OsmocomBB Layer1 on Mediatek: Status Report
https://media.ccc.de/v/osmodevcon2019-109-osmocombb-layer1-on-mediatek-status-report

https://redd.it/f1sji8
@r_linux

Guys, MX-Linux Is The Dark Horse In The Race

I recently tried out MX-Linux. Wow, I am really impressed. So far, it is the only distro which can give Ubuntu (and buntu derivatives) a run for its money in terms of polish and end-user experience. It is directly based on Debian Stable so its not yet another Ubuntu derivative distro out there in the wild. Currently, MX-Linux 19 is based on Debian Buster 10.

I know r/linux continues to disregard MX-Linux and says they are gaining popularity due to gaming distrowatch rankings but I really don't think that's the case. As a Ubuntu user I think these are the strong points of MX-Linx.

1) INIT Freedom - You can choose Systemd or Sysvinit as your init (default init is sysvinit), and due to systemd shim all your softwares remain fully functional. It is BY FAR the most polished, mature and stable Sysvinit distro out there currently. In fact, considering how polished, stable, fast and nimble MX-Linux currently is, this point alone brings in to question the supposed benefits of the beast known as systemd. Really, MX-Linux boots and shuts down faster than Fedora Gnome, Fedora KDE and Kubuntu and as is at least as fast as (if not faster) than Ubuntu Gnome, Pop OS and Linux Mint.

2) Debian Base - I know, I know you love a "We are NOT Ubuntu" distro but the fact that MX-Linux is NOT based on Ubuntu really sets it apart from the crowd. And unlike many Ubuntu derivatives, MX-Linux serves a very real purpose.

3) Serves A Real Purpose - Actually it serves multiple purposes:
i) If you want to use Debian without systemd your only options at this point are Antix, MX-Linux and Devuan. And out of the 3, MX-Linux is the most polished and suitable one for the desktop. You can also use systemd if you wish to do so.

ii) MX-Linux hosts their own repository in addition to the Debian Stable repository with lots of useful and proprietory software. If any software is missing (say you like something from a Ubuntu PPA) you can request packaging the software in the forum and it will packaged and be available for download in the repository within a couple of days.

iii) The hardware support, polish and attention to detail is excellent. If your hardware is having trouble with Debian Stable there's a high chance that it will work without a hitch with MX-Linux. It's not just polished Debian XFCE, a lot of work and care has gone in to it and there's a reason finicky dedoimedo repeatedly gave it stellar reviews.

iv) Comes with own in-house system management tools.

v) Best Snapshot Backup and Persistent Live Solution: It's a big one. Thanks to some tools they have developed, you can make your own bootable and installable ISO of your own system in a USB. It will be persistent, live and installable. Definitely a big deal when you are dealing with sensitive data which you can't backup in the cloud.

vi) Great community - The community is active, friendly and welcoming. Definitely strikes the right balance between size, activity, friendliness and homely comfort.

4) Secure Future - MX-Linux is attracting significant support and donations due to their init freedom effort. While many distros are struggling MX-Linux is doing really well due to faithfully serving the sysvinit niche. Always helps when you know that an excellent distro won't vanish anytime soon.

Inspite of the extreme bias and irrational prejudice of r/linux against Canonical, I really really like Ubuntu and going to stick with it for now but I will keep my eyes out for MX-Linux.

MX-Linux Overall Experience - 10/10

https://redd.it/f1ua6o
@r_linux

Cod: New Command Line Autocomplete Daemon For Bash and Zsh That Detects --help Usage
https://www.linuxuprising.com/2020/02/cod-new-command-line-autocomplete.html

https://redd.it/f1t08q
@r_linux

MATE version 1.24 released
https://mate-desktop.org/blog/2020-02-10-mate-1-24-released/

https://redd.it/f1v578
@r_linux

Private cloud shell history. Open source server for bashhub
https://github.com/nicksherron/bashhub-server

https://redd.it/f1tvyb
@r_linux

Found The $9 C.H.I.P... Now what?

A few years ago when blockchain was a newer conversation for many, a friend introduced me to the world of SBCs, the fact that they existed and I felt the cyberpunk revolution was shortly at hand. I wasnt exactly wrong. Some time later, I was able to snag a bundle kit from the Next Thing Co., their SBC called C.H.I.P. and the pre-fab upgrade "PocketChip". I gave the prefab to my dad for his birthday and kept the unassembled SBC for myself with the intention of teaching myself "How to" and build from there. The time I needed to take to learn wasn't mine for awhile and now that it is mine again, "Next Best Thing Co." isnt around anymore and everything is left in the hands of the open scorce community.

I still have all my parts in their sealed packaging and Id like to finally get it together, however I am as familiar to Linux as a hornet is to sophisticated social dialogue. I dont know where to find my basic software for booting, let alone what Ill be looking at once I plug it in.

In short and simply, halp?
Recommend study material to familiarize myself?
Links to active forms related too?
Recommended software for up-to-date internet use?

Im currently restricted to mobile internet for searching, but wifi access does exist. I understand that once my SBC is setup, Ill be able to use it for more specific web access. As is, I am stuck with a pile of parts and an idea.

https://redd.it/f1xx1x
@r_linux

List of sites designed for curl?

I learned about wttr.in yesterday. For those who don't know, if you type `curl wttr.in` into a terminal, it will display the weather information. There are additional options for setting city and format. I fell in love with the concept almost immediately, and am looking for similar sites. If I can get enough sites, I will probably start an `awesome-curl` repo to keep track of them all.

I am planning to write one for watch stocks and crypto if one doesn't exist already.

https://redd.it/f1xx0e
@r_linux

Your thoughts on WSL2

Hey hello everyone !
I was just scrolling Twitter and came across a tweet from someone mentioning Microsoft and the developers of the WSL project, telling that thanks to them, he didn't hate Windows anymore, and I was wondering:
what do you think about WSL ? Are you afraid that it could make people switch to windows from Linux ? What are your thoughts on this sudden interest from Microsoft into Linux and regarding WSL ?
Thanks in advance for your comments that I'm looking forward to read.
And I sincerely apologise for my bad English as I'm not a native but a French guy who loves Linux.

https://redd.it/f1yvv9
@r_linux

Why do you think Linux popularity is dropping and what can reverse the trend? Can new Ryzen line help?
https://ibb.co/S7zBwkB

https://redd.it/f20fho
@r_linux

What little-known (or fallen-out-of-favor) distro deserves more attention?



https://redd.it/f1vxzl
@r_linux

Standard standards. Pure Linux?

I'm in my cups so give me some legroom here...

My brother (20) and I (35) were discussing some issues between dnf apt and flatpak when he mentioned that it would be nice if there was a universally official linux distro. I supposed that to mean a linux distro that isn't a distro, but rather a "standard" Linux body coming from one particular source, I suppose from Linus himself or something. And more specifically, he's talking about making Linux an OS with the desktop tools provided so that it worked in perfect parity as an operating system. I tried explaining that this is not how things work, we have distros because we have forks. We have forks because we have different approaches at things, and a distro is simply someone picking one of those things for you so you can keep using Linux as a desktop and pretend youre a programmer. But I tend to be the high and mighty Linux dude who's spent two decades playing with and then working with Linux, and I am listening him out, as he's getting frustrated.

His argument, as such, is this:

It is to be made by some "official" source. I mentioned canonical could be considered that these days but no he means Linux as its own object, instead of the collection of objects it really is. No choice on desktop manager, no choice on compositor etc. Just like "this is default desktop Linux and if you want anything more specific move on to distros". I couldn't quite get him to understand that Linux is a living organism of many parts. When we say Linux, we're referring to the kernel. Everything after that library, package, or bin that do things, the system itself. The defining difference between distros often comes down to the package manager they do or do not use. So I wasn't sure how to tell him, Linux is a kernel, and we run everything up from there. He wants to make Linux like Mac, where it has a default distribution that people wanting Linux as their desktop OS could use. I try to explain that the modular nature of Linux (kernel pun) is what makes it amazing. You can't really tie Linux down like that but this is coming from a guy who has never had to do a .configure, make, make install, in his life. He's really into projects like Flatpak and such and automatize some of the bin and lib storage for every program.

​

I am at no doubt at your wits end with my drunken rambling so I'll get to the fucking point:

​

Is Linux an ever-evolving collection of constantly changing sources, producing the best lump sum, in as so far Desktops are concerned.

​

Or should there be a Linux MASTER, lets call it LinuxOS, and it comes with all the desktop features streamlined into one idea, and all the service features committed to one group of systems. I didn't want him to get frustrated so I met him half way, but really, am I the crazy one here or is he?

​

​

Edit: Ok, thank you for reinforcing what I already knew to be true. I wont mention it to him, he got really defensive the first time I disagreed.

https://redd.it/f1u16z
@r_linux

GrSecurity

Hi,
anyone know if grsecurity team has planing to sell grsecurity patches just for personal use ?

https://redd.it/f1srpc
@r_linux

Alexa, are you listening? The Amazon Echo is vulnerable to a physical attack that allows an attacker to gain a root shell on the underlying Linux operating system and install malware without leaving physical evidence of tampering.
https://labs.f-secure.com/archive/alexa-are-you-listening/

https://redd.it/f23e2r
@r_linux

systemd-homed service merged: It will change how you manage your home directories in Linux (more info in the comments)
https://systemd.io/HOME_DIRECTORY/

https://redd.it/f23jht
@r_linux

Desktop publishing on Linux: SCRIBUS and VIVADESIGNER

There is very few good software solutions for desktop publishing in Linux. I have been using Scribus for a few years and have learned the tricks of pre-press production on this software. It is excellent and reliable, although it does have some drawbacks.

Very recently I also discovered the German proprietary software called VivaDesigner, which has a Linux version. It is quite cheap, but almost completely unknown. I do not know why this company does not advertize its products more efficiently. Due to the lack of reviews on the internet about VivaDesigner I was reluctant to buy it but the free demo version convinced me. It is a well thought-out piece of software which is going to make my life as a book designer easier. Their support is responsive, personalized, quick and very helpful.

One of the best features of VivaDesigner is the possibility to import Indesign .indd and .idml files. VivaDesigner also exports the .idml file. Scribus also has the plugin to import the .idml, but not to export it.

With this post I wanted to give an indication to those Linux people who are looking for a programs to use in addition to Scribus. And also I wanted to spread the word about one of the few companies in this field who caters to Linux users.

https://redd.it/f23uy9
@r_linux

Why is it so hard for a company to provide an open firmware?

In the last few years, we've seen a number of improvement in terms of hardware support on Linux. More and more hardware work "out of the box" (especially if you're using a distro such as Fedora or Ubuntu or their derivatives).

However, there is always a pain point for anything requiring a firmware. For instance, touchpads and touchscreens. Often do I see problems with touchpads, spend some time investigating, and after a while discover this has been magically fixed by an obscure firmware update\*. Sometimes the problem is indeed fixed, sometimes the situation has merely improved, but it's never possible to know what's been done in this firmware.

I was discussing with a colleague who told me that even if these firmwares were open source, they would be totally useless without public datasheet. And even if the datasheet were made publicly available, we would still require the whole proprietary toolchain used to produce the binary firmwares.

His conclusion is that it's impossible to get this, because of the way manufacturers and [ODM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ODM) work.

I'm still unsure what's the big deal here. For instance, touchpads have been around for at least 3 decades to the general user. Surely, there is no huge secret or intellectual property that a touchpad-making company would like to keep from its competitors... is there? Am I missing something?

(Of course, the same goes with computers BIOS.)

Thanks!

\* sometimes I also discover there are no firmware update and the issue cannot be fixed by software either, making the device hardly usable or unusable.

https://redd.it/f24ryp
@r_linux

Regular Releases Are Wrong - Why I No Longer Use openSUSE Leap
https://rootco.de/2020-02-10-regular-releases-are-wrong/

https://redd.it/f24dbl
@r_linux

Easy backups with Borg: Encrypted, deduplicated, fast and Open-Source
https://gp2mv3.com/easy-backups-with-borg/

https://redd.it/f25x4e
@r_linux

Where can I access the files created on the Windows 10 Ubuntu app?



https://redd.it/f26rdt
@r_linux

KDE's Plasma 5.18 is out: easier system settings, interactive notifications, emojis, wallpapers and much more
https://kde.org/announcements/plasma-5.18.0

https://redd.it/f27iit
@r_linux

Is it possible to make money as a linux distro dev? Open discussion and sharing ideas how.

The noscript is too short to deliver my thought :)

Somebody in another place said something super interesting. Something that probably most devs tried to make money from working on a Linux distro but very few succeeded. Those few who did it are being envied and often bad mouthed by the rest.



How a distro dev can make a living from working on distro or open software?


My first thought is patreon and youtube channel.


P.s. I'm not a dev but it hurts me when I hear a story of a leading dev who goes through depression and financial troubles while burning out working on a distro.

https://redd.it/f27y31
@r_linux