Need some Insight

Hello guys,

Probably not the best place to ask this question but just wanted everyone’s opinion. As a mid level Linux systems administrator, how much salary can you settle for? I am based in the UK, I currently feel underpaid, hence asking. I currently make £36k a year

Duties include mostly helping our Linux users with their day to day issues, creating debian packages, automating and deploying configuration changes and packages via Ansible/gitlab, deploying Linux images to our servers and desktops, monitoring servers/desktops. I am also involved with building HPC software from scratch and also make use of easybuild.

Flexlm License manager is also something I manage. Duties mostly include updating licenses and licenses manager.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!!

https://redd.it/1jbeama
@r_linux

Linux friendly Fingerprint reader.

Hello everyone.
Anyone have experience with a good, fast, and consistent fingerprint reader that works great on desktop Linux, or maybe even a keyboard with one built in? I have a a Windows only desktop reader. Kensington Verimark Desktop, but it appears to not work on Linux.
Thanks a bunch.

https://redd.it/1jbh4mo
@r_linux

Is it posible to get a virus? And how?

I use mint, since several months, and I know linux is ultra secure and all that, but I don't think there's is no malware. Let's say that someone recently downloaded a pirate movie, and it was a compressed file, let's say .rar/.zip or whatever, and that person extracts that file and watch the movie, is there any risk?

I know that to do important things you need your root password, and that's why it is secure, but I guess that without a password you can still do things such as deanonymize someone that downloaded a movie with a VPN (for example) tell me if I'm wrong whit this.

Last thing, apart from being a secure OS because of needing a password, is there another particular reason why it is safe? Let's discard the fact that Linux is less used than any other OS and that update a compromised package can get your computer a malware, I read somewhere that something like this happened to libre office, for example.

The questions in plain text:
- Is it possible to get malware by downloading something on internet.
- What can a malware do without root permissions? Perhaps deanonymize someone?
- Why is Linux more secur e than any other OS?

https://redd.it/1jbicv4
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The Complete Guide to Building Your Free Local AI Assistant with Ollama and Open WebUI

I just published a no-BS step-by-step guide on Medium for anyone tired of paying monthly AI subnoscription fees or worried about privacy when using tools like ChatGPT. In my guide, I walk you through setting up your local AI environment using **Ollama** and **Open WebUI**—a setup that lets you run a custom ChatGPT entirely on your computer.

**What You'll Learn:**

* How to eliminate AI subnoscription costs (yes, zero monthly fees!)
* Achieve complete privacy: your data stays local, with no third-party data sharing
* Enjoy faster response times (no more waiting during peak hours)
* Get complete customization to build specialized AI assistants for your unique needs
* Overcome token limits with unlimited usage

**The Setup Process:**
With about 15 terminal commands, you can have everything up and running in under an hour. I included all the code, screenshots, and troubleshooting tips that helped me through the setup. The result is a clean web interface that feels like ChatGPT—entirely under your control.

**A Sneak Peek at the Guide:**

* **Toolstack Overview:** You'll need (Ollama, Open WebUI, a **GPU-powered machine**, etc.)
* **Environment Setup:** How to configure Python 3.11 and set up your system
* **Installing & Configuring:** Detailed instructions for both Ollama and Open WebUI
* **Advanced Features:** I also cover features like web search integration, a code interpreter, custom model creation, and even a preview of upcoming advanced RAG features for creating custom knowledge bases.

I've been using this setup for two months, and it's completely replaced my paid AI subnoscriptions while boosting my workflow efficiency. Stay tuned for part two, which will cover advanced RAG implementation, complex workflows, and tool integration based on your feedback.

[**Read the complete guide here →**](https://medium.com/@hautel.alex2000/build-your-local-ai-from-zero-to-a-custom-chatgpt-interface-with-ollama-open-webui-6bee2c5abba3)

**Let's Discuss:**
What AI workflows would you most want to automate with your own customizable AI assistant? Are there specific use cases or features you're struggling with that you'd like to see in future guides? Share your thoughts below—I'd love to incorporate popular requests in the upcoming instalment!

https://redd.it/1jblws9
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ubuntu logo in r6
https://redd.it/1jboy1m
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This Week in Plasma: File Transfer Progress Graphs
https://blogs.kde.org/2025/03/15/this-week-in-plasma-file-transfer-progress-graphs/

https://redd.it/1jbogj5
@r_linux

Android's Linux Terminal app adds tabs so you can multitask more easily -- "The Linux Terminal app, which runs Linux apps in a virtual machine, now has tabs in Android 16 Beta 3"
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-linux-terminal-tabs-3535373/

https://redd.it/1jbv7ej
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Testing PostMarketOS On MS Surface GO 2
https://lemmy.ca/post/40708674

https://redd.it/1jbyv46
@r_linux

A Simple Linux Desktop for People with Cognitive Decline – Where to Start?

Hey everyone,

I have this idea that might be a bit far-fetched, and even though I’ve used Linux for years, I’m not really sure where to start.

The Background
My dad was diagnosed with dementia over a year ago. While he’s still able to think clearly in many ways, his ability to use technology has taken a hit. He only got into computers and smartphones later in life, and now, with so much of society relying on digital tools—whether it’s banking, doctor appointments, or even just staying in touch—he’s struggling.

Where I live, we even have a government-issued two-factor authentication device/app that’s required for almost everything. It’s frustrating for him, and I’ve seen firsthand how technology, which should be making life easier, is actually making him feel more isolated. And let’s be real—this reliance on tech is only going to increase.

The Idea
I’d love to create an ultra-simple Linux desktop tailored for people like my dad. Something that:
• Boots straight into a locked-down, minimal desktop.
• Has only a few essential programs, like a web browser, email client, or video calling app.
• Allows relatives to configure everything through an admin panel setting bookmarks, fixing icons, and keeping things simple.
• Runs on familiar hardware, since Linux makes it easy to install on existing devices with a USB.

This would be a passion project. I just see a real need for it, and I’m sure it could help a lot of people.

My Question
I’m not planning on touching kernel code or diving into low-level OS development. I have some programming experience (mostly in data engineering and data science), but I don’t even know where to start researching a project like this. What tools or frameworks should I look into? Are there existing Linux distros or desktop environments that could be adapted for this purpose?

I know this won’t be ready in time to help my dad, but I’d still love to explore the idea. Any pointers would be appreciated!

Even if I drop the project along the way I still get to learn something new about Linux


https://redd.it/1jc3mfs
@r_linux

Running Out of RAM on Linux? Use ZRAM + these kernel tweaks.
https://linuxblog.io/running-out-of-ram-on-linux-use-this-before-upgrading/

https://redd.it/1jc3yyy
@r_linux

Anyone using Darling? (MacOS translation layer for linux)

So i recently found this tool, but i never in my life used a Mac so i have no clue which software could come in handy if any at all and maybe any videogame?.

I dont know but this people did an amazing job developing this tool

https://www.darlinghq.org/

https://redd.it/1jc5fyr
@r_linux

Linux in Furniture Store

I was amazed today and have to share this.

I was in a large furniture store today in Germany and asked an employee about my online order. She went to the PC and I noticed that it runs Linux. It looked like an older version of KDE. Okay, Linux might be getting more popular for such use-cases, if I had a company like this I would also use Linux, so maybe not that special.

But what really amazed me was their software. It is as simple as it gets: a TUI with green text and black background, no mouse input, all done by keyboard, navigating around, entering in some numbers, and within seconds she printed something for me.

It reminded me of an opposite example at my health insurance provider, where she had to click and move the mouse for 5 minutes until she printed what I needed.

Are TUIs still the GOAT?

https://redd.it/1jc76ce
@r_linux

wth is this
https://redd.it/1jcbetw
@r_linux

What is Valve's end goal with linux and gaming?

I'll be the first to admit that I am a bit of a fan of valve if only at least in Stockholm Syndrome. I own a steamdeck and use their storefront, and have bought many games from them. However, as a linux user, over the years I've developed a strange feeling about their linux push.

So, first thing thats crossed my mind is their main selling point in the space, Proton (and by proxy, wine). The whole idea is running windows applications and specifically games on linux. But that doesn't really feel like a long term solution. It basically requires that anything to do with gaming necessarily depends on windows and its systems. If people just stopped making windows builds of their stuff then linux gaming would suffer just as much.

You would think that by now they would have tried to address this, and while I know the classic XKCD joke of "14 Competing Standards" rings here, but Valve has the best chance out of everyone to try, even if it fails, they'd still ideally have wine to fall back on.

My second question is more to do with their lack of any movement outside of gaming. Don't get me wrong, they are a Gaming platform and gaming focused developer. I'm not expecting them to shoulder the whole of the desktop on their shoulders, but it would be a serious feather in their cap to directly advertise that their software can do more then just gaming. The whole desktop mode of their flagship distro is fully featured just like any other.

Third question, and this is more of a plea for context if it exists then a question, have they said anything about their long term goals anywhere, because I haven't heard anything. I'd love to know if they do actually have a roadmap, if only to know how to set my expectations.

https://redd.it/1jcd0vy
@r_linux

Debian point release 12.10.....if you care and use.
https://www.debian.org/News/2025/20250315

https://redd.it/1jcdupk
@r_linux

Yep.... there's another user wanting to jump ship from Windows before sunsetting Windows 10 in October.

And that user is me....

Back in 2008 - 2010 I used to run a Dual boot system on Windows XP/7 and I tried several distros back then, including:

* Mint
* KDE
* Debian
* Canonical/Ubuntu
* Puppy if only because I wanted to try it out while at work. This included Slax also.
* a couple of others that I noped right out to re-format (none worth mentioning)
* I also used to work at Brown (University) for a while and became familiar with Red Hat because of the engineering department who I used to support between Windows and Linux.

The thing is, I'm really, ***really*** hesitant about returning to Ubuntu because the community was horrendous and even though I would be asking detailed questions looking for answers, my forum posts were typically answered with "works for me" and never answered the questions I was asking. I did eventually find the answers on my own -- but if I see another "works for me" response to anything asked I will channel the most disgruntled governmental worker alive on everyone that supports this mentality. (There's more to this, but I'll leave it out unless it's pertinent).

Here's the problem. I'm looking into something that can also support some proprietary windows applications -- notably Steam and the games I have there and some third-party apps that I use for business. Otherwise, I'm familiar with some programs that worked in both Windows and Linux (my Diary program, various office variants like Libre, Open and Free vs. Office365, etc.), and can easily transfer back and forth.

While Wine can be daunting I'm looking for something smoother than that interface I tried to figure out back in 2008 and ended up keeping my boot system in dual setting. And I'm wondering if it's gotten easier since 16 years ago.

I've been reading a bit on Arch and given that it's pretty cutting edge and that makes me nervous, so I'm wondering if its cutting edge distros include Manjaro. And I'm also wondering how easy that is to configure and keep without dizzying firehoses of distro updates.

So , that aside... Which LTS would be good for getting back into Linux and being able to use the programs I'm familiar I'm looking to continue to use. Also isn't going to end up being too steep as I've been out of Linux for 15 years.

Keep in mind, this is a slow move to Linux.

I'm planning on using the answers from here on my Laptop by middle of July giving it a try. I will then be transitioning over the deskside entirely by September.

Thanks for listening and in advance for replying.

https://redd.it/1jce7ed
@r_linux

Promotion of Linux as an alternative to windows in public sector?

Windows is the de facto standard for OS and all IT tooling in Europe.

This is a political decision and needs a political initiative to change. Are their organizations promoting Linux to government?

Munich switched over to Linux for a couple of years but when Microsoft set up an office in the city they switched back.

The EU is spending billions in licensing to Microsoft instead of promoting a self grown solution and the rest of the political spectrum is learning that we cannot trust the American with our data.

https://redd.it/1jcgs0t
@r_linux

Czkawka/Krokiet 9.0 — Find duplicates faster than ever before

Today I released new version of my apps to deduplicate files - Czkawka/Krokiet 9.0

You can find the full article about the new Czkawka version on Medium: https://medium.com/@qarmin/czkawka-krokiet-9-0-find-duplicates-faster-than-ever-before-c284ceaaad79. I wanted to copy it here in full, but Reddit limits posts to only one image per page. Since the text includes references to multiple images, posting it without them would make it look incomplete.

Some say that Czkawka has one mode for removing duplicates and another for removing similar images. Nonsense. Both modes are for removing duplicates.

The current version primarily focuses on refining existing features and improving performance rather than introducing any spectacular new additions.

With each new release, it seems that I am slowly reaching the limits — of my patience, Rust’s performance, and the possibilities for further optimization.

Czkawka is now at a stage where, at first glance, it’s hard to see what exactly can still be optimized, though, of course, it’s not impossible.

# Changes in current version

# Breaking changes

Video, Duplicate (smaller prehash size), and Image cache (EXIF orientation + faster resize implementation) are incompatible with previous versions and need to be regenerated.

# Core

Automatically rotating all images based on their EXIF orientation
Fixed a crash caused by negative time values on some operating systems
Updated `vid_dup_finder`; it can now detect similar videos shorter than 30 seconds
Added support for more JXL image formats (using a built-in JXL → image-rs converter)
Improved duplicate file detection by using a larger, reusable buffer for file reading
Added an option for significantly faster image resizing to speed up image hashing
Logs now include information about the operating system and compiled app features(only x86_64 versions)
Added size progress tracking in certain modes
Ability to stop hash calculations for large files mid-process
Implemented multithreading to speed up filtering of hard links
Reduced prehash read file size to a maximum of 4 KB
Fixed a slowdown at the end of scans when searching for duplicates on systems with a high number of CPU cores
Improved scan cancellation speed when collecting files to check
Added support for configuring config/cache paths using the \`CZKAWKA\_CONFIG\_PATH\` and \`CZKAWKA\_CACHE\_PATH\` environment variables
Fixed a crash in debug mode when checking broken files named `.mp3`
Catching panics from symphonia crashes in broken files mode
Printing a warning, when using `panic=abort`(that may speedup app and cause occasional crashes)

# Krokiet

Changed the default tab to “Duplicate Files”

# GTK GUI

Added a window icon in Wayland
Disabled the broken sort button

# CLI

Added `-N` and `-M` flags to suppress printing results/warnings to the console
Fixed an issue where messages were not cleared at the end of a scan
Ability to disable cache via `-H` flag(useful for benchmarking)

# Prebuild-binaries

This release is last version, that supports Ubuntu 20.04 github actions drops this OS in its runners
Linux and Mac binaries now are provided with two options x86_64 and arm64
Arm linux builds needs at least Ubuntu 24.04
Gtk 4.12 is used to build windows gtk gui instead gtk 4.10
Dropping support for snap builds — too much time-consuming to maintain and testing(also it is broken currently)
Removed native windows build krokiet version — now it is available only cross-compiled version from linux(should not be any difference)

# Next version

In the next version, I will likely focus on implementing missing features in Krokiet that are already available in Czkawka, such as selecting multiple items using the mouse and keyboard or

comparing images.

Although I generally view the transition from GTK to Slint positively, I still encounter certain issues that require additional effort, even though they worked seamlessly in GTK. This includes problems with popups and the need to create some widgets almost from scratch due to the lack of documentation and examples for what I consider basic components, such as an equivalent of GTK’s TreeView.

Price — free, so take it for yourself, your friends, and your family. Licensed under MIT/GPL

Repository — https://github.com/qarmin/czkawka

Files to download — https://github.com/qarmin/czkawka/releases

https://redd.it/1jchp31
@r_linux

SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview Released (with KDE Plasma 6 & beginnings of support for non-Steam Deck handhelds)
https://steamcommunity.com/games/1675200/announcements/detail/529841158837240757

https://redd.it/1jck2mn
@r_linux

Arch Linux with Sway on Raspberry Pi 3A+

archlinuxarm.org provides ARM images of Arch Linux, but they were last updated in 2023, so in order to get any software to run I had to fully update the system, including glibc. After this, I was able to install sway. It was difficult to find a browser that worked with the very small amount of RAM (512mb), but I chose netsurf as it is both lightweight and usable.

https://preview.redd.it/ktfbndc7w0pe1.png?width=1680&format=png&auto=webp&s=75181f6b1d4ec1d048ae5fb8bc755b6f61928cc7



https://redd.it/1jchyh3
@r_linux