I noticed Linux distros have more comfortable UI than Windows 10

I'm pleasantly surprised since I used KDE and GNOME UIs. They are very comfortable and it's so easy to set up settings. I used Manjaro KDE and it has elegant options menu. On Windows 10 settings are looking rough and comfortable. And on Windows you're kinda forced to solve problems via registry, command lines (uncomfortable Terminal) and etc.

I'm right? I also liked Manjaro more.

https://redd.it/1q2ny6m
@r_linux

Installing Gentoo on the Surface Pro 6
https://sailor.li/gentoo-surface

https://redd.it/1q2q5eo
@r_linux

ebpf fim for linux

I wrote this utility to perform `File Integrity Monitoring` of critical files on a linux system.

In current state, it captures, create, update & deletion. What stands out is unlike capturing every event, the binary does in-kernel filtering to ignore certain actions such as `read`, `stat` by users `root` or app users who regularly access those files.

In addition to this, when users switch to root/app users to access the files, those actions are captured too. The performance penalty compared to other userspace monitoring tools is minimal as ebpf runs in kernel.

This is all configurable via a config file like below::


monitored_files:

- /tmp/testfile

- /etc/passwd

- /etc/shadow

ignore_actions:

- read

- stat

ignore_users:

- root


A sample log trial::
2025/08/18 07:22:09 Monitoring started. Ctrl+C to exit.

2025/08/18 07:22:37 Event: PID=1745080 UID=6087179 (6087179 (harsha)) CMD=touch FILE=/tmp/testfile FLAGS=00000941 ## actual user

2025/08/18 07:22:54 Event: PID=1745108 UID=0 (0 (root) [Login: 6087179 (harsha)]) CMD=touch FILE=/tmp/testfile FLAGS=00000941 ## even after sudo

GH repo :: https://github.com/harshavmb/fim-ebpf

I hope you find this tiny utility helpful.

https://redd.it/1q2qq6b
@r_linux

CUPS 3 ending support for .ppd files and drivers

Today I purchased an Epson L3210 inkjet printer. Although the model was originally launched in 2022, I only recently installed it on my Linux system.

During printer setup, CUPS displayed a warning stating that support for traditional drivers and PPD files will be removed with the release of CUPS 3. My concern is that the Epson L3210 does not support IPP-based printing, which is required for driverless operation under the new CUPS architecture.

Given this situation, I would like to understand the following:

* What impact will the removal of PPD-based drivers in CUPS 3 have on my Epson L3210?
* Is there any practical workaround that will allow this printer to continue functioning with future Linux releases?
* Are there alternative solutions—such as proxy services, compatibility layers, or community drivers—that can enable continued use of non-IPP printers with modern CUPS versions?

I am seeking a long-term, technically viable approach to ensure that my Epson L3210 remains operational with upcoming software updates.

https://redd.it/1q2srtp
@r_linux

dwipe: Making `dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/ohno` less risky updated
https://redd.it/1q2scgj
@r_linux

Docker TUI for managing containers
https://github.com/905timur/docker-tui

https://redd.it/1q2tvgx
@r_linux

The EU is trying to implement a plan to use AI to scan and report all private encrypted communication. This is insane and breaks the fundamental concepts of privacy and end to end encryption. Don’t sleep on this Europeans. Call and harass your reps in Brussels.
https://signal.org/blog/pdfs/upload-moderation.pdf

https://redd.it/1djfqo7
@r_linux

EU is proposing a new mass surveillance law and they are asking the public for feedback
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14680-Impact-assessment-on-retention-of-data-by-service-providers-for-criminal-proceedings-_en

https://redd.it/1kvf7vr
@r_linux

Fall To Boot: UEFI vertical scrolling game
https://redd.it/1q294g7
@r_linux

CUPS 3 ending support for .ppd files and drivers

Today I purchased an Epson L3210 inkjet printer. Although the model was originally launched in 2022, I only recently installed it on my Linux system.

During printer setup, CUPS displayed a warning stating that support for traditional drivers and PPD files will be removed with the release of CUPS 3. My concern is that the Epson L3210 does not support IPP-based printing, which is required for driverless operation under the new CUPS architecture.

Given this situation, I would like to understand the following:

* What impact will the removal of PPD-based drivers in CUPS 3 have on my Epson L3210?
* Is there any practical workaround that will allow this printer to continue functioning with future Linux releases?
* Are there alternative solutions—such as proxy services, compatibility layers, or community drivers—that can enable continued use of non-IPP printers with modern CUPS versions?

I am seeking a long-term, technically viable approach to ensure that my Epson L3210 remains operational with upcoming software updates.

https://redd.it/1q2srtp
@r_linux

An uncomfortable but necessary discussion about the Debian bug tracker - post from the creator of the Meson build system
https://nibblestew.blogspot.com/2025/12/an-uncomfortable-but-necessary.html

https://redd.it/1q30xtt
@r_linux

This Week in Plasma: new year, new accessibility features!
https://blogs.kde.org/2026/01/03/this-week-in-plasma-new-year-new-accessibility-features/

https://redd.it/1q2yc9u
@r_linux

I wiped a mini PC and accidentally built an Android TV that boots faster than my phone

I did something out of curiosity and now I can’t unsee how broken modern smart TVs actually are.

I took an old x86 mini PC, wiped everything, installed bare Arch Linux, and layered Waydroid on top of it. No desktop. No window manager. Just a minimal compositor and Android.

Then I spoofed Waydroid to identify itself as Android TV, not a phone.

What happened next surprised me.

• Android TV apps installed by default
• Proper Leanback UI
• Remote-friendly navigation
• Hardware decoding working flawlessly
• Boot time: 3–5 seconds (cold boot)

For context:
My actual Android TV takes ~30 seconds to boot and still lags opening YouTube.

This setup:

• Uses systemd-boot (no GRUB delay)

• Runs zero OEM services

• Has PC-grade CPU + cooling

• Doesn’t phone home every 5 minutes

It made me realize something uncomfortable:

Most smart TVs are slow by design, not by limitation.

They’re locked-down computers pretending to be appliances.

This thing I built feels more like a console:
Press power → instant UI → content.

No ads. No “recommended for you”. No vendor nonsense.

I didn’t plan to build a TV OS.
I just wanted to see how far minimal Linux + Android could go.

Turns out… very far.

Curious if anyone else has tried something similar — or if we’ve just accepted bad TV UX as “normal” for too long.

https://redd.it/1q34z7o
@r_linux

RADV Driver Lands Another Big Improvement For Early AMD GCN Graphics Cards
https://www.phoronix.com/news/AMD-GFX6-GFX7-VM-Faults

https://redd.it/1q34sbs
@r_linux

ReactOS Starts 2026 With Another "Major Step" Toward Windows NT6 Compatibility
https://www.phoronix.com/news/ReactOS-Starts-2026

https://redd.it/1q38f4c
@r_linux

For those who love the terminal & are interested in rolling or modifying their own: a guide from the folks behind Docker Compose.
https://clig.dev/

https://redd.it/1q36sg3
@r_linux

Linux Kernel Security Work by Greg Kroah-Hartman
http://www.kroah.com/log/blog/2026/01/02/linux-kernel-security-work/

https://redd.it/1q2esri
@r_linux

dwipe: Making `dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/ohno` less risky updated
https://redd.it/1q2scgj
@r_linux

If he had accepted.. we wouldn’t be here today. I'm in an existential crisis, guys!
https://redd.it/1q1lx0h
@r_linux

Home server connected to multiple devices of different distros

Beginning with the fact that i am a fairly young linux person (figuratively and littrally) and i was planning on having a home entertainment system running soley one Distro (bassite or cashy OS) However i did start to wonder if i were to get more devices (cameras home server etc.)
My question is if i were to want to have remote acesss to each of these devices Via a GUI through a central portal (im thinking along the lines of google home or casa os's interface)
functionality i would want is to turn on and off devices (home entertainment system lights or curtains) as well i would preferably want to access, view and edit files with a GUI. And a nice cherry on top would be to have a "home dashboard" that i can customize to show which information is important at the moment.(things like which device is on and how much power is currently being drawn by X device)

Has this been done before? Is it documented?
how curvy of a learning curve am i about to ride?



https://redd.it/1q3j51v
@r_linux

Replaced Chrome OS (EOL for this thing) with Bodhi Linux on a HP Chromebook 11 G5 (2017)
https://redd.it/1q3kpyb
@r_linux