This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

GNOME 48 "Bengaluru" released with dynamic triple buffering to boost the performance on low-end GPUs, Wayland color management protocol support, new Adwaita fonts, HDR (High Dynamic Range) support, new Wellbeing feature with screen time tracking, new Display Control utility, new windows centered by default, OSD notifications for headphone connections, new Papers app as the default document viewer, notifications grouped by apps, improvements to Nautilus and Software, Loupe got image editing support etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/gnome-48-bengaluru-desktop-environment-officially-released-this-is-whats-new

Serpent OS changes name to AerynOS, because of "serpent" having a negative association:
https://9to5linux.com/ikey-dohertys-serpent-os-changes-name-to-aerynos
(Instead of a "negative" name, now it has a name that's hard to spell correctly, judging from how many people spell Python incorrectly lol)

Fedora 42 Beta available with new KDE edition (not spin anymore!), COSMIC spin, refreshed Anaconda installer, DNF5 improvements etc.:
https://betanews.com/2025/03/18/fedora-linux-42-beta-asahi-kde-cosmic-new-features/

Kali Linux 2025.1 released with Xfce 4.20, KDE Plasma 6.2, refreshed theme, new keyboard shortcuts, kernel update, new partition layout etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/kali-linux-2025-1-ethical-hacking-distro-is-here-with-xfce-4-20-refreshed-theme

Lead developer of the Dash to Panel GNOME extension quits due to drama around the animated heart icon with a donation message:
https://news.itsfoss.com/dash-to-panel-drama/
(Linux isn't Linux without a drama each week...)

PINE64 RISC-V tablet (PineTab-V) gets new Debian-based distro, new accelerometer, a fix for a slow charging issue, an LED status indicator light, and a unique identifier for the PineTab-V in the EEPROM:
https://news.itsfoss.com/pinetab-v-upgrade/

(FOSS news in comment)

Migrating to #desktopLinux is challenging—but it's one problem instead of two

* data localization uncertainty (depending on US vs EU trade war, that adequacy decision could go away any time)

* #enshittification / #growthHacking on the MSFT side (the choice now is not between Linux and old reliable Windows XP SP1—it's Linux vs. an OS full of unpredictable data collection and upsells to other MSFT stuff)

Could this be the #YOLD? It's a year of enough other weird shit…

https://euro-stack.com/blog/2025/3/schleswig-holstein-open-source-digital-sovereignty

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

GNOME 48 RC available with dynamic triple buffering, Wayland color management protocol, support for centering new windows by default, NVIDIA improvements, updates for Nautilus and Settings etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/gnome-48-rc-adds-dynamic-triple-buffering-wayland-color-management-protocol

KDE Plasma 6.4 will include color code recognition for KRunner to display the color with textual representation, Disks & Devices widget will automatically check newly-connected disks for file system errors and offer corrections, fixes for keyboard navigation issues, Spectacle redesign etc.:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/3/kde-team-unveils-new-features-and-enhancements-planned-for-upcoming-kde-plasma-6-4-release/

KDE Gear 24.12.3 released with improvements for Dolphin, Konsole, Tokodon, Kasts, Konqueror, Itinerary, PlasmaTube, Kate, Kdenlive, AudioTube, NeoChat, Okular etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/kde-gear-24-12-3-improves-dolphin-konsole-tokodon-itinerary-kasts-and-more

PipeWire 1.4 released with RISC-V support, MIDI2 support, JACK Control API etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/pipewire-1-4-is-out-with-risc-v-support-midi2-support-jack-control-api-and-more

Wine 10.3 released with Wayland clipboard support, initial Vulkan video decoding, Compiler-RT included in ARM builds, improved Winelib C++ compatibility etc.:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/3/wine-10-3-maintenance-update-adds-wayland-clipboard-support-vulkan-video-decoding-and-more/

Ubuntu 25.04 will include Papers instead of Evince for PDF reader:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/03/ubuntu-25-04-new-pdf-viewer-app-official

Tails 6.13 released with enhanced Wi-Fi troubleshooting, updated Tor client and Tor Browser, ability to detect partitioning errors when Tails is started for the first time, bug fixes:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/3/tails-6-13-released-with-enhanced-wi-fi-troubleshooting-and-key-software-updates/

Ubuntu Touch (UBports) 20.04 OTA-8 released with VoLTE support for Volla phone users, support for WPA3-protected Wi-Fi networks, bug fixes, security updates:
https://9to5linux.com/ubuntu-touch-ota-8-released-with-volte-support-for-volla-phone-users

(FOSS news in comment)

Here's a typical Linux problem: Sometimes applications don't open and you're getting zero feedback as to why. Arguably, launching it from a terminal will solve the mystery in most cases, but I still consider this a suboptimal user experience. Especially for beginners.

Can you confirm this?
Is this a problem across all distributions?
What can we do about this?

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

KDE Plasma 6.3 released with improved fractional scaling, pixel-perfect zoom, improved Night Light, redesigned Drawing Tablet settings page, System Monitor has lower resource consumption, GPU monitoring now also works on FreeBSD, notification if an apps stops due to running out of memory, Discover can open Flatpak URLs, highlight changed permissions, and indicates whether app is from original devs etc.:
https://ostechnix.com/kde-plasma-6-3-released/

KDE Frameworks 6.11 released with search providers for Nix packages, Docker Hub and Mozilla Developer Network in KRunner, option to undo changes text in filename field for open/save dialogs in KDE apps, keyboard navigation and accessibility improvements to Plasma Discover and Kirigami UI components etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/kde-frameworks-6-11-adds-search-providers-for-nix-packages-docker-hub-and-more
(Pretty cool stuff, especially the extra search providers for KRunner. I use MDN quite a lot during the development of FosseryWeb)

GNOME 48 Beta is available for public testing with Adwaita fonts, improved screen time limit support, new GNOME Display Control (gdctl) utility, GDM (GNOME Display Manager) no longer requires Xwayland if it’s installed in a Wayland-only environment, support for opening Flatpak URLs in Software etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/gnome-48-beta-is-now-available-for-public-testing-with-adwaita-fonts-new-wallpaper

GNOME 47.4 released with performance improvements for Nautilus, bug fixes for other GNOME programs:
https://9to5linux.com/gnome-47-4-released-with-performance-improvements-for-nautilus-bug-fixes

GNOME website is updated with new design, more colors, simplified header, simple animations:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/02/gnome-website-revamp-goes-live

Post 1/4

Whoever at @kde made it so that #Plasma remembers resolution and scaling settings for each individual monitor indefinitely is an absolute hero.

Plugged your computer into your TV? Boom! Scaling and resolution applied.

Plug it back into the monitor on your desk? Bam! Settings restored.

Plug it back in at your friend's house you haven't been to since last year? Kaboom! Perfect settings, because you did it before.

Thirty-four sources representing the best Linux-related news and content, hand-picked by @deadsuperhero. Don’t miss this Surf custom feed, especially if you’re into desktop Linux, gaming, and cool apps.

https://surf.social/feed/surf%2Fcustom%2F01jfnfkb6bpw2j6dqym8rrfmc9,

Show us what you’re making on Surf! Use #SurfFeeds when sharing.

If you’re not on (or off) the waitlist yet, put SURFSHARES as the referral code for speedier access: https://waitlist.surf.social/

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

GNOME 48 will include sidebar for Text Editor, new default fonts, Digital Health / Wellbeing functionality:
https://www.phoronix.com/news/GNOME-Text-Editor-Sidebar
(After FosseryWeb sidebar, get ready to have a sidebar in Text Editor too lol)

GTK 5 drops X11 support, introduces Android backend for the toolkit:
https://www.phoronix.com/news/GTK-X11-Now-Deprecated
(Meanwhile on Wayland, many video chat services don't support screen sharing, video recording is still problematic (at least on Debian), but no problem, just drop X11 and ignore the mentioned use cases...)

KDE Gear 24.12.2 released with improvements for Dolphin, Itinerary, Tokodon, Kate, Kamera, Kdenlive, NeoChat etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/kde-gear-24-12-2-improves-dolphin-itinerary-tokodon-and-many-other-kde-apps

CachyOS ISO snapshot for February includes Linux kernel 6.13, NVIDIA 570 driver, KDE Plasma 6.2.5, enabled tap-to-click by default for the X11 session etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/cachyos-iso-snapshot-for-february-2025-brings-linux-kernel-6-13-nvidia-570-driver

Tails 6.12 released with security fixes for Tor circuits and persistent storage, bug fixes:
https://9to5linux.com/tails-6-12-anonymous-os-fixes-security-issues-in-tor-circuits-persistent-storage

(FOSS news in reply)

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

Linux kernel 6.13 released with AMD GPU improvements, Nouveau driver fixes, improved network stability, memory leak fixes, security updates etc.:
https://ostechnix.com/linux-kernel-6-13-released/

GNU Linux-Libre kernel 6.13 released with rtw8812a, rtw8821a, bmi270, aw88081, ntp8835 and ntp8918 drivers removed:
https://9to5linux.com/gnu-linux-libre-6-13-kernel-released-for-software-freedom-lovers

GNOME 48 alpha available for public testing, with OSD notifications for headphone connections, support for screen time and health breaks, support for screen time limits, various improvements:
https://9to5linux.com/gnome-48-alpha-is-now-available-for-public-testing-heres-whats-new

GNOME 47.3 released with improved frame rate for monitors attached to secondary GPUs, improved input-output latency of cursor movements, enhanced Xwayland support, bug fixes:
https://9to5linux.com/gnome-47-3-improves-frame-rate-for-monitors-attached-to-secondary-gpus

GNOME 46.8 released with quicker thumbnail loading in Nautilus, improved support for the Trisquel GNU/Linux distro in Boxes, bug fixes:
https://9to5linux.com/gnome-46-8-release-speeds-up-thumbnail-loading-in-the-nautilus-file-manager

Archinstall 3.0.2 released with support for Wayfire Wayland compositor, improved Btrfs support, improved local and remote mirror list parsing etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/arch-linux-installer-archinstall-gets-support-for-the-wayfire-wayland-compositor

Solus 4.7 released with Linux kernel 6.12 LTS, Budgie 10.9.2, GNOME 47, KDE Plasma 6.2, Xfce 4.20, out-of-the-box support for more NVIDIA GPUs, updated packages:
https://9to5linux.com/solus-4-7-released-with-linux-6-12-lts-gnome-47-kde-plasma-6-2-and-xfce-4-20

Rhino Linux 2025.01 released with Linux kernel 6.12.3, dynamic workspaces, Hello Rhino app with project links, new GRUB theme, new Rhino Stampede package for testing latest features, Pacstall updates:
https://ostechnix.com/rhino-linux-2025-1-released/

Wine 10.0 released with full support for the ARM64EC architecture, improved high-DPI scaling, support for Vulkan child window rendering under X11, compatibility with Vulkan 1.4.303 etc.:
https://betanews.com/2025/01/21/wine-10-linux-windows-apps/

(FOSS news in reply)

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

Flathub introduces new mobile app section on the website:
https://news.itsfoss.com/flathub-mobile-apps-feature/

openSUSE Tumbleweed now offers Wayland support for LXQt:
https://9to5linux.com/opensuse-tumbleweed-now-offers-wayland-support-for-the-lxqt-desktop

MX Linux 23.5 released with Xfce 4.20, Linux kernel 6.12 LTS, Debian 12.9 base:
https://9to5linux.com/mx-linux-23-5-released-with-xfce-4-20-and-linux-kernel-6-12-lts-based-on-debian-12-9

Linux kernel 6.13 RC7 released with improved USB and device support, file system improvements, graphics and display improvements etc.:
https://ostechnix.com/linux-kernel-6-13-rc7-released/

DXVK 2.5.3 released with improvements for Far Cry 5, Max Payne 3 and other games:
https://9to5linux.com/dxvk-2-5-3-brings-improvements-for-far-cry-5-max-payne-3-and-other-games

Haruna 1.3 released with option to launch app in fullscreen mode, control subtitle auto-selection, new default mouse actions, redesigned bottom bar etc.:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/1/open-source-video-player-haruna-1-3-released-with-new-defaults-enhancements-and-bug-fixes/
(I like the redesigned bottom bar, it was so hard to get it to show in fullscreen mode when I opened it to my external monitor, with the laptop's screen below it, now it's fixed. Also, in the sidebar, length of videos is now displayed correctly, without flowing out of view. The fullscreen launch setting is also cool.)
(Some people complain about a program not being native on a DE but I prefer using Haruna on GNOME over GTK options like Totem or Celluloid because it works much better, and is more flexible. I only needed to set color and icon theme manually in settings so that icons don't have contrast issues.)

(FOSS news in reply)

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

SteamOS becomes available on handhelds other than Steam Deck, including Lenovo Legion Go S:
https://news.itsfoss.com/steamos-rolling-out/

Budgie 10.10 will be Wayland-only, planned for first quarter of 2025:
https://9to5linux.com/budgie-10-10-desktop-will-be-wayland-only-as-work-continues-on-budgie-11

COSMIC Alpha 5 released with new media player, enhanced Alt+Tab, improved Variable Refresh Rate handling, new Users page in Settings etc.:
https://ostechnix.com/cosmic-alpha-5-released/

KDE Plasma 6.3 is available for beta testing, with ability to clone a panel, set keyboard shortcuts to move windows between Custom Tiling tile zones, support for remembering the active virtual desktop per activity etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/kde-plasma-6-3-is-now-available-for-public-beta-testing-heres-whats-new

KDE Frameworks 6.10 released with support for converting between "rack units" in KRunner, new Breeze open-link icon, new icons for the PCManFM-Qt file manager etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/kde-frameworks-6-10-adds-support-for-converting-between-rack-units-in-krunner

Flatpak 1.16 released USB device listing, support for KDE search completion, support for compiling Flatpak using Meson instead of Autotools, support for creating a private Wayland socket with the “security context” extension to allow the compositor to identify connections from sandboxed apps as belonging to the sandbox etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/flatpak-1-16-linux-app-sandboxing-and-distribution-framework-officially-released

Slackware-based distro Absolute Linux gets discontinued due to rising expenses and lack of time of lead dev:
https://news.itsfoss.com/absolute-linux-discontinued/

Debian 12.9 released with 72 bug fixes and 38 security updates:
https://9to5linux.com/debian-12-9-bookworm-arrives-with-72-bug-fixes-and-38-security-updates

Tails 6.11 released with important security fixes, detection of partitioning errors when running Tails from a USB flash drive:
https://9to5linux.com/tails-6-11-anonymous-linux-os-released-with-critical-security-fixes-and-new-features

(FOSS news in reply)

Oh no! Monke! Come back!

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

postmarketOS 24.12 released with Plasma Mobile 6.2.4, GNOME Mobile 46, Phosh 0.43.1, Sxmo 1.17.0, initramfs changes to improve logging and debug console, support for fonts for non-Latin languages, proper PAM support for SSH sessions, doas instead of sudo, and more:
https://9to5linux.com/postmarketos-24-12-released-with-kde-plasma-mobile-6-2-4-gnome-shell-46
(RIP my postmarketOS installation. When I ran postmarketos-release-upgrade, terminal froze completely, had to reboot the system, but it was in a half upgraded state, so it basically borked itself...)

Linux kernel 6.13 RC4 released with AMD GPU fixes, BPF and network fixes, memory management and VM fixes, thermal and power management improvements etc.:
https://ostechnix.com/linux-kernel-6-13-rc4-released/

OpenSUSE introduces YQPkg to replace YaST:
https://ostechnix.com/yqpkg-opensuse-package-manager/

Serpent OS enters alpha with GNOME and COSMIC spins, Linux kernel 6.12 LTS, patches for ASUS and Surface devices, open-source NVIDIA graphics driver in the repositories, support for XFS, EXT4, and F2FS filesystems:
https://9to5linux.com/serpent-os-enters-alpha-with-gnome-and-cosmic-spins-powered-by-linux-6-12-lts

4MLinux 47.0 released with installation support for KVM block devices, out-of-the-box support for several new apps (including Gnome CD Master and Dia), 4MServer provides easy setop for LAMP HTTP/FTP server, includes updated packages:
https://9to5linux.com/4mlinux-47-0-released-with-installation-support-for-virtual-kvm-block-devices

siduction 2024.1.0 released with Xfce 4.20, KDE Plasma 6.2, LXQt 2.1, Systemd 257.1-3, Systemd-boot support, support for SUSE’s Snapper tool for managing BTRFS snapshots:
https://9to5linux.com/siduction-linux-2024-1-0-released-with-xfce-4-20-kde-plasma-6-2-and-lxqt-2-1

(FOSS news in reply)

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

Xfce 4.20 released with experimental Wayland support (Labwc and Wayfire compositors), HiDPI displays, support for SVG wallpapers on large screens, support for setting custom colors for icon labels and icon backgrounds, etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/xfce-4-20-desktop-environment-released-with-experimental-wayland-support

Kali Linux 2024.4 released with Linux kernel 6.11.2, GNOME 47, Python 3.12, Pipx instead of Pip, new tools, discontinued 32-bit builds, improved Raspberry Pi support etc.:
https://news.itsfoss.com/kali-linux-2024-4-release/

Fedora Asahi Remix 42 released with KDE Plasma 6.2, GNOME 47, x86/x86-64 emulation integration including support for AAA games based on Vulkan 1.4, initial setup wizard based on Calamares:
https://9to5linux.com/fedora-asahi-remix-41-released-for-apple-silicon-macs-with-kde-plasma-6-2

Ubuntu provides users easier access to latest Intel drivers with support for Intel Arc B580 and B570 “Battlemage” discrete GPUs:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/12/ubuntu-intel-battlemage-gpu-driver-preview

System76's AMD-powered Pangolin Linux laptop gets 2K display, AMD Ryzen 8945HS processor, AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics, up to 96GB DDR5 5600 MHz RAM, up to 16TB storage:
https://9to5linux.com/system76-refreshes-their-amd-powered-pangolin-linux-laptop-with-2k-display

DXVK 2.5.2 released with implementation for D3D9 shader validation interfaces, bug fixes for The Sims 2 and other games:
https://9to5linux.com/dxvk-2-5-2-improves-support-for-alpha-protocol-borderlands-2-and-other-games

(FOSS news in reply)

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

Flathub plans to introduce paid app and easy donation options, made possible by a new legal entity Flathub LLC, announced by the GNOME Foundation, funded by Endless:
https://news.itsfoss.com/flathub-paid-apps/
(I think it's a pretty reasonable move. Flathub needs to make money somehow, especially now that the GNOME Foundation has financial issues, they will probably get a portion of app purchases, following the Google and Apple model, which some people might not like, but I think it's fair, especially because they only take 10% from FOSS apps. Unfortunately I can't afford to pay for apps but I can understand that FOSS devs also need to make some money to be able to work on their projects, and it also makes easier for users to donate to projects because they can donate to all projects from one place.)
(The only question is: will the payment system be implemented in software centers like GNOME Software, KDE Discover, Mintinstall etc., the CLI interface of Flatpak, and the new Flatpak management tool Warehouse. The actual Flathub website is used only by a small portion of Flathub users.)

Linux Mint 22.1 "Xia" is planned for Christmas holidays, beta version is now available with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS base, Cinnamon 6.4, faster Software Manager, updated Bulky file rename utility, thumbnail support for .ora (OpenRaster) files, modernized APT dependencies for better package management, enhanced power management:
https://9to5linux.com/linux-mint-22-1-xia-beta-is-now-available-for-download-with-cinnamon-6-4

Linux Mint is now the most popular distro according to DistroWatch, dethroning MX Linux:
https://betanews.com/2024/12/10/linux-mint-mx-distrowatch/
(DistroWatch rankings shouldn't be taken as exact statistical data, MX Linux isn't nearly as popular it appears to be. Linux Mint is among the most popular distros for real, but in reality, Ubuntu is by far the most widely used (regardless of their Amazon shenanigan, Snap BS...))

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(see reply)