Not a fan, last time it tried running gnome on windows this is what broke it and made it quit trying), and c) actually ripping out parts of the gnome compositor again to make dwm instead of gnome render window decorations to achieve (aero gnome( ↫ ⬡-49016 at Mastodon This is already one of the most cursed things Ive ever seen, but then things got so much worse. How about Windows 7s dwm.exe, but composited by GNOME? I need an adult.
- Fun things to do with your VM/370 machine
Virtualisation is a lot older than you might think, with (one of?) the first implementation(s) being IBMs VM/CMS, the line of operating systems that would grow to include things like System/370, System/390, all the way up until IBM/Z, which is still being developed and sold today; only recently IBM released the IBM z17 and z/OS 3.2, after all. The VM series of operating systems is designed exclusively for mainframes, and works by giving every user their own dedicated virtual machine running on top of the Control Program, the hypervisor. Inside this virtual machine the user can run a wide variety of operating systems, from the simple, single-user classics like IBMs Conversational Monitor System, to more complex systems like Linux or AIX. Early versions of VM were released as open source and are now in the public domain, and enthusiasts have continued to build upon it and expand it, with the latest incarnations being the VM/370 Community Edition releases. They contain the Control Program and Conversational Monitor System, augmented by various fixes, improvements, and other additions. You can run VM in an emulator like Hercules, and continue on from there but what, exactly, can you do with it? Thats where Fun things to do with your VM/370 machine comes in. This article will give you an introduction to the system, and a number of first and later steps you can take while exploring this probably alien environment. If youve always dreamt of using an early IBM mainframe, this is probably the easiest way to do so, because buying one is a really, really bad idea.
- ChaosBSD: a FreeBSD fork to serve as a driver testing ground
ChaosBSD is a fork of FreeBSD. It exists because upstream cannot, and should not, accept broken drivers, half-working hardware, vendor trash, or speculative hacks. We can. ↫ ChaosBSD GitHub page This is an excellent approach to testing drivers that simply arent even remotely ready to be included in FreeBSD-proper. It should be obvious that this is not, in any way, meant to be used as a production operating system, as it will contain things that are broken and incomplete on purpose. The names also pretty great.
- How to write modern and effective Java
This is a book intended to teach someone the Java language, from scratch. You will find that the content makes heavy use of recently released and, for the moment, preview features. This is intentional as much of the topic ordering doesnt work without at least Java 21. ↫ Modern Java GitHub page Some light reading for the weekend. This sure is one hell of a detailed book.
- Easily explore current Wayland protocols and their support status
Since Wayland is still quite new to a lot of people, its often difficult to figure out which features the Wayland compositor youre using actually supports. While the Wayland Explorer is a great way to browse through the various protocols and their status in various compositors, theres now an easier way. The Wayland protocols table makes it very easy to see what your favourite compositor supports, which compositors support the protocol you really want supported before leaving X11 behind, and much more. Roughly speaking, theres a set of stable core Wayland protocols, as well as a slew of unstable core Wayland protocols that are still in development, but may already be supported by various compositors. On top of that, compositors themselves also have a ton of protocols they themselves introduced and support, but which arent supported by anything else yet, as they may be picked up by other compositors and eventually become part of Waylands core protocols. Keeping tabs on specific protocols and their support status is mostly only interesting for developers and people with very specific needs, since mature compositors provide a complete set of features most users never have to worry about. Still, that doesnt mean there arent really cool features cooking, nor does it mean that one specific accessibility-related protocol isnt incredibly important to keep track of. These websites provide an easy way to do so.
- OpenBSD-current now runs as guest under Apple Hypervisor
Excellent news for OpenBSD users who are tied to macOS: you can now run OpenBSD using Apples Hypervisor. Following a recent series of commits by Helg Bredow and Stefan Fritsch, OpenBSD/arm64 now works as a guest operating system under the Apple Hypervisor. ↫ Peter N. M. Hansteen at the OpenBSD Journal If you have an M1 or M2 Mac and want to get rid of macOS entirely, OpenBSD can be run on those machines natively, too.
- Going immutable on macOS
Speaking of NixOS use of 9P, what if you want to, for whatever inexplicable reason, use macOS, but make it immutable? Immutable Linux distributions are getting a lot of attention lately, and similar concepts are used by Android and iOS, so it makes sense for people stuck on macOS to want similar functionality. Apple doesnt offer anything to make this happen, but of course, theres always Nix. And I literally do mean always. Only try out Nix if youre willing to first be sucked into a pit of despair and madness before coming out enlightened on the other end I managed to only narrowly avoid this very thing happening to me last year, so be advised. Nix is no laughing matter. Anyway, yes, you can use Nix to make macOS immutable. But managing a good working environment on macOS has long been a game of “hope for the best.” We’ve all been there: a curl $ sh here, a manual brew install there, and six months later, you’re staring at a broken PATH and a Python environment that seems to have developed its own consciousness. I’ve spent a lot of time recently moving my entire workflow into a declarative system using nix. From my zsh setup to my odin toolchain, here is why the transition from the imperative world of Homebrew to the immutable world of nix-darwin has been both a revelation and a fight. ↫ Carette Antonin Of course its been a fight its Nix, after all but its quite impressive and awesome that Nix can be used in this way. I would rather discover what electricity from light sockets tastes like than descend into this particular flavour of Nix madness, but if youre really sick of macOS being a pile of trash for among a lot of other things homebrew and similar bolted-on systems held together by duct tape and spit, this might be a solution for you.
- Fun fact: theres Plan 9 in Windows and QEMU
If youre only even remotely aware of the operating system Plan 9, youll most likely know that it takes the UNIX concept of everything is a file! to the absolute extreme. In order to make sure all these files and thus the components of Plan 9 can properly communicate with one another, theres 9P, or the Plan 9 Filesystem Protocol. Several Plan 9 applications are 9P file servers, for instance, and even things like windows are files. Its a lot more complicated than this, of course, but thats not relevant right now. Since Plan 9 wasnt exactly a smashing success that took the operating system world by storm, you might not be aware that 9P is actually implemented in a few odd places. My favourite is how Microsoft turned to 9P for a crucial feature of its Windows Subsystem for Linux: accessing files inside a Linux VM running on Windows. To put it briefly: a 9P protocol file server facilitates file related requests, with Windows acting as the client. We’ve modified the WSL init daemon to initiate a 9P server. This server contains protocols that support Linux metadata, including permissions. A Windows service and driver that act as the client and talks to the 9P server (which is running inside of a WSL instance). Client and server communicate over AF_UNIX sockets, since WSL allows interop between a Windows application and a Linux application using AF_UNIX as described in this post. ↫ Craig Loewen at Microsofts Dev Blogs This implementation is still around today, so if youre using Windows Subsystem for Linux, youre using a little bit of Plan 9 as glue to make it all come together. Similarly, if youre using QEMU and sharing files between the host and a VM through the VirtFS driver, youre also using 9P. Both NixOS and GNU Guix use 9P when they build themselves inside a virtual machine, too, and theres probably a few other places where you can run into 9P. I dont know, I thought this was interesting.
- Just the Browser: scripts to remove all the crap from your browser
Are you a normal person and thus sick of all the nonsensical, non-browser stuff browser makers keep adding to your browser, but for whatever reason you dont want to or cannot switch to one of the forks of your browser of choice? Just the Browser helps you remove AI features, telemetry data reporting, sponsored content, product integrations, and other annoyances from desktop web browsers. The goal is to give you just the browser! and nothing else, using hidden settings in web browsers intended for companies and other organizations. This project includes configuration files for popular web browsers, documentation for installing and modifying them, and easy installation scripts. Everything is open-source on GitHub. ↫ Just The Browsers website It comes in the form of scripts for Windows, Linux, or macOS, and can be used for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox. Its all open source so you can check the scripts for yourself, but there are also manual guides for each browser if youre not too keen on running an unknown script. The changes wont be erased by updates, unless the specific settings and configuration flags used are actually removed or altered by the browser makers. Thats all theres to it a very straightforward tool.
- Linux Rescue and Repair Distros in 2025: Your Safety Net When Things Go Wrong
by George Whittaker
No matter how reliable Linux systems are, failures still happen. A broken bootloader, a corrupted filesystem, a failed update, or a dying disk can leave even the most stable setup unbootable. That’s where Linux rescue and repair distributions come in.
In 2025, rescue distros are more powerful, more hardware-aware, and easier to use than ever before. Whether you’re a system administrator, a home user, or a technician, having the right recovery tools on hand can mean the difference between a quick fix and total data loss.
What Exactly Is a Linux Rescue Distro?
A Linux rescue distro is a bootable live operating system designed specifically for diagnosing, repairing, and recovering systems. Unlike standard desktop distros, rescue environments focus on:
Disk and filesystem utilities
Bootloader repair tools
Hardware detection and diagnostics
Data recovery and backup
System repair without touching the installed OS
Most run entirely from RAM, allowing you to work on disks safely without mounting them automatically.
When Do You Need a Rescue Distro?
Rescue distros are invaluable in scenarios such as:
A system fails to boot after a kernel or driver update
GRUB or systemd-boot is misconfigured or overwritten
Filesystems become corrupted after a power failure
You need to copy important files from a non-booting system
Passwords or user accounts are inaccessible
Malware or ransomware locks access to a system
In short: if your OS won’t start, a rescue distro often still will.
Top Linux Rescue and Repair Distros in 2025SystemRescue
SystemRescue remains the gold standard for Linux recovery.
Why it stands out:
Ships with a modern Linux kernel for wide hardware support
Supports ext4, XFS, Btrfs, NTFS, ZFS, and more
Includes tools like GParted, fsck, testdisk, and ddrescue
Offers both CLI and lightweight GUI options
Best for: advanced users, sysadmins, and serious recovery tasks.
Rescatux
Rescatux focuses on simplicity and guided recovery.
Key strengths:
Menu-driven repair tasks
Automatic GRUB and EFI boot repair
Windows and Linux password reset tools
Beginner-friendly interface
Best for: home users and newcomers who want step-by-step help.
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- Zorin OS 18 Crosses 2 Million Downloads, Cementing Its Appeal to New Linux Users
by George Whittaker
Zorin OS has reached an important milestone. The team behind the popular Linux distribution has announced that Zorin OS 18 has surpassed two million downloads, underscoring the growing interest in Linux as a practical alternative to mainstream operating systems.
The achievement highlights not only Zorin OS’s steady rise in popularity, but also a broader trend: more users, especially those leaving Windows, are actively seeking operating systems that are modern, approachable, and familiar.
A Distro Built for Accessibility
Zorin OS has long positioned itself as a distribution designed to reduce the friction of switching to Linux. Rather than targeting power users first, it focuses on:
A clean, intuitive desktop layout
Familiar workflows for users coming from Windows or macOS
Simple system tools that avoid unnecessary complexity
With Zorin OS 18, that philosophy continues. The interface feels polished out of the box, applications are easy to install, and most hardware works without manual configuration. For many newcomers, that “it just works” experience is what turns curiosity into long-term adoption.
Why Zorin OS 18 Resonates With Users
Several factors help explain why Zorin OS 18 has attracted millions of downloads:
A Comfortable Transition Away From Windows
As Windows 11 introduces stricter hardware requirements, more system telemetry, and UI changes that frustrate some users, Zorin OS offers a calmer alternative. Its desktop can closely resemble Windows layouts, easing the learning curve for first-time Linux users.
Strong Performance on Modest Hardware
Zorin OS runs well on both modern systems and older machines. This makes it appealing to users who want to extend the life of existing hardware rather than replace it.
Thoughtful Design Choices
Instead of overwhelming users with customization options, Zorin OS focuses on sensible defaults. Everything from system menus to app selection feels deliberate, helping users stay productive without constant tweaking.
A Broader Shift Toward Beginner-Friendly Linux Distros
The success of Zorin OS 18 reflects a wider change in the Linux ecosystem. Projects like Zorin OS demonstrate that Linux no longer needs to be intimidating or niche to be powerful.
This shift has been reinforced by:
Improved hardware compatibility
Better gaming support through Proton and Vulkan
More polished desktop environments
Clearer documentation and onboarding tools
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- Introducing Loss32: A New Lightweight Linux Distro With a Focus on Legacy Hardware
by George Whittaker Introduction
A fresh entry has just appeared in the world of Linux distributions: Loss32, a lightweight operating system built from scratch with one goal in mind — giving old and low-resource computers a new lease on life. Announced by its small but passionate development team, Loss32 aims to be fast, respectful of older hardware, and friendly to users who want simplicity without sacrificing modern usability.
Whether you’re rediscovering an old laptop in a drawer or building a tiny home server, Loss32 promises to deliver a capable computing experience with minimal overhead.
A Distribution Born from a Simple Idea
Loss32 began as a personal project by a group of open-source enthusiasts frustrated with how quickly modern software has moved past older machines. They noticed that even relatively recent hardware can struggle with mainstream operating systems, leaving many devices underutilized.
Their solution: build a distro that boots fast, uses minimal RAM and disk space, and still provides a complete desktop environment for everyday tasks.
The name Loss32 stems from its focus on “losing” unnecessary bloat — keeping only what’s essential — and the fact that it targets 32-bit and low-resource systems that many other distros are abandoning.
Key Features of Loss321. Runs on Older CPUs and Low Memory
Loss32 supports:
32-bit and 64-bit CPUs
Machines with as little as 512 MB of RAM
Hard drives and SSDs down to 4 GB usable space
These minimums open the distro up to machines that newer Linux distros won’t even install on.
2. Lightweight Desktop — Fast and Simple
Instead of heavy desktop environments, Loss32 ships with a customized Xfce/XF-Lite hybrid:
Classic panel layout for easy navigation
Small memory footprint for snappy response
Simple app launchers and taskbars
This ensures a familiar feel while staying lean.
3. Essential App Suite Included
Out of the box, Loss32 includes a careful selection of applications:
Web browsing — light browser with Web standards support
Email and calendar — basic, responsive client
Media playback — audio and video codecs included
Simple document editing and PDF viewing
File manager optimized for speed
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- Linux Kernel 6.19-rc4 Released as Development Marches On
by George Whittaker
The Linux kernel development cycle continues with the release of Linux 6.19-rc4, the fourth release candidate in the lead-up to the final 6.19 stable kernel. As with previous RC builds, this release is aimed squarely at developers, testers, and early adopters who help identify bugs and regressions before the kernel is finalized.
Release candidates are not feature drops — they are checkpoints. And rc4 reflects exactly that role.
What Does rc4 Mean in the Kernel Cycle?
By the time the fourth release candidate arrives, the merge window is long closed. That means all major features for Linux 6.19 are already in place, and the focus has shifted entirely to:
Fixing bugs introduced earlier in the cycle
Addressing regressions reported by testers
Refining drivers, subsystems, and architecture-specific code
In other words, rc4 is about stability and correctness, not surprises.
What’s Changed in Linux 6.19-rc4
While rc releases don’t usually headline major features, they do include a steady stream of important fixes across the kernel tree.
Driver and Hardware Fixes
Many of the changes in rc4 focus on hardware support, including:
GPU driver fixes for stability and edge-case behavior
Networking device driver cleanups
Updates for input devices and platform-specific drivers
These changes help ensure Linux continues to run reliably across a wide range of systems, from desktops and laptops to servers and embedded hardware.
Filesystems and Storage
Several filesystems see incremental fixes in this release, addressing corner cases, error handling, and consistency issues. Storage-related updates also touch block-layer code and device-mapper components, helping improve reliability under load.
Architecture-Specific Updates
As usual, rc4 includes fixes tailored to specific CPU architectures, such as:
x86 refinements
ARM and ARM64 cleanups
RISC-V and other platform-specific adjustments
These changes may not affect all users directly, but they’re crucial for maintaining Linux’s broad hardware compatibility.
Regression Fixes and Testing Feedback
A large portion of rc4 is dedicated to resolving regressions reported by testers running earlier release candidates. This includes:
Fixes for boot issues on certain configurations
Corrections for performance regressions
Cleanup of warnings and build errors
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- Top 6 B2B Software Comparison Websites for Software Vendors (2026)
by George Whittaker
As a software vendor, getting your product in front of the right audience is crucial. One of the best ways to reach business buyers is by leveraging B2B software comparison and review platforms. These websites attract millions of in-market software buyers who rely on peer reviews and ratings to make purchasing decisions. In fact, 88% of buyers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations [1]?. By listing your software on these platforms, you can gather authentic user feedback, build credibility, and dramatically improve your visibility to potential customers. Below we rank the top six B2B software comparison websites – and highlight what makes each one valuable for vendors looking to boost exposure and win more business. Now updated for 2026.
1. SourceForge
SourceForge tops our list as a powerhouse platform for software vendors. Why SourceForge? For starters, it boasts enormous traffic – over 20 million monthly visitors actively searching for software solutions [2]?. In fact, SourceForge drives more traffic than any other B2B software directory (often more than all other major sites combined!) [2]?. Semrush even estimates SourceForge's November 2025 traffic at 27.51 million visitors[3]?. This means listing your product here can put you in front of a vast pool of potential business buyers. SourceForge offers a complete business software and services comparison platform where buyers can find, compare, and review software. As the site itself says: “Selling software? You’re in the right place. We’ll help you reach millions of intent-driven software and IT buyers and influencers every day.” For a vendor, this translates into incredible visibility and lead generation opportunities.
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- Looking Ahead: What 2026 Holds for the Linux Ecosystem
by George Whittaker
Linux has always been more than just a kernel, it’s a living, breathing world of innovation, community collaboration, and divergent use cases. As we roll into 2026, the landscape is poised for exciting growth. From continuing evolution of core kernel infrastructure to newfound momentum in areas like gaming, AI-augmented tooling, hardware support and security, the coming year promises both refinement and transformation. Whether you’re a developer, system administrator, gamer, or casual user, here’s what you can expect from the Linux world in 2026.
1. Kernel Evolution: Performance, Security, and AI-Driven Behavior
The Linux kernel remains the beating heart of the OS. In 2026, we’ll likely see:
New Long-Term Support (LTS) Baselines: With releases like 6.18 already declared LTS and successor branches maturing, distributions will rally around kernels that offer both performance gains and security longevity.
AI-Driven Infrastructure: Kernel subsystems may start experimenting with machine-learning-informed scheduling, resource management, or dynamic power/performance tuning, not via heavy inference at runtime, but via control-plane advice integrated at build or boot time.
Security Innovation: Hardware vulnerabilities like VMScape and speculative execution side channels have taught us that kernel mitigations remain crucial. Expect continued work on microarchitecture hardening, pointer tagging, and improved isolation.
The overall trend points to a kernel that is both more performant and more robust, without compromising the modularity that makes Linux adaptable across systems from supercomputers to handhelds.
2. The Desktop Experience: Polished, Consistent, and Accessible
For desktop users, 2026 should bring visible improvements to everyday workflows:
Wayland Maturity: Wayland adoption continues to solidify across distributions, with fewer fallbacks to legacy X11 backends. Compositors and toolkits will refine scaling, multi-monitor behavior, and screen capture APIs.
Accessibility Gains: Distros will invest more in accessibility, bringing improved screen reader support, better keyboard navigation, and wide internationalization.
Distribution Diversity: More polished newcomers and revitalizations of existing distros will continue, especially projects aimed at lowering the barrier to entry for users migrating from Windows or macOS.
The promise here is a Linux desktop that feels friendly without diluting depth for advanced customization.
3. Cloud, Edge, and Server Infrastructure: Linux Everywhere
Linux powers the backbone of the modern server and cloud world. In 2026:
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- Top Linux Distributions for Beginners: Friendly, Stable, and Easy to Learn
by George Whittaker Introduction
Linux has long been known as the operating system of developers and power users, but today it’s far more accessible than ever before. Thanks to user-friendly distributions that prioritize simplicity, stability, and support, even someone who’s never used Linux can get up and running quickly. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best Linux distributions (distros) for beginners, what sets them apart, and who each one is best suited for.
Whether you’re switching from Windows or macOS, using a PC for the first time, or simply curious about Linux, there’s a distro here that fits your comfort level and workflow.
1. Ubuntu: The Standard for New Users
Why it’s great: Ubuntu is one of the most recognizable Linux distributions, and for good reason. It offers a polished graphical interface, a massive community, and extensive documentation. If you’ve ever wanted a desktop that “just works,” Ubuntu delivers with minimal setup.
Key Features:
Intuitive GNOME desktop environment
Regular releases and a Long-Term Support (LTS) version with five years of updates
Large software repository and excellent hardware support
Strong community forums and extensive official documentation
Good for: Users completely new to Linux or those switching from Windows or macOS.
Best for: Desktops, laptops, beginners.
2. Linux Mint: Familiar Feel for Former Windows Users
Why it’s great: Linux Mint focuses on a familiar desktop experience. Its Cinnamon edition resembles the classic Windows layout, making the transition easier for users coming from that platform. Mint is stable, fast, and comes with many tools that simplify daily tasks.
Key Features:
Traditional desktop layout (like Windows)
Comes bundled with multimedia codecs and essential apps
Excellent performance on older hardware
Multiple desktop options (Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce)
Good for: Windows switchers looking for a gentle introduction.
Best for: Desktops, older machines, learners.
3. Zorin OS: A Windows-Like Experience With Style
Why it’s great: Zorin OS is designed with newcomers in mind. It’s polished, modern, and “comfortable” for users who may find traditional Linux desktops intimidating. Its interface can mimic Windows or macOS out of the box, and Zorin includes tools to effortlessly install popular applications.
Key Features:
Look-and-feel switcher (Windows, macOS styles)
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- What’s New in KDE Gear 25.12 — A Major Update for KDE Software
by George Whittaker Introduction
The KDE community has just published KDE Gear 25.12, the newest quarterly update to its suite of applications. This refresh brings a mix of enhancements, bug fixes, performance refinements, and new features across many popular KDE apps, from Dolphin file manager and Konsole terminal to Krita and Spectacle. With this release, KDE continues its tradition of incremental yet meaningful upgrades that make everyday use smoother and more productive.
KDE Gear updates are not limited to the KDE Plasma desktop; they also benefit users of other desktop environments who install KDE apps on their systems. Whether you’re running KDE on Linux, BSD, or even Windows via KDE Windows builds, Gear 25.12 delivers improvements worth checking out.
Highlights from KDE Gear 25.12Dolphin: Better File Browsing and Thumbnails
Dolphin, KDE’s file manager, receives several enhancements in this update:
Improved thumbnail generation for more file types, making previews quicker and more dependable.
UI polish in the sidebar for easier navigation between folders and mounted drives.
Better handling of network shares and remote locations, improving responsiveness and reducing hangs.
These changes combine to make everyday file exploration more responsive and visually informative.
Konsole: Productivity Boosts
The KDE terminal emulator, Konsole, gets attention too:
Search field improvements help you find text within long terminal scrollbacks faster and with fewer clicks.
Tab and session indicators are clearer, helping users manage multiple tabs or split views more easily.
Stability fixes reduce crashes in edge cases when closing multiple sessions at once.
For developers and power users who spend a lot of time in a terminal, these refinements are genuinely useful.
Krita: More Painting Power
Krita, KDE’s professional painting and illustration application, also benefits from this release:
Improvements to brush performance, reducing lag on large canvases and complex brush sets.
Better color management and palette handling, smoothing workflows for digital artists.
Fixes for certain configuration edge cases that previously caused settings not to persist across sessions.
Artists and digital illustrators should notice fewer interruptions and smoother performance when working on large projects.
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- Linux Kernel 5.4 Reaches End-of-Life: Time to Retire a Workhorse
by George Whittaker
One of the most widely deployed Linux kernels has officially reached the end of its lifecycle. The maintainers of the Linux kernel have confirmed that Linux 5.4, once a cornerstone of countless servers, desktops, and embedded devices, is now end-of-life (EOL). After years of long-term support, the branch has been retired and will no longer receive upstream fixes or security updates.
A Kernel Release That Defined a Generation of Linux Systems
When Linux 5.4 debuted, it made headlines for bringing native exFAT support, broader hardware compatibility, and performance improvements that many distributions quickly embraced. It became the foundation for major OS releases, including Ubuntu LTS, certain ChromeOS versions, Android kernels, and numerous appliance and IoT devices.
Its long support window made it a favorite for organizations seeking stability over bleeding-edge features.
What End-of-Life Actually Means
With the EOL announcement, the upstream kernel maintainers are officially done with version 5.4. That means:
No more security patches
No more bug fixes or performance updates
No regressions or vulnerabilities will be addressed
Some enterprise vendors may continue backporting patches privately, but the public upstream branch is now frozen. For most users, that makes 5.4 effectively unsafe to run.
Why This Matters for Users and Organizations
Many devices, especially embedded systems, tend to run kernels for much longer than desktops or servers. If those systems continue using 5.4, they now risk exposure to unpatched vulnerabilities.
Running an unsupported kernel can also create compliance issues for companies operating under strict security guidelines or certifications. Even home users running older LTS distributions may unknowingly remain on a kernel that’s no longer protected.
Upgrading Is the Clear Next Step
With 5.4 retired, users should begin planning an upgrade to a supported kernel line. Today’s active long-term support kernels include more modern branches such as 6.1, 6.6, and 6.8, which provide:
Better CPU and GPU support
Significant security improvements
Enhanced performance and energy efficiency
Longer future support windows
Before upgrading, organizations should test workloads, custom drivers, and hardware, especially with specialized or embedded deployments.
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- Linux Distros Designed for Former Windows Users Are Picking Up Steam
by George Whittaker
For years, Windows users frustrated with constant changes, aggressive updates, and growing system bloat have flirted with switching to Linux. But 2025 marks a noticeable shift: a new generation of Linux distributions built specifically for ex-Windows users is gaining real traction. One of the standout examples is Bazzite, a gaming-optimized Fedora-based distro that has quickly become a go-to choice for people abandoning Windows in favor of a cleaner, more customizable experience.
Why Many Windows Users Are Finally Jumping Ship
Microsoft’s ecosystem has been slowly pushing some users toward the exit. Hardware requirements for Windows 11 left millions of perfectly functional PCs behind. Ads on the Start menu and in system notifications have frustrated many. And for gamers, launcher problems, forced reboots and background processes that siphon resources have driven a search for alternatives.
Linux distributions have benefited from that frustration, especially those that focus on simplicity, performance and gaming readiness.
Gaming-First Distros Are Leading the Movement
Historically, switching to Linux meant sacrificing game compatibility. But with Valve’s Proton layer and Vulkan-based translation technologies, thousands of Windows games now run flawlessly, sometimes better than on Windows.
Distros targeting former Windows users are leaning into this new reality:
Seamless Steam integration
Automatic driver configuration for AMD, Intel and NVIDIA
Built-in performance overlays like MangoHUD
Proton GE and tools for modding or shader fixes
Support for HDR, VR and modern controller layouts
This means a new Linux user can install one of these distros and jump straight into gaming with almost no setup.
Bazzite: A Standout Alternative OS
Bazzite has become the poster child for this trend. Built on Fedora’s image-based system and the Universal Blue infrastructure, it offers an incredibly stable base that updates atomically, similar to SteamOS.
What makes Bazzite so attractive to Windows refugees?
Gaming-ready out of the box no tweaking, no driver hunts
Rock-solid performance thanks to an immutable system layout
Support for handheld PCs like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Legion Go
Friendly workflows that feel familiar to new Linux users
Customization without the risk of breaking the system
It’s no surprise that many “I switched to Linux!” posts now mention Bazzite as their distro of choice.
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