Here's an exercise in extreme masochism:

1. pick any distro and install it.

2. Then, without installing another distro over the top of it, slowly convert it into another distro by replacing package managers, installed packages, and configurations.

System must be usable and fully native to the new distro (all old packages replaced with new ones).

No flatpaks, avoid snaps where physically possible, native packages only.

-----

Easy: pick two similar distros, such as Ubuntu and Debian or Manjaro and Arch and go from the base to the derivative.

Medium: Same as easy but go from the derivative to the base.

Hard: Pick two disparate distros like Debian and Artix and go from one to the other.

Nightmare: Make a self-compiled distro your target.

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

Nvidia driver 570.133.07 released

https://www.nvidia.com/en-in/drivers/details/242284/

Fixed a bug that could cause console restoration to fail with soft lockups on some UEFI systems.
Fixed a bug causing clocking issues in games with DLSS frame generation.
Fixed a bug that could prevent RTX 50 series GPUs from enabling HDR on certain HDMI displays, resulting in washed out HDR content.
Fixed a bug preventing certain notebook systems from enabling the ACPI video backlight driver when needed.

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

The apparent decline of kernel development in the git log (spoiler: be careful with git based statistics)

Sorry if it's too trivial, but I've seen multiple people fall into this trap (myself included), so I thought I'd share something that needs to be taken into account when making statistics from the Linux kernel's git history.

I was looking at the number of changes on the masterbranch as a function of time, and I was surprised to see this sharp decline since the end of January:

Number of changes merged into the Linux kernel monthly \(master branch, 2025-03-19\)

For reference, the commands that produced these numbers:

git clone 'https://github.com/torvalds/linux.git'

cd linux

git log --format='%cs' | cut -d- -f1,2 | sort | uniq -c

Before jumping into conclusions about what events in January might have disrupted the development of the kernel this hard, it's worth taking a pause to think: how long does it take for a change to be merged?

Is it possible that patches take weeks, months, or even years of testing and review before landing in the official mainline? Indeed it is. Take a look at the same statistics from the git log of the v6.9 releas for example, from 2024 May:

|Month|Number of patches|
|:-|:-|
|2023-06|8800|
|2023-07|6262|
|2023-08|9130|
|2023-09|5907|
|2023-10|11770|
|2023-11|4940|
|2023-12|8726|
|2024-01|5687|
|2024-02|8699|
|2024-03|4353|
|2024-04|1543|
|2024-05|259|

Today I learned.

https://redd.it/1jexd2x
@r_linux

Wi-Fi Not Working on Debian 12 (Intel AX211 – Unmanaged by NetworkManager)

System Details:

OS: Debian 12
Wi-Fi Adapter: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211
Network Manager: nmcli & NetworkManager
Kernel: (Check using uname -r)

# Issue Denoscription:

I recently installed Debian 12, but my Wi-Fi (wlo1) is not working properly. The interface is detected, but NetworkManager shows it as "unmanaged", and I can’t see available networks using nmcli dev wifi list.

Here are some details from my system:

# 1️⃣ rfkill status (Wi-Fi is not blocked):

rfkill list all


Output:

1: asus-wlan: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no
2: asus-bluetooth: Bluetooth
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no
3: hci0: Bluetooth
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no
4: phy0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no


# 2️⃣ NetworkManager shows Wi-Fi as unmanaged:

nmcli dev status


Output:

DEVICE TYPE STATE CONNECTION
enx022f69116100 ethernet connected Wired connection 1
lo loopback connected (externally) lo
docker0 bridge connected (externally) docker0
wlo1 wifi unmanaged --


# 3️⃣ Wi-Fi interface is detected but DOWN:

ip a | grep wlo1


Output:

5: wlo1: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc noqueue state DOWN group default qlen 1000


# 4️⃣ Firmware logs show some errors:

sudo dmesg | grep iwlwifi | tail -n 20


Output (Important lines):

4.241121 iwlwifi 0000:00:14.3: firmware: failed to load iwl-debug-yoyo.bin (-2)
4.241132 iwlwifi 0000:00:14.3: loaded firmware version 72.daa05125.0 so-a0-gf-a0-72.ucode opmode iwlmvm
[ 4.343284] iwlwifi 0000:00:14.3: Detected Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6E AX211 160MHz, REV=0x370
[ 73.717345] iwlwifi 0000:00:14.3: api flags index 2 larger than supported by driver
[ 73.717355] iwlwifi 0000:00:14.3: TLVFWFSEQVERSION: FSEQ Version: 0.0.2.36


# What I Tried So Far (But Didn’t Work):

✅ Checked rfkill – Wi-Fi is not blocked.
✅ Restarted NetworkManager – sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager.
✅ Tried bringing up the interface manually:

sudo ip link set wlo1 up
sudo nmcli radio wifi on


✅ Updated Intel firmware:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install firmware-iwlwifi


✅ Reloaded the Wi-Fi driver:

sudo modprobe -r iwlwifi && sudo modprobe iwlwifi


✅ Checked NetworkManager.conf for managed mode:

cat /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf


(I changed [ifupdown] managed=false to managed=true and restarted NM.)
✅ Set regulatory domain manually:

sudo iw reg set IN # (I'm in India, changed it to my country)


# Questions I Need Help With:

1️⃣ Why is wlo1 showing as "unmanaged" in NetworkManager?
2️⃣ Why does ip a show wlo1 in state "DOWN" with "NO-CARRIER"?
3️⃣ Does the firmware log indicate an issue with my Intel AX211 driver?
4️⃣ Is there a kernel issue, or do I need a different version of iwlwifi?
5️⃣ Any other debugging steps I should try?

If anyone has encountered this issue before, I'd really appreciate any guidance! 🙏

https://redd.it/1jf0dw4
@r_linux

Introducing GNOME 48, “Bengaluru”
https://release.gnome.org/48/

https://redd.it/1jf14y1
@r_linux

New life for an old Mac Mini
https://redd.it/1jf3x98
@r_linux

Decrypting Encrypted files from Akira Ransomware (Linux/ESXI variant 2024) using a bunch of GPUs -- "I recently helped a company recover their data from the Akira ransomware without paying the ransom. I’m sharing how I did it, along with the full source code."
https://tinyhack.com/2025/03/13/decrypting-encrypted-files-from-akira-ransomware-linux-esxi-variant-2024-using-a-bunch-of-gpus/

https://redd.it/1jf4upl
@r_linux

Zellij (a terminal multiplexer) 0.42.0: Stacked Resize, Pinned Floating Panes, New Theme Spec
https://zellij.dev/news/stacked-resize-pinned-panes/

https://redd.it/1jf415a
@r_linux

Have to took too long time troubleshooting a linux issue until you realized it's not linux issue at first place?

For example

You took 4 hours to run an executeable file in linux but it didnt work as it should and you take a punch of time to fix it until you realize it's acually an issue of the executeable itself

Or running a game that have so much glictches and you tried to fix it but you find out the glitch is in the game itself

https://redd.it/1jfd8wa
@r_linux

Streamline Your KDE Monitor Setups with Screen Profiler (Similar to Monitor Profile Switcher!)

Hey everyone!

I wanted to share a little tool I've been working on called Screen Profiler. If you're a KDE user who constantly uses different monitor setups and resolutions, this might be just what you need. It even remembers the relative positions of your monitors!

Having recently made the switch from Windows myself, I was surprised to find a lack of Linux alternatives that offered the same convenience as "monitor profile switcher".

I've been using it extensively on Bazzite and it's been fantastic. I recently refactored the code and designed a companion system tray icon for easy GUI interaction.

One of my favorite uses is for my game streaming setup. When I connect via GameStream, Screen Profiler automatically switches to my dummy HDMI plug for my Steam Deck. Then, when I'm done, it restores my regular desktop layout. It's also incredibly handy for quickly enabling just one monitor when I want to mirror my screen to the TV in the living room.

You can assign KDE hotkeys to the command-line commands.



In short, Screen Profiler lets you:

Save your current monitor configurations (including resolution and relative positions) as "profiles."

Load those profiles back using either a command-line interface or a system tray icon.

Optionally integrate with Konsave to save and restore your KDE panel and widget layouts along with your screen setup.



https://github.com/Kakiharu/screenprofiler

I'd love to hear your feedback!

https://redd.it/1jf5pm8
@r_linux

FREE LINUX AND KUBERNETES RESOURCE 2025
https://github.com/Pulkit12966/redhat_official_studyguide_RHCSA

https://redd.it/1jfil5u
@r_linux

Booting from logical volumes

With the rise of cloud many of us has forgot the booting exercises, which is good.
But cloud also hardens few things. I would like to do a few customisations for my usecase.

I got a very atypical usecase on cloud where the boot disk size needs to be increased or decreased dynamically without any downtime.

The only possible way to achieve this is booting the using logical volumes, so today, I would like to boot my machine from logical group instead of sda1.

Can I get to know if there are anyother methods ?


NOTE: donot downvote, If this is a noob question for this sub. Kindly convey it so that I can head to the noob sub

https://redd.it/1jfitj9
@r_linux

Has anyone else questioned their choice of computers for running Linux?

removed

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

Has anyone else questioned their choice of computers for running Linux

3 years ago I needed a new computer and decided on an 16 inch M1 Macbook Pro, but did lots of overthinking about if I wanted to stick to it. I tried Asahi Linux didn't have any reasons at the time to use linux over macOS (but there was always the chance I might later), the build quality is 2nd to none, none of my Windows laptops lasted more than a few years.

3 years later, I've really been itching to switch to Linux. Two of several reasons: because its DEs are more customizable, it has better documented accessibility APIs if you want to make keyboard navigation software. I reinstalled Asahi Linux and really tried to make it my daily driver, but the lacks of apps would require me to dual boot: Photoshop and Roblox.

I researching again for computers closest to Macbook Pros but none of them come close to its build quality. I think it would be best for me to make my own desktop PC for linux. I don't think I'd fare well with another windows laptop brand.

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

Just discovered Linux and saved my almost 15 year old latop! So happy!
https://redd.it/1jfn0sm
@r_linux

Google Developing "Live Update Orchestrator" As New Means Of Live Linux Kernel Updates
https://www.phoronix.com/news/Google-Live-Update-Orchestrator

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

Blender 4.4 released
https://www.blender.org/download/releases/4-4/

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

LibreOffice Podcast, Episode #2 – Design and UX in Free and Open Source Software
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVAe7bTGeYg

https://redd.it/1jfnle2
@r_linux

Opensource firm/hard-ware online party "vPub" - TODAY

dear Opensource Lover, I invite you to a joint ''DUG#9 & vPub 0xE'' today's event ;-) Full schedule, as well as the join links, are available on **this page** \- but here is a brief denoscription of how it will look like:

1. on DUG (5 PM UTC) : we will discuss the Dasharo distribution of coreboot opensource PC firmware (much better than a typical closed-source UEFI: it provides the hardened security, high quality, cool features and almost-lifetime upgrades!)

If you are looking for a truly secure modern laptop with an opensource firmware that - while satisfying your privacy needs! - also provides the [valuable benefits](https://novacustom.com/coreboot-laptop/) to your user experience: please make sure to see ["NovaCustom: new products and plans for the near future"](https://cfp.3mdeb.com/developers-vpub-0xe-2025/talk/HDR9SN/) talk by our prominent guest Wessel Klein Snakenborg - the founder of NovaCustom company that makes such laptops and is committed to improving their opensource [Dasharo](https://www.dasharo.com/) firmware with the help of [3mdeb](https://3mdeb.com/)

1. on vPub (7 PM UTC) : we will be having an Opensource Online Party : with a cozy free-for-all chat about everything opensource firmware/hardware-related, as well as a few planned talks from our special guests who would like to share their hard won in-depth knowledge to save a lot of your time:

Kamil Aronowski - an active member of Qubes OS community, a volunteer reviewer of UEFI shim signing submissions and a respected IT security engineer, will tell you how to implement a secure signing infrastructure to become your own UEFI Secure Boot CA
Filip Lewinski - a firmware developer from our 3mdeb company who has mastered & would like to tell you about the deguard utility in his ["Introduction to Deguard"](https://cfp.3mdeb.com/developers-vpub-0xe-2025/talk/WVJFQD/) talk: this wonderful tool allows to bypass the BootGuard - a major roadblock for opensource coreboot firmware on a wide range of Intel-based motherboards
Matt DeVillier aka u/MrChromebox \- a famous member of coreboot community who is making the custom opensource firmwares for Chromebooks & Chromeboxes and gave new life to these devices for a lot of people - will be helping you during his AMA about open source firmware

Aside from a cozy opensource chat, our free-for-all sections are also an excellent opportunity for you to learn about rare devices that support the opensource firmware and are hard to stumble upon elsewhere - as well as how to configure & build & flash it. All your questions will be answered! ;-)

Join links & full events schedule are available here (both video streams and anonymous text chats will be available) :

**DUG#9 & vPub 0xE opensource online Party! - TODAY**

P.S. to avoid missing out future events, join our Matrix or a tiny-volume event notification newsletter (just \~4 e-mails per year)

https://redd.it/1jfrmq4
@r_linux

FOSS infrastructure is under attack by AI companies
https://thelibre.news/foss-infrastructure-is-under-attack-by-ai-companies/

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

Is it good or bad that Linux/package/open source maintainers are anonymous, use pseudonyms, or are undocumented?

I'm struggling with this dilemma:

Anonymity is great. It protects people from being 'doxxed', from being stalked, harassed, and having their work, which can be controversial, tarnish their name (e.g. in Google searches). It lowers the personal risk and in this sense allows more contributions. It's a free work contribution with zero downside or responsibility.

But anonymity is also a major problem. We are trusting strangers and have no ability to verify their credentials, their background, and when removed from a community they can rejoin with a different name. It's also hard to collaborate with people who are completely unreachable, i.e. no email, no website, have GitHub issues turned off, and so on. It's also often unclear who is responsible for some code, i.e. who to reach out to. The free work is great, but it becomes worthless and overburdened with risk and complexity.

What are your thoughts?

There's an old adage: Don't fix something you don't understand, because it may be that way for a reason, so you end up breaking something that was working as intended.

Maybe anonymity is critical for a well-functioning online community?

Or conversely, maybe the times have changed, and in these hostile times (bots, malware, state-sponsored cyberware, ...) anonymity is a major threat to open source.

https://redd.it/1jfwbl0
@r_linux