Slackware 15 is ready for public consumption! Github enables sponsor-only repositories, KDE Plasma receives a visual overhaul, Firefox Reality browser is back, and installing Raspberry Pi images over the network.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
05:06 Slackware 15
10:21 Github Sponsors
16:08 KDE Plasma 5.24
22:14 Wolvic: Firefox Reality browser
24:14 System76 Kudu
30:09 Steamdeck hardware
44:34 RasPi network install beta
Slackware goes 15!
http://www.slackware.com/announce/15.0.php
- The oldest Linux distro still actively maintained, Slackware Linux, much anticipated release, Slackware Linux 15 is out!
- It’s been 6 years since the last Slackware release, Slackware Linux 14.2, and this 15 release has lots of updates and changes.
- The creator of Slackware, Patrick Volkerding, updated it to include the Linux 5.15 LTS Kernel, and support for PipeWire and Wayland.
- This release also brings KDE Plasma 5.23.5 as well as KDE Applications 5.81.0.
- And the option of the latest Xfce desktop, Xfce 4.16.
- I had installed the Slackware Linux 15 beta for a second time on a machine in early January, and it has run flawlessly.
- This is one of my favorite Linux distros of all time, and the one that started my Linux journey back in 1993.
- Slackware 15 includes a “make_world.sh” script to help rebuild the OS from source.
- RIP QT4.
OnlyGit
https://github.blog/2022-02-02-new-sponsors-only-repositories-custom-amounts-and-more/
- I take partial responsibility for this.
- The day before this news broke I proposed the idea of OnlyGit, a service for guaranteed bug report replies.
- What we git is the option for sponsor-only repos.
- Sponsor only discussions and something like early access.
- Minimum customs amounts / tax info etc will be available.
- I’m really curious to see how this will be used.
- Ardour has a model where they charge for official binaries and only provide support for official bonaries.
- Having the option for sponsor-only discussions is something I can see projects using.
- A cover charge is not about making money.
Plasma 5.24 (RTheren)
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2022/02/kde-plasma-5-24-released-this-is-whats-new
- And speaking of the Steam Deck and Linux software, KDE Plasma 5.24 has been released with lots of performance improvements, user interface enhancements and some new features.
- Some of my favorite visual enhancements:
- The stock Breeze theme has been enhanced: the focus effect is now easier on the eyes, you can now set a custom accent color and the folder icons respect whatever accent color you’ve selected.
- The window effect for opening and closing apps in Plasma 5.24 now use a ‘scale’ effect by default rather than the ‘fade’ effect as before.
- KDE Plasma 5.24 also includes a new Overview effect (press super + w) to access virtual desktops, see KRunner results, and manage open windows, all atop a newly blurred background.
- The app launcher has a much cleaner look.
- And desktop icons can now be made twice as large as before, which is nice on my eyes.
- KDE Plasma’s Discover Software Manager includes an easy way to manage Flatpak repositories, open and install downloaded Flatpaks, and auto-adding Flatpak repositories to the system during install.
- Also, I just recently talked to Aleix (Al’ish) Pol i Gonzàlez the President of the KDE board of Directors over at the other podcast I do, Destination Linux:
- And he said they have been working directly with Valve with performance enhancements for Plasma on the Steam Deck, and that those enhancements are in the Plasma 5.24 release.
- Revamped speaker test sheet in Audio settings page.
- Fingerprint support in the lock screen.
- And the kicker, Kate replaced with KWrite.
3D browser lives
https://www.igalia.com/2022/02/03/Introducing-Wolvic.html
- Mozilla is pulling the plug on its Firefox Reality browser.
- It was an open source web browser designed for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices that debuted in 2018 for Oculus, Google Daydream, and HTC Vive devices.
- Igalia will use the Firefox Reality technologies in a browser called Wolvic.
- They plan to release on the Oculus app stop “soon”.
- Like VR or not it’s a thing and having a workable browser is important.
System76 new lappy
https://system76.com/laptops/kudu
- System76 has just released a new high end AMD powered laptop, the Kudo.
- The Kudo workstation laptop is aimed at content creators, streamers and gamers.
- Kudo laptop specs:
- 15″ thin bezel HD matte display at 144Hz
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor
- NVIDIA RTX 3060 graphics
- Up to 64GB Dual Channel DDR4 RAM
- Up to three external displays.
- I configured one with 64GB of RAM and a 500GB M.2 NVMe SSD at the cost of $2,387.00.
- The base model with 8GB of RAM and a 240GB M.2 NVMe SSD costs $1,799.00.
- Under $2k is actually quite good, for a workstation laptop of this caliber.
- Jpeg artifacts on the pasted in monitor screenshot and I’m 100% sure the entire table is pasted in because of the magic power cord.
- Also, no open top drinks in the warehouse.
Steam Deck’s Hardware Preview
- So the highest viewed technology YouTubers got the hardware preview of Valve’s Steam Deck, including Linus Sabastian from LinusTechTips and Steve over at Gamers Nexus.
- And they have been putting it through its paces, both in performance with several curated games, and doing tear downs and testing the hardware thermals etc . . .
- And they are very impressed with its gaming ability, thermals, sound quality and build.
- Yes Linus, the squeaky one, says in his Steam Deck video review:
- “The community said “This thing is not going to take off” and he retorted “You are wrong!” and look at the performance numbers.
- “The most innovative gaming PC in 20 years.”
- “What a time to be alive!”
- “None of the other handhelds compete with the Steam Deck” and it is half the price of the competition.
- These positive reviews from the most viewed tech YouTubers are not only important for the Steam Deck, but to Linux Gaming and the growth of Linux on the desktop.
- The next test will be the software, proton compatibility… and yes, several curated games have already been tested and work beautifully.
- And did anyone else notice, the Portal Companion Cube logo on the power adapter box? :-D
- Yes, Valve we can use it “On the toilet” ;-)
- Or “On a ferris wheel.”
- Speaking of which, Venn did suggest I can use the Steam Deck to play Trackmania Stadium 2 on the LGC stream while at Disneyland. LOL
- Maybe I should have Steve Husband take a picture of me playing Trackmania on the Steam Deck while we are on the big ferris wheel at Disney California Adventure Park!
- Easy to swap SSD.
- Valve said it was hard.
Slice of Pi
Network install of Pi (RTheren)
https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/network-install-beta-test-your-help-required/
- Alright, this is neat.
- One of the pains of setting up a new Pi is finding the SD card reader.
- There is now a beta version of the Raspberry Pi bootloader that implements network installation.
- Works with the Pi 4/400.
- Pop in an ethernoodle and load Pi imager in memory and you’re off to the the races.
- All you need to do is install the beta bootloader.
- Automating this could save time.
- Sweet! Now you can image a Raspberry Pi over a network like you can do with servers.
