I'm 100% Linux now. Here is my journey.

Firstly, this will be a fairly long story, as I started out tinkering with Linux back with Mandrake and Red Hat circa 2000. Back when I had a 33.6K dial-up modem.

I had never been a PC user, or even a PS3 user, as I was in the publishing trade on Apple Macs in the 90's, and Linux was the last thing on my mind back then.

Then comes 1999 and I relocate to another state, and acquire a Pentium 233 MMX, with some horrible Riva TNT graphics.

My brother had graduated university with Comp/Sci and Maths, and was a programmer/analyst and a database firm in North Sydney. This is where I first encountered Iris running on an Indigo2 workstation. This got me interested in alternative operating systems... well at least different from MacOS and Windows.

https://redd.it/1l0ss3u
@r_linux

I'm happy to write this from my new old PC with Linux Mint

This is my second attempt to migrate to Linux and it looks to be a success.

Long story short- I revived one of my old PCs with new SSD and loaded it with Linux Mint 22.1. I'm older guy and a welder mechanic so PCs and comps are much more of a mystery to me than Black Magic. Getting old PC to boot was much harder than making bootable USB and loading it into PC. Not I have to migrate stuff from old still running win10 PC to this old boy.

One issue that keeps popping up is that some keyboard keys don't work like thy should and they show other symbols. I don't get that but I will. Wish me luck :)

https://redd.it/1l0w07m
@r_linux

Why do some devs prefer Snap over Flatpak?
https://redd.it/1l0xi8j
@r_linux

Intel Overclocking Watchdog Driver Merged For Linux 6.16
https://www.phoronix.com/news/Intel-Overclocking-Linux-6.16

https://redd.it/1l0xgds
@r_linux

Kees Cook cleared of malicious git shenanigans
https://lore.kernel.org/all/20250601-pony-of-imaginary-chaos-eaa59e@lemur/

https://redd.it/1l1csss
@r_linux

LFS package build recipes.
https://github.com/lidgnulinux/LFS-qi-recipes

https://redd.it/1l1c90d
@r_linux

LibreOffice project and community recap: May 2025
https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2025/06/02/libreoffice-project-and-community-recap-may-2025/

https://redd.it/1l1fkcl
@r_linux

Who do you give donations to?

I became a Linux user a few months ago and I like the FOSS way of doing things, have them for free and donate if you like them, I want to know if you donated to a piece of software, how much and what that software was, and how do you decide who to donate to.

https://redd.it/1l1tdn2
@r_linux

Linux 6.15 changelog (late): includes VFS improvements (mount notifications, idmapped mounts from idmapped mounts, detached mounts from a detached mount); support for perf latency profiling; io_uring networking zero-copy receive; bcachefs improvements; or support for AMD's broadcast TLB invalidation
https://kernelnewbies.org/Linux_6.15

https://redd.it/1l1tzsj
@r_linux

Windows to Go?

Is there a program I can use to create a bootable Windows installation? I've used VirtualBox before and it works ok but it lags a lot. So my only option is to create a bootable Windows installation on USB.

Thanks in advance.

And before you ask, I'm on a laptop and only have a single slot for internal storage.

https://redd.it/1l1yzfe
@r_linux

Revisiting X11 vs Wayland With Multiple Displays - KDE Blogs
https://blogs.kde.org/2025/06/02/revisiting-x11-vs-wayland-with-multiple-displays/

https://redd.it/1l1zugv
@r_linux

Steps to Solve the VNC "Gray Screen" Issue on Ubuntu Systems
https://www.pixelstech.net/article/1748842416-steps-to-solve-the-vnc-%26quot-gray-screen%26quot-issue-on-ubuntu-systems

https://redd.it/1l20ays
@r_linux

I love Linux

I have a old Lenovo Ideapad with a GTX 1050 in it. It had a windows 11 but it was so slow I could barely use it. So I decided to install Zorin OS and made it look like a MacBook OS, now it just feels really great to use, and smooth.


I really wish I could use Linux as my daily drive in my main PC but I do a lot of game dev in unreal engine and many other software (Substance painter, Blender, FMOD, etc…) and when I tried getting them to run some of them on my spare PC it was a disaster. I really love Arch Linux specifically and would love to use it as my daily drive but it’s just unnecessarily hard to get some of the software I use running…

https://redd.it/1l21vbw
@r_linux

HeidiSQL Available Also for Linux
https://www.heidisql.com/forum.php?t=44068

https://redd.it/1l25iat
@r_linux

I need your advice: LFCE or LPIC-3?

I’ve been working in Linux for many years (13 years already), I’m an senior level information and cybersecurity officer always hands-on and learning as I go. I never really thought about certifications before, but now I feel it could be beneficial to have something official to show for my experience.

I’m currently considering either the LFCE (Linux Foundation Certified Engineer) or LPIC-3. Both seem solid, but I’d love to hear from others in the field especially those who’ve taken one (or both).

I also thought about RHCE but as it’s literally vendor specific certificate I think that now I should choose between LFCE or LPIC-3

https://redd.it/1l25q5c
@r_linux

Linux 6.16 Will Now Conveniently Report Hard/Soft Lockups & RCU Stall Counts
https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-6.16-Hard-Soft-Lockups

https://redd.it/1l283jk
@r_linux

Want to make a self hosted email service for myself need to clear some doubts

So I want to make a self hosted email service for myself and I am new to Linux but atleast not at noob level. I want to do this because I like learning networking so experiments you can say. I prompted Gemini what knowledge should I have which he answered as this :

Building a self-hosted email service with open-source tools is a rewarding but complex endeavor. It requires a good understanding of Linux system administration, networking, and email protocols. Here's what you should learn and the key open-source tools to consider:
I. Core Concepts and Protocols:
Linux Fundamentals:
Command Line Interface (CLI): You'll be spending a lot of time in the terminal.
File System Navigation: Understanding where configuration files and mailboxes are stored.
Package Management: Installing and updating software (e.g., apt for Debian/Ubuntu, yum/dnf for CentOS/RHEL).
User and Group Management: Creating and managing mail users.
Service Management: Starting, stopping, and enabling services (e.g., systemd).
Networking Basics: IP addresses, ports, firewalls (ufw, firewalld).
Email Protocols:
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): For sending and receiving emails between servers. You'll need to understand how MTAs (Mail Transfer Agents) use this.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol): For clients to retrieve and manage emails on the server, keeping them synchronized across devices.
POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3): For clients to download emails from the server, typically deleting them from the server after download. (Less common for modern use due to synchronization issues, but good to know).
DNS (Domain Name System):
MX (Mail Exchanger) Records: Crucial for directing incoming mail to your server.
A/AAAA Records: Mapping your domain to your server's IP address.
SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Helps prevent email spoofing by specifying which servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Adds a digital signature to outgoing emails to verify the sender and ensure message integrity.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance): Builds on SPF and DKIM to provide instructions on how receiving servers should handle emails that fail authentication.
PTR (Pointer) Records / Reverse DNS: Maps an IP address back to a domain name, essential for outgoing mail to avoid being flagged as spam.
II. Essential Open-Source Tools/Software:
Operating System (OS):
Linux Distribution:
Ubuntu Server / Debian: Popular choices with large communities and extensive documentation.
CentOS / AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux: Enterprise-grade distributions, also very stable.
Proxmox Mail Gateway: (While not a full OS, it's a dedicated solution built on Debian that integrates many mail server components).
Mail Transfer Agent (MTA): (Handles sending and receiving mail between servers)
Postfix: Widely considered the most popular and robust MTA for Linux. It's highly configurable and secure.
Exim: Another powerful and flexible MTA, often preferred by some for its configurability.
Sendmail: An older but still active MTA, though generally more complex to configure than Postfix or Exim.
Mail Delivery Agent (MDA) / IMAP/POP3 Server: (Delivers mail to user mailboxes and allows clients to access them)
Dovecot: The de-facto standard for IMAP/POP3 services on Linux. It's highly performant, secure, and supports various authentication methods.
Cyrus IMAP: Another strong contender, often used in larger enterprise environments.
Webmail Interface (Optional but Recommended): (Allows users to access their email through a web browser)
Roundcube: A popular, modern, and feature-rich webmail client.
SOGo: A collaborative software suite that includes webmail, calendar, and contacts, often integrated with Dovecot.
RainLoop: A fast and modern webmail client.
Spam and Antivirus Filtering:

SpamAssassin: A powerful and widely used spam filtering system that integrates with your MTA.
ClamAV: An open-source antivirus engine for scanning emails for malware.
RBLs (Real-time Blackhole Lists): Services that list IP addresses known for sending spam, which your MTA can use to block incoming mail.
Greylisting: A technique that temporarily rejects mail from unknown senders, often deterring spammers.
Database (for user/domain management, etc.):
MariaDB/MySQL: Common choices for storing user accounts, domains, and other mail server configurations.
PostgreSQL: Another robust and powerful relational database.
OpenLDAP: For centralized user and authentication management, especially in larger setups.
Security Tools:
SSL/TLS Certificates (Let's Encrypt): Essential for encrypting communication between your mail server and clients/other mail servers. Let's Encrypt provides free, automated certificates.
Firewall (ufw, firewalld): To restrict access to necessary ports only.
Fail2Ban: Protects against brute-force attacks by temporarily banning IP addresses that show malicious activity.
DDoS Protection: Consider using a service or configuring your server to mitigate DDoS attacks.
III. Integrated Solutions (for easier setup):
While learning individual components is valuable, there are open-source projects that bundle many of these tools for a more streamlined setup:
Mailcow: Dockerized: A very popular all-in-one solution that uses Docker containers. It includes Postfix, Dovecot, Nginx, Roundcube, SpamAssassin, ClamAV, and more, making deployment and management easier.
Modoboa: An open-source email server solution that aims to simplify setup and management with a user-friendly web interface.
iRedMail: Another popular full-featured mail server solution with a free, open-source edition. It integrates Postfix, Dovecot, Nginx, Roundcube, SpamAssassin, ClamAV, and more.
Mail-in-a-Box: A complete email server package designed for simplicity and ease of use, with a focus on automatic configuration.
IV. What to Learn in Practice:
Choose a Linux Distribution: Start with Ubuntu Server or Debian, as they have extensive documentation and community support for mail server setups.
Basic Server Setup: Learn how to install the OS, configure networking, set up a firewall, and secure SSH access.
DNS Configuration: Understand how to manage DNS records (A, MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, PTR) at your domain registrar and on your server.
MTA Configuration (Postfix): Dive deep into main.cf and other configuration files to understand how mail flow works.
MDA/IMAP Configuration (Dovecot): Learn how to configure Dovecot for user authentication, mailbox formats (Maildir is recommended), and SSL/TLS.
Spam and Antivirus Integration: Set up SpamAssassin and ClamAV and integrate them with Postfix.
SSL/TLS with Let's Encrypt: Automate certificate renewal for secure connections.
Webmail Installation (Roundcube): Integrate it with your IMAP server and database.
Troubleshooting: Learn to read mail logs (e.g., /var/log/mail.log, /var/log/syslog) to diagnose issues.
Security Best Practices: Regularly update software, use strong passwords, and monitor your server for suspicious activity.
Important Considerations:
Dedicated IP Address: You will almost certainly need a dedicated static IP address from your VPS or hosting provider. Shared IP addresses are often blacklisted.
Reverse DNS (PTR Record): Ensure your hosting provider sets up a PTR record for your IP address that matches your mail server's hostname. This is critical for deliverability.
Sender Reputation: Even with correct setup, it takes time to build a good sender reputation. Initially, your emails might go to spam folders.
Maintenance: Self-hosting an email server requires ongoing maintenance, updates, and monitoring to ensure security and deliverability.
Starting with an integrated solution like Mailcow or iRedMail might be a good way to get a functional email server up quickly, and then you can dive into the

Want to make a self hosted email service for myself need to clear some doubts

So I want to make a self hosted email service for myself and I am new to Linux but atleast not at noob level. I want to do this because I like learning networking so experiments you can say. I prompted Gemini what knowledge should I have which he answered as this :

Building a self-hosted email service with open-source tools is a rewarding but complex endeavor. It requires a good understanding of Linux system administration, networking, and email protocols. Here's what you should learn and the key open-source tools to consider:
I. Core Concepts and Protocols:
* Linux Fundamentals:
* Command Line Interface (CLI): You'll be spending a lot of time in the terminal.
* File System Navigation: Understanding where configuration files and mailboxes are stored.
* Package Management: Installing and updating software (e.g., apt for Debian/Ubuntu, yum/dnf for CentOS/RHEL).
* User and Group Management: Creating and managing mail users.
* Service Management: Starting, stopping, and enabling services (e.g., systemd).
* Networking Basics: IP addresses, ports, firewalls (ufw, firewalld).
* Email Protocols:
* SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): For sending and receiving emails between servers. You'll need to understand how MTAs (Mail Transfer Agents) use this.
* IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol): For clients to retrieve and manage emails on the server, keeping them synchronized across devices.
* POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3): For clients to download emails from the server, typically deleting them from the server after download. (Less common for modern use due to synchronization issues, but good to know).
* DNS (Domain Name System):
* MX (Mail Exchanger) Records: Crucial for directing incoming mail to your server.
* A/AAAA Records: Mapping your domain to your server's IP address.
* SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Helps prevent email spoofing by specifying which servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain.
* DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Adds a digital signature to outgoing emails to verify the sender and ensure message integrity.
* DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance): Builds on SPF and DKIM to provide instructions on how receiving servers should handle emails that fail authentication.
* PTR (Pointer) Records / Reverse DNS: Maps an IP address back to a domain name, essential for outgoing mail to avoid being flagged as spam.
II. Essential Open-Source Tools/Software:
* Operating System (OS):
* Linux Distribution:
* Ubuntu Server / Debian: Popular choices with large communities and extensive documentation.
* CentOS / AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux: Enterprise-grade distributions, also very stable.
* Proxmox Mail Gateway: (While not a full OS, it's a dedicated solution built on Debian that integrates many mail server components).
* Mail Transfer Agent (MTA): (Handles sending and receiving mail between servers)
* Postfix: Widely considered the most popular and robust MTA for Linux. It's highly configurable and secure.
* Exim: Another powerful and flexible MTA, often preferred by some for its configurability.
* Sendmail: An older but still active MTA, though generally more complex to configure than Postfix or Exim.
* Mail Delivery Agent (MDA) / IMAP/POP3 Server: (Delivers mail to user mailboxes and allows clients to access them)
* Dovecot: The de-facto standard for IMAP/POP3 services on Linux. It's highly performant, secure, and supports various authentication methods.
* Cyrus IMAP: Another strong contender, often used in larger enterprise environments.
* Webmail Interface (Optional but Recommended): (Allows users to access their email through a web browser)
* Roundcube: A popular, modern, and feature-rich webmail client.
* SOGo: A collaborative software suite that includes webmail, calendar, and contacts, often integrated with Dovecot.
* RainLoop: A fast and modern webmail client.
* Spam and Antivirus Filtering:
*

SpamAssassin: A powerful and widely used spam filtering system that integrates with your MTA.
* ClamAV: An open-source antivirus engine for scanning emails for malware.
* RBLs (Real-time Blackhole Lists): Services that list IP addresses known for sending spam, which your MTA can use to block incoming mail.
* Greylisting: A technique that temporarily rejects mail from unknown senders, often deterring spammers.
* Database (for user/domain management, etc.):
* MariaDB/MySQL: Common choices for storing user accounts, domains, and other mail server configurations.
* PostgreSQL: Another robust and powerful relational database.
* OpenLDAP: For centralized user and authentication management, especially in larger setups.
* Security Tools:
* SSL/TLS Certificates (Let's Encrypt): Essential for encrypting communication between your mail server and clients/other mail servers. Let's Encrypt provides free, automated certificates.
* Firewall (ufw, firewalld): To restrict access to necessary ports only.
* Fail2Ban: Protects against brute-force attacks by temporarily banning IP addresses that show malicious activity.
* DDoS Protection: Consider using a service or configuring your server to mitigate DDoS attacks.
III. Integrated Solutions (for easier setup):
While learning individual components is valuable, there are open-source projects that bundle many of these tools for a more streamlined setup:
* Mailcow: Dockerized: A very popular all-in-one solution that uses Docker containers. It includes Postfix, Dovecot, Nginx, Roundcube, SpamAssassin, ClamAV, and more, making deployment and management easier.
* Modoboa: An open-source email server solution that aims to simplify setup and management with a user-friendly web interface.
* iRedMail: Another popular full-featured mail server solution with a free, open-source edition. It integrates Postfix, Dovecot, Nginx, Roundcube, SpamAssassin, ClamAV, and more.
* Mail-in-a-Box: A complete email server package designed for simplicity and ease of use, with a focus on automatic configuration.
IV. What to Learn in Practice:
* Choose a Linux Distribution: Start with Ubuntu Server or Debian, as they have extensive documentation and community support for mail server setups.
* Basic Server Setup: Learn how to install the OS, configure networking, set up a firewall, and secure SSH access.
* DNS Configuration: Understand how to manage DNS records (A, MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, PTR) at your domain registrar and on your server.
* MTA Configuration (Postfix): Dive deep into main.cf and other configuration files to understand how mail flow works.
* MDA/IMAP Configuration (Dovecot): Learn how to configure Dovecot for user authentication, mailbox formats (Maildir is recommended), and SSL/TLS.
* Spam and Antivirus Integration: Set up SpamAssassin and ClamAV and integrate them with Postfix.
* SSL/TLS with Let's Encrypt: Automate certificate renewal for secure connections.
* Webmail Installation (Roundcube): Integrate it with your IMAP server and database.
* Troubleshooting: Learn to read mail logs (e.g., /var/log/mail.log, /var/log/syslog) to diagnose issues.
* Security Best Practices: Regularly update software, use strong passwords, and monitor your server for suspicious activity.
Important Considerations:
* Dedicated IP Address: You will almost certainly need a dedicated static IP address from your VPS or hosting provider. Shared IP addresses are often blacklisted.
* Reverse DNS (PTR Record): Ensure your hosting provider sets up a PTR record for your IP address that matches your mail server's hostname. This is critical for deliverability.
* Sender Reputation: Even with correct setup, it takes time to build a good sender reputation. Initially, your emails might go to spam folders.
* Maintenance: Self-hosting an email server requires ongoing maintenance, updates, and monitoring to ensure security and deliverability.
Starting with an integrated solution like Mailcow or iRedMail might be a good way to get a functional email server up quickly, and then you can dive into the

individual components to understand how they work. Good luck!

Then I asked him about books for them which he answered as

You're embarking on an ambitious and valuable project! Building a self-hosted email service is a deep dive into Linux, networking, and system administration. Finding one comprehensive book that covers every single open-source tool and concept you'll need is difficult, as the field is vast and constantly evolving.
Instead, I'll suggest a combination of books that cover the fundamental concepts and key tools, along with advice on where to find the most up-to-date information, which is often online documentation and community forums for specific open-source projects.
Here are book suggestions for each area:
I. Core Concepts and Protocols:
* Linux Fundamentals:
* Book: How Linux Works, 3rd Edition: What Every Superuser Should Know by Brian Ward
* Why: This book is excellent for understanding the underlying principles of Linux – how the kernel works, processes, networking, filesystems, and more. It's not a "how-to" for specific commands, but rather a conceptual guide that will significantly deepen your understanding, which is crucial for troubleshooting and advanced configuration.
* Alternative/Complementary: Linux Command Line and Shell Scripting Bible by Richard Blum and Christine Bresnahan
* Why: If you need more hands-on practical guides for the CLI and noscripting, this is a very comprehensive resource.
* Networking & Email Protocols (SMTP, IMAP, POP3, DNS):
* Book (for general networking): CompTIA Network+ Study Guide: Exam N10-008 by Todd Lammle
* Why: While geared towards certification, this book provides a solid foundation in networking concepts, including TCP/IP, DNS, ports, protocols (including email-related ones), and network security. You don't need to pursue the certification, but the content is highly relevant.
* Book (for deeper protocol understanding): Internetworking with TCP/IP Vol. I: Principles, Protocols, and Architecture by Douglas E. Comer
* Why: This is a classic academic text that provides a thorough understanding of the TCP/IP suite, including how applications like email clients and servers interact using protocols. It's dense but invaluable for a deep dive.
* For DNS Specifics: While there are books on DNS, much of the practical, up-to-date information on SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is best found in online resources, RFCs, and specialized articles, as these standards evolve. Look for official documentation from organizations like the M3AAWG (Messaging, Malware and Mobile Anti-Abuse Working Group).
II. Essential Open-Source Tools/Software (Specifics):
Finding dedicated, up-to-date books for every single open-source project is challenging due to their rapid development cycles. However, you can find excellent resources for the major components:
* Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) - Postfix:
* Book: The Book of Postfix: State-of-the-Art Message Transport by Ralf Hildebrandt and Patrick Koetter
* Why: This is considered the definitive guide to Postfix. It covers everything from basic setup to advanced features, security, and troubleshooting. It might be slightly older but the core concepts and configuration syntax remain highly relevant.
* Crucial Complement: The official Postfix documentation (postfix.org/documentation.html) is incredibly detailed and always up-to-date.
* Mail Delivery Agent (MDA) / IMAP/POP3 Server - Dovecot:
* Book: Dedicated books on Dovecot are less common.
* Crucial Resource: The official Dovecot documentation (wiki.dovecot.org) is exceptionally comprehensive, well-organized, and frequently updated. This is your primary resource for learning and configuring Dovecot. It covers installation, configuration, authentication, SSL/TLS, and integration with various storage backends.
* Webmail Interface - Roundcube / SOGo / RainLoop:
* Book: Books specifically for these webmail clients are rare.
* Crucial Resource: Their official documentation is the best place to learn about installation, configuration, and integration.