How do Linux distros keep software packages and the kernel up-to-date, what does the process look like?

Somehow, I been using Linux and different Linux distros in all sorts of fashion on and off for years but I never really looked much at inner workings of distros and how things go together, in the grand scheme of things. I want to learn more about that!

By chance I read someone's website about their preferred system settings, and I am not sure how valid and relevant their criticism is; in the first long paragraph they are describing essentially shortcomings in the arduous process of package-maintenance (especially for stable/LTS) and what they think e.g. archlnx does better especially regarding the kernel. Specifically, they are describing that due to many factors, (less-than critical or high) CVE fixes in the kernel might only be merged or pickedup into e.g. debian much later or sometimes not at all for years.

I have no idea what this whole process of "maintenance" in distros looks like, neither for general software nor for the kernel. I know pretty much all FOSS nowadays provide some stable/longterm version, as does the kernel, and these versions then contain all the fixes for stable. But what does e.g. debian or ubuntu do then - do they keep all software including the kernel in sync with these original vanilla updates and patches? Does e.g. "ubuntu lts" include all "linux longterm" patches? Or do all distros have some sort of their own versions of all that software and manually bring in patches from the actual developers whenever "they feel like it", whenever they have the time, or whenever it is critically necessary?

And what about backports then?

Is there any Linux distro that "just" gives you the latest stable/longterm version of all the software, 1-to-1 without any of their own stuff mixed in? It sounds like arch does that with the kernel? And on Slackware I could just always compile all the latest stable versions, but then I am probably re-installing some packages every single day..?

The more I kept thinking about this, the more I realized I really dont have the first clue how all this works - and what I really actually get when I run my beloved apt update.



https://redd.it/1nsv29p
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Linux kernel 6.17 has been released!
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/

https://redd.it/1nt0xi0
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F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree
https://f-droid.org/en/2025/09/29/google-developer-registration-decree.html

https://redd.it/1nt503k
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New LockBit (ransomware as a service (RaaS)) 5.0 Targets Windows, Linux, ESXi
https://www.trendmicro.com/en_gb/research/25/i/lockbit-5-targets-windows-linux-esxi.html

https://redd.it/1nte5gv
@r_linux

Choosing the best Linux distro for AI development

I’m a software developer working with LLMs, and I recently built a gaming PC powered by a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, 32GB of RAM, and an AMD 9070 XT. I’ve always used Ubuntu, but I’m not sure if it’s the best choice for this GPU. Would you recommend another distro?

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

Yo, w11 is coming and im not touching that, its about time I swap to linux

I mostly use my pc for gaming, watching vids/movies or reading so im mostly looking for a distro optimized for gaming, yall got any recommendation? It's my first time interacting with Linux but ill have a friend help me set it up, he just asked me to find a distro

https://redd.it/1ntigdd
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should i go with x11 or Wayland for gaming? (Nvidia, kde)
https://redd.it/1ntlf5p
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CopyQ (clipboard manager) 12.0 released
https://github.com/hluk/CopyQ/releases/tag/v12.0.0

https://redd.it/1ntn3ms
@r_linux

Browsing iCloud in Nemo

I can now browse icloud in Nemo without resorting to icloud.com web interface.

Note: requires a mac on your local network.

On my macbook, I created a folder on my iCloud drive.

On the macbook, enable sharing and add that icloud folder to items being shared.

Go back to the linux box and browse the network for your mac and you’ll find the icloud folder being shared. Which you can mow access and use to move files easily between your linux and mac, iphone, ipad enviroments.

https://redd.it/1ntxbkq
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Do people actually use LFS

I’ve started diving deeper into Linux and its entirety. Starting with arch but then I learned about LFS(Linux from scratch) and I’m really wondering do people actually use it, and if so why and how difficult is it really. I know it gives you absolute control over your pc which sounds super cool but is it really worth the trade off.

https://redd.it/1nu37kx
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Built-in Touchpad and Keyboard Issues on Lenovo Slim 5 With Linux – Hardware Fault or Compatibility Problem?

Hi everyone,

About a year ago, I bought a Lenovo laptop (full specs below). I purchased it without an operating system and installed one myself. For the first year I used Manjaro Linux without any problems. I usually worked with a Bluetooth mouse and an external keyboard, so I didn’t pay much attention to the built-in keyboard and touchpad until recently.

In the past couple of weeks, I started using the laptop without the external peripherals and noticed some serious issues:

# Issue 1 – Touchpad not working consistently

Sometimes the touchpad works, sometimes it doesn’t.
It makes no difference whether an external mouse is connected or not.
When I checked under Settings, it shows no touchpad detected at all when the issue happens.
Restarting didn’t solve it.
I tried reinstalling drivers (following ChatGPT’s suggestions), but it didn’t help.
It randomly works and then stops again.

# Issue 2 – Arrow keys not working

The navigation keys (up, down, left) on the built-in keyboard don’t respond (right works fine).
I honestly don’t remember if they ever worked because I mostly used my external keyboard, but right now they simply do nothing.

# What I tried so far

I thought this might be a Manjaro driver issue, so I switched operating systems: first to Pop!\_OS, then to Fedora KDE. The same issues persist across all of them.
Touchpad and arrow keys still don’t work properly.
The behavior didn’t change with different distros or different kernels.
I haven’t tested Windows yet, but I plan to install it in the next couple of days to check whether it’s a Linux driver issue or if it’s hardware-related.

At this point, I’m out of ideas. I don’t know what else I can try to troubleshoot this. The laptop is still under warranty, but before I send it back I want to be sure whether this is a hardware defect or just a Linux compatibility problem.

Has anyone experienced something similar, or can suggest concrete steps to narrow down whether this is hardware or software?

Thanks in advance!

# Specs

Model: Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5-14IMH9 (83DA005AIV)
CPU: Intel® Core™ Ultra 5-125H (18M Cache, up to 4.50GHz)
Chipset: Intel SoC Platform
Memory: 16GB Soldered LPDDR5x-7467
Storage: 1TB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0×4 NVMe
Graphics: Integrated Intel® Arc™ Graphics

https://redd.it/1nu6buy
@r_linux

Pywal16 put a copypasta based on a transphobic one if you update it on september 30th
https://redd.it/1nug3bb
@r_linux

Wayland desktop apps on Android via the official Terminal VM
https://redd.it/1nug9l1
@r_linux

GNU make makefile variables

I have some lines at the beginning of my makefile:

ifeq ($TMPDIR,)
TMPDIR=tmp
else
TMPDIR=tmp
endif



For some reason, whenever I invoke make on this makefile, it immediately emits the following



make: TMPDIR value tmp: No such file or directory


I get that make thinks I'm trying to assign the output of a command called tmp to the variable TMPDIR, but how do I get it to stop complaining about this? The variable in question will be combined later in the makefile with another string. Why does make insist the assignation must be a command?

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

What DE do you think 'The Paper' TV show is using here?
https://redd.it/1nuq05o
@r_linux

Atuin Desktop: Runbooks That Run – Now Open Source
https://blog.atuin.sh/atuin-desktop-open-source/

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

Most secure web browser?

What web browser is the most secure? Least prone to malware and exploits?

Currently using librewolf cuz it's more secure than firefox....



Not enough characters, need 200!
Not enough characters, need 200!

https://redd.it/1nuv1dl
@r_linux

Anyone with experience using mobile distros such as Graphene or Ubuntu Touch?

I have been using Linux since 2021. I have used Ubuntu, Mint, Kali, Fedora, and Raspberry PI OS. I prefer Ubuntu the most and am curious as to the performance on mobile. I have a Google Pixel 3, and it has had a lot of use. Needless to say it doesn't work as great as it did new. As I am often waiting relatively long for apps to load, I was wondering if Linux might be able to help.

For anyone who has tried mobile Linux:
-How is the performance, is it similar, worse, better?
-What does app support look like?
-Can you still install apk's?
-Do all hardware buttons function as intended?
-Are there notable downsides?

Before anyone says it, I know that Android is built upon a Linux kernel so it's technically mobile Linux. You know what I mean.

https://redd.it/1nuvn7n
@r_linux

Gf got me cool shirt
https://redd.it/1nuxcqj
@r_linux

CRT-fun?

I am trying to add a CRT effect to my monitor, I had first originally tried using Picom, but it seems not to work nor install properly through the usage of "yay" commands. Is there any linux-friendly way to apply a CRT filter to my entire monitor or would I just be better off attempting to reassemble/buy an old CRT. If anyone has any recommendations for programs please let me know! (endeavourOS/Arch with gnome btw)

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

hopeseekr/BashScripts v3.0.0: obs-global-hotkeys, turn-off-nvidia, and more

https://github.com/hopeseekr/BashScripts

The big things in this release:

* [**OBS Global Hotkeys Installer**](https://github.com/hopeseekr/BashScripts/blob/trunk/obs-global-hotkeys) (GNOME Xorg + Wayland):

Quickly installs true OBS Global Hotkeys in GNOME Wayland + Xorg. This noscript is idempotent and safely finds available keybinding slots without overwriting existing user configurations.

It installs a pure-bash + curl API client for OBS' API and registers it with GNOME's internal global hotkey system. Works with both Xorg and Wayland.

* **turn-off-nvidia: Comprehensive NVIDIA GPU Power Management Script**

**turn-off-nvidia** is a comprehensive bash noscript for managing NVIDIA dGPU power states on Linux, standing out as one of the few power management solutions that fully supports **NVIDIA GPUs with AMD CPUs on Wayland** while also working perfectly on Xorg. It prioritizes Runtime D3 Power Management (RTD3) as the modern approach, allowing your discrete GPU to automatically enter deep sleep states (D3cold) when idle, dramatically reducing power consumption and heat on laptops.

The noscript provides multiple configuration methods including supergfxctl (excellent for ASUS laptops and Wayland), envycontrol, optimus-manager, and legacy options like bbswitch and acpi_call. It features intelligent system detection, comprehensive diagnostics, distro-agnostic package management (pacman/AUR, apt, dnf, zypper), PRIME offload setup for on-demand GPU usage, real-time power monitoring, and safe revert options. With extensive documentation and Wayland-specific guidance, turn-off-nvidia makes it simple to achieve optimal battery life on hybrid graphics laptops.

This is pretty much the only solution out there for massive power savings on Nvidia + AMD R9 / AI laptops on Wayland. You can toggle it to completely turn off the Nvidia GPU for the entire session. Reboot to restore.

**This is currently in beta.**

Espanol: https://github.com/hopeseekr/BashScripts/blob/trunk/README.es.md
Hindi / हिन्दी: https://github.com/hopeseekr/BashScripts/blob/trunk/README.hi.md
Chinese / 中文: https://github.com/hopeseekr/BashScripts/blob/trunk/README.cn.md

v3.0.0 ChangeLog:

* [image-mp3-to-video](https://github.com/hopeseekr/BashScripts/blob/v3.x/image-mp3-to-video) Combines an image with an mp3 to produce an H264 video.
* [git-filter-copy](https://github.com/hopeseekr/BashScripts/blob/v3.x/git-filter-copy) A utility to copy workdirs complying with .gitattributes export restrictions.
* [tar-stats](https://github.com/hopeseekr/BashScripts/blob/v3.x/tar-stats) tar drop-in replacement with live progress bars. (very early stage, lots of bugs).
* [git-shift-time](https://github.com/hopeseekr/BashScripts/blob/v3.x/git-shift-time) Added a utility to shift the timestamp of git commits.
* [turn-off-nvidia](https://github.com/hopeseekr/BashScripts/blob/v3.x/turn-off-nvidia) Added a utility to turn off Nvidia graphics card to greatly extend battery life.
* [obs-global-hotkeys](https://github.com/hopeseekr/BashScripts/blob/v3.x/obs-global-hotkeys) A utility that adds Global Hotkeys for OBS on Wayland.

https://redd.it/1nuxl57
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