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It’s FOSS is an award-winning web portal that focuses on Open Source in general and Linux in particular.

It’s FOSS was founded in mid-2012 as a hobby project to help desktop Linux users and spread awareness about Linux and open source. As the popularity of It’s FOSS grew worldwide, it was incorporated as an independent company CHMOD777 Media Tech in mid-2018. The term chmod 777 is inspired from the Linux command chmod with parameter 777 which signifies access (to knowledge) for everyone.

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Kubuntu 25.04 is Available Now

The latest version of Kubuntu has officially arrived and is ready to nestle into your machine like a penguin in fresh snow. While it is not a long-term support (LTS) release, it has plenty to offer for people who are looking to use the most recent applications and packages the Linux ecosystem has to offer.

With a short support period of only 9 months, this release might contain system-breaking bugs and is not recommended for new users who don't know their way around such interim releases.

With that in mind, let’s jump into what this release has to offer.

🆕 Kubuntu 25.04: What’s New?

Kubuntu 25.04 is Available Now

Powered by Linux kernel 6.14, this release of Kubuntu has been worked on by the developers diligently, with it featuring KDE Plasma 6.3.4 as the desktop environment. Interestingly, the developers have chosen to default to the Wayland session of Plasma, with an option to switch back to X11 on the login screen.

Kubuntu 25.04 also comes with Qt 6.8.3 and KDE Frameworks 6.12.0. For older apps that still need Qt5 support, Qt 5.15.15 and Frameworks 5.116.0 are around in Kubuntu's archive.

As for the pre-installed applications, the Snap for Firefox 137 is being provided as the default web browser, and LibreOffice 25.2 is included as the office suite with the full Kubuntu installation.

Development Toolchain Upgrades

There are various toolchain updates with the release that include:

Golang updated to version 1.24.Binutils updated to version 2.44.LLVM now defaults to version 20.Python refreshed to version 3.13.3.Glibc library updated to version 2.41.Rust toolchain defaults to version 1.84.Inclusion of a snapshot of the upcoming GCC 15.OpenJDK 24 GA and OpenJDK 25 are now available.

Take a look at the official release notes to see everything that's new with this release.

📥 Download Kubuntu 25.04

You can find the latest ISO on the official website, which has direct download links and alternative download methods via Torrent and download mirrors.

Kubuntu 25.04

💬 Let me know what you think of the new Kubuntu release.


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Online Docs... but Sovereign: This is Europe’s Open Source Answer to Big Tech

Online document editors have been a great innovation, opening the path for real-time collaboration, easy version control, and allowing remote workers to operate from anywhere in the world with an active internet connection.

While proprietary offerings from Big Tech like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Apple Pages dominate the space, there are many open source options that offer the same levels of functionality. They are even betterwhen it comes to data privacy, customization, and self-hosting.

One such option is Docs, which is a self-hosted document editor that is part of La Suite Numérique, an initiative by the French government aimed at providing sovereign digital tools to public institutions and organizations.

Docs: Overview ⭐

Online Docs... but Sovereign: This is Europe’s Open Source Answer to Big Tech

The offspring of a collaboration between the French DINUM and the German ZenDiS, Docs is an open source document editor that can be used for document preparation, note-taking, and wiki management.

Its technology stack involves the Django REST Framework, Next.js, Yjs, and BlockNote.js, offering end users a modern document editing experience that doesn't feel clunky or dated.

Docs has the following highlights:

Real-time collaborationMany formatting toolsWorks offline

Initial Impressions 👨‍💻

I logged into the live demo for Docs using the provided credentials via the ProConnect login service. Post-login, I was brought into the "All docs" page, where there were already quite a few test documents by other people who were testing Docs.

Online Docs... but Sovereign: This is Europe’s Open Source Answer to Big Tech

I created a new document by using the "New doc" button and filled it up with the tale of a sleepy cat named Eepy and took the editor for a test run.

From the left sidebar, I could search for documents or return to the home page, and from the three buttons on top, I could quickly share the document via email or link, download the document in a specific format, pin the document to the sidebar, and access the version history for it.

For editing the contents, a handy toolbar shows up when text is selected. It provides editing tools for changing the text to heading, adding a list, adding a quote, changing the text to bold/italic/underline, changing the indentation, adding a web URL, and quick access to the AI assistant on-board.

The AI assistant has support for multiple languages and can be used to rephrase, summarize, beautify, and emojify a piece of text within a few clicks. And, if you want to rearrange a document, you can do so easily by dragging and dropping the required block to the position you want.

There is also the ability to add blocks like headings, lists, paragraphs, code, page breaks, quotes, tables, audio, video, and files for having great creative control over a document. Plus, all of these blocks are moveable, so you don't need to worry if you place one in the wrong place.

Concluding this, I can say that Docs is reliable and intuitive enough that most people can get started using it right away, making it a superb choice for teams seeking a privacy-focused document collaboration platform.

📥 Get Docs

Online Docs... but Sovereign: This is Europe’s Open Source Answer to Big TechOnline Docs... but Sovereign: This is Europe’s Open Source Answer to Big Tech

The login method for the Docs live demo.

You can take the live demo for a run by entering the following credentials after you click on the big blue button that says ProConnect:

Email: [email protected] Password: I'd<3ToTestDocsDocs (demo)

If you would like to self-host or go through the source code, then you can visit the project's GitHub repo.

Suggested Read 📖

Taking Knowledge in My Own Hands By Self Hosting Wikipedia and Arch WikiDoomsday or not, knowledge should be preserved.Online Docs... but Sovereign: This is Europe’s Open Source Answer to Big TechIt's FOSSAbhishek KumarOnline Docs... but Sovereign: This is Europe’s Open Source Answer to Big Tech


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What's New in Xubuntu 25.04? All the Highlights You Need to Know!

If you didn't know, Xubuntu is a lightweight, stable, and easy-to-use Linux distribution based on Ubuntu that has been designed to be as efficient and minimal as possible.

While it is offered as a long-term support release (LTS), there is always an interim release that follows months after the previous LTS release, continuing the cycle every six months.

We will be taking a look at one such release that has been introduced recently.

📋Xubuntu 25.04 will be supported for nine months until January 2026.

🆕 Xubuntu 25.04: What’s New?

What's New in Xubuntu 25.04? All the Highlights You Need to Know!A neat Fastfetch output.

As an interim release based on Ubuntu 25.04, the Xfce-flavored Xubuntu 25.04 shares many changes with that release while catering to a user base that prefers a no-nonsense desktop experience.

Some highlights of this release include:

Xfce UpgradesLinux kernel 6.14Updated Applications

Xfce Upgrades

What's New in Xubuntu 25.04? All the Highlights You Need to Know!

We begin with the inclusion of Xfce 4.20, which introduces many new changes, such as experimental Wayland support, Xfce panel's border width being fully configurable, support for multiple power profiles, and an improved Thunar file manager.

The latter of which comes loaded with many memory leak fixes and new interface bits like new toolbar buttons, support for client-side decorations, symbolic icons in the side pane, and better drag/drop behavior.

The included themes also see upgrades, with the elementary-xfce theme now being a GPLv3 licensed icon theme with a new HiDPI variant and Greybird seeing a version bump to 3.23.3.

Linux kernel 6.14

What's New in Xubuntu 25.04? All the Highlights You Need to Know!

Following what Ubuntu does, Xubuntu 25.04 ships with the latest available kernel at freeze date, which was Linux kernel 6.14 in this case. It brings about performance gains for AMD, Intel, and RISC-V, alongside a bunch of storage improvements and support for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite series of SoCs.

Our coverage of Linux kernel 6.14 is a good read if you are interested in learning more.

Linux Kernel 6.14 Arrives With Performance Gains for AMD, Intel, and RISC-VThe second major Linux kernel release of 2025 has arrived!What's New in Xubuntu 25.04? All the Highlights You Need to Know!It's FOSS NewsSourav RudraWhat's New in Xubuntu 25.04? All the Highlights You Need to Know!

Updated Applications

What's New in Xubuntu 25.04? All the Highlights You Need to Know!What's New in Xubuntu 25.04? All the Highlights You Need to Know!

The various updated apps on Xubuntu 25.04.

The application suite has also received upgrades, with additions like Firefox 136.0.2 (Snap), GIMP 3.0.2, LibreOffice 25.2.2, PipeWire 1.2.7, Snapd 2.67.1, Thunderbird 128.8.1 (Snap), and Blueman 2.4.4.

Similarly, the onboard GNOME and MATE applications have also received attention with the inclusion of Mines 1:48.0-1, Sudoku 1:48.0-2, Disk Usage Analyzer 48.0-1, and Fonts 48.0-1 for the GNOME apps. In the case of the MATE apps, there is now Atril 1.26.2, Engrampa 1.26.2, and Calculator 1.26.0 (mate-calc).

🛠️ Other Improvements

That's not all. This release has some additional improvements that you should know about:

Support for OpenVPN, enabling secure internet access.The various Xubuntu repositories and PPAs have been updated.Fix for a bug that caused Xubuntu Minimal not to have Firefox included.

This release has a few known issues, like poor performance in virtual machines configured via VMware and VirtualBox, the network icon being duplicated on the live session, and the GRUB menu not showing up in dual-boot setups.

You can learn more about those and the other changes by going through the release notes.

📥 Download Xubuntu 25.04

This Xubuntu release is available on the official website and the Ubuntu image repository. Go for the latest release if you want Xubuntu 25.04, and if you want a more stable experience, then the latest LTS release is the one for you.

Xubuntu 25.04

Existing users can upgrade to this release by following these steps:

Open "Software Updater"Update any available package updates.Then click on the upgrade banner at the top of the window and follow the on-screen prompts.

The official documentation has additional information if you have any doubts.


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Ubuntu 25.04 Is Here, Delivering A Great Desktop Experience

Known for its user-friendliness, Ubuntu is a Debian-based Linux distribution offered by Canonical that is a popular choice for both beginners and advanced users. What makes it so good is its neat user interface, regular updates, and strong security, making Ubuntu the preferred choice for people/organizations looking for a Linux-powered operating system.

Around this time last year, we were introduced to the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS release, which delivered many upgrades, backed by a long support period (5-10 years) to provide one of the most stable Ubuntu experiences currently on offer.

There was also an interim release in the following months, back in October 2024, but official support for that will end in July. Luckily, for users of such releases, a new interim release, Ubuntu 25.04, has been introduced.

Before we proceed, do note that we have already covered the features of Ubuntu 25.04. However, this particular article will give you a quick rundown of the new changes.

Ubuntu 25.04 Features and Release Date: Here’s What You Need to KnowHere are the best Ubuntu 25.04 features.Ubuntu 25.04 Is Here, Delivering A Great Desktop ExperienceIt's FOSS NewsSourav RudraUbuntu 25.04 Is Here, Delivering A Great Desktop Experience

⭐ Ubuntu 25.04: What's New?

Join over 56,000 Linux Users on YouTube

Code-named "Plucky Puffin" after a colorful seabird, Ubuntu 25.04 is powered by the recently released Linux kernel 6.14 as a non-LTS release with a support period of just 9 months, until January 2026.

It comes loaded with GNOME 48, which includes many improvements like notification grouping for reducing clutter, improved Flatpak handling, and on-screen notifications when headphones are connected.

Ubuntu 25.04 Is Here, Delivering A Great Desktop Experience

In addition to all that, there is the new Wellbeing feature that can be used to set screen time limits, movement reminders, and eyesight reminders. If you ask me, this is a great step toward further improving the user experience.

Likewise, laptop users can now set a battery charge limit via Settings to prevent excessive wear on the battery. This is powered by UPower, which allows setting the charge start and end thresholds via D-Bus, applying the settings automatically at startup.

Ubuntu 25.04 Is Here, Delivering A Great Desktop Experience

As is typically the case with new Ubuntu releases, there are new wallpapers that complement this release, with images from the mascot, digital/abstract, and photography categories being included.

These were selected via the customary wallpaper competition that ran a few months ago.

The theming also sees some changes, with notable visual improvements like new app icons, fixes for design inconsistencies, and better integration with GNOME's accent color system.

The applications and tooling also see upgrades with Binutils 2.44, Systemd 257.4, LibreOffice 25.2.2, Thunderbird 128.0, VLC 3.0.21 and GIMP 3.0 being included.

🛠️ Other Changes & Improvements

Moving on from the highlights, here are a few miscellaneous changes:

Papers as the default document viewer app.NVIDIA Dynamic Boost is now enabled by default.Improved Opensc smart card handling on Firefox Snap.Better support for ARM hardware on the generic ARM64 ISO.New Ubuntu WSL image for Microsoft's new tar-based architecture.

The official release notes will give you a more detailed outlook of the changes.

📥 Download Ubuntu 25.04

You can find the desktop image for Ubuntu 25.04 on the official website and alternative images on the releases page.

Ubuntu 25.04

If you are the user of a long-term support (LTS) release, then we suggest sticking to that for getting the most stable experience Ubuntu has to offer. Still, if you are eager to experiment or want to upgrade from the older Ubuntu 24.10 release, then you can refer to our Ubuntu upgrade guide.

How to Upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Right NowUbuntu 24.04 LTS ‘Noble Numbat’ is here. If you are using Ubuntu 23.10, here’s how you can upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS right away.Ubuntu 25.04 Is Here, Delivering A Great Desktop ExperienceIt's FOSSAbhishek PrakashUbuntu 25.04 Is Here, Delivering A Great Desktop Experience


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Manjaro 25.0 'Zetar' Joins Fedora and Ubuntu Release Party

Manjaro is undoubtedly one of the most user-friendly, Arch-based Linux distributions around. With its rolling release model, Manjaro caters to a wide range of users, delivering a reliable yet bleeding-edge experience.

Its developers have recently introduced a fresh ISO release that gives new users an up-to-date system right away, eliminating the need to manually download and install updates after installation.

Interestingly, it comes the same week when we have two big releases in the form of Fedora 42 and Ubuntu 25.04.

🆕 Manjaro 25.0 Zetar: What's New?

Manjaro 25.0 'Zetar' Joins Fedora and Ubuntu Release Party

This release of Manjaro comes packed with many improvements that are mostly focused on the foundational aspects of the distro.

Some key highlights include:

Linux Kernel 6.12Updated Desktop EnvironmentsManjaro Summit Public Alpha

Linux Kernel 6.12

Manjaro 25.0 'Zetar' Joins Fedora and Ubuntu Release Party

Taking advantage of Linux kernel 6.12, Manjaro 25.0 now enables Intel Xe2 and Battlemage GPU by default, with better support for laptops manufactured by ASUS, Lenovo, and Dell.

Similarly, there is the PREEMPT_RT implementation, which should result in better response times and faster performance for users of the X86, ARM64, and RISC-V CPU architectures.

We have talked more about this kernel release in our coverage of it.

Linux Kernel 6.14 Arrives With Performance Gains for AMD, Intel, and RISC-VThe second major Linux kernel release of 2025 has arrived!Manjaro 25.0 'Zetar' Joins Fedora and Ubuntu Release PartyIt's FOSS NewsSourav RudraManjaro 25.0 'Zetar' Joins Fedora and Ubuntu Release Party

Newer Desktop Environments

Manjaro 25.0 'Zetar' Joins Fedora and Ubuntu Release PartyManjaro 25.0 'Zetar' Joins Fedora and Ubuntu Release PartyManjaro 25.0 'Zetar' Joins Fedora and Ubuntu Release Party

From left to right: Manjaro 25.0 Xfce, GNOME, and KDE Plasma.

For Manjaro Xfce, there is now Xfce 4.20, which brings about refinements like an upgraded Thunar file manager that allows users to set a custom background and foreground text color for files, supports multiple power profiles, and has improved panel customization.

In the case of Manjaro GNOME, we get the latest GNOME 48, which introduces a new Wellbeing feature, stacked notifications, battery charge limiting for laptops, better flatpak handling, support for dynamic triple buffering, and initial HDR support.

As for Manjaro KDE Plasma, the April bugfix release, KDE Plasma 6.3.4 is included, which features improvements like overhauled fractional scaling, better UI element snapping, more accurate colors when using Night Light, and an improved System Monitor.

Manjaro Summit Public Alpha

Manjaro 25.0 'Zetar' Joins Fedora and Ubuntu Release Party

While this is not part of the Manjaro 25.0 Zetar release, the announcement for this went out just before the new release announcement went out. So, Manjaro Summit is the new name for Manjaro Immutable, which has been released as a public alpha for testing purposes.

The developers call it a "semi-immutable" distro with an atomic update system that downloads and deploys entire disk images during updates, making the root filesystem read-only while selectively migrating parts of the system.

This enables easy rollbacks in case of issues and is said to offer greater protection against user/software error while also providing some limited protection against malware.

📥 Get Manjaro 25.0 Zetar

For existing users, they can run the following command to get the upgrade:

sudo pacman -Syu

For fresh installations, desktop images for the various editions of Manjaro 25.0 can be downloaded from the official website. If you prefer the minimal image, then click on "More" and toggle the switch to "Minimal" to get the ISO via Torrent or Direct Download.

Manjaro 25.0 Zetar (desktop)

Suggested Read 📖

Top 10 User-friendly Arch-Based Linux Distributions [2025]Want to experience Arch Linux without the hassle of the complicated installation and setup? Here are a few user-friendly Arch-based Linux distributions.Manjaro 25.0 'Zetar' Joins Fedora and Ubuntu Release PartyIt's FOSSDimitriosManjaro 25.0 'Zetar' Joins Fedora and Ubuntu Release Party


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Ubisoft Surprises with Its Open Source Move

Ubisoft is a well-known video game publisher that has been in the news these days for their slip-ups and the bifurcation of their most popular titles like Assassin's Creed, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, and Far Cry into a separate subsidiary.

Many in the video gaming industry have been wondering whether Ubisoft knows what they are doing or are just winging it on a daily basis. But that's a topic we won't go into.

However, we will go into their latest move that took me by surprise.

Ubisoft Open Sources Chroma: What to Expect?

Ubisoft Surprises with Its Open Source MoveChroma overlay on Hogwarts Legacy.

Chroma is a tool that simulates color vision deficiencies, also known as color blindness. It helps game developers create a more accessible gaming experience for gamers who are affected by this vision impairment.

Open sourced under the Apache 2.0 License, Chroma works by adding a filter over the game window, letting developers simulate how the game would appear to players with different types of color blindness. This gives the developers pointers on how they can better tweak the visuals to suit these players.

Chroma supports filters for Protanopia, Deuteranopia, and Tritanopia, with useful features like support for multiple monitors, being game engine agnostic, and having an intuitive user interface.

On the occasion, David Tisserand, Director of Accessibility at Ubisoft, added that:

Over the past few years, Chroma has proven to be a highly efficient tool for us at Ubisoft. It has allowed us to assess the accessibility of our games for colorblind players much faster and more comprehensively than ever before.

Because we believe accessibility is a journey, not a race, we're thrilled to share Chroma with the entire industry. We invite everyone to benefit from it, provide feedback, and contribute to its future development.

Closing Thoughts

It's not every day one hears Ubisoft and open source being mentioned in the same sentence—so when I saw it, I had to pause and read the announcement a second time. 😆

I tested the Chroma .exe on a Windows desktop, pairing it with Hogwarts Legacy, and the tool worked as intended (at least I think it did). I was able to apply the Deuteranopia filter without any issues, as shown above.

Suggested Read 📖

Is Linux Ready For Mainstream Gaming In 2025?Linux is quietly gaining ground on Windows in the gaming space. But how well does it actually perform? Here’s what I experienced.Ubisoft Surprises with Its Open Source MoveIt's FOSS NewsSourav RudraUbisoft Surprises with Its Open Source Move


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7
 
 

8 Years, One Last Goodbye: ArcoLinux Bids Farewell

When I hear the term, "Arch Linux", my mind immediately moves towards how it is a great Linux distribution for power users, which also gives them the right to say, "I use Arch, btw".

Don't let that scare you off, though. There are plenty of user-friendly Arch-based distros that give you a bleeding-edge experience while also granting you the right to say the most holy words.

Sadly, there is some bad news for one of those offerings. 😥

What's Happening: Announcing the development, Erik Dubois, project lead of ArcoLinux shared that after 8 years of development, the ArcoLinux project will be wrapping up operations, discontinuing any ISOs, apps, tools, scripts, and related infrastructure.

The reasoning behind this move, as shared by Erik, is his advancing age and him realizing that he doesn't have the same level of mental focus or stamina he used to have before. He has found himself making small mistakes, the kind that can negatively affect a major undertaking like this.

Erik also reflected on what the future holds for him, saying that:

I don’t have big plans. I want to slow down, enjoy life, and maybe tinker with Linux just for fun again — without the pressure of running a large project.

The code, the videos, the documentation — they’ll remain online for others to learn from, fork, or remix. I truly hope others will take inspiration from it. Just as I was inspired by the community years ago.

What to Expect: The transition period has already begun since the announcement went live, with Erik and the ArcoLinux team providing transition packages for users to migrate their existing ArcoLinux installations to Arch Linux.

Come July 1, 2025, the transition period will end, marking a stop to all development, including the deactivation of the ArcoLinux social media handles. The Telegram and Discord communities will stay a bit longer but will close up eventually.

If you are an existing user, then the YouTube playlist put together by Erik is a must-watch for converting the three editions: ARCONET, ARCOPRO, and ARCOPLASMA.

📋Arch Wiki is no-doubt an unparallel documentation. However, Erik's relentless but lone effort in creating magnitudes of video tutorials on almost every aspect of Arco Linux is surely commendable 🫡

Lastly, I would like to mention that it is always sad to see a Linux distribution project shut down. But I fully agree with Erik's reasoning behind the move. We only get a limited number of years in this thing called life, and people like him who have worked hard for so long deserve to have a dignified departure.

Suggested Read 📖

Top 10 User-friendly Arch-Based Linux Distributions [2025]Want to experience Arch Linux without the hassle of the complicated installation and setup? Here are a few user-friendly Arch-based Linux distributions.8 Years, One Last Goodbye: ArcoLinux Bids FarewellIt's FOSSDimitrios8 Years, One Last Goodbye: ArcoLinux Bids Farewell


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8
 
 

ParticleOS: Systemd's Very Own Linux Distro in Making

Systemd is the system and service manager used by most Linux-based operating systems. It is responsible for initializing the system during boot, starting and subsequently managing services and background processes, handling D-Bus service activation, and managing dependencies between services using a transactional, dependency-based model.

Building on all of this, the systemd community is currently developing their own experimental Linux distribution called ParticleOS.

What's Happening: I got to know about this development from Brodie's latest video, where he discussed the presentation by systemd maintainer Daan De Meyer during the FOSDEM 2025 event.

As for what it is, ParticleOS is a fully customizable immutable Linux distribution developed by the systemd community for users who want complete control over their system images. It enables users to choose the base distribution, select installed packages, and cryptographically sign the image for added security.

ParticleOS: Systemd's Very Own Linux Distro in MakingParticleOS' GitHub repository.

What to Expect: ParticleOS uses mkosi for building images, letting users craft an image-based Linux distribution that's signed with their own keys, allowing full control over the Linus system's packages, update process, security mechanisms, and more.

The user even has the freedom to pick between different Linux distro bases like Fedora and Arch Linux, with additional distro support opening up when the necessary config files are provided.

At any given time, ParticleOS is in sync with the latest systemd features, often incorporating the latest improvements before they are widely adopted in mainstream Linux distributions.

In its current state, ParticleOS seems well-suited for developers who want full control over their system. However, I doubt that this will appeal to most regular users due to its specialized nature, which involves having knowledge of custom image building and how systemd works.

Suggested Read 📖

Git is More Popular than Linux: TorvaldsLinus Torvalds reflects on 20 years of Git.ParticleOS: Systemd's Very Own Linux Distro in MakingIt's FOSS NewsSourav RudraParticleOS: Systemd's Very Own Linux Distro in Making


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9
 
 

Git is More Popular than Linux: Torvalds

Linus Torvalds is one of the most influential figures in the tech world, with his creations Linux and Git completely transforming the information technology industry, becoming indispensable tools that fuel the information age.

To celebrate Git’s 20th anniversary, GitHub hosted a Q&A with him, where he reflected on Git’s origins, early challenges, and the lasting impact it has had.

Linus Reflects on Git's 20-Year Journey

Source: GitHub (Did you spot the Spider-Man logo?)

Yep, you heard that right. Git is more popular than Linux, at least in certain circles.

Linus then goes on to share how Git was never a big thing for him, but a means to an end that prevented the Linux kernel from descending into chaos over the absence of a version control system.

You see, before Git, Linux used BitKeeper for version control, but its proprietary licensing didn't sit too well with other Linux contributors, and Linus Torvalds had to look for alternatives.

As it turned out, existing tools like CVS and Subversion were too slow for the job at hand, prompting him to build a new tool from scratch, with the coding part just taking 10 days for an early self-hostable version of Git.

In its initial days, there were some teething issues, where users would complain about Git to Linus, even finding it too difficult to use, but things got calmer as the tool developed further.

Linus added that:

I think one of the reasons people found Git to be very hard to use was that most people who started without using Git were coming from a background of something CVS like.

And the Git mindset, I came at it from a file system person’s standpoint, where I had this disdain and almost hatred of most source control management projects, so I was not at all interested in maintaining the status quo.

Interestingly, Linus maintained Git for only 3–4 months, handing over the reigns to Junio Hamano shortly after, who has been at the helm for over 19 years now. This transition marked a significant milestone in Git's history, as Junio's leadership has been instrumental in its widespread adoption and continued development.

When asked about Git's role in shaping software development, he shared that, while GitHub and other similar services like GitLab, Gitea, Codeberg, etc. have made life easier for developers, there are plenty of abandoned projects that are the result of such accessibility.

For the kernel specifically, Linus points out that he keeps on going because the kernel needs to stay in sync as the hardware keeps evolving and that it also caters to the diverse needs of other users.

Never in my life would I need all of the features that the kernel does. But I’m interested in kernels, and I’m still doing that 35 years later.

When it came to Git, it was like Git did what I needed within the first year. In fact, mostly within the first few months. And when it did what I needed, I lost interest. Because when it comes to kernels, I’m really interested in how they work, and this is what I do. But when it comes to SCMs, it’s like—yeah, I’m not at all interested.

📋SCM ⇾ Software configuration management.

And when asked what's the next big thing from him, Linus humorously noted that he prefers others solve his problems. He views his creations like Linux and Git as solutions to unsolved problems.

At this point, he hasn't felt compelled to start anything new, saying, “So me having to come up with a project is actually a failure of the world—and the world just hasn’t failed in the last 20 years for me.


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I Tried This Upcoming AI Feature in Firefox

Mozilla, and by extension its flagship product, Firefox, have been facing increasing scrutiny by users and journalists alike. Once a bright light in the dark, privacy-pitfall-ridden web, Mozilla has made executive decisions that have rubbed many users the wrong way—prompting some to switch to alternatives like Brave and LibreWolf.

And their sudden pivot towards integrating AI-powered features only makes me wonder: Do they even have a clear vision anymore?

Regardless, a recent report sheds light on what they have been working on. Let's check it out.

Firefox AI Link Previews: What to Expect?

I Tried This Upcoming AI Feature in Firefox

Spotted first by OMG! Ubuntu, Firefox's latest Nightly build now has an experimental AI Link Previews feature that runs locally on a user's device to serve up neat summaries of a link's content before the user visits it.

Currently, I am not sure which AI model is underneath, but my bet is on an open weight model that's not too heavy on system resources.

I tested it on an Ubuntu 25.04 laptop with an NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU, and there were inconsistencies in terms of getting the link previews to load up. When they did load, most articles were summarized well.

📋If you were wondering, the stable release for this new AI-powered feature is planned with the upcoming Firefox 138 release.

However, for one article, Firefox showed me the wrong information, giving out bits of information that were not related to the news at hand. You see, the first two points about a meeting of CEOs in China were right, but that was not related to the article I selected.

Only the part about the 34% tariff on US goods was correct, but it also had errors, where it blurted out that Xi Jinping made the announcement, whereas, in reality, the Chinese authorities did so.

I know it is a work in progress, and the AI Link Previews dialog always shows a disclaimer at the bottom. But I sincerely hope the Mozilla developers can refine the AI model underneath so it isn't prone to such basic mistakes.

Can't Wait? Want to Try it Out Now?

🚧Try this with a spare Firefox installation, not on your primary one. If you are not the one who likes to tweak and troubleshoot, avoid such experiments and wait for the stable release of Firefox version 138.

Users on Ubuntu can check out AI Link Previews on Firefox Nightly 139.0a1. First, open up the App Center and look for Firefox under Manage if you have it installed, or search for it using the Search bar if you are starting a fresh installation.

I Tried This Upcoming AI Feature in Firefox

Once you open the page for Firefox, click on the Channel dropdown and scroll until you find the latest/edge channel with the version number 139.0a1, and click on it.

Now, depending on whether you have an existing installation or a new installation, you will be either shown Update or Install. In that case, just click on the green button to get Firefox Nightly installed.

Following that, type about:config in a new tab and agree to the cautionary message that appears. Now, search for the term browser.ml.linkPreview.enabled and toggle it to True.

Now comes the tricky part: hover your mouse cursor on an article in a new Firefox tab and press Shift + Alt and wait for the dialog to appear. You might have to spam that key combo or restart your browser to get the AI-generated summary.

Users of other Linux distros will have to manually install Firefox Nightly and follow the steps shown in the video above. Alternatively, they could also fire up a virtual machine with a recent Ubuntu version installed and test this new feature.

Firefox Nightly 139.0a1

💬 Did you like what you saw? Couldn't be bothered with AI shenanigans in a web browser? Let me know below!


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DIY Neuroscience: Meet the Open Source PiEEG Kit for Brain and Body Signals

Neuroscience and Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) have revolutionized the way we understand and interact with the human brain. From decoding brain activity to enabling direct communication between flesh and machine, the field has made major gains both in terms of research and application.

In this ever-changing space, PiEEG has put forward an intriguing new offering that’s definitely worth your attention.

🚧This device is not intended for medical use. It is designed solely for research and educational purposes.

PiEEG Kit: What is It?

As the brainchild of Ildar Rakhmatulin, the PiEEG Kit is an open source, Raspberry Pi-powered biosignal tool that can be used to analyze EEG, EMG, EKG, and EOG signals for neuroscience research and educational purposes.

It supports seamless integration with ChatGPT for interactive data analysis and a connector that allows serial transmission for robot control.

On the hardware side of things, the PiEEG kit is powered by the PiEEG Shield, which connects directly to a Raspberry Pi, handling the capture of biosignals like EEG, EMG, EKG, and EOG.

DIY Neuroscience: Meet the Open Source PiEEG Kit for Brain and Body SignalsDIY Neuroscience: Meet the Open Source PiEEG Kit for Brain and Body Signals

Overview of the PiEEG Kit board on the left and the PiEEG Shield on the right.

Along with the core hardware, the kit comes loaded with essential test accessories like an EEG electrode cap and electrodes, allowing users to capture and monitor various biosignals.

All that data can be accessed using the screen, mouse, and keyboard on a custom Raspberry Pi software interface that allows users to perform a wide range of tasks. All of this is packed into a portable carry case, making it easy to transport and setup wherever needed.

The PiEEG Kit is powered by a power supply that requires an external battery, and its functionality can be expanded through various available expansion ports. It is designed for a range of users, including machine learning and data scientists, researchers, startups, students, and tech enthusiasts.

The technical paper is a must-read if you are searching for more details or the results of the assessment tests.

Want to Get/Build Yours?

If you want a fully assembled, ready-to-go solution, then you will want to keep an eye on the Indiegogo page for the PiEEG Kit. If you are up for a DIY adventure, then you can refer to the project's GitHub repo, where you will find the software, the SDK, the schematics, etc.

PiEEG Kit (Indiegogo)

Suggested Read 📖

A Raspberry Pi 5-Powered Handheld Computer? This Looks So Cool!If you are on the lookout for an exciting gadget, this might be it.DIY Neuroscience: Meet the Open Source PiEEG Kit for Brain and Body SignalsIt's FOSS NewsSourav RudraDIY Neuroscience: Meet the Open Source PiEEG Kit for Brain and Body Signals


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A Colorful APT 3.0 Release Impresses with its New Features

APT, or Advanced Package Tool, is an offering by the Debian project that is used on Debian and its derivatives like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and elementary OS for effortless package management.

Around this time last year, a new user interface for APT was introduced, marking the start of the development cycle for APT 3.0. That has now reached its end with the official introduction of the APT 3.0 stable series.

APT 3.0: What's New?

A Colorful APT 3.0 Release Impresses with its New Features

Dedicated to Steve Langasek, the APT 3.0 release represents a major milestone for the package manager, introducing some much-needed improvements that most users will appreciate.

APT 3.0 is powered by Solver3, a new, more efficient package dependency resolver that significantly improves how package installations and upgrades are handled. As a backtracking algorithm, it allows for more efficient dependency resolution and better handling of complex package conflicts.

Besides that, there are the new coloring changes that show up when installing, removing, or upgrading a package. As you can see below, when installing a new package, all its dependencies are shown in a familiar green color.👇

_ Installing a new package using APT 3.0._

I also checked out some other APT commands, such as the one for removing a package and all of its related dependencies. It showed me all the dependencies to be removed in red. I also ran the list command, which listed all the available packages for installation in a paginated list.

These additions, coupled with the column padding, have definitely improved the readability of APT outputs by a big margin, and the slick progress bar at the bottom is like the cherry on top. See for yourself!👇

_ Removing an existing package and listing available packages using APT 3.0._

Another important set of upgrades are the removal of GnuTLS and gcrypt in favor of OpenSSL for providing better cryptographic support, replacement of GnuPG with Sequoia , and introduction of the modernize-sources command.

The latter of which automatically updates and optimizes package source configuration files with the latest recommended formats and repository structures.

There are some additional changes that include things like:

  • Removal of remote connection methods like FTP, RSH, and SSH.
  • Recommended/suggested packages are now shown for upgrade actions as well.
  • autoremove is now more aggressive, removing unnecessary packages to prevent clutter.
  • Essential package removals are now highlighted with color to prevent accidental system nuking.
  • Translation upgrades for Simplified Chinese, Dutch, Czech, Romanian, Catalan, German, Brazilian, and French.

The changelog ( go up from 2.9.0 ) has additional information if you are up for a longer read.

When and how to APT 3.0

Since it is just released, you'll have to wait for the new distro releases to provide them.

Ubuntu 25.04 is the most straightforward way of checking out this APT release. If you can wait, then the upcoming Debian 13 " Trixie " release will feature this as its default package manager.

🚧

I don't recommend this on systems that are meant for general/production use.

Currently, the unstable repo of Debian ( Sid ) has APT 3.0 live. That's how we tested it for this article. Those up to manually install/upgrade to this release can do so by editing the sources.list file and adding the unstable branch to their Debian installation.

APT 3.0 (unstable)

Suggested Read 📖

Using apt Commands in Linux [Ultimate Guide]This guide shows you how to use apt commands in Linux with examples so that you can manage packages effectively.A Colorful APT 3.0 Release Impresses with its New FeaturesIt's FOSSAbhishek PrakashA Colorful APT 3.0 Release Impresses with its New Features


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