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January 26, 2024 | deepin

deepin Linux V23 can replace Windows 11 on your PC – BetaNews

If you are dissatisfied with Windows 11 or macOS, and intrigued by Linux, deepin, a distro from China, could be a great choice to switch to. It’s one of the most beautiful operating systems around, and sports a well-designed user interface.

The newest version of that operating system, deepin V23 Beta, is now ready to be downloaded. This updated version of deepin comes with a number of new features including DDE changes, terminal, cross-version upgrades, and application compatibility.

The changelog is as follows:

New Features

DDE

Added entry for internal testing channel in Control Center > Update > Update Settings > Internal Test Source Update.
Support for obtaining and displaying system update logs when updating to internal testing or official versions.
Added support for hardware devices, allowing Wi-Fi to be used as a hot spot.
Optimized the display of information in the System Information interface of Control Center.
Modified the Account-Avatar module and added 2D, 3D, and animal avatars.
Optimized the display of system plugin content in the taskbar, reducing the display of unnecessary plugin icons.
Improved user perception animation after manually setting the time.
Optimized the logic of application icon placeholders when collecting applications in window mode.
Added Wayland desktop environment (technology preview, please use with caution).

Terminal

Supports setting the animation display time for “Thunder God Mode” in the terminal.
Supports full-screen operation using the F11 shortcut key.
Supports adjusting text size using the “ctrl + mouse wheel” shortcut key combination and managing its disablement.
Supports setting the number of historical rollback lines.

Upgrade Tool

20.9 users upgrade please download the system upgrade tool application from the store

Support cross-version upgrade for V20 version;
The upgrade process supports upgrading evaluation of the existing hardware environment;
Support online or image import for two upgrade methods;
Support comparative evaluation of the upgraded application ecology in the online environment;
Support system version rollback after system upgrade.

Application Compatibility

Added support for the installation and operation of V20 applications;
new support for the adaptation of Android containers to the 6.1 kernel, which ensures the documentation of Android applications running under the 6.1 kernel;

Other

Integrated with a brand-new 6.1 kernel;
Integrated with the docker.io container tool compilation dependency package;
Reintroduced the N-card proprietary driver installation option during installation;
Updated fcitx5, fcitx5-qt, and kcm-fcitx5 to the latest upstream version;
Added the fcitx5-frontend-qt6 package, supporting the qt6 frontend;
The repository is updated with docker container tools;
The repository is integrated with podman container tools;
Upgraded KDE software packages to version 5.90;
Updates to 6.1 kernel configuration files to support specific amd platform audio devices;

Bugs Fixed

Fixed the issue where right-clicking on the deepin Store icon in the plugin area did not bring up the main window.
Fixed the issue where selecting the deepin Store option in the right-click menu of the taskbar icon did not open the application window after upgrading to version 1.0.20 of deepin Store.
Fixed the issue where right-clicking on deepin Store in the taskbar opened both deepin Store and the deepin Store right-click menu simultaneously.
Fixed the issue where files in the recycle bin did not automatically restore and clear after dragging them to the desktop.
Fixed the issue of memory overflow and blank interface in File Manager after invoking it with JavaFX.
Fixed the issue where the shortcut icon changed to a gear icon after moving it to a folder.
Fixed the error prompt indicating that the source file does not exist when dragging a file from the search results page after performing a keyword search.
Fixed the issue where the application icon was not present in the color identification category after adding color identification to the icon.
Fixed the issue where the SMB popup dialog did not display completely when the font size was set to 20 in an English environment.
Fixed the issue where opening a compressed file on the desktop with the “Archive Manager” did not allow dragging files from the Archive Manager to the desktop.
Fixed the issue where selected compressed packages were mistakenly deleted when using keyboard shortcuts in Archive Manager.
Fixed the issue where memory was still occupied after copying files to a portable hard drive.
Fixed the issue of failed installation of NVIDIA drivers on the 6.1 kernel.
Fixed the problem where the KVM firmware in the virtual machine could not recognize the UEFI module.
Fixed the issue where there was a delay in response when clicking on the application, launcher, or power options on the taskbar after deleting a newly created account.
Fixed the issue where devices could not connect properly when enabling two personal hotspots.
Fixed the issue where clicking for the second time on the network plugin panel did not close it.
Fixed the abnormal display of the password modification interface when the account password has expired.
Fixed the issue where the login interface could not switch to the expected lock screen interface.
Fixed the elliptical state of the video playback button icon in the lock screen interface.
Fixed the black border around the user list box in the login interface.
Fixed the issue where the wireless network list in the Control Center did not automatically refresh.
Fixed the issue of jagged display of rounded corners in various components.
Corrected the incorrect size and color of the category text for the left side in the launcher’s small window mode.
Fixed the issue where the number of application icons displayed was incorrect in the grouping mode under full-screen mode.
Fixed the misalignment of application group icons in the grouping mode under full-screen mode.
Optimized icon loading logic to avoid page and list scrolling issues caused by icon loading.
Fixed the issue where the background color of the window was displayed incorrectly when opening the application group in full-screen mode.
Fixed the issue of blurry icons for mode switching buttons in the launcher’s small window mode.
Fixed the issue of no color in the print preview pages.
Fixed issues with button icons, display size, blurriness, and display errors.
Fixed the problem of music and email application icons not coexisting in the system tray.
Fixed the issue where the Linglong app could not be opened by clicking on the notification for new notifications.
Fixed the incorrect display of the icon in the process of File Manager in the System Monitor.
Fixed the issue where the CPU information was displayed incorrectly when the model name of the CPU was empty on some models.
Fixed the issue of incorrect directory navigation when opening the location of a command in the system monitor after opening the browser.
Fixed the issue where the toolbar style in the whiteboard was displayed in white color under the dark theme.
Fixed the issue where the notification center couldn’t automatically hide when it lost focus.
Fixed the problem of some models not recognizing NVIDIA graphics card drivers.
Fixed the issue where setting wallpaper didn’t take effect.
Fixed the problem where application icons couldn’t be dragged to the taskbar for pinning.
Fixed the issue where the background became transparent when renaming a file, resulting in unclear display of the file name.
Fixed the issue of missing default configuration options for standard fonts and monospaced fonts in Control Center – Personalization.
Fixed the problem of blurry icons in the notification center’s widgets when the scaling factor was set to 1.25.
Fixed the issue where the welcome video didn’t pop up when entering the system for the first time after installing a new image.
Fixed the problem where video files were opened by the gallery application by default.
Fixed the issue where some applications couldn’t be opened again after being opened and closed.
Fixed the issue where uninstalling an application by right-clicking on it in the launcher interface didn’t work.
Fixed the problem where some users couldn’t enter the login interface during system startup.
Fixed the issue of the microphone not working on Lenovo ThinkBook 14 G4+.
Fixed the problem where the title bar height setting didn’t take effect.
Fixed the issue of screen flickering when the system automatically locks the screen and wakes up to the lock screen after the display is turned off.
Fixed the problem of failing to add a printer manually using the IP lookup method.
Fixed the issue of the “Log out immediately” button on the notification banner not responding after adjusting the screen scaling.
Fixed the problem of the clipboard not being invoked by keyboard shortcuts on the desktop.
Fixed the issue where switching icon options using keyboard arrow keys in the launcher’s full-screen mode was not smooth.
Fixed the problem of the taskbar crashing after recording a screen and moving the mouse after the recording ended.
Fixed the limitation of the first partition having to be Boot or Root.
Fixed the issue where reusing an existing read-only EFI partition was allowed during Ventoy installation.
Fixed the installation failure when multiple swap partitions existed.
Fixed the issue of browser and WPS sharing the same icon position on the taskbar.
Fixed the problem where the browser icon appeared in the recent usage area and the two browser icons were different when the browser was docked to the taskbar.
Fixed the issue of disorderly sorting of newly downloaded apps in full-screen mode.
Fixed the problem where newly downloaded apps were not displayed at the front when downloading apps from the app store without opening the launcher in window mode.
Fixed the incomplete display of the prompt message box for the launcher button in efficient mode.
Fixed the incomplete display of date and time information when hovering the mouse over the date and time in efficient mode.
Fixed the issue where the prompt message was obscured when placing the mouse over the recycle bin icon on the taskbar in efficient mode.
Fixed the problem of blank space in the plugin area after adding or removing plugins following screen recording completion.
Fixed the issue of being unable to connect to a hotspot in Wpa/Wpa2 mode.
Fixed the issue where the launcher in full-screen mode couldn’t recognize newly downloaded apps for search and display.
Fixed the problem of the text editor not working after adjusting the screen scaling.
Fixed the issue where the login interface didn’t scale properly and the login box and avatar had abnormal proportions after installing the system for the first time.
Fixed the issue of a white screen on the secondary screen when setting the wallpaper in dual-screen extended mode.
Fixed the abnormal display when adding keyboard layouts.
Fixed the issue where the bookmark file icon style didn’t change to a web file icon style after exporting bookmarks using the browser.
Fixed the problem of File Manager freezing and becoming unresponsive when accessing the location of a file sent to the desktop from an SMB server after disconnecting from the network.
Fixed the issue where some icons displayed as jagged icons after restoring all shortcuts from the recycle bin.
Fixed the incorrect display of the “Delete File” item in the shortcut key preview panel when using the shortcut “Ctrl+Shift+?”.
Fixed the problem of adding a color indicator to a desktop app icon that doesn’t exist in the color indicator categories.
Fixed the issue of memory overflow and a blank File Manager interface after invoking the file manager with JavaFX.
Fixed the lagging issue in the file manager when replacing a file with the same name in an SMB server folder.
Fixed the issue where dragging files from File Manager to the search results page prompted that the source file doesn’t exist.
Fixed the memory leak issue when copying large files from File Manager to a removable hard drive.
Fixed the problem where using the shortcut key to delete a selected compressed package in Archive Manager actually deleted the extracted folder.
Fixed the inability to extract compressed files by dragging and dropping.
Fixed the issue where moving desktop app shortcut icons into a folder resulted in the shortcut icon changing to a gear icon.

Known Issues Include:

After installing the system using advanced installation with UEFI + XFS format for the root partition, unable to enter the system normally.
When mounting SMB services and disconnecting all networks, the logout and subsequent login with desktop loading takes a long time.
After successfully creating LVM partitions and installing the system, unable to edit LVM partitions again in advanced installation.
Backup and restore applications do not support the XFS file system.
The built-in browser of the system cannot play Weibo videos.
When playing music with the Linglong Music software and enabling the LRC interface, the CPU usage is high.
Failed to perform a custom installation of V23 alpha 2 for dual systems with Windows 10.
Firefox browser is not displayed in the Default Programs section of the Control Center.
Some users experience shadows appearing in the corners of the desktop environment interface.
After disabling the effects mode, some software interfaces have black thick borders around them.
Shutdown sound effects cause white noise when shutting down or restarting the computer.
Even after installing open-vm-tools, copying content between the virtual machine and the host system is not possible.
In the Control Center’s Time and Date panel, there is an extra “version” word in the description under the automatic synchronization configuration for time settings.
In the fcitx configuration interface, some functional buttons are not clear under the dark theme.
Some models experience long delays during shutdown or restart.
Moving the mouse or typing on the keyboard generates excessive amounts of logs.
When opening documents or spreadsheets with LibreOffice 7.5.1, the taskbar icon is displayed abnormally.
The screenshot and screen recording icons on the taskbar cannot be hidden.
After launching the latest version of Linux QQ, two QQ icons and a close button appear in the upper left corner of the screen.
On some models, when using the new version of Linux QQ, a residual dialog box appears in the upper left corner of the desktop.
After clicking the small arrow to collapse the program in the lower right corner of the taskbar, the color does not automatically restore. When hovering over the arrow, the color disappears, and it reappears when moving away.
Third-party application windows’ rounded corners and themes do not change according to the system settings.
In Wayland mode, the taskbar is displayed on top of the lock screen and shutdown screen.
The system shuts down when there is a large noise on the shutdown sound effects are blocked by default.

If you want to download deepin V23, you can grab an ISO here. Should you replace Windows 11 with deepin today? Well, maybe not if you’ve never used Linux. Before making any decisions, you should try deepin first to make sure sure it fully meets your needs. The team also warns, “This version is not the final stable version of some user feedback problems, we will continue to repair in subsequent versions, please wait patiently.”

Image Credit: Wayne Williams

January 26, 2024 | ReactOS

“Enhanced x64 Port of ReactOS, the Revolutionary Open-Source OS, Continues to Make Strides – Phoronix”

“Unleash the Power of ReactOS x64: Progress in 25 Years of Compatibility”
Join the revolution and support ReactOS as it strives for 25 years of compatibility with Microsoft Windows software and drivers. Without the support of ads, this site wouldn’t have been able to thrive for 19+ years. We work tirelessly to ensure only clean and relevant ads are shown, but we are quick to remove any pesky ones. Want an ad-free experience while still supporting our work? Consider upgrading to Phoronix Premium.
Experience the Advancements of ReactOS: A Newsletter of Recent Achievements
Though we haven’t released a new version since 2021, our progress never stops. Our focus on quality over quantity has shifted our release cadence, but we promise a substantial update in the near future. And the x64 port of ReactOS is making significant gains – now booting without crashes and operating with minimal hiccups. See it in action with our featured screenshots.
Breaking Barriers: ReactOS x64 Continues to Advance
Though it currently lacks support for x86 applications, ReactOS x64 is pushing forward and reaching new heights. Join the x64 revolution and see the limitless possibilities of this open-source operating system. For more updates on ReactOS, check out our latest newsletter.

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiOGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnBob3Jvbml4LmNvbS9uZXdzL1JlYWN0T1MteDY0LUltcHJvdmluZy0yMDIz0gEA?oc=5

January 26, 2024 | Arch

“Master the Art of Installing Arch Linux Without Compromising Your Sanity – ZDNet”

“Say Goodbye to Installation Woes: Installing Arch Linux with Ease”

Installing Arch Linux: Simplified for a Confident Linux User

The Ultimate Guide to Installing Arch Linux: No More Frustration and Confusion

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiU2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnpkbmV0LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlL2hvdy10by1pbnN0YWxsLWFyY2gtbGludXgtd2l0aG91dC1sb3NpbmcteW91ci1zYW5pdHkv0gFeaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuemRuZXQuY29tL2dvb2dsZS1hbXAvYXJ0aWNsZS9ob3ctdG8taW5zdGFsbC1hcmNoLWxpbnV4LXdpdGhvdXQtbG9zaW5nLXlvdXItc2FuaXR5Lw?oc=5

January 26, 2024 | Arch

“Arch Linux Adopts Dbus-Broker as Primary D-Bus Daemon – Leading the Way in Efficiency and Reliability”

“Say Goodbye to Slow and Unreliable D-Bus on Arch Linux with Dbus-Broker as the Default!”

Join the ranks of the elite with Arch Linux’s latest move to improve performance and reliability. With Dbus-Broker as the new default D-Bus implementation, experience lightning-fast response times and seamless systemd integration. No more pesky ads and support the continued maintenance of our 19+ year old site with our ad-free Phoronix Premium option. Keep your support alive while enjoying a clean and hassle-free browsing experience.

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiNGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnBob3Jvbml4LmNvbS9uZXdzL0FyY2gtTGludXgtRGJ1cy1Ccm9rZXLSAQA?oc=5

January 26, 2024 | TrueNAS

TrueNAS SCALE Apps Improve NAS Flexibility – StorageReview.com

With the launch of TrueNAS SCALE 22.12.2 earlier this year, there is clear intent by the iX team to talk a little more to the enterprise. Some of the upscaled messaging comes via new hardware systems and support for managing NVDIMMs and improvements in HA and replication features. But another major push has come around application support, making TrueNAS SCALE Apps a much bigger deal.

iX shipped over a new Mini R, configured with TruNAS SCALE, and asked us to poke around a little to see what we thought of the improved App catalog and integrations.

TrueNAS SCALE Bluefin, version 22.12.2, introduces a new set of Apps in the TrueNAS Catalog. These Apps are categorized into three trains based on their support and maintenance levels. The “Community” train consists of Apps contributed by either iXsystems or the community, with iX reviewing and moderating changes but not providing direct support.

The “Official” train contains Apps regularly tested and maintained by TrueNAS engineers, with significant issues addressed promptly. Apps from the “Community” train may move to the “Official” train if they prove to be high-quality and widely used.

The “Enterprise” train is exclusive to TrueNAS Enterprise appliances and includes Applications with enterprise-grade functionality, thoroughly tested, maintained, and documented for critical use cases. Software vendors can contact iXsystems to discuss including their Apps in this train.

As to the underlying hardware, the TrueNAS Mini R is a larger rackmount NAS within the Mini family; more information can be found on the TrueNAS website.

While physically larger than the other Minis, the TrueNAS Mini R uses that footprint for storage. The 2U short-depth server offers 12x 3.5″ SATA storage bays that can be used with a mixture of SSDs and HDDs. The system starts at $1848 and is pretty configurable depending on customer needs.

Features	TrueNAS Mini R
Chassis	12 Bay Enclosure – Office Quiet Design: 45dB idle, 52dB peak
Drive Bays	12 x SATA 3.5” Hot-Swappable Drive Bays (Optional 3.5″ to 2.5″ adaptors available)
Maximum Raw Capacity	Up to 216 TB
CPU	Octa-core C3758 Intel CPU
Memory	32GB DDR4 with ECC (Upgradeable to 64GB)
RAID	OpenZFS: Stripe (RAID0), Multi-Disk Mirror (RAID10), Parity RAIDZ1 (RAID5), RAIDZ2 (RAID6), and RAIDZ3 (triple-parity)
Disk Management	Hot-Swappable Drives, Bad Block Scan + HDD S.M.A.R.T, ISO Mounting Support, Hardware-Accelerated Disk Encryption
Network	Standard: 2 x RJ45 1/10GBaseT Ethernet LAN ports Dedicated RJ45 IPMI Port (Remote Hardware Management) 2 x SFP+ 10G Add On Card (Optional)
USB Ports	1 x USB 3.0 Port (Rear) 2 x USB 2.0 Ports (Rear)
Read/Write Cache	(Optional) Boost performance by adding a dedicated, high-performance read cache (L2ARC) or by adding a dedicated, high-performance write cache (ZIL/SLOG)
PCIe Expansion	1 x PCI Express 3.0 x 4
Power Supply	100V to 240V AC, 50/60 HZ, Single Phase
Power Consumption (Maximum)	Diskless: 63W, With drives & 10G Add-on-card: 167W
Power Management	Remote Power-On/Off (IPMI), UPS Signal Response and Alerts
User Control Interface	Web Browser and Remote Hardware Management (IPMI)
Dimensions (W x D x H)	17.2″ x 21″ x 3.5″ / 437 × 533 × 89mm
Weight (no drives)	18.7lbs / 8.5Kg
Limited Warranty	1-Year Warranty Included—optional 3-Year Warranty for purchase. Software Warranty requires registration at portal.ixsystems.com.
Accessories	Basic Setup Guide; 2 x bezel keys; bag of HDD screws; 2 x 7 ft cat6 copper cable; Bezel; 4 x Adhesive Rubber Feet; Short Rail Kit: 19″ to 26.6″ rackmount depth; Optional Long Rail Kit available: 26.5″ to 36.4″ rackmount depth

TrueNAS SCALE on the Mini R gives enough power to run a fully deployed ZFS share with the ability to run several containers. While the CPU on this is not geared to be a powerhouse (Intel Atom CPU C3758 @ 2.20GHz), it is an eight-core eight-thread chip with a 16MB L2 cache.

It is a 14nm chip based on intel Denverton first launched in Q3 of 2017 that sips power with a 25W TDP—it does have (and fully utilizes) DDR4 ECC RAM. Our review unit is set up with 64GB. To fulfill the need for faster processing and acceleration, TrueNAS requires a substantial amount of RAM and may require up to 5GB per TB to perform de-duplication. The minimum is 8GB of RAM with up to eight drives, and add 1GB for each drive above eight. It’s best to consider 16GB or 32GB as the norm for a basic deployment.

Our experience was that the CPU was more than adequate to run TrueNAS and keep up with several containers and even some virtual machines.

TrueNAS SCALE still offers all of the ZFS and sharing functionality of TrueNAS CORE while adding new support for containerized apps through Docker and the curated Apps catalog.

We even got a full install of Windows Server 2022 to install and function in the virtualization space. Admittedly it was a bit rougher than a more mature hypervisor.

We found that the drivers for Windows Server 2022 needed to be loaded off a separately mounted ISO, but it integrated well with the onboard resources and was online immediately.

TrueNAS SCALE Apps

TrueNAS SCALE apps are very similar to those supported by TrueNAS CORE. Selecting the app from the list and deploying it is about the same as the TrueNAS CORE deploy and manage experience.

We tried deploying “Home Assistant” and “Grafana,” and it is as simple as pick, click and deploy.

Once launched, it displays the port number of the running application, and you can log in through a browser on the network. We simply had to open a browser, enter the IP address of the NAS and port number of the application, and each new application greeted us with a config and setup screen.

This was an almost identical experience to CORE and very similar to many other mainstream NAS offerings.

However, What is new is the ability to add containers not listed in the app list. Deploying Docker containers was straightforward if you have some experience with Docker.

SCALE allows you to deploy a Docker container by selecting “Launch Docker Image” under apps and configuring it right through the GUI. This is not, however, as straightforward as using the app repository and requires browsing the Docker Hub repository (https://hub.docker.com/search?q=) for an image. This is more suited to an intermediate user with some container experience (Docker or Kubernetes).

Entering the Docker repository name and configuring it from the drop-down menu in the GUI was nice, but if this is your first time out with Docker—the GUI does not hold your hand, and you will need to consult the knowledge base.

Removing unneeded containers is simple; select the container to remove and click remove.

iX Mini R Performance

While we were primarily interested in checking out the TrueNAS SCALE Apps catalog and integration, we wanted to push the Mini R a bit on the performance side to see how it handles itself. For this review, our unit was equipped with 4x 1.9TB iX SATA SSDs and 8x 10TB WD Red Plus HDDs. Our unit also included the upgraded 64GB RAM footprint.

We touched on the flash performance inside our iX Mini R review unit. We configured two RAIDZ2 storage pools, each with compression enabled but without deduplication turned on. We looked at both external performance over the 10GbE connection and internal performance when the storage was presented to a Server 2022 VM running on the system.

Our enterprise shared storage and hard drive benchmark process preconditions each drive into steady-state with the same workload the device will be tested with under a heavy load of 16 threads with an outstanding queue of 16 per thread and then tested in set intervals in multiple thread/queue depth profiles to show performance under light and heavy usage. Since NAS solutions reach their rated performance level very quickly, we only graph out the main sections of each test.

Preconditioning and Primary Steady-State Tests:

Throughput (Read+Write IOPS Aggregate)
Average Latency (Read+Write Latency Averaged Together)
Max Latency (Peak Read or Write Latency)
Latency Standard Deviation (Read+Write Standard Deviation Averaged Together)

Our Enterprise Synthetic Workload Analysis includes four profiles based on real-world tasks. These profiles have been developed to make it easier to compare to our past benchmarks as well as widely-published values such as max 4k read and write speed and 8k 70/30, which is commonly used for enterprise drives.

4K
8K (Sequential)
128K (Sequential)

Starting with 4K random read performance over 10GbE to our four SSDs in RAIDZ2, we measured 3,545 IOPS read and 1,017 IOPS write.

Next, we moved to our 8k sequential read and write test, where we measured just over 16k IOPS read and 14.9k IOPS write.

Finally, in our 128k sequential transfer test, we measured 972MB/s read and 738MB/s write over the wire.

To measure the performance of the storage internal to the box, without the overhead of Ethernet, we used CrystalDiskMark inside the VM running on the built-in hypervisor. Here we measured 811MB/s read, and 425MB/s write with a 1M sequential transfer workload.

There’s a lot to explore in the TrueNAS SCALE Apps catalog, and for the most part, it’s easy to work with, especially for those familiar with TrueNAS SCALE. There are other spots, though, where it’s easy to get lost in the weeds. Certainly the community will want to continue creating documentation and guides for users that want to explore outside of the enterprise and official app trains.

It’s also great to see optimized hardware like the iX Mini R. With the shift to Linux and the power of ZFS, and the ability to host containers and VMs, this is a capable device for SMBs with the versatility to expand in the future. The continued combined growth of the software platform, with more enterprise hardware and data services support and the increasing variation in hardware platforms, are all good steps forward for TrueNAS generally and SCALE specifically as iX continues to push further up the enterprise IT stack.

TrueNAS SCALE Apps User Guide

Engage with StorageReview

January 26, 2024 | MakuluLinux

LinDoz Returns With Advanced AI To Revamp the MakuluLinux Lineup – LinuxInsider

LinDoz, a sidelined MakuluLinux distro that made an ideal Windows-to-Linux crossover, welcomes the new year with artificial intelligence and virtual camera powers.

I spent the last few weeks working with a pre-final release version of this returned-from-the-shelf distro. The developer sent me an even more awesome final version just days before the new LinDoz was scheduled to hit the download servers.

MakuluLinux developer Jacque Montague Raymer had paused LinDoz over developmental issues caused by constant upstream changes in the Cinnamon desktop environment. With those issues resolved within the Cinnamon developer community, he decided to bring it back.

This re-release of LinDoz reflects the distribution’s mantra of “always pushing boundaries.” My hands-on experience with the beta versions assures that the return will not disappoint, even if the notion of AI-powered Linux seems scary.

So far, AI has not been an integral part of Linux, Windows, or Mac operating systems. In some OSes, AI is accessible via limited applications and web browsers without being built into the desktop core. That is what makes LinDoz so special.

Raymer first dabbled in AI with the release of the MakuluLinux Max distro in June. I have been a fan of the various evolving MakuluLinux releases since the distribution’s creation in January 2019. The introduction of AI in Raymer’s newest distro — Max — impressed me.

Raymer’s innovative customizations, such as buffering the Cinnamon desktop with AI-driven features, make the new LinDoz an irresistible Linux experience. His clever tweaking of AI and the virtual webcam features are too much to ignore.

These two concepts already exist in the MakuluLinux Shift and Max distros. Still, their more advanced development and expansion here will be the primary attractions for new users to this uniquely different Linux operating system.

Raymer’s approach to integrating AI into the Linux desktop is an interesting story. First, let’s take a quick overview of LinDoz.

Desktop Enhancements

At first glance, the Cinnamon desktop appears familiar but is modified with the addition of the Conky calendar and system monitoring views. These enhancements give the desktop a non-traditional Cinnamon appearance.

The underlying theme of LinDoz has always been to give users a familiar MS Windows look and feel as they transition to the Linux OS. Depending on how much of a Windows style you want, you can select from a variety of appearance options to suit your comfort zone.

Selecting theme appearance options and other desktop display alterations is fast and simple.

Bundled with the default applications is Winetricks to run Microsoft Windows programs. Also included is the PlayOnLinux app that runs with Wine to play your favorite Windows games and run Microsoft Office apps.

One major change is Raymer’s decision to use Microsoft Edge as the default web browser. He sees more Linux users switching to Edge over Google Chrome.

Raymer also considered Edge’s lower resource drain and its use of the Bing search engine to be improvements over the Chrome browser, despite both being based on the same underlying code.

A third reason for his switching to the Edge browser is Microsoft’s AI-powered Copilot built-in — the real-time intelligent assistance application launched as Bing Chat in February.

Noteworthy Design Alterations

The bottom panel is transparent until you open an application full screen. Unmaximize it, and the panel returns to its transparent look.

The one element LinDoz lacks by design is an office suite. You can add your suite of choice, but you might not need one.

LinDoz has the Linux gedit text editor along with the standalone Google Docs, Sheets, and Presentations. Also included are web links to the online version of Microsoft Office 365.

Last-Minute AI Feature Additions

Added just in time for the LinDoz debut anew is Interactive World, a virtual spatial world generated and maintained by AI. You give the AI persona “Electra” a description of the world you want to create. Once generated, it places you inside that world.

You can interact and do anything you want in this world. Go anywhere; do anything there. However, everything you do has consequences, good or bad.

You can make your options without limitations. The world never ends. It continues until you choose to end it. When you exit, it saves the world so that you can re-enter it later. Or end it and start a new one, according to Raymer. A demonstration of how it works is on YouTube.

Overcoming the AI Fear Factor

Giving AI even partial control of an operating system can be scary. The LinDoz guardrails reduce worries about abuse.

You can turn off the AI integration or decide just what content on your computer and the internet AI is permitted to access. MakuluLinux has three flavors of AI intelligence. Each one has different tasks to handle, so you might decide only to use one or two of them.

Chat Mode and Advisor Mode have no access to your computer’s files. They are free to use and completely safe, according to Raymer.

The AI Control Panel resides out of sight in the main menu until you click it open.

Chat is in the persona of Electra and provides text and voice interface options. You interface with the Chat AI via typing in the terminal. The answer is displayed in the terminal for you to read.

To use your voice, say the wake-up word “Electra” and state your question. Electra responds in a classic computer-sounding voice that has a slight echo to it.

Raymer has incorporated a key distinction in how Electra responds across these two modes. Posing a question in the text option allows the AI to expand on the information by providing additional related details.

However, he found that too many lengthy computer speech responses become tiresome and boring. So, he limited the spoken response to just the essential details for a much shorter answer.

Asked and Answered

According to Raymer, you can ask the AI assistant Electra anything in conversation as you would a real person. It will run the Linux commands to achieve the goal you ask of it.

Advisor Mode is more innovative as it has a different purpose. Unlike the chitchat give and take that occurs in Chat Mode, Advisor Mode provides no-nonsense, straightforward directions on how to achieve the requested task.

The Command Mode mentality serves a powerful AI function. Its role is to take the information you provide and tell you the commands you need to execute the intended response.

This mode has back-end access to your computer, but this only activates when you click on the Command icon to start it and then point it to a specific location. That access ends when you close the full-screen terminal connection to the AI interface.

Advisor Role Brings New Concept

Depending on which AI module you activate, Electra takes on changing personalities. For instance, Chat mode uses a conversational flow style of responding.

Advisor mode becomes less friendly sounding and more authoritative in tone. You ask a how-to question and get a detailed explanation of what you need to do.

This personal AI assistant with Einstein-like abilities makes using Linux easier for newcomers and seasoned Linux users. The AI functions free you from the need to research commands or browse menus for settings.

Sidestepping AI Concerns

If you think giving AI access to a user’s computer is dangerous, Raymer agrees it can be.

“We have tried to limit the access. The AI will only have access to do what you ask it. If you request that it open a file in a specific folder, then it only has access to that folder,” he told LinuxInsider.

“However, it is AI and is still unpredictable, so users should always be careful with it,” he added. “We have taken as much precaution as we can from our side.”

I have my guard up about using AI and its potential for privacy intrusions. However, the divided duties approach in LinDoz is novel and makes using AI a bit more settling.

Inevitably, more AI-powered Linux distros will join the fray. LinDoz provides enough innovation to influence the direction AI takes in OSes.

Virtual Cam Innovation

Virtual Cam is an app to customize your live streaming view. As Raymer describes it, this feature is like running Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), to which you add video streams and other features such as a green screen and other customized effects.

What impressed me with this video control app embedded in the OS is the extent of its customizability. Other video cam apps only have some of its features.

The Virtual Cam app in LinDoz goes even further with the combination of slider controls and choices that take virtual meeting sessions to higher levels of control.

Pictured in the Virtual Cam app is MakuluLinux developer Jacque Montague Raymer.

Bottom Line

LinDoz makes using AI within the desktop an effective venture. Plus, the AI circuitry updates several times daily, guided by the developer, without any user intervention required. So overall, the new concept is easy to adopt.

Unlike earlier AI efforts in ChatGPT, Electra has seemingly limitless boundaries. If you direct this AI creation to the internet, it has no imposed limitations on how far and wide to search for information. As a result, the responses you get will be more accurate and include current information.

Some of the desktop functions and AI features in LinDoz are available as add-ons with a Pro edition unlock key for a nominal charge. But this new LinDoz release lets you unlock all the pro features in the live session mode to try out.

After installing LinDoz, you can select the pro upgrade option to continue using them. That is not unreasonable, as it costs Raymer money to access the AI engines built into MakuluLinux.

Download MakuluLinux LinDoz

To experience the innovative blend of artificial intelligence and user-friendly features of LinDoz, download the latest version from the official MakuluLinux website.

Suggest a Review

Is there a Linux software application or distro you’d like to suggest for review? Something you love or would like to get to know?

Email your ideas to me, and I’ll consider them for a future column.

And use the Reader Comments feature below to provide your input!

January 26, 2024 | Gentoo

Exciting Announcement: Gentoo Linux Now Offers Binary Packages for Rapid Software Installation – An Update from It’s FOSS News

If you don’t understand the hype, then you haven’t experienced Gentoo.

Debian has its deb packages, Fedora uses RPM packages, and Arch Linux offers binary packages via Pacman commands. But in the world of Gentoo, things are done a little differently. Want to install a program? Get ready to compile it from the source code.

Yes, you read that correctly. That’s why there are so many memes out there about compiling and Gentoo. It may seem intimidating at first, but don’t worry, we’ll guide you through it.

The problem with compiling software from source is that it requires a lot of computational power. Your CPU will be working overtime as you compile each program. And let’s not forget that it takes quite a bit of time too, as demonstrated by the famous Gentoo meme.

But fear not, my friends. Gentoo has updated its package manager, Portage, to now offer binary packages for download and installation. No more slaving away over compilation! This will be especially helpful for those with low-end hardware or who simply don’t have the time to compile every program.

But don’t worry, traditionalists, you can still choose to compile each package manually. The option is still there, just not forced upon you like it used to be. And let’s be real, compiling each program does have its benefits. It allows for optimal performance on each machine. But for those who don’t want to spend hours waiting for their software to compile, the option for pre-compiled binaries is now available.

And let’s not forget, this update will surely attract a new wave of users to Gentoo. After all, what will a distrohopper do after they’ve tried Arch? We all know that’s the ultimate distro hopper’s destination.

So, if you want to experience Gentoo without all the hassle of compiling, now is the time. Plus, with all the money saved on your electricity bill, you can use it to buy yourself a little something for the holidays. Happy installing (without compiling), my friends!

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiMGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5pdHNmb3NzLmNvbS9nZW50b28tYmluYXJ5LXBhY2thZ2VzL9IBAA?oc=5

January 26, 2024 | Gentoo

Astonishing Turn of Events: Gentoo Linux Makes Surprising Shift to Offering Binary Options – The Register

Gentoo Boosts Efficiency with New Pre-compiled Binary Packages
In a surprising move, the Gentoo project has rolled out a range of pre-compiled binary packages, offering more than 20GB of options for popular software such as desktops, office suites, and development tools. This major change, introduced in December, is a significant departure from Gentoo’s traditional source-based distribution model. With support for a wide range of computer architectures, including x86, Arm, PowerPC, and more, this move is set to increase installation and update speeds for users.

The announcement has caused quite a stir in the FOSS community, with some initially mistaking it for an April Fool’s prank due to its unexpected timing. But make no mistake, Gentoo has gone binary and is taking full advantage of the convenience and efficiency that comes with it.

For now, the pre-compiled packages are focused on x86-64 and Arm64 architectures, with plans to expand to other platforms in the future. The project has created a quick start guide and detailed documentation to help users navigate the new binary package repositories. The packages are distributed in the existing GPKG format, ensuring a seamless transition for Gentoo users.

While some may see this move as a departure from Gentoo’s original philosophy of compiling code on users’ machines, it offers many benefits. By compiling packages with optimizations specific to each user’s CPU, Gentoo is able to provide a highly customized and personalized experience that is unmatched by other distros. It’s no wonder why it has become the base for popular operating systems like Google’s ChromeOS and CoreOS Container Linux.

For Gentoo users concerned about the loss of optimization, the project assures that the new binary packages will continue to receive updates and provide efficient software delivery. And with the increasing popularity of Gentoo-based products and distros, such as Flatcar Container Linux and Uniontech, it’s clear that this change is a step in the right direction. So don’t be surprised if Gentoo continues to make waves in the FOSS community with its innovative approaches and dedication to user experience.

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiR2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZXJlZ2lzdGVyLmNvbS8yMDI0LzAxLzAzL2dlbnRvb19zdGFydHNfb2ZmZXJpbmdfYmluYXJpZXMv0gFLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlcmVnaXN0ZXIuY29tL0FNUC8yMDI0LzAxLzAzL2dlbnRvb19zdGFydHNfb2ZmZXJpbmdfYmluYXJpZXMv?oc=5

January 26, 2024 | OpenMandriva

OpenMandriva Linux 4.0 Operating System Officially Released, Here’s What’s New – Softpedia News

The OpenMandriva community announced the general availability of the OpenMandriva Lx 4.0 operating system, a major release that brings numerous new features, updated components, and lots of improvements.

After almost two years in development, the OpenMandriva Lx 4.0 operating system is finally here and comes with numerous goodies for fans of the popular Linux bistro that continues the sprit of the now deprecated Mandriva and Mandrake Linux operating systems.

Compiled with LLVM/Clang instead of GCC (GNU Compiler Collection), OpenMandriva Lx 4.0 aims to be a cutting-edge Linux-based operating system that offers some of the highest levels of optimization by enabling LTO in certain packages to make it fast, stable, and reliable at all times.

This release brings dozens of updated components and new features, but most importantly better hardware support by shipping with the latest Linux 5.1 kernel series and the Mesa 19.1 graphics stack. OpenMandriva Lx 4.0 also comes with complete support for AArch64 and ARMv7hnl platforms, along with a variant built specifically for AMD processors.

“A RISC-V port is also in progress, but not yet ready for release,” said OpenMandriva. “We have also built a version specifically for current AMD processors (Ryzen, ThreadRipper, EPYC) that outperforms the generic version by taking advantage of new features in those processors.”

Here’s what’s new in OpenMandriva Lx 4.0

Highlights of the OpenMandriva Lx 4.0 release include two new in-house built utilities, namely OpenMandriva Repository Management Tool and OpenMandriva Control Center, and several new apps like the Dnfdragora DNF GUI as a replacement for rpmdrake, Kuser as a replacement for userdrake to manage users and groups, as well as KBackup as a replacement for draksnapshot to backup your system.

Among the updated components, we can mention the KDE Plasma 5.15.5 desktop environment, accompanied by the KDE Applications 19.04.2 and KDE Frameworks 5.58.0 software suites built against the Qt 5.12.3 LTS application framework, as well as X.Org Server 1.20.4, LLVM/clang 8.0.1, Calamares 3.2.7, systemd 242, Java 12, LibreOffice 6.2, Mozilla Firefox 66.0.5, Krita 4.2.1, and digiKam 6.0.

With the OpenMandriva Lx 4.0 release, OpenMandriva has also rethought the operating system’s release model, adding a new option for users, which is yet to be announced in the coming weeks. Until then, you can download OpenMandriva Lx 4.0 right now from our free software portal. If you’re already using OpenMandriva Linux, it is recommended to backup your data and reinstall to avoid any configuration conflicts.

Desktop Cube effect

OpenMandriva Welcome Screen

KInfoCenter

Krita 4.2

January 26, 2024 | Xubuntu

“Xubuntu Linux Ditches Pidgin in Favor of Open Source Alternatives – BetaNews”

“Revolutionize Your Chat Experience: Say Goodbye to Pidgin as Xubuntu Ditches the Outdated Multi-Chat App”

Remember the days before Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and WhatsApp took over? AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, and ICQ were the go-to chat platforms. But as third-party chat apps like Gaim (now known as Pidgin) emerged, offering convenience and ad-free options, they quickly became the preferred choice. However, with the rise of proprietary and locked down protocols, Pidgin’s usefulness has decreased, leading to its removal from Xubuntu 21.10. But fear not, Pidgin can still be installed if desired. Nonetheless, this latest move by Xubuntu marks the end of an era for Pidgin. It’s time to embrace the future and say farewell to this outdated multi-chat app.

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiR2h0dHBzOi8vYmV0YW5ld3MuY29tLzIwMjEvMDgvMDIveHVidW50dS1saW51eC1kdW1wcy1vcGVuLXNvdXJjZS1waWRnaW4v0gEA?oc=5