Intel buys Linutronix, NsCDE provides a modern take on CDE, blinky QR codes, and ten year old Pi.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
08:37 Ubuntu Snap vulnerabilities
11:12 Ubuntu Touch OTA-22
06:07 Nala for apt
20:27 XFCE vs KDE
27:22 Multitrack audio with OBS
33:27 Sarcastic Pi
Intel buys Linutronix
https://www.theregister.com/2022/02/24/intel_linutronix_linux/
- Intel continues to be a great ally to open source and Linux.
- They just acquired Linutronix, a German developer house that provides services for Linux-powered industrial systems.
- And Linutronix is the company responsible for the Real Time Linux Kernel.
- The Real Time Linux Kernel, or PREEMPT_RT, was started close to two decades ago, but was lacking funding and contributors.
- The PREEMPT_RT patch set makes the Linux kernel as preemptible as possible, and lowers latency.
- And with all the demands for the Internet of Things, robotics, industrial systems, embedded systems, edge computing and AI, this can help prepare Linux for the future.
- Linutronix CTO Thomas Gleixner, is also the principal maintainer of x86 architecture in the Linux kernel.
- The plan is to continue to run Linutronix as an independent company.
- Linutronix is the architect of PREEMPT_RT (Real Time) and the leading technology provider for industrial Linux.
- It’s typically used in real-time industrial applications like communication between controllers, sensors, robots and tooling, and other equipment.
- There has always been a “everyone uses it but nobody funds” it problem with RT development.
- A chunk of PREEMPT_RT patches have made it into kernel 5.16.
- In fact, I’m running 5.16 with Voluntary Kernel Preemption right now with a USB audio interface.
- I noted this when applying rt19 to 5.16.11.
Liquorix alternative
- And speaking of the Real-time Linux kernel and Intel’s acquisition of Linutronix, there is a PREEMPT_RT build available for XanMod Kernel.
- Like Liquorix, xanmod aims to provide people with a kernel sporting RGB and racing stripes.
- The latest production ready version came out last week for 5.10/16/15.
- According to XanMod the kernel is recommended for Linux gaming server / client for eSports, streaming, live productions and ultra-low latency enthusiasts.
- It might be worth looking into if you need fixes for AMD’s P-state driver for Zen2 and Zen3 processors.
- Outside of that, shrug emoji.
- For RT multimedia production and live streaming under Linux the stock Debian kernel works a treat.
- Generic packages for compatibility with most Debian & Ubuntu based distributions.
NsCDE
https://github.com/NsCDE/NsCDE
- OK, I think this one gives me and Venn both nerd chills…
- This is an X window manager based on the Common Desktop Environment, known as CDE from the Sun Solaris and Unix days of yore.
- It is called NsCDE, or the Not so Common Desktop Environment.
- NsCDE’s main goal is to revive the look and feel of the Common Desktop Environment.
- And is based on the FVWM X window manager with lots of theming, configuration and custom FVWM applications.
- NsCDE is enriched with Python and Shell background drivers.
- Even today it looks functional. Not good, but functional.
- Has a theme generator for Xt, Xaw, Motif, GTK2, GTK3, Qt4 and Qt5 so most X apps get the retro treatment.
- NsCDE is largely a wrapper around FVWM — sort of like a heavyweight theme.
SlideWM
https://www.ctrl.blog/entry/cardboardwm.html
- This is especially cool if you only have one monitor or are using a laptop.
- There are a small number of scrollable tiling window managers, or STWM, but this one looks awesome.
- Do you have a problem staying focused?
- Cardboard automatically arranges all windows side-by-side on a continuous scrolling horizontal plane.
- It’s like a dating app, for your desktop minus the swiping.
- Switch between apps, either by keyboard shortcuts or by scrolling.
- No drag-and-drop, default shortcuts, toolbar, clock, or power control.
- And it’s a bit crashy but hey, a neat idea is neat.
Bliky QR
https://github.com/x-hw/amazing-qr
- Wow, having a colored and animated QR Code is a great way for advertising and to get attention!
- Animated QR codes made easy.
- B&W + colour.
- I don’t know how useful this is but hey, neat.
- Pip install.
Slice of Pi
Ten yr old Pi
- The Raspberry Pi has revolutionised computing, and is old enough now to make it in a museum!
- The National Museum of Computing in England is launching an exhibition this weekend in celebration of the Raspberry Pi’s 10th anniversary.
- The Pi is halfway to becoming retro / vintage.
- The Pi launched on February 29th, 2012 and a few weeks later I was spending an afternoon getting X up and running.
- The Pi has a dedicated spot in my home studio.
