How do you break a Linux system?

In the spirit of disaster testing and learning how to diagnose and recover, it'd be useful to find out what things can cause a Linux install to become broken.

Broken can mean different things of course, from unbootable to unpredictable errors, and system could mean a headless server or desktop.

I don't mean obvious stuff like 'rm -rf /*' etc and I don't mean security vulnerabilities or CVEs. I mean mistakes a user or app can make. What are the most critical points, are all of them protected by default?

https://redd.it/1l2tjjm
@r_linux

What makes Deepin Linux better and rendering my native language Urdu compared to any other Linux distribution?

So I have been using Linux since the early days of Unity desktop. Over the years, I have tried many Linux distributions i.e. Ubuntu based, Debian based, Fedora based, Arch based and many independent Linux distros. Currently I am using Solus and it works great but the Urdu characters look horrible. Individually, these characters may look just fine but Urdu characters are connected when typed without spaces. That is where the words made from Urdu characters start to look bad.

I have tried to work with Urdu on all Linux distributions that I have used but apparently only Deepin seems to be rendering Urdu almost perfectly. It does have some issues here and there but those issues are ignorable. While the same cannot be said for other Linux distributions. I have tried changing fonts on Ubuntu, Fedora and OpenSUSE but doing so does not make this issue go away. Microsoft Windows has perfect support for Urdu language and Urdu characters are rendered perfectly.

In LibreOffice, we have to activate the support for complex languages before adding Urdu support. Only then Urdu start to look as good as it does on Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office. I mentioned this here to ask whether there is something specific to install in Linux for enabling good support for Urdu language. If not and if only changing font is an option, then please suggest some good fonts for my Solus OS KDE to make Urdu characters look good on this Linux distribution.

https://redd.it/1l2xrgd
@r_linux

Any multiboot USB alternative to ventoy on Flathub?

Hi,

I have been using venoty for multiple years and every some time it disappears from boot menu and I need to install it again.

So, is there any alternative but I can install it from Flathub (Or snap maybe)? I am using Fedora and prefer using installed apps not extracted compressed files.

Thanks in advance.

https://redd.it/1l321uo
@r_linux

surface studio laptop 2 trying to install linux.

I have a surface studio laptop 2, but currently the battery life is pretty shit. Can anyone reccomend me a linux distro to use, that increases battery life, easy to install + beginner friendly, performs well with surface hardware, and can still optimize the performance.

https://redd.it/1l33x6l
@r_linux

PeerTube v7.2 is out!
https://joinpeertube.org/news/release-7.2

https://redd.it/1l36y35
@r_linux

TIL: modules.dep is a Makefile

The modules.dep file (usually under /lib/modules/<kernel version>) lists kernel modules and their dependencies. Here's a sample:

kernel/fs/ext4/ext4.ko.gz: kernel/lib/crc16.ko.gz kernel/fs/mbcache.ko.gz kernel/fs/jbd2/jbd2.ko.gz
kernel/fs/ext2/ext2.ko.gz: kernel/fs/mbcache.ko.gz
kernel/fs/jbd2/jbd2.ko.gz:

Hey, that looks like a Makefile full of empty rules! But how is that useful?

I recently challenged myself to write an initramfs (the minimal environment that the kernel invokes to find the real root filesystem) using only busybox and make—for reasons... Along the way, I discovered that while it's easy to copy a static busybox and write a noscript that mounts the standard root directories, if you need to do anything that requires kernel modules in order to find your root, things get a lot more complicated. In particular, busybox modprobe doesn’t support some flags that would've helped with dependency resolution at both build and run time.

At first, I tried writing a shell-based resolver in my /init, but it looked nasty and debugging was a pain in such a minimal environment. Then I realized: I could offload all that logic to make at build time.

Here's my Makefile:

# install-modules.mk
ifndef MODULEDIR
$(error MODULEDIR is not set. Please set it to the directory containing your kernel modules, e.g., /lib/modules/$(shell uname -r).)
endif

include $(MODULEDIR)/modules.dep

%:
install -D -m 0644 $(MODULEDIR)/$@ ./$@
echo $@ >> ./modules.order

I include modules.dep to populate make’s rules, and then define a catch-all target that installs any requested module into the current directory while appending its path to modules.order.

When I invoke make with a target like kernel/fs/ext4/ext4.ko.gz, it resolves all dependencies automatically and installs them in the correct order.

In my main initramfs Makefile, I run something like this:

# -r -R since we don't need the more compilation-oriented default rules and variables
$(MAKE) -r -R -C lib/modules/${KERNELVERSION} \
-f install-modules.mk \
MODULEDIR=${ROOTFS}/lib/modules/${KERNELVERSION}/ \
kernel/fs/ext4/ext4.ko.gz # TODO: add other module paths as targets

And here's the output:

make: Entering directory '/build/lib/modules/6.12.30-1-lts/'
install -D -m 0644 /lib/modules/6.12.30-1-lts//kernel/lib/crc16.ko.gz ./kernel/lib/crc16.ko.gz
echo kernel/lib/crc16.ko.gz >> ./modules.order
install -D -m 0644 /lib/modules/6.12.30-1-lts//kernel/fs/mbcache.ko.gz ./kernel/fs/mbcache.ko.gz
echo kernel/fs/mbcache.ko.gz >> ./modules.order
install -D -m 0644 /lib/modules/6.12.30-1-lts//kernel/fs/jbd2/jbd2.ko.gz ./kernel/fs/jbd2/jbd2.ko.gz
echo kernel/fs/jbd2/jbd2.ko.gz >> ./modules.order
install -D -m 0644 /lib/modules/6.12.30-1-lts//kernel/fs/ext4/ext4.ko.gz ./kernel/fs/ext4/ext4.ko.gz
echo kernel/fs/ext4/ext4.ko.gz >> ./modules.order
make: Leaving directory '/build/lib/modules/6.12.30-1-lts/'

Since it's make, I can also use -p, -d, and --trace to get more detailed information on my dependency graph—something my noscript based solution couldn't do.

At boot time, my /init noscript can simply loop through the generated modules.order and insmod each module, in order and exactly once. With set -x, it's easy to confirm that everything loads correctly.

One shortcoming is that changes to the source modules currently don't trigger updates. When I tried adding them as prerequisites to the pattern rule it no longer matched the empty rules. Realistically, this isn't an issue because I'm only dealing with around 20 modules so I can just clean and re-run. But I'm sure I'd want that if I were doing module development or needed more in my initramfs.

I imagine I’m not the first person to discover this trick,

and I wouldn’t be surprised if the creator of modules.dep deliberately formatted it this way with something like this in mind. It seems in keeping with the Unix philosophy. But I haven’t seen any existing initramfs generation tools doing this—though this is my first time digging into them in detail.

So what do you think: hacky, elegant, or both?

https://redd.it/1l3a7eo
@r_linux

I want to switch to Ubuntu

I've distrohopped many times and I can say that I have tried the " normal" base distro's out there ( Debian, Arch, Fedora, Opensuse, no Slackware/Gentoo/Solus though) . I haven't really got my perfect fit. Arch, bothers me with too many updates; Like I've gotten 2 updates in a single day from Electron 34! Can't use debian for being too "old". Can't use other Ubuntu based distros because they are mostly based on ubuntu LTS, which I don't want. Fedora is the one I am most comfortable with , but it has the problem of relying on flatpaks too much! And the flatpak subsystem takes too much of my storage, which I don't like. Like, different flatpaks need multiple versions of the same "runtime". However, I now want to give ubuntu a shot! Most of the packages available for linux are available as deb! But many many people suggest against ubuntu. But what if I take a customized approch; Can I customize ubuntu enough to make it "good"? Not using snap and things like that? Are there any other objections against ubuntu, that I might not be able to fix easily?

https://redd.it/1l3csty
@r_linux

What's the best lightweight distro?

I currently use arch, but have an old laptop and I wnat to get it usable again. Does anyone know any lightweight distro which takes less space and is more usable than tinycore. It can also be something like from scratch, or a summer project to set up.

Edit:
The laptop is a tinkpad x200, from 2008

https://redd.it/1l3eccc
@r_linux

Finally made the jump to join the penguin!

For some context. I have been a multi-os user for many years. Partly cause i am a bit of a nerd who likes to stay updated. And partly because i find operating systems fascinating. So, i have been running windows for gaming mostly, and then had Linux in some form or capacity on my laptops etc. But recently.... Like so many others it seems.. I had been playing with the thought of pulling the switch on Windows. This time around i did as i always do, pull out a spare ssd, start distro hopping. Never had in mind to fully switch just yet. After 8 different newly and freshly updated Linux distros (that i usually try out), there was one part of Linux which I never dared trying cause honestly - The community and skillset that was highlighted for using and running the os was intimidating.

Now I am an IT technician by education, so not intimidating in that manner. But - Time spent, contra time returned is quite important for me.

Either way - Arch was luring me in. And CachyOS made me try it out. Now - I know! It is Arch, but perhaps not the full and true Arch experience. But alas here we are.

Now to current day - I am almost 3 and a half week in - which in my book tells me that the honeymoon phase is passed with flying colors - And i have not turned on my Win disk for anything else than COD, due to anticheat.

So, what is the point with this post?
To encourage! Try things out, you may be positively surprised. This OS has truly changed me. I am fully converted, i have all my apps i usually use and work with. And the system is rocking an Intel i5 12400 paired with a Nvidia 4060. And guys, i literally have no issues.

Gaming experience is excellent, even better than windows in some aspects. And before y'all say it, no it is not a buffed out setup, but its okay, i think most guys in their mid 30's to 40's might be rocking this type of setup. :)

I am such a happy camper that i felt inspired to tell people about it.

In addition i am also rocking a ROG ally on the side which I also ditched windows. The penguin is here to stay!

cheers everyone, and stay curious!

https://redd.it/1l3f8a1
@r_linux

Built, operated, controlled, and secured in Europe: AWS unveils new sovereign controls and governance structure for the AWS European Sovereign Cloud
https://www.aboutamazon.eu/news/aws/built-operated-controlled-and-secured-in-europe-aws-unveils-new-sovereign-controls-and-governance-structure-for-the-aws-european-sovereign-cloud

https://redd.it/1l3h08i
@r_linux

Python Script to Control Thermalright CPU Cooler Digital LCD Display

Hello,

I’ve put together a Python noscript that lets you control the digital screen on your Thermalright CPU cooler, since the official TRCC software isn’t compatible with Linux. The noscript, along with setup instruction including how to run it as a service at startup and a user interface for managing the display, is available on my GitHub.

So far, I’ve only tested it on my system (Ryzen 3900X and Radeon 7900XT), so I’d really appreciate feedback if you try it on other hardware.

If you run into any issues, need help or even have an idea for improvement, feel free to reach out here or open an issue on GitHub!





https://redd.it/1l3iues
@r_linux

Comprehensive list of Linux tools and distributions + Python CLI application
https://redd.it/1l3nhc6
@r_linux

Ninve: TUI for trimming videos quickly
https://github.com/Niedzwiedzw/ninve

https://redd.it/1l3mf87
@r_linux

Pursuing a career in linux

I started using linux 2 years ago and it made me regret not starting earlier, I enjoy every thing about linux, even when it crashes I like the challenge to try and fix it; I stared using linux because I was learning to become a front-end web developer like my older brother as it is easier to run development environments on linux, but I couldn't stand front-end as I hate design, and instead I feel in love with linux, and I spent most of my time learning about linux instead.

Now I am looking to pursue a career in linux but the only thing I found is working as a sys admin, but I am willing to learn c or rust to work in development, but I feel lost and don't know what to start with, if someone have experienced what I am going through please give me suggestions of what I shall start with.

https://redd.it/1l3ozhb
@r_linux

I installed Linux for my 86 year old grandma

After she had tough time with windows for her work, and old laptop getting really slow i've booted Linux for her. (Xubuntu for performance reasons)

She is really enjoying it, doesnt complain about anything.

I just have to do the updates, and some technical stuff though.

So if anyone reading this is looking to boot linux for themself, just keep in mind that my grandma who is 86 year old rocks Linux and enjoys it.

Have a good day.



https://redd.it/1l3u16t
@r_linux

Garlic-Hub: New Digital Signage CMS for Self Hosting uses W3C SMIL

After 7 months of lonely work, I am proud to release a first full workable version of my digital signage cms named garlic-hub.

Digital signage is about using digital screens as replacement for billboards. The industry wants mostly to vendor-lock-in you in their SaaS, and there are not many Open Source solutions. Especially when it comes to use open playlists standards like SMIL. After gaining some experience in this industry I try to change this.

A complete digital signage setup with Garlic-Hub involves two main parts:

Garlic-Hub (The CMS)

This is the backend that powers your content. It's built with a contemporary tech stack for simplicity and portability:

PHP 8.3 with the Slim 4 framework and 99 % unit tests coverage
Docker for straightforward, portable deployment (images available for x86 and ARM64!).
SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) as an open standard for creating flexible playlists.
Modern Vanilla JavaScript classes and HTML5 on the frontend to keep dependencies minimal.

You can find the Docker images here:https://hub.docker.com/r/sagiadinos/garlic-hub

Player

I've also developed a dedicated media player called Garlic-Player since years. It's designed to run multi-platforms, including Linux, Windows, macOS (Intel + Arm), and Android.

I'm really keen to get the Linux community's input on this project.

# If you like what you see, I'd be really happy if you could star the repo to show your support:https://github.com/sagiadinos/garlic-hub

# On GitHub you will find also a roadmap for future development.

https://redd.it/1l3vg1k
@r_linux

Qtap - an open-source tool to see through encrypted traffic
https://github.com/qpoint-io/qtap

https://redd.it/1l44amh
@r_linux

i try de remake a unix-like terminal on Roblox
https://redd.it/1l44uvp
@r_linux

seems familiar
https://redd.it/1l485mn
@r_linux

Recommended version of Linux based on my usage

(yes, i am not american, so, sorry if i wrote something wrong 😔 i'm learning, ok?)

For Brazilian speakers (my Native language)(for english speakers, scroll down):

Oi rapaziada
Bem, eu assisti a um vídeo recentemente sobre Windows 10 e 11 e sobre o Linux e blá blá blá.
Então após eu assistir o vídeo, eu parei para pensar sobre (e consequentemente: acabei pensando parado):
>"E se... Eu mudar o meu notebook Acer asepire es1-512 series" (ou apenas: notebook) "pro Linux?).

Com isso em mente, eu decidi fazer uma pequena pesquisa sobre os distros (eu não sabia que existia essa palavra, o gpt que falou) e vi as imagens dos sistemas de alguns e sinceramente fiquei meio em dúvida, mas eu não decidir mudar de ideia de qualquer forma.

Então após refletir e filosofar mais sobre o assunto (contém humor/ironia, seja qual for o certo), eu decidi procurar por uma comunidade Linux (essa comunidade) e pedir por opiniões/recomendações baseadas em meu perfil de uso que logo irei apresentar.
Sobre o gpt, eu troquei uma ideia com ele, e ele me recomendou a versão:
- Linux Mint Cinnamon

De acordo com meu perfil de uso logo abaixo, vocês me recomendaram esta versão mesmo?

Meu perfil:
—Tenho 15 anos
—Gostaria de customizar (logicamente)
—Jogar jogos originais e piratas (sim, eu não tenho dinheiro o suficiente para comprar meus jogos, EU não tenho, não 'e meus pais')
—Fazer programação de Python e só por enquanto (mas tem o JAVA e o C++ tbm, mas não estou mexendo neles por enquanto)

Apenas isso 🤠


---


For english speakers (made by CHATgpt, but I checked if the translation it's good, so probably there may have some variations between the PT-BR and ENGLISH texts and some proposital gramatical errors. So... sorry! 😉):

Hey guys,

So, I recently watched a video about Windows 10/11 and Linux and blah blah blah. After watching it, I stopped and thought (and consequently: I ended up thinking while standing still (its just a Brazilian meme, dont worry and contains irony/humor)):
>"What if… I switched my Acer Aspire ES1-512 laptop" (or just "laptop") "to Linux?"

With that in mind, I decided to do a bit of research on distros (yeah, I didn’t even know that word existed — GPT told me about it), and I looked at some screenshots of different systems. Honestly, I got a bit confused, but I didn’t give up on the idea. So after some deep reflection and "philosophical thinking" (insert humor/irony here), I decided to look for a Linux community (this one!) and ask for opinions or recommendations based on my usage profile, which I’ll share below.

By the way, I had a chat with GPT, and it recommended me the following version:

-Linux Mint Cinnamon


According to my user profile below, do you guys think this distro is a good choice for me?


---

My profile:

—I’m 15 years old
—I want to customize my system (obviously)
— I want to play both original and pirated games (yes, I don’t have enough money to buy my games — I don’t, not “my parents”)
—I’m programming in Python for now (maybe Java and C++ in the future, but not yet)


That’s it 🤠

https://redd.it/1l4b2qp
@r_linux