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  1. by: Abhishek Prakash
    Wed, 05 Mar 2025 03:12:16 GMT

    From Kiosk projects to homelab dashboards, there are numerous usage of a touch screen display with Raspberry Pi.
    And it makes total sense to use the on-screen keyboard on the touch device rather than plugging in a keyboard and mouse.
    Thankfully, the latest versions of Raspberry Pi OS provide a simple way to install and use the on-screen keyboard.
    On-screen keyboard on Raspberry PiLet me show how you can install the on-screen keyboard support on Raspberry Pi OS.
    📋I am using the DIY Touchscreen by SunFounder (partner link). It's an interesting display that is also compatible with other SBCs. I'll be doing its full review next week. The steps should also work on other touch screens, too.SunFounder Latest 10 Inch DIY Touch Screen All-In-One Solution for Raspberry Pi 5, IPS HD 1280x800 LCD, Built-In USB-C PD 5.1V/5A Output, HDMI, 10-point, No Driver, Speakers, for RPi 5/4/3/Zero 2WThis SunFounder Touch Screen is a 10-point IPS touch screen in a 10.1″ big size and with a high resolution of 1280x800, bringing you perfect visual experience. It works with various operating systems including Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, Ubuntu Mate, Windows, Android, and Chrome OS.SunFounderSunFounderPartner Link
    Just check if you already have the on-screen keyboard support
    Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm and later versions include the Squeekboard software for the on-screen keyboard feature.
    Now, this package may already be installed by default. If you open a terminal and touch the interface and it brings the keyboard, you have everything set already.
    It is also possible that it is installed but not enabled.
    Go to the menu, then Preferences and open Raspberry Pi config tool. In the display tab, see if you can change the settings for the on-screen keyboard.
    On-screen keyboard support already installed on Raspberry PiIf you tap the on-screen keyboard settings and it says, "A virtual keyboard is not installed", you will have to install the software first. The next section details the steps.
    Virtual Keyboard is not installedGetting on-screen keyboard in Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm
    🚧You'll need a physical keyboard and mouse for installing the required package If you cannot connect one, you could try to SSH into the Pi.Update the package cache of your Raspberry Pi first:
    sudo apt updateThe squeekboard package provides the virtual keyboard in Debian. Install it using the command below:
    sudo apt install squeekboardOnce installed, click on the menu and start Raspberry Pi Configuration from the Preferences.
    Access Raspberry Pi Configuration In the Raspberry Pi Configuration tool, go to the Display tab and touch it.
    You'll see three options:
    Enabled always: The on-screen keyboard will be always accessible through the top panel, whether you are using touchscreen or not. Enabled if touchscreen found: The on-screen keyboard is only accessible when it detects a touchscreen. Disabled: Virtual keyboard won't be accessible at all. Out of these three, you'll be tempted to go for the 'Enabled if touchscreen found'.
    However, it didn't work for me. I opted for Enabled always instead.
    But not all applications will automatically bring up the on-screen keyboard. In my case, Chromium didn't play well. Thankfully, the on-screen keyboard icon at top panel lets you access it at will.
    Virtual keyboard comes up for supported application but it is also accessible from top panelAnd this way, you can enjoy the keyboard on a touchscreen.
    Conclusion
    For older versions of Raspberry Pi OS, you could also go with the matchbox-keyboard package.
    sudo apt install matchbox-keyboardSince Squeekboard is for Wayland, perhaps Matchbox will work on Xorg display server.
    The official documents of SunFounder's Touchscreen mentions that Squeekboard is installed by default in Raspberry Pi OS but that was not the case for me.
    Installing it was matter of one command and then the virtual keyboard was up and running. This is tested on Raspberry Pi OS but since Squeekboard is available for Wayland in general, it might work on other operating systems, too.
    💬 Did it work for you? If yes, a simple 'thank you' will encourage me. If not, please provide the details and I'll try to help you.

  2. MyReport by Alaba AI

    · Blogger · 03/05/25 02:53 AM

    by: aiparabellum.com
    Wed, 05 Mar 2025 02:53:02 +0000

    In today’s data-driven business landscape, making sense of complex information quickly can be the difference between success and stagnation. Enter MyReport by Alaba AI, a cutting-edge tool designed to transform how professionals interact with and extract value from their data. This innovative platform leverages the power of artificial intelligence to streamline report creation, making business intelligence accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical expertise.
    Introduction
    MyReport stands at the intersection of artificial intelligence and business analytics, offering a seamless solution for professionals seeking to make data-driven decisions without the typical technical hurdles. The platform enables users to generate comprehensive, visually appealing reports from raw data in minutes rather than hours. By eliminating the tedious aspects of report creation, MyReport frees up valuable time for analysis and strategic planning, allowing teams to focus on what truly matters: extracting actionable insights from their data.
    Features of MyReport by Alaba AI
    Natural Language Processing: Simply tell the AI what kind of report you need in plain English, and watch as MyReport transforms your request into a structured document. Multi-Format Data Handling: Upload data in various formats including CSV, Excel, PDF, and more without worrying about compatibility issues. Automated Data Visualization: The platform intelligently selects the most appropriate charts, graphs, and visual representations for your data. Customizable Templates: Choose from professionally designed templates or create your own to maintain brand consistency across all reports. Collaborative Workspace: Multiple team members can work on reports simultaneously, leaving comments and suggestions in real-time. AI-Powered Insights: Beyond visualization, MyReport highlights key trends, anomalies, and potential opportunities hidden in your data. One-Click Sharing Options: Distribute finished reports across various channels with ease, including direct links, email, and integration with common workplace tools. Revision History: Track changes and revert to previous versions if needed, ensuring nothing gets lost in the iteration process. How It Works
    Data Upload: Begin by uploading your raw data files to MyReport through a simple drag-and-drop interface. AI Analysis: The system automatically analyzes your data, identifying relationships, patterns, and potential points of interest. Report Generation: Using natural language prompts, tell the AI what aspects of the data you want to highlight in your report. Customization: Fine-tune the generated report by adjusting visualizations, adding commentary, or rearranging sections to better tell your data story. Collaboration: Invite team members to review and contribute to the report before finalization. Export and Share: Download your completed report in multiple formats or share it directly with stakeholders through various channels. Benefits of MyReport by Alaba AI
    Time Efficiency: Reduce report creation time by up to 80% with MyReport, allowing your team to focus on analysis rather than formatting. Accessibility: Democratize data analysis by eliminating the need for specialized technical skills to create professional reports. Consistency: Ensure all company reports follow the same high-quality standards regardless of who creates them. Enhanced Decision Making: Surface insights that might be missed in manual analysis, leading to more informed business decisions. Cost Reduction: Lower the overhead costs associated with dedicated data analysis teams or specialized software training. Scalability: Whether you’re creating one report a month or dozens a day, MyReport scales to meet your needs without performance degradation. Error Reduction: Minimize human errors in data handling and calculation through automated processing. Professional Presentation: Impress clients and stakeholders with polished, visually appealing reports that effectively communicate complex information. Pricing
    Free Tier: Access basic MyReport features with limited monthly reports and standard templates. Perfect for individuals or small teams just getting started. Professional Plan ($29/month): Unlock advanced visualization options, custom branding, and increased report volume. Ideal for growing businesses with regular reporting needs. Business Plan ($79/month): Gain access to all premium features, priority processing, and team collaboration tools. Designed for established companies with multiple departments. Enterprise Solution (Custom Pricing): Tailored packages for large organizations with specific requirements, including dedicated support, custom integrations, and unlimited reporting capacity. Annual Discount: Save 20% on any paid plan when billed annually rather than monthly. Review
    After extensive testing, MyReport by Alaba AI proves itself to be a formidable ally in the quest for data-driven decision making. The platform’s intuitive interface belies its powerful capabilities, making it accessible to novices while still satisfying the demands of experienced data professionals.
    The natural language processing functionality stands out as particularly impressive, accurately interpreting even complex requests with minimal guidance. During our testing, we found that MyReport could handle industry-specific terminology with surprising fluency, suggesting a robust training model behind the scenes.
    Conclusion
    MyReport by Alaba AI emerges as a powerful solution in the evolving landscape of business intelligence tools. By combining sophisticated AI capabilities with user-friendly design, it effectively bridges the gap between raw data and actionable insights. While not without its learning curve, the platform’s ability to dramatically reduce report creation time while improving output quality makes it a compelling choice for organizations of all sizes.
    Visit Website The post MyReport by Alaba AI appeared first on AI Parabellum • Your Go-To AI Tools Directory for Success.
  3. by: Sreenath V
    Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:23:37 +0530

    Kubernetes is a powerful platform designed to manage and automate the deployment, scaling, and operation of containerized applications. In simple terms, it helps you run and manage your software applications in an organized and efficient way.
    kubectl is the command-line tool that helps you manage your Kubernetes cluster. It allows you to deploy applications, manage resources, and get information about your applications. Simply put, kubectl is the main tool you use to communicate with Kubernetes and get things done.
    In this article, we will explore essential kubectl commands that will make managing your Kubernetes cluster easier and more efficient.
    Essential Kubernetes Concepts
    Before diving into the commands, let's quickly review some key Kubernetes concepts to ensure a solid understanding.
    Pod: The smallest deployable unit in Kubernetes, containing one or more containers that run together on the same node. Node: A physical or virtual machine in the Kubernetes cluster where Pods are deployed. Services: An abstraction that defines a set of Pods and provides a stable network endpoint to access them. Deployment: A controller that manages the desired state and lifecycle of Pods by creating, updating, and deleting them. Namespace: A logical partition in a Kubernetes cluster to isolate and organize resources for different users or teams. General Command Line Options
    This section covers various optional flags and parameters that can be used with different kubectl commands. These options help customize the output format, specify namespaces, filter resources, and more, making it easier to manage and interact with your Kubernetes clusters.
    The get command in kubectl is used to retrieve information about Kubernetes resources. It can list various resources such as pods, services, nodes, and more.
    To retrieve a list of all the pods in your Kubernetes cluster in JSON format,
    kubectl get pods -o json List all the pods in the current namespace and output their details in YAML format.
    kubectl get pods -o yaml Output the details in plain-text format, including the node name for each pod,
    kubectl get pods -o wide List all the pods in a specific namespace using the -n option:
    kubectl get pods -n <namespace_name> To create a Kubernetes resource from a configuration file, us the command:
    kubectl create -f <filename> To filter logs by a specific label, you can use:
    kubectl logs -l <label_filter> For example, to get logs from all pods labeled app=myapp, you would use:
    kubectl logs -l app=myapp For quick command line help, always use the -h option.
    kubectl -h Create and Delete Kubernetes Resources
    In Kubernetes, you can create resources using the kubectl create command, update or apply changes to existing resources with the kubectl apply command, and remove resources with the kubectl delete command. These commands allow you to manage the lifecycle of your Kubernetes resources effectively and efficiently.
    The apply and create are two different approaches to create resources in Kubernetes. While the apply follows a declarative approach, create follows an imperative approach.
    Learn about these different approaches in our dedicated article.
    kubectl apply vs create: What’s the Difference?Two different approaches for creating resources in Kubernetes cluster. What’s the difference?Linux HandbookRakesh JainTo apply a configuration file to a pod, use the command:
    kubectl apply -f <JSON/YAML configuration file> If you have multiple JSON/YAML configuration files, you can use glob pattern matching here:
    kubectl apply -f '*.json' To create a new Kubernetes resource using a configuration file,
    kubectl create -f <configuration file> The -f option can receive directory values or configuration file URL to create resource.
    kubectl create -f <directory> OR kubectl create -f <URL to files> The delete option is used to delete resources by file names, resources and names, or by resources and label selector.
    To delete resources using the type and name specified in the configuration file,
    kubectl delete -f <configuration file> Cluster Management and Context Commands
    Cluster management in Kubernetes refers to the process of querying and managing information about the Kubernetes cluster itself. According to the official documentation, it involves various commands to display endpoint information, view and manage cluster configurations, list API resources and versions, and manage contexts.
    The cluster-info command displays the endpoint information about the master and services in the cluster.
    kubectl cluster-info To print the client and server version information for the current context, use:
    kubectl version To display the merged kubeconfig settings,
    kubectl config view To extract and display the names of all users from the kubeconfig file, you can use a jsonpath expression.
    kubectl config view -o jsonpath='{.users[*].name}' Display the current context that kubectl is using,
    kubectl config current-context You can display a list of contexts with the get-context option.
    kubectl config get-contexts To set the default context, use:
    kubectl config use-context <context-name> Print the supported API resources on the server.
    kubectl api-resources It includes core resources like pods, services, and nodes, as well as custom resources defined by users or installed by operators.
    You can use the api-versions command to print the supported API versions on the server in the form of "group/version". This command helps you identify which API versions are available and supported by your Kubernetes cluster.
    kubectl api-versions The --all-namespaces option available with the get command can be used to list the requested object(s) across all namespaces. For example, to list all pods existing in all namespaces,
    kubectl get pods --all-namespaces Daemonsets
    A DaemonSet in Kubernetes ensures that all (or some) Nodes run a copy of a specified Pod, providing essential node-local facilities like logging, monitoring, or networking services. As nodes are added or removed from the cluster, DaemonSets automatically add or remove Pods accordingly. They are particularly useful for running background tasks on every node and ensuring node-level functionality throughout the cluster.
    You can create a new DaemonSet with the command:
    kubectl create daemonset <daemonset_name> To list one or more DaemonSets, use the command:
    kubectl get daemonset The command,
    kubectl edit daemonset <daemonset_name> will open up the specified DaemonSet in the default editor so you can edit and update the definition.
    To delete a daemonset,
    kubectl delete daemonset <daemonset_name> You can check the rollout status of a daemonset with the kubectl rollout command:
    kubectl rollout status daemonset The command below provides detailed information about the specified DaemonSet in the given namespace:
    kubectl describe ds <daemonset_name> -n <namespace_name> Deployments
    Kubernetes deployments are essential for managing and scaling applications. They ensure that the desired number of application instances are running at all times, making it easy to roll out updates, perform rollbacks, and maintain the overall health of your application by automatically replacing failed instances.
    In other words, Deployment allows you to manage updates for Pods and ReplicaSets in a declarative manner. By specifying the desired state in the Deployment configuration, the Deployment Controller adjusts the actual state to match at a controlled pace. You can use Deployments to create new ReplicaSets or replace existing ones while adopting their resources seamlessly. For more details, refer to StatefulSet vs. Deployment.
    To list one or more deployments:
    kubectl get deployment To display detailed information about the specified deployment, including its configuration, events, and status,
    kubectl describe deployment <deployment_name> The below command opens the specified deployment configuration in the default editor, allowing you to make changes to its configuration:
    kubectl edit deployment <deployment_name> To create a deployment using kubectl, specify the image to use for the deployment:
    kubectl create deployment <deployment_name> --image=<image_name> You can delete a specified deployment and all of its associated resources, such as Pods and ReplicaSets by using the command:
    kubectl delete deployment <deployment_name> To check the rollout status of the specified deployment and providing information about the progress of the deployment's update process,
    kubectl rollout status deployment <deployment_name> Perform a rolling update in Kubernetes by setting the container image to a new version for a specific deployment.
    kubectl set image deployment/<deployment name> <container name>=image:<new image version> To roll back the specified deployment to the previous revision (undo),
    kubectl rollout undo deployment/<deployment name> The command below will forcefully replace a resource from a configuration file:
    kubectl replace --force -f <configuration file> Retrieving and Filtering Events
    In Kubernetes, events are a crucial component for monitoring and diagnosing the state of your cluster. They provide real-time information about changes and actions happening within the system, such as pod creation, scaling operations, errors, and warnings.
    Use the command:
    kubectl get events To retrieve and list recent events for all resources in the system, providing valuable information about what has happened in your cluster.
    To filter and list only the events of type "Warning," thereby providing insights into any potential issues or warnings in your cluster,
    kubectl get events --field-selector type=Warning You can retrieve and list events sorted by their creation timestamp. This allows you to view events in chronological order.
    kubectl get events --sort-by=.metadata.creationTimestamp To lists events, excluding those related to Pod events,
    kubectl get events --field-selector involvedObject.kind!=Pod This helps you focus on events for other types of resources.
    To list events specifically for a node with the given name,
    kubectl get events --field-selector involvedObject.kind=Node, involvedObject.name=<node_name> You can filter events, excluding those that are of the "Normal" type, allowing you to focus on warning and error events that may require attention:
    kubectl get events --field-selector type!=Normal Managing Logs
    Logs are essential for understanding the real-time behavior and performance of your applications. They provide a record of activity and outputs generated by containers and pods, which can be invaluable for debugging and monitoring purposes.
    To print the logs for the specified pod:
    kubectl logs <pod_name> To print the logs for the specified pod since last hour:
    kubectl logs --since=1h <pod_name> You can read the most recent 50 lines of logs for the specified pod using the --tail option.
    kubectl logs --tail=50 <pod_name> The command below streams and continuously displays the logs of the specified pod, optionally filtered by the specified container:
    kubectl logs -f <pod_name> [-c <container_name>] For example, as per the official documentation,
    kubectl logs -f -c ruby web-1 Begin streaming the logs of the ruby container in pod web-1.
    To continuously display the logs of the specified pod in real-time,
    kubectl logs -f <pod_name> You can fetch the logs up to the current point in time for a specific container within the specified pod using the command:
    kubectl logs -c <container_name> <pod_name> To save the logs for the specified pod to a file,
    kubectl logs <pod_name> > pod.log To print the logs for the previous instance of the specified pod:
    kubectl logs --previous <pod_name> This is particularly useful for troubleshooting and analyzing logs from a previously failed pod.
    Namespaces
    In Kubernetes, namespaces are used to divide and organize resources within a cluster, creating separate environments for different teams, projects, or applications. This helps in managing resources, access permissions, and ensuring that each group or application operates independently and securely.
    To create a new namespace with the specified name in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl create namespace <namespace_name> To list all namespaces in your Kubernetes cluster, use the command:
    kubectl get namespaces You can get a detailed description of the specified namespace, including its status, resource quotas using the command:
    kubectl describe namespace <namespace_name> To delete the specified namespace along with all the resources contained within it:
    kubectl delete namespace <namespace_name> The command
    kubectl edit namespace <namespace_name> opens the default editor on your machine with the configuration of the specified namespace, allowing you to make changes directly.
    To display resource usage (CPU and memory) for all pods within a specific namespace, you can use the following command:
    kubectl top pods --namespace=<namespace_name> Nodes
    In Kubernetes, nodes are the fundamental building blocks of the cluster, serving as the physical or virtual machines that run your applications and services.
    To update the taints on one or more nodes,
    kubectl taint node <node_name> List all nodes in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl get node Remove a specific node from your Kubernetes cluster,
    kubectl delete node <node_name> Display resource usage (CPU and memory) for all nodes in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl top nodes List all pods running on a node with a specific name:
    kubectl get pods -o wide | grep <node_name> Add or update annotations on a specific node:
    kubectl annotate node <node_name> <key>=<value> 📋Annotations are key-value pairs that can be used to store arbitrary non-identifying metadata.Mark a node as unschedulable (no new pods will be scheduled on the specified node).
    kubectl cordon node <node_name> Mark a previously cordoned (unschedulable) node as schedulable again:
    kubectl uncordon node <node_name> Safely evict all pods from the specified node in preparation for maintenance or decommissioning:
    kubectl drain node <node_name> Add or update labels on a specific node in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl label node <node_name> <key>=<value> Pods
    A pod is the smallest and simplest unit in the Kubernetes object model that you can create or deploy. A pod represents a single instance of a running process in your cluster and can contain one or more containers. These containers share the same network namespace, storage volumes, and lifecycle, allowing them to communicate with each other easily and share resources.
    Pods are designed to host tightly coupled application components and provide a higher level of abstraction for deploying, scaling, and managing applications in a Kubernetes environment. Each pod is scheduled on a node, where the containers within it are run and managed together as a single, cohesive unit.
    List all pods in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl get pods List all pods in your Kubernetes cluster and sort them by the restart count of the first container in each pod:
    kubectl get pods --sort-by='.status.containerStatuses[0].restartCount' List all pods in your Kubernetes cluster that are currently in the "Running" phase:
    kubectl get pods --field-selector=status.phase=Running Delete a specific pod from your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl delete pod <pod_name> Display detailed information about a specific pod in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl describe pod <pod_name> Create a pod using the specifications provided in a YAML file:
    kubectl create -f pod.yaml OR kubectl apply -f pod.yaml To execute a command in a specific container within a pod in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl exec <pod_name> -c <container_name> <command> Start an interactive shell session in a container within a specified pod:
    # For Single Container Pods kubectl exec -it <pod_name> -- /bin/sh # For Multi-container pods, kubectl exec -it <pod_name> -c <container_name> -- /bin/sh Display resource (CPU and memory) usage statistics for all pods in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl top pods Add or update annotations on a specific pod:
    kubectl annotate pod <pod_name> <key>=<value> To add or update the label of a pod:
    kubectl label pod <pod_name> new-label=<label name> List all pods in your Kubernetes cluster and display their labels:
    kubectl get pods --show-labels Forward one or more local ports to a pod in your Kubernetes cluster, allowing you to access the pod's services from your local machine:
    kubectl port-forward <pod_name> <port_number_to_listen_on>:<port_number_to_forward_to> Replication Controllers
    Replication Controller (RC) ensures that a specified number of pod replicas are running at any given time. If any pod fails or is deleted, the Replication Controller automatically creates a replacement. This self-healing mechanism enables high availability and scalability of applications.
    To list all Replication Controllers in your Kubernetes cluster
    kubectl get rc List all Replication Controllers within a specific namespace:
    kubectl get rc --namespace=”<namespace_name>” ReplicaSets
    ReplicaSet is a higher-level concept that ensures a specified number of pod replicas are running at any given time. It functions similarly to a Replication Controller but offers more powerful and flexible capabilities.
    List all ReplicaSets in your Kubernetes cluster.
    kubectl get replicasets To display detailed information about a specific ReplicaSet:
    kubectl describe replicasets <replicaset_name> Scale the number of replicas for a specific resource, such as a Deployment, ReplicaSet, or ReplicationController, in your Kubernetes cluster.
    kubectl scale --replicas=<number_of_replicas> <resource_type>/<resource_name> Secrets
    Secrets are used to store and manage sensitive information such as passwords, tokens, and keys.
    Unlike regular configuration files, Secrets help ensure that confidential data is securely handled and kept separate from application code.
    Secrets can be created, managed, and accessed within the Kubernetes environment, providing a way to distribute and use sensitive data without exposing it in plain text.
    To create a Secret,
    kubectl create secret (docker-registry | generic | tls) List all Secrets in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl get secrets Display detailed information about a specific Secret:
    kubectl describe secret <secret_name> Delete a specific Secret from your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl delete secret <secret_name> Services
    Services act as stable network endpoints for a group of pods, allowing seamless communication within the cluster. They provide a consistent way to access pods, even as they are dynamically created, deleted, or moved.
    By using a Service, you ensure that your applications can reliably find and interact with each other, regardless of the underlying pod changes.
    Services can also distribute traffic across multiple pods, providing load balancing and improving the resilience of your applications.
    To list all Services in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl get services To display detailed information about a specific Service:
    kubectl describe service <service_name> Create a Service that exposes a deployment:
    kubectl expose deployment <deployment_name> --port=<port> --target-port=<target_port> --type=<type> Edit the configuration of a specific Service:
    kubectl edit service <service_name> Service Accounts
    Service Accounts provide an identity for processes running within your cluster, enabling them to interact with the Kubernetes API and other resources. By assigning specific permissions and roles to Service Accounts, you can control access and limit the actions that pods and applications can perform, enhancing the security and management of your cluster.
    Service Accounts are essential for managing authentication and authorization, ensuring that each component operates with the appropriate level of access and adheres to the principle of least privilege.
    To list all Service Accounts in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl get serviceaccounts Display detailed information about a specific Service Account:
    kubectl describe serviceaccount <serviceaccount_name> Next is replacing a service account. Before replacing, you need to export the existing Service Account definition to a YAML file.
    kubectl get serviceaccount <serviceaccount_name> -o yaml > serviceaccount.yaml Once you made changes to the YAML file, replace the existing Service Account with the modified one:
    kubectl replace -f serviceaccount.yaml Delete a specific Service Account from your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl delete serviceaccount <service_account_name> StatefulSet
    StatefulSet is a specialized workload controller designed for managing stateful applications. Unlike Deployments, which are suitable for stateless applications, StatefulSets provide guarantees about the ordering and uniqueness of pods.
    Each pod in a StatefulSet is assigned a unique, stable identity and is created in a specific order. This ensures consistency and reliability for applications that require persistent storage, such as databases or distributed systems.
    StatefulSets also facilitate the management of pod scaling, updates, and rollbacks while preserving the application's state and data.
    To list all StatefulSets in your Kubernetes cluster:
    kubectl get statefulsets To delete a specific StatefulSet from your Kubernetes cluster without deleting the associated pods:
    kubectl delete statefulset <stateful_set_name> --cascade=false 💬 Hope you like this quick overview of the kubectl commands. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
  4. by: Sourav Rudra
    Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:04:00 GMT

    May 5 2025, is the day Skype will cease to exist as Microsoft retires it, pushing people to switch to their Teams offering. The death of Skype was a slow one, but one that has been coming for quite some time now.
    While it may be appealing to switch to Teams, it is still Microsoft, the not-so-privacy friendly company☠️
    So, why not give open source Skype alternatives a chance instead?
    You can stop sending your data to companies, and privately communicate with your friends and colleagues.
    Join me as I take you through some solid choices for secure and reliable video communication.
    📋The list is in no particular order of ranking.1. Jami
    Jami is a popular decentralised secure communication platform that offers messaging, voice calls, and video calls.
    Unlike Skype, Jami operates on a peer-to-peer architecture, which results in enhanced privacy and reliability for the people who use it.
    There are no restrictions on the number of messages, file size to upload, and calls. You can do it all, as long as you want, without sharing any personal information with the app.
    You can read up on our detailed coverage on Jami to learn more if you're intrigued by it.
    Key Highlights
    Supports group chats End-to-end encryption Peer-to-peer networking Self-hostable Can work as an SIP client Get Jami
    You can get Jami for platforms like Linux, Android, Android TV, Windows, iOS, and macOS from the official website.
    JamiSuggested Read 📖
    Jami: A Versatile Open-Source Distributed Communication AppInstalling and using Jami to give you a walkthrough of how it works, and what you can expect from it.It's FOSSAnkush Das2. Linphone
    As an open source VoIP (Voice over IP) application, Linphone enables high-quality audio and video calls using the SIP protocol. It is an ideal choice for both enterprises and organisations who prefer a secure, reliable way of communicating.
    You can choose between white label, open source, and proprietary license giving you flexibility on what you want.
    Key Highlights
    Supports VoIP calls Multi-platform support Leverages SIP protocol White label, open source, and proprietary license options Get Linphone
    The official website hosts the packages for Linux, Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS. I had to sign up for a Linphone account to test things out, but there is also the option to connect to a third-party SIP account.
    Linphone3. Jitsi Meet Online
    If you are someone who likes a communication solution that works in your web browser and mobile phones, then Jitsi Meet Online can be a good choice for you. It is a free, open source videoconferencing service from Jitsi that facilitates secure, encrypted meetings, with many useful features like chat, screen sharing, and recording.
    You can also choose to host your instance, and customize it to your heart's content. It has been one of the best open source video conferencing solutions out there.
    Key Highlights
    Unlimited participants Minimal account setup Supports screen sharing Self-hostable Get Jitsi Meet Online
    For communicating with others, you can either self-host Jitsi or directly start a meet on Jitsi Meet Online. Keep in mind that you have to create an account if you want a moderated video meet, and have the meeting URL booked in advance.
    Jitsi Meet Online4. MiroTalk
    Similar tp Jitsi Meet, we have MiroTalk, a browser-based videoconferencing tool that uses WebRTC for real-time communication. Anyone who uses MiroTalk can expect to take advantage of an interactive whiteboard, seamless file sharing, and low-latency audio/video calls.
    Key Highlights
    Can be self-hosted No installation required Low-latency connections Get MiroTalk
    Being a no-nonsense service, using MiroTalk is as simple as visiting the official website and joining a room. You just have to enter a display name and click on "Join meeting".
    There's ChatGPT integration as well, though I would want to stay away from that.
    MiroTalk5. Element
    Element web in action.Element is one of the best Matrix clients, enabling decentralized and secure communication over text, voice, and video. It can be a great Skype alternative if you find the other options on this list to be too complicated.
    Users can either self-host or sign up with Element’s free hosted service for their account. These approaches ensure flexibility and control over one's data.
    Element offers end-to-end encryption, allowing users to have private conversations without a third party snooping in. It also supports file sharing, group chats, and integration with other services.
    Key Highlights
    Easy file transfers Self-hostable Powered by Matrix protocol Supports voice and video calls Get Element
    You can get Element for both desktop and mobile, with apps being made available for Linux, Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS. There is also Element web if you don't prefer installing apps.
    Element9 Best Matrix Clients for Decentralized MessagingMatrix clients help you experience secure, and decentralized messaging. Here are the best options if you want to use it.It's FOSSAnkush Das6. Wire
    While Wire has a strong focus on team communication, it can still be used for personal use to connect with other people over text, voice, or video. The platform provides end-to-end encryption by default, while offering a user-friendly experience for everyone who tries it.
    If you are an organisation looking for a secure alternative to Skype, this can be a great option to explore.
    Key Highlights
    End-to-end encryption Supports multi-device sync Real-time team collaboration Get Wire
    Before you proceed, please ensure that you have a Personal account configured if you are an individual user. I say that because, during my testing, I mistakenly went for a team account during the onboarding. Applications can be downloaded for Linux, Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS from the official website. There is also a web version for those who prefer webapps.
    Wire7. Nextcloud Talk
    Nextcloud is a versatile open-source remote working tool, and Nextcloud Talk provides excellent video conferencing and communication capabilities. If you have a Nextcloud server, the Talk portal offers features like screen sharing and messaging, fulfilling your video conferencing needs.
    However, the only catch here is, setting up a Nextcloud instance requires some technical expertise.
    Key Highlights
    Screen sharing Messaging Integrated into the Nextcloud ecosystem Self-hostable Get Nextcloud Talk
    To utilize Nextcloud Talk, you need a Nextcloud server. Once your server is live, Nextcloud Talk can be used for video conferencing and communication.
    Nextcloud TalkWrapping Up
    It is easy to replace Microsoft's Skype in 2025, with all the open source solutions out there.
    Furthermore, the open source options offer way better control, customizations, and privacy-friendly features to give you a better user experience
    💬 If you feel that I missed any good alternatives, please let me know in the comments. What will you be choosing to replace Microsoft's Skype? Let me know!


  5. by: Chris Coyier
    Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:30:37 +0000

    I’ve been a bit sucked into the game Balatro lately. Seriously. Tell me your strategies. I enjoy playing it equally as much lately as unwinding watching streamers play it on YouTube. Balatro has a handful of accessibility features. Stuff like slowing down or turning off animations and the like. I’m particularly interested one of the checkboxes below though:
    “High Contrast Cards” is one of the options. It’s a nice option to have, but I find it particularly notable because of it’s popularity. You know those streamers I mentioned? The all seem to have this option turned on. Interesting how an “accessibility feature” actually seems to make the game better for everybody. As in, maybe the default should be reversed or just not there at all, with the high contrast version being just how it is.
    It reminds me about how half of Americans, particularly the younger generation, prefer having closed captioning on TV some or all of the time. An accessibility feature that they just prefer.
    Interestingly, the high contrast mode in Balatro mostly focuses on changing colors.
    If you don’t suffer from any sort of colorblindness (like me? I think?) you’ll notice the clubs above are blue, which differentiates them from the spades which remain black. The hearts and clubs are slightly differentiated with the diamonds being a bit more orange than red.
    Is that enough? It’s enough for many players preferring it, likely preventing accidentally playing a flush hand with the wrong suits, for example. But I can’t vouch for if it works for people with actual low vision or a type of color blindness, which is what I’d assume would be the main point of the feature. Andy Baio wrote a memorable post about colorblindness a few years ago called Chasing rainbows. There are some great examples in that post that highlight the particular type of colorblindness Andy has. Sometimes super different colors look a lot closer together than you’d expect, but still fairly distinct. Where sometimes two colors that are a bit different actually appear identical to Andy.
    So maybe the Balatro colors are enough (lemme know!) or maybe they are not. I assume that’s why a lot of “high contrast” variations do more than color, they incorporate different patterns and whatnot. Which, fair enough, the playing cards of Balatro already do.
    Let’s do a few more fun CSS and color related links to round out the week:
    Adam Argyle: A conic gradient diamond and okLCH — I’m always a little surprised at the trickery that conic gradients unlock. Whenever I think of them I’m like uhmmmmm color pickers and spinners I guess? Michelle Barker: Messing About with CSS Gradients — Layered gradients unlocking some interested effects and yet more trickery. Michelle Barker: Creating color palettes with the CSS color-mix() function — Sure, color-mix() is nice for a one-off where you’re trying to ensure contrast or build the perfect combo from an unknown other color, but it can also be the foundational tool for a system of colors. Keith Grant: Theme Machine — A nice take on going from choosing nice individual colors to crafting palettes, seeing them in action, and getting custom property output for CSS.
  6. by: Tatiana P
    Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:22:06 +0000

    We can no longer say that the jobs will stay the same 10 years from now, so we need to constantly re-evaluate our options based on reality and what is available out there.
    About me
    I am Krittika Varmann. I am a Senior Cloud and AI Developer for F-Secure. I am an engineer at heart, drawn to solving problems simply for the joy of the process -sometimes, the journey matters more to me than the destination.
    I have always been eager to see my work have a real-world impact, and I strongly believe in maintaining a balance between work, health, hobbies, and relationships. These values have significantly shaped my career path and life choices. Instead of pursuing theoretical research or academia, I gravitated toward industrial innovations, applying AI to solve real-life challenges.
    Beyond engineering and AI, I am endlessly fascinated by human behaviour and technology. Whether it is cognitive biases, effective communications, or the art of persuasion, I love exploring how psychology intersects everyday life and business. You will often find me immersed in books on these topics. In my free time, I enjoy playing board games with friends, going to the sauna, winter swimming, and baking.
    On my path to F-Secure
    I have seven years of experience in data, cloud & AI, with a career shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a motivation to stay ahead of industry trends.
    My journey began as a researcher and project coordinator at the University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu. From there, I transitioned to Kone, where I worked as a data scientist before shifting into data engineering. I made this transition for two key reasons. First, I wanted to develop hands-on skills by working across the entire data pipeline -from start to finish- so I could build and manage solutions independently. Second, I saw data engineering to future-proof my career, keeping myself highly employable and aligned with in-demand roles.
    After four years at Kone, I moved to Sanoma, where I worked as a cloud engineer for about a year and a half. Then, four months ago, I transitioned to F-Secure, a move driven by careful deduction, prioritization, and a clear vision of what I want from my career and life.
    The main reason for me joining F-Secure was the cybersecurity domain of the company. As technology evolves and data becomes even more valuable, security threats are increasing. Cybersecurity, in my opinion, will only grow in importance in the coming years.
    F-Secure is an incredible place to work, and what I appreciate most is that the product itself is software. The company’s core focus is on building high-quality, industry-standard code, which aligns perfectly with my values as an engineer. The role itself also allows me to bring together all the skills I have acquired through the shifts in my career: API development, cloud infrastructure, ML modelling, MLOps, testing & writing production-grade code.
    The people I work with have fantastic work ethics, so I have much to feel inspired by my colleagues. And as I said, cybersecurity is such a critical domain in this world right now. I see this as an opportunity to make a real-world impact and contribute to a vital field in protecting information.
    Krittika Varmann, Senior Cloud and AI Developer, F-Secure
    The beginning of my studies
    I have a bachelor’s in printing engineering, where I explored media, ink, paper, and printing technologies. During my studies, I completed two internships -one at a packaging company in China and another at a German startup researching electronic ink through the DAAD scholarship.
    Later, I received an Erasmus Mundus scholarship for my master’s in colour science: a dual degree in optics and computer science across France, Spain, and Finland. My thesis focused on applying AI to smart lighting solutions. Upon arriving in Finland, I immediately felt at home -the direct culture and strong work-life balance resonated with me, leading me to stay.
    Strategic Approach to Learning
    Strategic decisions have shaped my academic and career choices. Coming from a highly competitive environment in India, I sought alternative fields where I could stand out. Instead of pursuing computer science or electronics engineering, I chose printing engineering, where competition was lower, allowing me to excel in this field and still have time to acquire other skills like studying German and Mandarin. I proactively reached out to professors worldwide, securing unique job opportunities. These experiences had a snowball effect -my internship in China and my German language strengthened my application for the DAAD scholarship which in turn positively affected my application for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship to do my master’s degree.
    Maximizing Future Options
    My advice for those starting is to maintain a curious mindset and keep pushing to create and expand future opportunities at every step. When you begin, you have fewer options, but you can expand opportunities for the future so that you have options to choose from.
    Sometimes, I’ve seen people start with something, get stuck with it, and spend many years doing it. I’ve seen people staying in the same work for 20 years, and that’s not necessarily bad for somebody who wants that. But for me, that narrows down my options.
    I believe in maximizing future opportunities rather than getting confined to a single domain. This philosophy aligns with Morgan Housel’s powerful definition of wealth from ‘The Psychology of Money’: ‘Wealth is having the freedom to do what you want, when you want, with whom you want, for as long as you want.’ I strive to maximize this kind of freedom in my career. Many people stay in one job for decades, which works for some, but I prefer versatility. If I ever wake up feeling unfulfilled, I want the flexibility to switch paths. Without the foundational work I put in early on, making transitions would have felt overwhelming. However, transitions have become much smoother and more natural for me because I developed the habit of adapting and exploring different domains from the start.
    We can no longer say that the jobs will stay the same 10 years from now, so we need to constantly re-evaluate our options based on reality and what is actually available out there. We must be ready to jump to things and do things that don’t make us feel comfortable. If we want to thrive in this fast-changing environment, we must keep adapting and pushing ourselves to take on new challenges.
    In a world where technology evolves rapidly and jobs become obsolete, adaptability is crucial. You can either stay in your comfort zone and risk stagnation or embrace change and continuously challenge yourself. Both come with struggles, and choosing the struggle that aligns with your long-term goals is key.
    Networking tips from Krittika
    Value Networking in Tech Brings
    The tech industry is quite tightly knit, especially in Finland, where the community is small. After a while, you’ll find everybody knows everybody. It’s not uncommon to hear a Finn say, “Oh, I know him from back in the Nokia days!”
    This, along with the concept of Nordic Trust, meaning there is a great deal of trust in recommendations, business operations, and general dealings in Nordic communities, can significantly influence your career prospects.
    As a personal example, after finishing my third semester studying in Finland, I had the opportunity to pursue my master’s thesis anywhere in the world, but by then, I had already decided to stay in Finland and opted for an industrial Master Thesis rather than an academic one. I did it with a Finnish innovation company, and later, when I applied for a position at Kone, my former manager saw my supervisor’s name and said, “Oh, I know him from Nokia times. Mind if I give him a call?” My supervisor gave me a stellar recommendation, and I was hired.
    Preparing for Networking
    I usually research the person and find something in their bio/LinkedIn/resume/publications/websites that could serve as good common ground. I use that to start a conversation, e.g., “Oh, I noticed you worked on satellites at XYZ company. That seemed interesting to me. I also worked on satellites during my astronomy lessons. I was wondering how you solved ABC using XYZ technology?” Then I find a way to segue into something else.
    Finding Offline Networking Opportunities
    For tech-related networking, I usually attend AWS Meetup groups and other similar events like Confluence-led meetups or Terraform meetups.
    I’ve also gained many networking benefits by attending the AWS Stockholm Summit, where I met AWS experts in the Nordics while improving my knowledge base on cloud technologies.
    There are also opportunities to participate in hackathons like Junction, hosted by Aalto University along with other companies. It’s a great way to get noticed by companies.
    A huge source of networking for me has been being part of the Finland Young Professional group. Unfortunately, the only way to join is by working for a company that is part of the network, but the good news is that many tech companies in Finland are already members. FYP frequently hosts events like the Hiimos ski break and the Tallinn trip, where group activities turn professional contacts into close friends.
    I would suggest finding events where you can showcase your projects and talk about what you have learned and how they can benefit real-life problem-solving.
    Podcasts, blogs, and online content shared on social media are also great directions.
    Maintaining & Nurturing Professional Networks
    The most important thing when you meet someone is to add them on LinkedIn. This opens many channels as your network grows, and someone who knows someone can often help you out when in need.
    I’m active in the LinkedIn community, and when a contact posts updates, I often react and comment with encouraging words. This helps keep the connection fresh and reinforces the acquaintance.
    I’ve changed companies a couple of times but made sure to keep in touch with former colleagues. Every few months, I suggest going out for dinner, which has kept those bonds alive.
    Being genuinely curious about people, adding them on LinkedIn, following up after networking events, and being proactive in organizing or attending tech events, even if you don’t know anyone there, is a great way to get out of your comfort zone.
    Networking Mistakes
    A few mistakes one could make in networking include: being overly self-promotional, being too aggressive (pushing for referrals or jobs), not expanding beyond your comfort zones, and the biggest one: not preparing for networking events. Showing up without knowing who will be there and having some conversation starters ready can lead to missed opportunities.
    Best Advice That Helped Advance My Career
    The best advice would be: In life, you get exactly what you ask for. If you don’t know what you want, how to formulate it, or how to ask for it, it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever get it. I’ve never shied away from asking for more, and even one proactive action can lead to ripple effects for the future.
    For example, I was a highly inexperienced bachelor’s student in my home country and somehow managed to get into a printing press as a summer intern. There was a visiting technician from the UK who was fixing a packaging machine, and I stood next to him every day, observing and taking notes on what he did. He noticed my curiosity, and when I asked him if he knew of any internship opportunities abroad, he immediately gave me a contact in China. At just 20 years old, I got to do an internship abroad in a production facility, which helped my Master’s applications in Europe. I often think back to that day fondly. If I had never asked for that opportunity, I might not have ended up in Finland.
    Gaining More Confidence
    I recommend reading How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. The book talks about several tips for improving communication, such as showing curiosity about other people’s lives, remembering people’s names, and listening actively.
    Another book worth reading, especially for introverts, is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* by Mark Manson. It talks about many mechanisms for navigating life better. A relevant tip is The Spotlight Effect, which, from psychology, means that when we are in public, we tend to think everyone is looking at us. The paradox is that, since everybody thinks this way, they are more aware of themselves than of you. It’s more likely you remember making a fool of yourself than they do. You can use this information to your advantage because it frees you from the fear of making mistakes and helps you stop taking yourself so seriously.
    Finally, the last thing I want to say is that, as a proponent of gender-balanced opportunities, research shows that women have been raised not to fail, whereas men have been raised with more freedom to make mistakes. I use this information to inspire myself because a man wouldn’t hesitate to approach a stranger and start a conversation, possibly making mistakes in his career. But women tend to overthink and underdo, which prevents them from even getting those opportunities in the first place. In my opinion, it’s far better to get an opportunity and make a mistake than to try to be perfect and never take any chances at all.
    Amplifying Your Voice as a Woman in Tech
    Two pieces of advice that stuck with me from Pia Nilsson, Director of Engineering at Spotify, during the Stockholm Summit:
    1. If you, as a woman, are doing a lot of glue jobs like organizing social events that contribute positively to the workplace atmosphere, make sure your upper management is aware of that and your role in it. Also, try to set up a rotation cycle so you’re not stuck doing it all by yourself.
    2. If, after 4 years of being an engineer, you’re asked to become lead, imagine a few years down the line when you try to lead a team of engineers with 10-14 years of experience. You’ll have no clout to lead them, and you’ll become a default “people leader.”
    Also, I believe in the mantra Let action speak louder than words. Go get that certification, go make mistakes, go learn from them, and use facts and reason when discussing problems with colleagues. When you make good points, it’s hard to negate them.
    The Constantly Evolving Tech Industry
    The best thing (and sometimes the worst) about the tech industry is that it’s constantly evolving. This means a person can have 10 years’ experience coding in Java and still not get a job in software engineering because they don’t know Python or have no experience with other coding languages.
    Most tech people are self-taught, and being in tech is largely about being willing to fail, pick yourself up, and start again the next day. Not to undermine seniority, but if there’s any industry where fast learning skills often overtake experience, it’s tech.
    There are many stories of young tech startup founders becoming big shots overnight because they dared to dream and take actions, even without experience. Everybody starts somewhere, and it’s never too late to start.
    In general, my motto in life is not to compare myself to others but to simply remember we are all on our own journeys and paths.
    It’s also about an abundance mindset: There are enough resources and opportunities out there for each of us. There’s no need to compete. All you need is one spot, one opportunity, one person to believe in you. If someone has more experience, it means they’ve put in their time and effort to get there, and if you want to be like them, you must be willing to put in the work and fail just as they have. Let that inspire you rather than demotivate you.
    Also, remember you bring unique skills and talents to the table, so there’s no need to be anyone else. Make it your own.
    The post Role model blog: Krittika Varmann, F-Secure first appeared on Women in Tech Finland.

  7. Functions in CSS?!

    · Blogger · 03/03/25 01:34 PM

    by: Juan Diego Rodríguez
    Mon, 03 Mar 2025 13:34:22 +0000

    A much-needed disclaimer: You (kinda) can use functions now! I know, it isn’t the most pleasant feeling to finish reading about a new feature just for the author to say “And we’ll hopefully see it in a couple of years”. Luckily, right now you can use an (incomplete) version of CSS functions in Chrome Canary behind an experimental flag, although who knows when we’ll get to use them in a production environment.
    Arguments, defaults, and returns!
    I was drinking coffee when I read the news on Chrome prototyping functions in CSS and… I didn’t spit it or anything. I was excited, but thought “functions” in CSS would be just like mixins in Sass — you know, patterns for establishing reusable patterns. That’s cool but is really more or less syntactic sugar for writing less CSS.
    But I looked at the example snippet a little more closely and that’s when the coffee nearly came shooting out my mouth.
    From Bramus in Bluesky
    Arguments?! Return values?! That’s worth spitting my coffee out for! I had to learn more about them, and luckily, the spec is clearly written, which you can find right here. What’s crazier, you can use functions right now in Chrome Canary! So, after reading and playing around, here are my key insights on what you need to know about CSS Functions.
    What exactly is a function in CSS?
    I like this definition from the spec:
    They are used in the same places you would use a custom property, but functions return different things depending on the argument we pass. The syntax for the most basic function is the @function at-rule, followed by the name of the function as a <dashed-ident> + ()
    @function --dashed-border() { /* ... */ } A function without arguments is like a custom property, so meh… To make them functional we can pass arguments inside the parenthesis, also as <dashed-ident>s
    @function --dashed-border(--color) { /* ... */ } We can use the result descriptor to return something based on our argument:
    @function --dashed-border(--color) { result: 2px dashed var(--color); } div { border: --dashed-border(blue); /* 2px dashed blue */ } Functions can have type-checking
    Functions can have type-checking for arguments and return values, which will be useful whenever we want to interpolate a value just like we do with variables created with @property, and once we have inline conditionals, to make different calculations depending on the argument type.
    To add argument types, we pass a syntax component. That is the type enclosed in angle brackets, where color is <color> and length is <length>, just to name a couple. There are also syntax multipliers like plus (+) to accept a space-separated list of that type.
    @function --custom-spacing(--a <length>) { /* ... */ } /* e.g. 10px */ @function --custom-background(--b <color>) { /* ... */ } /* e.g. hsl(50%, 30% 50%) */ @function --custom-margin(--c <length>+) { /* ... */ } /* e.g. 10px 2rem 20px */ If instead, we want to define the type of the return value, we can write the returns keyword followed by the syntax component:
    @function --progression(--current, --total) returns <percentage> { result: calc(var(--current) / var(--total) * 100%); } Just a little exception for types: if we want to accept more than one type using the syntax combinator (|), we’ll have to enclose the types in a type() wrapper function:
    @function --wideness(--d type(<number> | <percentage>)) { /* ... */ } Functions can have list arguments
    While it doesn’t currently seem to work in Canary, we’ll be able in the future to take lists as arguments by enclosing them inside curly braces. So, this example from the spec passes a list of values like {1px, 7px, 2px} and gets its maximum to perform a sum.
    @function --max-plus-x(--list, --x) { result: calc(max(var(--list)) + var(--x)); } div { width: --max-plus-x({ 1px, 7px, 2px }, 3px); /* 10px */ } I wonder then, will it be possible to select a specific element from a list? And also define how long should the list should be? Say we want to only accept lists that contain four elements, then select each individually to perform some calculation and return it. Many questions here!
    Early returns aren’t possible
    That’s correct, early returns aren’t possible. This isn’t something defined in the spec that hasn’t been prototyped, but something that simply won’t be allowed. So, if we have two returns, one enclosed early behind a @media or @supports at-rule and one outside at the end, the last result will always be returned:
    @function --suitable-font-size() { @media (width > 1000px) { result: 20px; } result: 16px; /* This always returns 16px */ } We have to change the order of the returns, leaving the conditional result for last. This doesn’t make a lot of sense in other programming languages, where the function ends after returning something, but there is a reason the C in CSS stands for Cascade: this order allows the conditional result to override the last result which is very CSS-y is nature:
    @function --suitable-font-size() { result: 16px; @media (width > 1000px) { result: 20px; } } Imagining the possibilities
    Here I wanted everyone to chip in and write about the new things we could make using functions. So the team here at CSS-Tricks put our heads together and thought about some use cases for functions. Some are little helper functions we’ll sprinkle a lot throughout our CSS, while others open new possibilities. Remember, all of these examples should be viewed in Chrome Canary until support expands to other browsers.
    Here’s a basic helper function from Geoff that sets fluid type:
    @function --fluid-type(--font-min, --font-max) { result: clamp(var(--font-min), 4vw + 1rem, var(--font-max)); } h2 { font-size: --fluid-type(24px, 36px); } CodePen Embed Fallback This one is from Ryan, who is setting the width with an intrinsic container function — notice the default arguments.
    @function --intrinsic-container(--inline-margin: 1rem, --max-width: 60ch) { result: min(100% - var(--inline-margin), var(--max-width)); } CodePen Embed Fallback This one is from moi. When I made that demo using tan(atan2()) to create viewport transitions, I used a helper property called --wideness to get the screen width as a decimal between 0 to 1. At that moment, I wished for a function form of --wideness. As I described it back then:
    I thought I would never see it, but now I can make it myself! Using that wideness function, I can move an element through its offset-path as the screen goes from 400px to 800px:
    .marker { offset-path: path("M 5 5 m -4, 0 a 4,4 0 1,0 8,0 a 4,4 0 1,0 -8,0"); /* Circular Orbit */ offset-distance: calc(--wideness(400, 800) * 100%); /* moves the element when the screen goes from 400px to 800px */ } CodePen Embed Fallback What’s missing?
    According to Chrome’s issue on CSS Functions, we are in a super early stage since we cannot:
    …use local variables. Although I tried them and they seem to work. …use recursive functions (they crash!), …list arguments, …update a function and let the appropriate styles change, …use @function in cascade layers, or in the CSS Object Model (CSSOM), …use “the Iverson bracket functions … so any @media queries or similar will need to be made using helper custom properties (on :root or similar).” After reading what on earth an Iverson bracket is, I understood that we currently can’t have a return value behind a @media or @support rule. For example, this snippet from the spec shouldn’t work:
    @function --suitable-font-size() { result: 16px; @media (width > 1000px) { result: 20px; } } Although, upon testing, it seems like it’s supported now. Still, we can use a provisional custom property and return it at the end if it isn’t working for you:
    @function --suitable-font-size() { --size: 16px; @media (width > 600px) { --size: 20px; } result: var(--size); } CodePen Embed Fallback What about mixins? Soon, they’ll be here. According to the spec:
    In conclusion…
    I say it with confidence: functions will bring an enormous change to CSS, not in the sense that we’ll write it any differently — we won’t use functions to center a <div>, but they will simplify hack-ish CSS and open a lot of new possibilities. There’ll be a time when our cyborg children ask us from their education pods, “Is it true you guys didn’t have functions in CSS?” And we’ll answer “No, Zeta-5 ∀umina™, we didn’t” while shedding a tear. And that will blow their ZetaPentium© Gen 31 Brain chips. That is if CSS lasts long enough, but in the meantime, I am happy to change my site’s font with a function.
    Functions in CSS?! originally published on CSS-Tricks, which is part of the DigitalOcean family. You should get the newsletter.
  8. by: Neeraj Mishra
    Sun, 02 Mar 2025 10:41:00 +0000

    Here you will get list of some best github alternatives that provide private and public repository.
    Being into software development we very often find ourselves in the need to host our code to any website. For the purpose, masses are blindly following one single medium for this, Github. It can not be denied that Github users have their choice to use either Git or Subversion for version control. Also there is a facility of unlimited public code repository for all users of Github. One more fascinating feature of Github is that allows to create ‘organizations’, which at its own is a normal account but at least one user account is required to be listed as the owner of the organization.
    Apart from providing desktop apps for Windows and OSX, Github also provides the facility to its users and organizations to host one website and unlimited project pages for free on the Github’s website. The typical domain for the hosted websites look something like username.github.io and address of the project pages may look like username.github.io/project-page.
    Moving ahead, we have compiled a list of few other mediums that can also be used in place Github without any harm. So come let’s have a look on the list.
    7 Best Github Alternatives
    1. Bitbucket

    On contrary to the Github, the Bitbucket comes just next to it in terms of usage and global popularity. Bitbucket also provides a free account for the users and organizations as well with limit for five users. Also, it provides access to unlimited private and public repos. One of the features which is note worthy is its allowance for the users to puch their files using any of the Git client/Git command line.
    Atlassian is the developer of Bitbucket providing access to the version capability to the users using their web interface. A free Mac and Windows interface is also available for using Gitbucket’s own Git and Mercurial client Source Tree.
    The domain for your hosted website on Bitbucket will look something like: accountname.bitbucket.org and domain for that of project pages will be like: accountname.bitbucket.org/project. On the other hand Bitbucket also allows its users to use their own domain name for their website.
    2. Beanstalk

    Beanstalk as another good Github alternative but it is not free. You can get a trial of the resource for two weeks after which if you wish to continue you will have a pay an amount of minimum $15 for its cheapest Bronze package. Bronze package lets you have maximum of 10 repositories with 3 Gigabytes of storage capacity and maximum upto 5 users.
    Beanstalk supports the most demanded Git and Subversion control systems for version control. It is developed by Wildbit and also allows for code editing in the browser itself so that user need not to switch to command line every now and then.
    3. GitLab

    GitLab is popular among the users due to its features like dedicated project website and an integrated project wiki. Also GitLab facilitates its users by providing automated testing and code delivery so that a user can do more work in lesser time without waiting for the tests to pass manually. Some of the else features to be noted are pull requests, code viewer and merge conflict resolution.
    4. Kiln

    Developed by Fog Creek, unlike Github Kiln is not a free source to host your software or website. You can have an overview or experience of their version control and code hosting for Git and Mercurial for 30 days trial period, after that users need to upgrade to the premium version (minimum $18 a month) inorder to continue working with Kiln. Kiln also charges its users for the code review module separately.
    If you host your website with Kiln, your domain will look something like this:
    companyname.kilnhg.com
    5. SourceForge

    It is believed by observing abundance of projects being hosted on the SourceForge that it has existed for a longer time. When compared to the Github, SourceForge (developed by Slashdot Media) has an entirely different structure of the project. Unlike other websites for version control, SourceForge allows you to host both static and dynamic pages as well. One of the vulnerability of this medium for version control is that a user is allowed to create projects and get it hosted on the site with unique names only.
    Typical domain for your hosted project will look like proj.sourceforge.net
    Scripting languages like Python, Perl, PHP, Tcl, Ruby and Shell are being supported by the SourceForge servers. Users are free to choosing either Git, Subversion or Mercurial for the version control system.
    6. Cloud Source by Google

    This Google’s Git version control came into existence and moved to the Google Cloud platform when Google code was put out of the market by google itself.  Although google provides its own repositories to work upon, but you can even connect the Cloud Source to other version control mediums like Github, Bitbucket, etc. Cloud Source offers storage for its users codes and apps across the google infrastructure itself which makes it even more reliable. Users have the freeship to search their code in the browser itself and also gets feature of cloud diagnostics to track the problems while code keeps running in the background.
    Cloud Source offers Stackdriver Debugger that helps use the debugger in parallel with the other applications running.
    7. GitKraken

    GitKraken became popular among the developers day by day due to the exclusive features it provides to it users are just adorable. The primary point of attraction towards Gitkraken is its beautiful interface and also it focus on speed and ease of use for Git. GitKraken comes with an incredibly handy ‘undo’ button which helps its users to quickly omit the redundancies occurred by mistake. GitKraken provides a free version which can have upto 20 users and a premium version as well with several other good features.
    We hope you guys enjoyed learning with us. If any doubts, queries or suggestions please lets us know in the comment section below. Do share in comments if you know any other good github alternatives.
    The post 7 Best Github Alternatives in 2025 appeared first on The Crazy Programmer.

  9. Rediscovering Plan9 from Bell Labs

    Linux · Blogger · 12/30/24 02:06 PM

    by: Bill Dyer


    During a weekend of tidying up - you know, the kind of chore where you’re knee-deep in old boxes before you realize it. Digging through the dusty cables and old, outdated user manuals, I found something that I had long forgotten: an old Plan9 distribution. Judging by the faded ink and slight warping of the disk sleeve, it had to be from around 1994 or 1995.
    I couldn’t help but wonder: why had I kept this? Back then, I was curious about Plan9. It was a forward-thinking OS that never quite reached full potential. Holding that disk, however, it felt more like a time capsule, a real reminder of computing’s advancements and adventurous spirit in the 1990s.
    What Made Plan9 So Intriguing Back Then?
    In the 1990s, Bell Labs carried an almost mythical reputation for me. I was a C programmer and Unix system administrator and the people at Bell Labs were the minds behind Unix and C, after all. When Plan9 was announced, it felt like the next big thing. Plan9 was an operating system that promised to rethink Unix, not just patch it up. The nerd in me couldn’t resist playing with it.
    A Peek Inside the Distro
    Booting up Plan9 wasn’t like loading any other OS. From the minimalist Rio interface to the “everything is a file” philosophy taken to its extreme, it was clear this was something different.
    Some standout features that left an impression:
    9P Protocol: I didn’t grasp its full potential back then, but the idea of treating every resource as part of a unified namespace was extraordinary.
    Custom Namespaces: The concept of every user having their own view of the system wasn’t just revolutionary; it was downright empowering.
    Simplicity and Elegance: Even as a die-hard Unix user, I admired Plan9's ability to strip away the cruft without losing functionality.
    Looking at Plan9 Today
    Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to see if the disk still worked. Spoiler: it didn’t.
    But thanks to projects like 9front, Plan9 is far from dead. I was able to download and image and fire it up in a VM. The interface hasn't aged well compared to modern GUIs, but its philosophy and design still feels ahead of its time.

    As a seasoned (read: older) developer, I’ve come to appreciate things I might have overlooked in the 1990s:
    Efficiency over bloat: In today’s world of resource-hungry systems, Plan9’s lightweight design is like a breath of fresh air.
    Academic appeal: Its clarity and modularity makes Plan9 and outstanding teaching tool for operating system concepts.
    Timeless innovations: Ideas like distributed computing and namespace customization feels even more pertinent in this era of cloud computing.
    Why didn’t Plan9 take off?
    Plan9 was ahead of its time, which often spells doom for innovative tech. Its radical departure from Unix made it incompatible with existing software. And let’s face it - developers were (and still are) reluctant to ditch well-established ecosystems.
    Moreover, by the 1990s, Unix clones, such as Linux, were gaining traction. Open-source communities rallied around Linux, leaving Plan9 with a smaller, academic-focused user base. It just didn't have the commercial/user backup.
    Plan9’s place in the retro-computing scene
    I admit it: I can get sappy and nostalgic over tech history. Plan9 is more than a relic; it’s a reminder of a time when operating systems dared to dream big. It never achieved the widespread adoption of Unix or Linux, but it still has a strong following among retro-computing enthusiasts.
    Here’s why it continues to matter:
    For Developers: It’s a masterclass in clean, efficient design.
    For Historians: It’s a snapshot of what computing could have been.
    For Hobbyists: It’s a fun, low-resource system to tinker with.
    Check out the 9front project. It’s a maintained fork that modernizes Plan9 while staying true to its roots. Plan9 can run on modern hardware. It is lightweight enough to run on old machines, but I suggest using a VM; it is the easiest route.
    Lessons from years past
    How a person uses Plan9 is up to them, naturally, but I don't think that Plan9 is practical for everyday use. Plan9, I believe, is better suited as an experimental or educational platform rather than a daily driver. However, that doesn't mean that it wasn't special.
    Finding that old Plan9 disk wasn’t just a trip down memory lane; it was a reminder of why I was so drawn to computing. Plan9’s ambition and elegance is still inspiring to me, even decades later.
    So, whether you’re a retro-computing nerd, like me, or just curious about alternative OS designs, give Plan9 a run. Who knows? You might find a little magic in its simplicity, just like I did.
  10. by: Abhishek Prakash
    Thu, 02 Jan 2025 06:11:30 GMT


    Happy new year 2025 🥳
    The Tuxmas Days continue in full swing. Main highlights are:
    Tuxmas Day 3 introduced the new commenting system. You'll see it in action when you leave a comment on the website.
    Tuxmas Day 4 introduced the lifetime membership option. Instead of a recurring fee, you get the Plus membership forever with a single payment of $76 till 7th January. After that it will be $99. If you wanted to support It's FOSS with Plus membership, this would be the best time and chance 🙏
    Tuxmas Day 5 has Linux Terminal and Bash series converted into downloadable PDF eBook.
    Follow the entire Tuxmas series here. And your feedback is greatly appreciated.
    💬 Let's see what else you get in this edition
    Serpent OS's alpha release.
    An open source 3D printer.
    Rediscovering an operating system.
    And other Linux news, videos and, of course, memes!
    📰 Linux and Open Source News
    Serpent OS Alpha is out for testing with new hardware support.
    GNOME's new image viewer is set to receive some handy upgrades.
    A new open source 3D printer has appeared, can be built using off-the-shelf parts.
    NVIDIA says that it will open source Run:ai, a platform that it is said to have acquired for $700M.
    And finally, open source tools are adding AI features. Better late than never.
    Kdenlive is Adding an AI Background Removal Tool
    You can easily remove backgrounds with this new tool.
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    🧠 What We’re Thinking About
    What's your new year resolution?
    My Linux and Open Source Resolutions for 2025
    Here’s what I have decided for 2025. What are your resolutions?
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    Ankush's favorite distro of 2024 is one that you might not have expected.
    My Favorite Linux Distro for 2024 is Not Ubuntu, Not Mint, It’s This
    Revealing my favorite Linux distribution before 2024 ends.
    It's FOSS NewsAnkush Das

    🧮 Linux Tips, Tutorials and More
    Start 2025 with some good note-taking apps.
    If you were looking to distro hop, you could take ArchBang Linux for a run.
    Following that, you could learn how to use the apt search and apt show commands in Ubuntu.
    And if you are still unfamiliar with the Linux command line, use the new year motivation and get acquainted with the essentials in this series.
    Linux Command Line Introduction [Free Course]
    Want to know the basics of the Linux command line? Here’s a tutorial series with a hands-on approach.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    👷 Maker's and AI Corner
    Your homelab will thank you for using a dashboard tool to manage it effectively.
    Imagine that the genius minds like Ken Thompson, Brian Kernighan and Bjarne Stroustrup collaborated on a new operating system and yet it flopped.
    Rediscovering Plan9 from Bell Labs
    An OS that was developed by the likes of Rob Pike, Ken Thompson, Brian Kernighan, Bjarne Stroustrup and yet it did not achieve the success.
    It's FOSSBill Dyer

    📹 Videos we are watching
    Subscribe to our YouTube channel, too
    ✨ Discover handy tools
    A dope looking GUI-based system monitor for Linux.
    NeoHtop - Modern System Monitor
    A beautiful, efficient system monitor built with Rust and Svelte. Monitor processes, CPU, and memory usage in real-time.
    NeoHtopYour Name

    🧩 Quiz Time
    Call yourself a terminal junkie? Find the wrong paths with this puzzle.
    Find The Wrong Path
    Spot what’s wrong, and solve the quizzes!
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    If that's too tricky, then you can try your hand at the Essential Ubuntu Shortcuts puzzle.
    💡 Quick Handy Tip
    In a terminal, you might already know that you can select a word by double-clicking on it.
    However, if you hold the Shift key and left-click on another word after that, all the text between the first and last selected text will also be highlighted. No need to manually drag the cursor to select those.
    It may not work in all the terminal emulators (i.e. terminal applications).

    🤣 Meme of the Week
    Oh, that would be something. 🤌 ✨

    🗓️ Tech Trivia
    On December 31, 1889, American Bell reorganized and transferred its assets to AT&T to bypass Massachusetts laws. By becoming the parent company, AT&T took control of the Bell System. This move eventually led to AT&T becoming a legalized monopoly in the U.S.
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 FOSSverse Corner
    What was your favorite distro in 2024? Join other FOSSers and share yours!
    What’s your favourite Linux distro? Why do you use that one?
    You have to move with the times. When you retire you may have the luxury of doing it your way. Snaps are like static binaries, but with some extra crud to fit them into the package system. I dont see why they should startup slowly… there must be some clunky scripts involved. A static binary is large, but not so large that it would affect load time. I have one app (keenwrite) that comes as a static binary… it loads quite fast and my machine is rather like your Dell with early corei7 and…
    It's FOSS Communitynevj

    ❤️ With love
    Share it with your Linux-using friends and encourage them to subscribe (hint: it's here).
    Share the articles in Linux Subreddits and community forums.
    Follow us on Google News and stay updated in your News feed.
    Opt for It's FOSS Plus membership and support us 🙏
    Enjoy using Linux in 2025 🐧
  11. by: Abhishek Prakash
    Thu, 02 Jan 2025 06:11:30 GMT


    Happy new year 2025 🥳
    The Tuxmas Days continue in full swing. Main highlights are:
    Tuxmas Day 3 introduced the new commenting system. You'll see it in action when you leave a comment on the website.
    Tuxmas Day 4 introduced the lifetime membership option. Instead of a recurring fee, you get the Plus membership forever with a single payment of $76 till 7th January. After that it will be $99. If you wanted to support It's FOSS with Plus membership, this would be the best time and chance 🙏
    Tuxmas Day 5 has Linux Terminal and Bash series converted into downloadable PDF eBook.
    Follow the entire Tuxmas series here. And your feedback is greatly appreciated.
    💬 Let's see what else you get in this edition
    Serpent OS's alpha release.
    An open source 3D printer.
    Rediscovering an operating system.
    And other Linux news, videos and, of course, memes!
    📰 Linux and Open Source News
    Serpent OS Alpha is out for testing with new hardware support.
    GNOME's new image viewer is set to receive some handy upgrades.
    A new open source 3D printer has appeared, can be built using off-the-shelf parts.
    NVIDIA says that it will open source Run:ai, a platform that it is said to have acquired for $700M.
    And finally, open source tools are adding AI features. Better late than never.
    Kdenlive is Adding an AI Background Removal Tool
    You can easily remove backgrounds with this new tool.
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    🧠 What We’re Thinking About
    What's your new year resolution?
    My Linux and Open Source Resolutions for 2025
    Here’s what I have decided for 2025. What are your resolutions?
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    Ankush's favorite distro of 2024 is one that you might not have expected.
    My Favorite Linux Distro for 2024 is Not Ubuntu, Not Mint, It’s This
    Revealing my favorite Linux distribution before 2024 ends.
    It's FOSS NewsAnkush Das

    🧮 Linux Tips, Tutorials and More
    Start 2025 with some good note-taking apps.
    If you were looking to distro hop, you could take ArchBang Linux for a run.
    Following that, you could learn how to use the apt search and apt show commands in Ubuntu.
    And if you are still unfamiliar with the Linux command line, use the new year motivation and get acquainted with the essentials in this series.
    Linux Command Line Introduction [Free Course]
    Want to know the basics of the Linux command line? Here’s a tutorial series with a hands-on approach.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    👷 Maker's and AI Corner
    Your homelab will thank you for using a dashboard tool to manage it effectively.
    Imagine that the genius minds like Ken Thompson, Brian Kernighan and Bjarne Stroustrup collaborated on a new operating system and yet it flopped.
    Rediscovering Plan9 from Bell Labs
    An OS that was developed by the likes of Rob Pike, Ken Thompson, Brian Kernighan, Bjarne Stroustrup and yet it did not achieve the success.
    It's FOSSBill Dyer

    📹 Videos we are watching
    Subscribe to our YouTube channel, too
    ✨ Discover handy tools
    A dope looking GUI-based system monitor for Linux.
    NeoHtop - Modern System Monitor
    A beautiful, efficient system monitor built with Rust and Svelte. Monitor processes, CPU, and memory usage in real-time.
    NeoHtopYour Name

    🧩 Quiz Time
    Call yourself a terminal junkie? Find the wrong paths with this puzzle.
    Find The Wrong Path
    Spot what’s wrong, and solve the quizzes!
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    If that's too tricky, then you can try your hand at the Essential Ubuntu Shortcuts puzzle.
    💡 Quick Handy Tip
    In a terminal, you might already know that you can select a word by double-clicking on it.
    However, if you hold the Shift key and left-click on another word after that, all the text between the first and last selected text will also be highlighted. No need to manually drag the cursor to select those.
    It may not work in all the terminal emulators (i.e. terminal applications).

    🤣 Meme of the Week
    Oh, that would be something. 🤌 ✨

    🗓️ Tech Trivia
    On December 31, 1889, American Bell reorganized and transferred its assets to AT&T to bypass Massachusetts laws. By becoming the parent company, AT&T took control of the Bell System. This move eventually led to AT&T becoming a legalized monopoly in the U.S.
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 FOSSverse Corner
    What was your favorite distro in 2024? Join other FOSSers and share yours!
    What’s your favourite Linux distro? Why do you use that one?
    You have to move with the times. When you retire you may have the luxury of doing it your way. Snaps are like static binaries, but with some extra crud to fit them into the package system. I dont see why they should startup slowly… there must be some clunky scripts involved. A static binary is large, but not so large that it would affect load time. I have one app (keenwrite) that comes as a static binary… it loads quite fast and my machine is rather like your Dell with early corei7 and…
    It's FOSS Communitynevj

    ❤️ With love
    Share it with your Linux-using friends and encourage them to subscribe (hint: it's here).
    Share the articles in Linux Subreddits and community forums.
    Follow us on Google News and stay updated in your News feed.
    Opt for It's FOSS Plus membership and support us 🙏
    Enjoy using Linux in 2025 🐧
  12. by: Abhishek Prakash



    Happy new year 2025 🥳
    The Tuxmas Days continue in full swing. Main highlights are:
    Tuxmas Day 3 introduced the new commenting system. You'll see it in action when you leave a comment on the website.
    Tuxmas Day 4 introduced the lifetime membership option. Instead of a recurring fee, you get the Plus membership forever with a single payment of $76 till 7th January. After that it will be $99. If you wanted to support It's FOSS with Plus membership, this would be the best time and chance 🙏
    Tuxmas Day 5 has Linux Terminal and Bash series converted into downloadable PDF eBook.
    Follow the entire Tuxmas series here. And your feedback is greatly appreciated.
    💬 Let's see what else you get in this edition
    Serpent OS's alpha release.
    An open source 3D printer.
    Rediscovering an operating system.
    And other Linux news, videos and, of course, memes!
    📰 Linux and Open Source News
    Serpent OS Alpha is out for testing with new hardware support.
    GNOME's new image viewer is set to receive some handy upgrades.
    A new open source 3D printer has appeared, can be built using off-the-shelf parts.
    NVIDIA says that it will open source Run:ai, a platform that it is said to have acquired for $700M.
    And finally, open source tools are adding AI features. Better late than never.
    Kdenlive is Adding an AI Background Removal Tool
    You can easily remove backgrounds with this new tool.
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    🧠 What We’re Thinking About
    What's your new year resolution?
    My Linux and Open Source Resolutions for 2025
    Here’s what I have decided for 2025. What are your resolutions?
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    Ankush's favorite distro of 2024 is one that you might not have expected.
    My Favorite Linux Distro for 2024 is Not Ubuntu, Not Mint, It’s This
    Revealing my favorite Linux distribution before 2024 ends.
    It's FOSS NewsAnkush Das

    🧮 Linux Tips, Tutorials and More
    Start 2025 with some good note-taking apps.
    If you were looking to distro hop, you could take ArchBang Linux for a run.
    Following that, you could learn how to use the apt search and apt show commands in Ubuntu.
    And if you are still unfamiliar with the Linux command line, use the new year motivation and get acquainted with the essentials in this series.
    Linux Command Line Introduction [Free Course]
    Want to know the basics of the Linux command line? Here’s a tutorial series with a hands-on approach.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    👷 Maker's and AI Corner
    Your homelab will thank you for using a dashboard tool to manage it effectively.
    Imagine that the genius minds like Ken Thompson, Brian Kernighan and Bjarne Stroustrup collaborated on a new operating system and yet it flopped.
    Rediscovering Plan9 from Bell Labs
    An OS that was developed by the likes of Rob Pike, Ken Thompson, Brian Kernighan, Bjarne Stroustrup and yet it did not achieve the success.
    It's FOSSBill Dyer

    📹 Videos we are watching
    Subscribe to our YouTube channel, too
    ✨ Discover handy tools
    A dope looking GUI-based system monitor for Linux.
    NeoHtop - Modern System Monitor
    A beautiful, efficient system monitor built with Rust and Svelte. Monitor processes, CPU, and memory usage in real-time.
    NeoHtopYour Name

    🧩 Quiz Time
    Call yourself a terminal junkie? Find the wrong paths with this puzzle.
    Find The Wrong Path
    Spot what’s wrong, and solve the quizzes!
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    If that's too tricky, then you can try your hand at the Essential Ubuntu Shortcuts puzzle.
    💡 Quick Handy Tip
    In a terminal, you might already know that you can select a word by double-clicking on it.
    However, if you hold the Shift key and left-click on another word after that, all the text between the first and last selected text will also be highlighted. No need to manually drag the cursor to select those.
    It may not work in all the terminal emulators (i.e. terminal applications).

    🤣 Meme of the Week
    Oh, that would be something. 🤌 ✨

    🗓️ Tech Trivia
    On December 31, 1889, American Bell reorganized and transferred its assets to AT&T to bypass Massachusetts laws. By becoming the parent company, AT&T took control of the Bell System. This move eventually led to AT&T becoming a legalized monopoly in the U.S.
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 FOSSverse Corner
    What was your favorite distro in 2024? Join other FOSSers and share yours!
    What’s your favourite Linux distro? Why do you use that one?
    You have to move with the times. When you retire you may have the luxury of doing it your way. Snaps are like static binaries, but with some extra crud to fit them into the package system. I dont see why they should startup slowly… there must be some clunky scripts involved. A static binary is large, but not so large that it would affect load time. I have one app (keenwrite) that comes as a static binary… it loads quite fast and my machine is rather like your Dell with early corei7 and…
    It's FOSS Communitynevj

    ❤️ With love
    Share it with your Linux-using friends and encourage them to subscribe (hint: it's here).
    Share the articles in Linux Subreddits and community forums.
    Follow us on Google News and stay updated in your News feed.
    Opt for It's FOSS Plus membership and support us 🙏
    Enjoy using Linux in 2025 🐧
  13. by: Abhishek Prakash



    One of the main downside of using AppImages is the lack of desktop integration. This can be achived using AppImage Launcher tool.
    Another problematic part is the lack of support for autostarting an AppImage application when the system restarts.
    With some effort, you can achieve that, too.
    The method involves twp steps:
    Creating a desktop file for the application
    Adding this desktop file to autostart application list
    Let me show you the process in detail.
    Step 1: Create a desktop file
    Desktop files are text files that contain metadata about applications, such as their name, icon, and the command to run them.
    These files are stored in specific locations, and the system menu uses them to allow users to launch applications from the menu.
    For user-installed applications, the desktop file is typically stored in ~/.local/share/applications.
    Before you explore autostarting an AppImage file, let’s first create a desktop file for your AppImage package.
    Method 1: Using AppImage Launcher
    AppImageLauncher is a handy tool that integrates AppImages with your Linux system. This way, you can find the AppImage apps in the system menu.
    Although, AppImage Launcher hasn't see a new release in almost three years, it still works.
    For Ubuntu and other Debian-based systems, you can use the deb package to install AppImage Launcher.
    First, go to the releases page and download the deb file.
    Download AppImageLauncher Deb File
    📋
    You can either download the stable release file, released in 2020 or the continuous build file, released in 2022.
    Then install the deb file to your system.
    If you are an Arch Linux user, you can install AppImageLauncher from AUR using an AUR helper like Yay.
    yay -S appimagelauncherThere are release files for Fedora on the official releases page.
    Once AppImageLauncher is installed, right-click on an AppImage app file and select "Open with AppImageLauncher".

    Open AppImage with AppImageLauncher
    For the first time, it will ask you to select a centralized location. Go for the default (~/Applications). Click OK. Now, this is where all your AppImage files will be stored.

    Default AppImage location
    Now, in the next window, chose "Integrate and Run".

    Integrate and Run the AppImage
    That's it. Your AppImage is now integrated to your system. You can now find the app you just ran with AppImage launcher in the system menu.
    And it creates the required desktop file which is located at ~/.local/share/application.
    Method 2: Creating desktop file manually
    📋
    This part requires you to have basic knowledge of Linux commands.
    If you do not want to use AppImage Launcher, you can also create a desktop file manually.
    Create a file called <your-app-name>.desktop in ~/.local/share/applications. For example, if you are using ClickUp, name it ~/.local/share/applications/clickup.desktop
    Inside this file, add the following lines in this manner:
    [Desktop Entry] Type=Application Name=Logseq Comment=A Note taking and Knowledge Management Application Exec=/home/$USER/Applications/Logseq.AppImage Icon=/home/$USER/Applications/Images/Logseq.png Terminal=false Categories=Office;This is a very minimal desktop file for an application.
    Here, the fields should be filled with data:
    Replace the Name and Comment field with the name and description for your application.
    The Exec field should point to the absolute path of the AppImage file.
    The Icon field should point to the absolute path of the icon image file.
    Terminal=false means that the application does not require a terminal to run. For most graphical applications like AppImages, this is the desired setting.
    Categories is where your Application will appear in the system menu.
    Once done, save the file. That's it. You have created a desktop file for the AppImage.
    💡
    I advise placing all the AppImage files in a dedicated directory for better organization and avoiding accidental removal of the AppImage files.
    Step 2: Autostart the application
    Once you have the AppImage desktop file ready, you can easily autostart the application by just copy and pasting it to the ~/.config/autostart directory.
    Use the cp command to copy the file:
    cp ~/.local/share/applications/Logseq.desktop ~/.config/autostartThere is a dedicated GUI tool to autostart programs in Ubuntu. You may use that, if you want.
    Now, when you restart your system, the selected application will be auto-started.
    Conclusion
    Out of Snap, Flatpak and AppImages, I like AppImage for the protability feature. You download the AppImage file, make it executable and run it.
    The ease of use comes with a few downsides. The desktop integration is the most obvious one. You cannot launch them from the system menu. However, this can be achived using the third-party AppImage Launcher tool.
    Not able to auto start an AppImage app when the system starts is another pain point. With some effort, that can also be achieved.
    I so wish that AppImage ecosystem provides these feature by default. I mean if a third party AppImage Launcher can allow desktop integration, it can surely be integrated by AppImage officialy. What do you think?

  14. Getting Started With Linux Terminal

    Linux · Blogger · 01/06/25 01:23 PM

    by: Abhishek Prakash



    The Linux terminal could be intimidating. The dark screen with just commands to use. It's easy to feel lost.
    The thing is that Linux command line is a vast topic. You can manage the entire system using just the commands. I mean that's the role of sysadmins, network engineers and many other jobs.
    The aim of this tutorial collection is not to make you job-ready. It intends to give you the starting point of your Linux command line journey. It will give you enough to navigate the terminal and understand a few basic things like reading files and editing them.
    Since it's just the beginning, most of the tutorials are in the 'file operation' category. That's where most Linux books and courses begin.
    📋
    The best way to learn is by doing it yourself. I have written the tutorials in 'hands-on mode' so you can follow the examples on your Linux system. Each chapter in the series contains some sample exercises to practice your learning. Follow, practice and you'll be getting better at Linux command line in no time.
    Prerequisite
    When you are absolutely new to the terminal, you'll find yourself lost even while reading the tutorials. That's because you may not always understand even the simplest of terms.
    The article below will help you with some of that. While some of the tips I shared may be a little advance or not-so-useful for you at this moment, you'll find plenty of useful stuff.
    19 Basic But Essential Linux Terminal Tips You Must Know
    Learn some small, basic but often ignored things about the terminal. With the small tips, you should be able to use the terminal with slightly more efficiency.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    What will you learn here?
    Changing directories: In the first chapter, learn to switch directories (folders) using absolute and relative paths. This way, you can navigate in the Linux command line.
    Making directories: Now that you know about switching directories, learn about creating new ones.
    Listing directory content: You are getting a good grasp of the directories. Learn to see inside directories and see what files and subdirectories do they have.
    Creating files: Enough about directories. Learn to create new files in the Linux command line.
    Reading files: What's inside the file? Learn to read text files in this chapter.
    Deleting files and directories: Now that you have learned to create new files and folders, it's time to delete them.
    Copying files and directories: Keep on with the file operations and learn to copy files and directories in this installment of the terminal basics series.
    Moving files and directories: Moving file operation is like cut-paste. You can use the same method for renaming files and directories as well.
    Editing files: As the last major file operation, learn to edit text files in the command line.
    Getting help: Now that you have learned plenty of the basic Linux command line operation, it's time to know how you can get help in the terminal itself.
    Where to go from here?
    Now that you are more comfortable with the terminal and know the basic file operations in the command line, you may wonder what comes next.
    I will suggest getting a Linux book like How Linux Works. However, you can start with any Linux book you come across. Here are a few Linux books I love.
    Best Linux Books For Beginners to Advanced Linux Users
    Here are some Linux book recommendations to improve your knowledge. These books cater to the need of beginners and experts and help you master Linux concepts.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    Don't want to spend money on books yet? No worries! Here are some free Linux ebooks you can download.
    20 Best Linux Books You Can Download For Free Legally
    Let me share the best resource to learn Linux for free. This is a collection of Linux PDFs that you can download for free to learn Linux.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    Bash scripting is also an integral part of Linux learning. Even if you don't have to write shell scripts, if you know the basics, you should be able to understand scripts you come across while using Linux.
    Learn Bash Scripting For Free With This Tutorial Series
    New to bash? Start learning bash scripting with this series in am organized manner. Each chapter also includes sample exercises to practice your learning.
    It's FOSS

    There is no limit to learning. It's impossible to know it all. Yet, if you know at least the basics, it helps you in using the system more effectively.
    🗨 I hope you like this Linux terminal tutorial series. Do share your feedback in the comments section.
  15. by: Sreenath



    I found it cool enough to watch someone, often portrayed as a hacker, use the Linux terminal, especially in the movies. What if I try to become one of the super cool hackers from the Hollywood movies? 😎
    Now that I'm older, I'm no longer fooled by those movie skits 😌 But, I'm still a kid at heart, and I want others to think that I am a secretive hacker when they see me using the terminal.
    To pursue that, I started exploring a list of cool Linux terminal tools that I can use for the job.
    If I can feel like a hacker with these tools, you can too! Let's give them a try!
    💡
    You can use CTRL+C to exit the terminal after running these tools.
    1. genact
    Do you often feel like all you do in the terminal is run update commands, with nothing impressive to show off? Don’t worry—genact is here for you!
    0:00
    /1:02
    1×
    Running genact in a terminalRunning genact in a terminal
    This little command will fill package download, network and other entries to your terminal. Those watching will think you are compiling some great programs.
    You can install this from the Ubuntu Snap store or grab the prebuilt binary for genact from the official GitHub repository as per your CPU architecture.
    If you downloaded the binary, open a terminal in the downloaded directory, and give the file execution permission with the following command:
    chmod +x ./genact-file-name The file name will look like genact-1.4.2-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu
    Next, execute it using:
    ./genact-file-name genact
    2. Cmatrix
    Anyone who has seen The Matrix movie cannot forget the iconic effect of characters raining down the screen. With CMatrix, you can recreate this mesmerizing display right in your terminal.
    0:00
    /0:09
    1×
    Cmatrix command running in terminal.
    You can install Cmatrix from the official repository of most Linux distributions. For instance, here's the command for Ubuntu-based distributions:
    sudo apt install cmatrix Now, just run it using the command:
    cmatrix For more fun, you can pair it with other fun terminal tools like lolcat, one of the fun ASCII art tools.
    3. Hollywood
    Hollywood is that command which will make others think that your system has been hacked my someone.
    It will burst a huge text and animation effects on your terminal, where regular keyboard entries will do nothing. For a minute, I forgot I had to stop it to continue writing the article, it looked so cool! 😎
    To install hollywood on Ubuntu, use the command:
    sudo apt install hollywood Hollywood
    4. TEXTREME
    Do you want a text editor that will show all types of fancy animation for character entry and deletion?
    Textreme is for you.
    This is not a regular text editor, where you will code swiftly, but a cool fancy text editor, that gives a festive party vibe while you write something.
    You can grab an executable binary from the official website. And, extract the tar file and double-click on the file to start the editor.
    TEXTREME
    5. No More Secrets
    No More secrets will show an encrypt/decrypt effect for everything piped into it. It tries to recreate the famous data decryption effect seen on screen in the 1992 hacker movie Sneakers.
    There are no release files for this package. So, you need to compile it from GitHub.
    Make sure you have git and essential build tools like make installed. Then use the following commands to proceed:
    git clone https://github.com/bartobri/no-more-secrets.git cd ./no-more-secrets make nms make sneakers sudo make install This will install two tools, no-more-secrets or nms and sneakers.
    Sneakers
    Sneakers recreates the movie clip for you. Once the command completes printing encrypted characters, press any key to start the decrypting effect.
    No More Secrets
    Pipe any text output to this command and see the effect for yourself. If you would rather not press a key to start decryption, use:
    cat agatha.txt | nms -a This will print the contents of the file in encrypted form and then automatically start to decrypt it and show the original content.
    You can experiment with it to show different colors as well!
    No More Secrets
    6. Cool Retro Term
    Sometimes the feeling of a hacker or a whiz comes from retro tools. This is one of the super cool terminal emulators that helps achieve what we want here.
    You can install the Cool Retro Term terminal emulator application on Ubuntu using the command:
    sudo apt install cool-retro-term Next, open the terminal from your Activities Overview or app menu:
    Do not forget to right-click on the terminal and explore the settings. There are more effects waiting!

    Cool Retro Term Settings
    Cool Retro Term
    7. gping
    Did you ever use the Ping command to check whether you have an active internet connection? Or to check whether a site is up and running?
    The ping command is just a text command, where you need to look at the values to get the picture. You can do the same, but have some aesthetically pleasing outputs (graph) using gping.
    Install GPing on Ubuntu using the command:
    sudo apt install gping 0:00
    /0:43
    1×
    Gping command
    gping
    8. Bpytop
    Bpytop is a htop alternative that prints system information neatly. You can use this command to make someone think that you're monitoring super serious aspects of your computer.
    To install it, use the command:
    sudo apt install bpytop 0:00
    /0:30
    1×
    Bpytop command with options
    Bpytop
    When it comes to Linux terminal tools, there are endless options from various individual developers.
    Here, I have shared the ones that I tried to make myself look like a hacker to anyone who observes me when I use the computer 😄
    You can also choose to explore some terminal emulators or system monitoring tools to have fun with:
    Top 14 Terminal Emulators for Linux (With Extra Features or Amazing Looks)
    Want a terminal that looks cool or has extra features? Here are the best Linux terminal emulators you can get.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    💬 What is your favorite on the list? Do you have some fun tools that I missed listing here? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.
  16. by: Ankush Das



    One of the superpowers of having a computer is dual booting. You can have two operating systems installed on a single computer, and switch between them at boot time.
    If you are hearing it for the first time, I suggest you read our article on dual booting to learn more about the impressive capability.
    And, the most popular option to dual boot is Linux and Windows. So, you can have the best of both worlds, without any compromises.
    However, there are some myths surrounding this combination of dual booting. Here, I tell you the reality of the myths as per my experience with dual booting for more than a decade now.
    1. Dual Booting Slows Down Your System

    If you have been dual booting for a long time, you must have come across this thought where some were convinced that dual booting affects your system speed.
    Fortunately, it is not true, as you only use one operating system at any given time.
    When you are greeted with the grub screen or dual boot screen with the two options, you merely choose what to load up for using your computer. It is either Windows or the Linux distribution.

    Dual boot grub screen of my computer
    So, when you do pick one, the other remains dormant, until you reboot and select it.
    It never slowed down my system, and it will not slow down yours.
    2. Dual Boot is Only About Windows and Linux

    I have a dual boot Windows and Linux setup for my use-case, and that is the most common choice among users.
    But, that does not mean that is the only possible choice.
    You can choose to have two Linux distributions for dual booting, and you can also have two Linux distributions, and Windows. Something like this:

    Credits: It's FOSS Community
    If I can think of a combination, I can do that, it is that simple.
    3. You Cannot Dual Boot With Secure Boot

    When it comes to dual booting with secure boot, you are limited to certain Linux distributions that support it (and offer documentation for it). But, it is not impossible.
    For instance, Ubuntu supports dual booting with UEFI secure boot enabled.
    You can follow our tutorial on installing Ubuntu with Windows to get it done.
    4. You Need Two Disks to Dual Boot a System

    While I admit that I utilize two disks for dual booting conveniently, but it is not what everyone does.
    Plenty of users have just a single disk, and install the secondary OS to dual boot on a separate partition. Linux distributions have made it easy by offering an "Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager" option during installation:

    You just have to be more careful when selecting the path to the bootloader, and the partition to install the OS. But, it is entirely possible.
    5. You have to install Linux after Windows

    It is a no-brainer that most Windows users think of installing Linux as a secondary OS. I find it so peaceful for a change, even if you rely on some Windows-specific applications for work.
    So, that is the popular norm. But, it also works the other way. If you have Linux installed already, you can install Windows later without any hiccups. Just like we have done here:
    How to Install Windows After Ubuntu Linux in Dual Boot
    When it comes to dual boot, the general idea is that you have a system preinstalled with Windows and then you install Linux alongside Windows. On the boot, you select whether you want to use Windows or Linux. How about the opposite situation? What if you have a system that
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    Or, if you have nothing pre-installed. You can choose to first install Linux, and then Windows, it does not make a difference.
    6. You Cannot Go Back to Windows Without Formatting The Entire System
    Whether you have Linux or Windows installed currently, you can always go back to your favorite as the only option again.
    Let us assume that you want to go back to Windows as your daily driver over your Linux distribution.
    In such a case, all you need to do is add Windows as a secondary OS for dual booting and then remove format the partition that housed Linux, that's it:
    Beginners Guide to Install Windows With Ubuntu in Dual Boot
    This detailed article shows you how to dual boot Ubuntu with Windows 10, step-by-step, accompanied with proper screenshots.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    And, if you added Linux as the secondary OS to boot, and no longer want to use Linux. You can remove that too by simply deleting the partition/disk drive where you installed it. Here's some more information regarding that:
    How to Uninstall Ubuntu from Windows Dual Boot Safely
    This beginner’s guide shows you how to safely remove Ubuntu or any other Linux distribution from Windows dual boot.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    So, you can always go back to either of the operating systems as per your choice. You do not need to format the entire system to get rid of one.
    Wrapping Up
    I have been on a dual boot setup with Linux distributions and Windows for years now.
    Yes, I might have put myself into trouble, thinking that I almost lost all my data. But, once you learn how to do it correctly, it is an interesting life.
    💭 What do you think about dual booting? Let me know your thoughts on the same!

  17. Taking Screenshots in Hyprland

    Linux · Blogger · 01/16/25 02:06 PM

    by: Sreenath



    Hyprland is a highly customizable Wayland tiling compositor known for its eye-catching aesthetics and impressive performance. With such a high degree of customization, one important feature that many users seek is the ability to take screenshots.
    Whether for sharing on social media or saving essential screen details for future reference, capturing your screen is an essential task.
    In this article, we will explore various methods to set up screenshot functionality on your Hyprland installation.
    First Option: Grimblast
    Grimblast is an official Hyprland screenshot utility offering various options.
    It is a shell script, that uses tools like grim and slurp to take screenshots.
    Installing Grimblast
    Before installing Grimblast, we need to get the required dependencies. On Arch Linux, use the following command:
    sudo pacman -Syu jq grim slurp wl-clipboard libnotitfy hyprpicker 🚧
    For other distributions, you should check the official program pages for installation instructions.
    Grimblast is not available in the package manager of applications. To install, first go to the official repo of the project and go to the grimblast folder.

    Click on grimblast
    Here, go to the script file 'grimblast' and click on it to access.

    Click on grimblast script file
    Here, click on the download icon on the top-right corner of the code page to start downloading it.

    Download grimblast script
    Download Grimblast Script
    🚧
    You should keep an eye on the project for updates/commits.
    Once downloaded, go to the download location and give it execution permission.
    chmod +x ./grimblast Now, copy the file to a directory that is in your PATH.
    sudo cp ./grimblast /usr/local/bin/ Using Grimblast
    Grimblast has several useful options. We will be taking a look at some items in the table below:
    Command
    Description
    grimblast save active
    Save the screenshot of active window
    grimblast save area
    Save the screenshot of a rectangular area selectable with mouse.
    grimblast --notify copy active|area|output|screen
    Take the screenshot of respective area and copy it to clipboard and notify the user.
    grimblast --cursor copysave area
    Copy the screenshot of the selected window area along with cursor to the clipboard. Also save the image to Pictures directory.
    Grimblast supports the following area of screenshots:
    active: Current active window.
    screen: All visible outputs.
    output: Currently active output/monitor.
    area: Manually selected rectangular area/window.
    1. Open the image in an editor
    Grimblast supports opening the screenshot in a selected image editing application. By default, this is set as GIMP.
    So, if you have GIMP installed, you can use the command:
    grimblast edit area The above command will take a screenshot of an area and open it in GIMP.
    If you are using another image editor like Photoflare, you can use that program by configuring the GRIMBLAST_EDITOR environment variable.
    On your ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf file, use the following line:
    env = GRIMBLAST_EDITOR,photoflareThat's it. Now, when a screenshot is taken, it is opened in the selected editor.
    2. Move the screenshot area
    While taking region screenshots, you can move the screenshot view port. For this, when the screenshot key is pressed, and a region is selected, hold down the Space key without releasing the mouse click.
    Now, without releasing the mouse click, drag the mouse to move around the screenshot area.
    You can release the space key, and continue the resizing of the screenshot as well.
    3. Add Grimblast Keybindings
    You should be using Grimblast only through keybindings.
    On Hyprland configuration file, add the line:
    bind = , PRINT, exec, grimblast copysave area bind = $mainMod_SHIFT, PRINT, exec, grimblast copysave output The above command will save a screenshot of the selected area or window to ~/Pictures directory when you hit the PrtScr key. It will also be copied to your clipboard. The Super + SHIFT + PrtScr key will save a screenshot of currently active output, with the same will be copied to clipboard as well.
    Second Option: Hyprshot
    Hyprshot is an exclusive screenshot utility designed specifically for Hyprland.
    It is a straightforward tool that does exactly what it's meant for: taking screenshots.
    If you have read through the GitHub page of this tool, you will realize that it is primarily a shell script that serves as a wrapper around tools like grim, slurp, and others to take screenshots in Wayland environment. Furthermore, it is specially tailored to work with Hyprland, which is the most important thing here.
    Installing Hyprshot
    Before installing Hyprshot, first we need to get the dependencies. On Arch Linux, use the following command:
    sudo pacman -Syu jq grim slurp wl-clipboard libnotitfy hyprpicker Once the dependencies are installed, let's install Hyprshot:
    yay -S hyprshot If you are using any other distribution, go to the official GitHub page of Hyprshot and download the release file.
    Download Hyprshot
    Once done, extract the archive file, and you will get a shell script file called hyprshot. Go inside the extracted location and make this script file executable:
    chmod +x ./hyprshot> Now, copy this file to a directory in your PATH to make it available everywhere.
    sudo cp ./hyprshot /usr/local/bin/ That's it!
    Setting Hyprshot
    Once installed, it's time to configure. Open your hyprland.conf file using any of your favorite text editor.
    nano ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf Inside this file, go to the end and add a key binding for Hyprshot. To make everything look neat, we will create a section using comment called Hyprshot Screenshots.
    # Hyprshot Screenshots bind = , PRINT, exec, hyprshot -m region bind = $mainMod_SHIFT, PRINT, exec, hyprshot -m window Here, we have set two keybindings with the values. To take a screenshot of a rectangular region:
    hyprshot -m region 💡
    While selecting a region, without releasing the mouse left-click press the space and drag the mouse. This will move the selection area. A video is shown in the Grimblast section.
    And to take the screenshot of an open window, you type in:
    hyprshot -m window There are other options available with Hyprshot, let's take a brief look:
    Option
    Description
    hyprshot -m window
    Take the screenshot of open window.
    hyprshot -m region
    Take the screenshot of a rectangular region.
    hyprshot -m output
    Take the screenshot of a selected display/monitor.
    hyprshot -m active
    Take the screenshot of an active window.
    --clipboard-only
    Use this option with other options to not save the image, but only copy to clipboard.
    Did you know you can also freeze the screen?
    An interesting use-case that you can pull off is to freeze the screen while taking a screenshot. For this to work, you should have hyprpicker installed.
    Once you have Hyprshot and Hyprpicker, you can use the -z option to freeze the screen.
    For example, to take the screenshot of a rectangular region with screen frozen, use the command:
    hyprshot -zm region To add this to the Hyprland config, use the keybinding command:
    bind = , PRINT, exec, hyprshot -zm region For those who only need to add it to the clipboard without saving, use:
    bind = , PRINT, exec, hyprshot -zm region --clipboard-only 💡
    If you have a notification daemon like dunst is running, Hyprshot will notify you about the screenshot.
    Third Option: Flameshot
    Flameshot is a great screenshot taking utility for Linux. But the default package available in the repos of distribution works mainly on Xorg-based distributions.
    But, you can use the git version of Flameshot in Wayland-based systems like Hyprland. Let me tell you how.
    Install Flameshot
    First, remove any other Flameshot instance installed on your system (this is applicable for Arch users):
    sudo pacman -Rs flameshot Next, install the git version of Flameshot from the AUR. We will recommend using an AUR helper like yay to install the package.
    yay -S flameshot-git Wait for some time to compile the program and installation process to complete.
    Once completed, you can open Flameshot from your app menu:
    Flameshot offers better screenshot options compared to other items mentioned here. But, you should keep in mind that Flameshot is developed mainly for Xorg sessions, and the packaged versions may not work properly in Hyprland.
    So, try out Flameshot as an experiment if you do not like the first two options.
    Wrapping Up
    While starting with Hyprland can be challenging for new users, you can do a great deal of things with ease, as mentioned above.
    💬 How do you take screenshots on Hyprland? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
  18. by: Abhishek Prakash



    I would appreciate your feedback on something 'new'. I plan to add pages that let you discover applications based on certain criteria.
    It's a work in progress, but feel free to have a look and share your opinion 🙏
    Discover Interesting Linux Terminal Tools
    Discover a selection of interesting tools and utilities you can use from the (dis)comfort of your terminal.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    Would you like to see more pages like this?
    💬 Let's see what else you get in this edition
    Upgrading to Mint 22.1.
    Flathub introducing a new section.
    Linux powering NVIDIA's Project DIGITS.
    And other Linux news, videos and, of course, memes!
    This edition of FOSS Weekly is supported by ANY.RUN.
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    Upgrading to Mint 22.1 from Mint 22.
    WINE 10.0 is now available.
    Linux kernel 6.13 is a major upgrade with many changes.
    Linux Kernel 6.13 Released: Here’s What’s New!
    AMD users and old Apple device owners, this is a good release for you!
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    Bambu Labs has found themselves in a tough spot.
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    Hindenburg Research closing up shop has resulted in an interesting outcome.
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    Hyprland series sees the addition of two new tutorials; grouping items in Waybar and screenshots utilities in Hyprland.
    WSL tutorial series has also been reorganized.
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    Blend in with the crowd with these jargons.
    21 Jargon Every Linux User Should Know
    Even if you don’t know Linux well enough, you should know these common terms to blend in ;)
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    👷 Maker's and AI Corner
    Tinker right out of the box with these 7 Raspberry Pi laptops and tablets.
    7 Raspberry Pi-Based Laptops and Tablets for Tinkerers
    Raspberry-powered laptops and tablets can be the perfect pick for your projects, and portable computing needs. Here’s a list of options.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    Tip on monitoring the CPU and GPU temperature of your Raspberry Pi.
    📹 Videos we are creating
    Take a look at the new features in the new Mint 22.1 Xia.
    Subscribe to our YouTube channel
    ✨ Apps of the Week
    Text Pieces is a neat app that acts as a scratchpad for developers.
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    A handy little scratchpad app for developers.
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    Managing your finances is crucial, My Expenses makes it simple.
    🛍️Deal You Would Love

    If you are looking for a career in IT with Linux, Cloud and DevOps, Linux Foundation's training and certifications (LFCS, CKA etc) are on a limited time discount.
    Check Linux Foundation Offer
    🧩 Quiz Time
    This time it's a crossword on Linux terminal emulators.
    Linux Terminal Emulators: Crossword
    Let’s explore some Linux terminal emulators with this crossword.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    💡 Quick Handy Tip
    In KDE Plasma, you can add some additional effects to the Breeze window decorations using system settings. First, go to System Settings, then go to Colors & Themes → Window Decorations.
    Here, click on the edit icon near the Breeze theme to get more options, where a new settings dialog should appear. You can do appearance changes like title alignment, shadows and outline, button size tweaks, etc.
    This might work with other Plasma themes too.

    🤣 Meme of the Week
    Do you also feel the same way?

    🗓️ Tech Trivia
    The Macintosh, launched on January 24, 1984, was the first successful computer with a mouse and graphical user interface. It revolutionized personal computing by making technology more accessible. Its debut was marked by Apple’s iconic “1984” Super Bowl commercial.
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 FOSSverse Corner
    Pro FOSSer, Jimmy, shares how he is impressed by Atuin.
    Atuin Rocks!: Fuzzy Search for Bash History
    Hey everyone, Around mid November I decided to try Atuin: Github link. Atuin replaces your shell history with an SQLite database. You can also set it up so that your fully encrypted history is synchronized between different machines*. Before this, while I used the shell history, I cannot say that I was very good at it. If it had been a long time since I had run the command, I was usually better off just trying to figure out what I ran before by typing it out. Of course, sometimes I would have…
    It's FOSS CommunityAkatama

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    Share it with your Linux-using friends and encourage them to subscribe (hint: it's here).
    Share the articles in Linux Subreddits and community forums.
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    Opt for It's FOSS Plus membership and support us 🙏
    Enjoy FOSS 😄
  19. by: Abhishek Prakash



    You want to be good at Linux? Start using it. Linux doesn't get easier. You get better at it.
    The more you use it as your daily driver, the more you explore it and the more you learn. You won't even realize how much you have improved from day zero 💪
    💬 Let's see what else you get in this edition
    New LibreOffice and ONLYOFFICE releases.
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    New EndeavourOS release
    And other Linux news, tips and, of course, memes!
    This edition of FOSS Weekly is supported by Internxt.
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    DeepSeek support lands in the latest Warp Terminal release.
    Proxmox has been made a toplevel platform for Fedora CoreOS.
    The Open Euro LLM initiative is Europe's bet on achieving transparent AI.
    LibreOffice 25.2 and ONLYOFFICE Docs 8.3 have arrived with many notable improvements.
    KDE Plasma 6.3 arrives with some digital artist-focused changes.
    KDE Plasma 6.3 Release Aims to Be the Ultimate Desktop for Digital Artists
    KDE Plasma 6.3 has arrived with some pretty exciting changes for digital artists.
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    🧠 What We’re Thinking About
    After the recent Linux kernel drama, a new policy has been introduced for Rust.
    After Recent Kernel Drama, Rust for Linux Policy Put in Place
    The recent Linux kernel drama over Rust code has resulted in the creation of a Rust kernel policy.
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    🧮 Linux Tips, Tutorials and More
    Dual-booted and now Windows is not showing in Grub? You can fix that.
    Installing Arch Linux with BTRFS and disk encryption is fairly straightforward.
    If you are not up for that, why not get started with Fedora for your next distrohop?
    Here are some elementary but necessary tips on using the Linux commands in terminal.
    19 Basic But Essential Linux Terminal Tips You Must Know
    Learn some small, basic but often ignored things about the terminal. With the small tips, you should be able to use the terminal with slightly more efficiency.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    👷 Maker's and AI Corner
    Ditch the cloud with these five local AI tools for image creation.
    Tailscale makes SSHing into your Raspberry Pi simple and secure.
    SSH into Raspberry Pi from Outside Home Network Using Tailscale
    Learn how you can use Tailscale to secure connect to your Raspberry Pi from outside your home network.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Kumar

    ✨ Apps highlight
    Feeling the winds change? Time to check out a cool open source weather app. 🌤️
    Another day, another IDE with AI features. Flexpilot joins the list.
    Flexpilot is an Open Source IDE for AI-Assisted Coding Experience 🚀
    Flexpilot is almost like VS Code, only a bit better with built-in AI features. Learn why I created it and how you can use it.
    It's FOSSCommunity

    🛍️ Deal You Would Love
    15 Linux and DevOps books for just $18 plus your purchase supports Code for America organization. Get them on Humble Bundle.
    Humble Tech Book Bundle: Linux from Beginner to Professional by O’Reilly
    Learn Linux with ease using this library of coding and programming courses by O’Reilly. Pay what you want & support Code For America.
    Humble Bundle

    📽️ Video I am Creating for You
    Subscribe to It's FOSS YouTube Channel
    🧩 Quiz Time
    In the most intelligent photo ever taken, do you know all the people?
    The Most Intelligent Photo for Curious Minds
    Did you know about the individuals in this photo? We help you here.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    💡 Quick Handy Tip
    In KDE Plasma, you can assign a temporary shortcut to a window so that you can bring it to the foreground when needed. For this, right-click on the title bar of the required window and select More Actions → Set Window Shortcut…

    Now, enter a shortcut by activating the desired keyboard shortcut combination and press OK.

    And, that's it. Now you can see that the title of the window is modified to show the new temporary window shortcut. Use the keyboard shortcut combination to bring the window to the foreground.
    🤣 Meme of the Week
    The clock's ticking, Windows 10 users! ⏰

    🗓️ Tech Trivia
    On February 10, 1996, IBM’s Deep Blue became the first computer to defeat a reigning world chess champion, Garry Kasparov, in a single game. Kasparov won the match 4–2.
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 FOSSverse Corner
    Have you heard of the Haiku Project? It is an open source operating system that focuses on personal computing. Join other FOSSers in the discussion over it!
    Haiku Project looks interesting!
    So, there’s this other OS, it’s not Linux, nor a *BSD. It’s Haiku. A continuation of BeOS, which was meant as a competitor to Windows, it has quite some interesting features. It boots fast, REALLY fast, and I only tried its live mode in a VM! Yes, it’s rough around the edges (that’s why it hasn’t got a 1.0 yet), but already it looks promising. Its GUI is really responsive and looks and behaves quite different than the Windows or MacOS-esque GUIs, so takes some getting used to. So, what do you…
    It's FOSS Communityxahodo

    ❤️ With love
    Share it with your Linux-using friends and encourage them to subscribe (hint: it's here).
    Share the articles in Linux Subreddits and community forums.
    Follow us on Google News and stay updated in your News feed.
    Opt for It's FOSS Plus membership and support us 🙏
    Enjoy FOSS 😄
  20. by: Ankush Das



    The Raspberry Pi is an extremely popular invention that enabled tinkerers to make interesting projects out of it.
    You name it, and there must be a way for tinkerers to make it happen using the Raspberry Pi board. The possibilities are endless. Don't believe me? You can explore our list of Raspberry Pi project ideas to see what kind of projects exist.
    That being said, the Raspberry Pi can also be used in arrangement to make a laptop you can use, or maybe a tablet. You can purchase some ready-made Raspberry Pi-based kits or choose to build it yourself following some project ideas out there.
    Here, I have compiled all such options for you to take a look at.
    🚧
    The Raspberry Pi kits and accessories mentioned are available across various platforms. These websites may not have the best return/shipping policies. Please check them carefully before you make a purchase.
    📋
    The article contains affiliate links. Please read our affiliate policy.
    1. RasPad
    RasPad is one of the most popular Linux tablets out there. While it is extremely difficult to find it in stock on the official website, you can find several retailers/resellers making it available.
    It is built to be used along with a Raspberry Pi device, which you have to purchase separately. Sure, it may not be a slim tablet, like the Android ones, but it is a fun portable gadget to put together and use.
    You can install RasPad OS or any other Raspberry Pi operating system.
    RasPad
    2. CrowPi Raspberry Pi Educational Kit

    A portable Raspberry Pi-based kit that looks like a laptop, CrowPi by Elecrow is a decent option available to purchase.
    It is compatible with Raspberry Pi 5. So, you can make use of the latest tech available to get yourself a portable Raspberry Pi device with a big 9-inch IPS touch screen.
    You can connect a keyboard to it, install any operating system of your choice, and you have a portable laptop to mimic, even if it may not look the prettiest.
    CrowPi Compact Educational Kit
    3. Piper Computer Kit

    A Raspberry Pi-based kit tailored to provide a computer building experience where you end up with a device which you can use to learn and build stuff.
    The kit is designed like there are puzzle pieces that you need to put together to learn as you build. It already includes a Raspberry Pi in the kit. So, you do not need to purchase it separately.
    Piper Computer Kit
    4. CrowPi L

    CrowPi L looks relatively close to a laptop, and you have it as an assembled device without the Raspberry Pi.
    It is compatible with Raspberry Pi 4B. So, all you have to do is get the board, and install it on its back side just like you would install a removable battery, yes, that easy!
    You get an integrated camera + microphone, an 11.6-inch IPS screen, and a 5000 mAh battery to power the device.
    You can choose to use it as a real laptop replacement or utilize it to build other projects.
    CrowPi L
    5. Handeld Nano Pi 2

    Unlike the above-mentioned options, this handheld Raspberry Pi device is a project idea that you can refer and build it yourself.
    The project runs a Raspberry Pi 2 version board with an incredibly small phone-sized keyboard and screen. You can 3D print the chassis of the keyboard, screen, and the box using the files available. And, customize it for a newer Raspberry Pi board.
    For instructions, you will have to check out its Thingiverse page.
    Thingiverse Nano Pi2 UMPC
    6. CrowView Note
    CrowView Note is a portable monitor with a keyboard and all the essentials, like microphone, camera, to turn any SBC like Raspberry Pi into a laptop.
    Sure, you can use Raspberry Pi alternatives. But, I have seen people build Raspberry Pi laptops out of it on YouTube, just like this one:
    When writing this, it was available as a Kickstarter product. So, it should be available when it's back in stock or at a later date again on its official manufacturer's website, Elecrow.
    CrowView Note
    7. Raspberry Pi 500 Desktop Kit
    Credits: Jeff Gerling
    If you are not satisfied with any of the options available in the market, you can go for the Raspberry Pi 500 or its predecessor, Raspberry Pi 400, built on top of the Raspberry Pi 5 and 4 respectively.
    It is not a laptop nor a tablet, but if you aren't concerned about the form factor, this can be a portable solution. All you need is a screen to connect to, as the keyboard is the entire computer.
    With the kit, you get a mouse, a preloaded SD card with Raspberry Pi OS, and essential cables to connect to a monitor. You will find limited online resellers having it in stock.
    Raspberry Pi 400
    Any Other Options To Consider?
    You can build countless form factors when using a Raspberry Pi board to create a device. The ready-made options are always limited.
    If you just want a lightweight hackable laptop to run Linux for your projects (not based on Raspberry Pi), you can take a look at PineBook that uses its custom SBC.
    Not a tinkerer? And, looking for a mini PC? We have a list of Linux-based mini PCs as well:
    11 Mini PCs That Come With Linux Pre-installed
    Looking for a Linux-based mini PC? Here are the options that let you replace your traditional bulky desktop with a compact yet powerful mini PC.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    💬Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments down below!
  21. by: Abhishek Kumar



    While I’ve always enjoyed Kodi’s default skin, I’ve found that it can get a bit "boring" after a while.
    That’s when I started exploring Kodi builds, these pre-packaged setups not only refresh the interface but also bring in various features and add-ons that make the experience more exciting.
    After spending some time fiddling with different builds, I’ve collected the ones I find particularly interesting and amazing.
    Whether you're new to Kodi or looking for a fresh look, these builds will definitely take your streaming game to the next level.
    What's the point of Kodi builds?
    Kodi, by default, gives you the freedom to customize everything from the interface to the content you access.
    However, this can sometimes mean a lot of manual work, like searching for and installing individual add-ons for movies, TV shows, live sports, and more. While this gives you control, it can be time-consuming, especially for beginners.
    In simple words, Kodi builds bundle everything you need into one pre-configured setup, from add-ons to custom settings, saving you time and effort.
    Instead of piecing everything together yourself, you get a fully functional and visually appealing interface right from the start.
    How to install Kodi builds?
    Installing Kodi build is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to get started:
    Enable Unknown Sources: Open Kodi, go to Settings > System > Add-ons, and toggle Unknown sources on. (Accept the warning)
    Add the Repository: In Settings > File Manager, click Add Source, enter the repository URL, name it, and save.
    Install the Build: Go to Add-ons > Install from zip file, select the repository you just added, and install the build wizard (like Chef Wizard or Doomzday Wizard).
    Open the wizard from your Program Add-ons, pick your desired build, and follow the on-screen steps to install it.
    Restart Kodi, and your new build will be ready to use!
    📋
    All the builds mentioned in this list are designed to work with Kodi 21 Omega, which is the latest release of Kodi right now. Some of these builds may also be compatible with earlier versions like Kodi 20 Nexus, 19 Matrix, and 18 Leia, and I’ve pointed those out where applicable.
    1. Doomzday Nova

    Whether you're using a low-RAM device like FireStick or an Android TV Box, or you have a powerful computer or SBC, Doomzday has something for everyone.
    The Nova TV build, for example, is a lightweight option that runs smoothly on lower-spec devices, while other feature-rich builds are perfect for high-end systems.
    With a variety of popular Kodi add-ons pre-installed, you can easily access all your favorite content in one place.
    Key Features:
    Lightweight builds for low-RAM devices (e.g., Raspberry Pi 3, FireStick)
    Feature-rich builds for high-end devices
    Pre-installed popular add-ons like Asgard, The Crew, and more
    Easy-to-navigate interface with different categories
    Supports a wide range of content: Movies, TV Shows, Sports, Live TV, etc.
    Includes 4K streaming options (Debrid 4K)
    Frequent updates and improvements
    Free and premium streaming options (Debrid support)
    Access to specialized content like documentaries and family-friendly shows
    Doomzday
    2. Diggz Xenon

    Diggz Xenon is often regarded as one of the best Kodi builds, and for good reason. Its futuristic interface, vast content library, and a solid collection of add-ons make it a top choice for cord-cutters.
    Located within the Chef Wizard, Xenon offers both "Debrid" and "Free" versions, allowing users to choose based on their needs.
    The Debrid version requires a Real-Debrid account to access higher-quality streaming links, while the Free version skips the need for a debrid service.
    With the addition of the AIO (All-In-One) update, users can now preview builds before selecting, making it even easier to find the perfect setup.
    Key Features:
    Sleek, futuristic interface with smooth navigation
    Two versions: Debrid (for higher-quality links) and Free (no debrid required)
    Extensive content library covering Movies, TV Shows, Sports, and more
    Located inside the Chef Wizard, which houses other high-quality builds
    AIO (All-In-One) update for previewing builds before installation
    Includes popular add-ons like Umbrella, Seren, FEN, and Asgard
    Regular updates for improved functionality and content
    Excellent for both new and experienced Kodi users
    Great support for both free and premium streaming options
    Diggz Xenon
    3. Aspire

    Aspire is a well-regarded build in the Kodi community, known for its sleek design and solid performance.
    It strikes a great balance between style and functionality, making it an excellent choice for users who want both aesthetics and practicality.
    Aspire works smoothly on a variety of devices, including lower-spec options like the Onn, Google TV Box and Fire TV Stick Lite.
    It can be installed through the Doomzday Wizard or EzzerMans Wizard, offering flexibility in how you set it up.
    Key Features:
    Sleek, stylish design with a user-friendly interface
    Small size (267 MB), making it ideal for lower-spec devices
    Packed with content including on-demand titles and live channels
    Supports integration with debrid services for enhanced performance
    Can be installed via Doomzday Wizard or EzzerMans Wizard
    Works well on devices like Fire TV Stick Lite and onn. Google TV Box
    Includes popular add-ons like Diggz Free99, Ghost, and Magic Dragon
    Smooth streaming experience with minimal buffering
    Regular updates to keep the build fresh and functional
    Great for both casual viewers and avid streamers
    Aspire
    4. Grindhouse

    Whether you're looking for lightweight builds or feature-rich setups, Grindhouse has something for everyone.
    It’s home to over a dozen builds, including popular ones like AR Build, Blue, Decades, Horror, Jaws, and Pin Up.
    These builds are designed to provide an all-in-one experience, so you don’t need separate outlets for movies, TV shows, and live programming.
    The sleek, dim-themed interface is easy to navigate, with sections for Builds, Maintenance, Backup/Restore, Tools, and more.
    Grindhouse continues to be a go-to repository for many Kodi users, and it’s easy to see why it made it to our list.
    Key Features:
    Diverse collection of builds, from lightweight to feature-rich
    All-in-one builds for movies, TV shows, and live programming
    Easy-to-navigate, sleek, dim-themed interface
    Includes popular builds like AR Build, Blue, Decades, and more
    Sections for Builds, Maintenance, Backup/Restore, Tools, and Close
    Continually updated and maintained for optimal performance
    Ideal for users who want a variety of content in one place
    Popular among Kodi users for its versatility and ease of use
    No need for multiple add-ons to access all types of content
    Simple setup and installation process
    Grindhouse
    5. Plutonium

    Plutonium is a lightweight, visually engaging build with a colorful interface that makes it a great choice for devices with limited storage.
    It’s designed primarily for Video On-Demand (VOD) content, offering a packed library of movies and TV series.
    While it doesn’t include live TV channels, this simplicity helps it run smoothly and quickly. If you already have an IPTV service, Plutonium might be the perfect build to complement your setup.
    The latest update from EzzerMan ensures compatibility with Kodi 21, continuing to deliver an optimized, user-friendly experience.
    Key Features:
    Colorful, engaging user interface
    Extensive library of movies and TV series for on-demand streaming
    No live TV channels, but ideal for users with IPTV services
    Simple setup and navigation for easy use
    Optimized for streaming video content without buffering
    Available through EzzerMan’s Wizard, alongside other notable builds
    Easy-to-install and quick to get started
    Frequent updates to ensure smooth performance
    Plutonium
    6. Xontrix

    Xontrix is a powerful all-in-one Kodi build that offers both on-demand content and live TV channels.
    It’s housed in the popular Chains Repository, known for its high-quality builds and addons. Installation is straightforward, and the build works seamlessly right after download.
    The user-friendly interface allows easy navigation between content categories and addons, making it simple to find what you're looking for.
    Xontrix also features a dedicated Kids section for family-friendly content and offers immersive music options.
    For optimal performance, integrating a premium resolving service like Real-Debrid is recommended, as many of the build’s addons are “premium” options.
    Key Features:
    All-in-one build with both on-demand content and live TV channels
    Easy installation and flawless performance right after download
    User-friendly interface with categories for quick navigation
    Includes a Kids section for family-friendly content
    Music options for an immersive audio experience
    Best used with a premium resolving service like Real-Debrid for enhanced performance
    Located in the reputable Chains Repository
    Customizable settings to adjust categories and services
    Supports a variety of popular addons
    Xontrix
    7. Green Monster

    Green Monster is a visually impressive and versatile Kodi build known for its lightweight design and top-notch video add-ons.
    It offers a variety of categories, making it a great choice for streaming movies, TV shows, and live channels.
    The build has been around for several years and continues to receive frequent updates.
    Although it may take a few minutes to set up after installation due to its slightly heavier size, the wait is worth it.
    Once installed, you’ll find a wide range of content options that can be easily customized to suit your needs.
    Key Features:
    Impressive user-interface with a visually appealing design
    Lightweight yet versatile with a variety of categories
    Frequently updated by developers to ensure a smooth experience
    Great for streaming movies, TV shows, and live channels
    Slightly heavier than other builds, so it may take time to set up initially
    Provides a wide range of content choices once installed
    Customizable settings to adjust to your preferences
    Top add-ons for enhanced streaming experience
    Green Monster
    8. Misfit Mods Lite

    Misfit Mods is back and better than ever! Known for its sleek and modern layout, this build has been a favorite among Kodi users, especially those who used it on Kodi 19 Matrix.
    Now, with compatibility for Kodi 21 Omega, it’s even more accessible. Misfit Mods Lite offers thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows, along with hundreds of live channels.
    It also features categories for children's shows and music, making it a versatile option for the entire family.
    For an enhanced experience, integrating a premium resolving service like Premiumize, AllDebrid, or LinkSnappy is highly recommended.
    Key Features:
    Sleek and modern user-interface for easy navigation
    Thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows
    Hundreds of live channels available
    Dedicated categories for children’s shows and music
    Ideal for users looking for a well-rounded build
    Best experience with Premiumize, AllDebrid, or LinkSnappy integration
    Simple installation and quick setup
    Regular updates to ensure smooth performance
    Misfit Mods Lite
    9. Superman

    The Superman Kodi build is a fan favorite, known for its Superman-themed interface and versatile content options. Whether you're into movies, TV shows, live channels, or sports, this build has it all.
    It even features a dedicated “Marvel & DC” category for superhero content, making it a perfect choice for comic book fans.
    The user interface is easy to navigate, ensuring a smooth experience on any device. For the best streaming performance, it’s recommended to integrate a cloud provider.
    Key Features:
    Superman-themed interface with easy navigation
    Offers movies, TV series, live channels, sports, and a superhero-specific “Marvel & DC” category
    Smooth user experience on all devices
    Regularly updated with new content
    Works well for both beginners and experienced Kodi users
    Reliable performance with no buffering (with proper cloud integration)
    Top add-ons for enhanced streaming quality
    Superman
    10. Estuary Switch

    If you are like me and prefer the classic, familiar look of Kodi, Estuary Switch is the build for you. It uses the default Estuary skin, ensuring that users don’t have to adjust to a new interface.
    While it doesn't offer an overwhelming number of add-ons, it includes the essentials for basic streaming needs.
    The build allows users to filter content by Genre, Year, and Decade, making it easy to find what you're looking for.
    Its simplicity and lightweight nature make it ideal for less powerful streaming devices, offering a smooth experience without unnecessary bloat.
    Key Features:
    Classic Kodi interface with the default Estuary skin
    Easy navigation with content filtering by Genre, Year, and Decade
    Essential add-ons for basic streaming needs
    Simple and lightweight, perfect for low-powered devices
    Familiar home screen layout for quick access to media
    Great for users who prefer a minimalistic setup
    Regular updates for optimal performance
    Estuary Switch
    Other Notable Builds
    Due to space constraints, we couldn’t go into detail about every fantastic build available. However, here are some notable builds worth checking out.
    Cosmic One

    A Trakt-compatible build from The Crew repo, offering categories like movies, TV shows, sports, live content, and more.
    CrewNique

    Found in both the Chains Build Wizard and The Crew Wizard, this build includes movies, IPTV, TV shows, and sports categories.
    OneFlix

    A Debrid-only build described as a “Netflix-style streaming service,” featuring notable add-ons like Ghost, AfFENity, Umbrella, and SEREN.
    POVico

    With an interface reminiscent of Kodi’s original aesthetic, this build focuses on movies and TV shows.
    Conclusion
    Choosing the best Kodi build ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and streaming needs.
    Whether you’re drawn to the versatility of Diggz Xenon, the torrent-powered Burst, or the sleek interface of Aspire, there’s no shortage of excellent options to enhance your Kodi experience in 2025.
    While Kodi builds are legal to install and use, it’s important to remain cautious about the content you access. 🏴‍☠️
    Many builds include third-party add-ons, and users should ensure they only stream publicly available titles to stay on the right side of copyright laws.
    For safety, stick to trusted sources and scan files for malware before installation. Kodi is a powerful tool, and with the right build, it can transform your media setup into a streaming powerhouse.
    Enjoy exploring, and happy streaming! 🎞️
  22. by: Ankush Das



    Whether you are a Windows/macOS user, or someone who is new to computers, Linux often comes as a challenge to everyone when they encounter unfamiliar terms.
    You do not usually come across Linux-specific jargon in standard high school academic computer books, unless there is a dedicated chapter for Linux.
    So, for the majority of users who never used Linux, the terms associated will sound alien to them.
    With this article, I aim to change that by explaining some of the important jargon that should help you navigate the Linux world better.
    1. Kernel
    The core of an operating system that interacts with the hardware, and software to help you take control of it, is a kernel.
    And, Linux is just a kernel. We have an article that explains what Linux is for more details.
    Every operating system is built on top of a kernel, like the Windows NT kernel for Windows, and the XNU kernel for Apple's macOS.
    2. Distro
    A distro (short for distribution) is a complete operating system package built on top of a Linux kernel.
    There can be 100s of Linux distros. Each of them can differ in terms of its desktop environment, package manager, software pre-installed, user interface, Linux kernel version, and its use-cases. The combination of such system components that you like should be your preferred Linux distro.
    Some of the examples of a distro include Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch Linux, and Linux Mint. Furthermore, there are distros that are based on other existing distros. For instance, Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, and Ubuntu is based on Debian.
    It can be confusing to choose a distro based on what's available. So, I recommend going through the list of the best Linux distributions for all kinds of users.
    Best Linux Distributions For Everyone in 2025
    Looking for the best Linux distribution that suits everyone? Take a look at our comprehensive list.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    3. Dual Booting
    The technique of having two operating systems installed in a single computer is called dual booting.
    You can decide to use either of them, whether you have two Linux distros or one Linux and Windows operating system.
    If you are considering doing it, you must know about the dual booting myths before proceeding.
    Don’t Believe These Dual Boot Myths
    Don’t listen to what you hear. I tell you the reality from my dual booting experience.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    4. Grub
    Grub is the boot manager program (or bootloader) that lists the operating systems installed on your computer. You can find it on most popular Linux distributions, with some exceptions like Pop!_OS.
    If you didn't know, a bootloader is a program that starts when you boot up the computer and loads the kernel to execute. You get to customize the order of it, and also customize the look of it to some extent.
    You can learn more about grub in our jargon buster article.
    What is Grub in Linux? What is it Used for?
    If you ever used a desktop Linux system, you must have seen this screen. This is called the GRUB screen. Learn what is GRUB in Linux and what is it used for?
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    5. Desktop Environment
    The desktop environment is a component of a Linux distribution that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to interact with all the tech.
    It includes elements like icons, toolbar, wallpaper, widgets, and more.
    You can get a detailed explanation of what a desktop environment is in our article and explore all the available desktop environments here:
    8 Best Desktop Environments For Linux
    A list of the best Linux Desktop Environments with their pros and cons. Have a look and see which desktop environment you should use.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    My favorite desktop environments include GNOME and KDE Plasma.
    6. Display server
    Display server is the core tech of what enables you to see and have a graphical user interface (GUI). Without it, you will not have a GUI to interact with.
    It is not the same as desktop environment. In fact, a desktop environment includes a display server under-the-hood to make things possible.
    You might have heard about X11, and Wayland sessions, those are the types of display servers available. Explore more here:
    Linux Jargon Buster: What is a Display Server in Linux? What is it Used for?
    In Linux related articles, news and discussions, you’ll often come across the term display server, Xorg, Wayland etc. In this explainer article, I’ll discuss display servers in Linux. What is display server in Linux? A display server is a program which is responsible for the input and output
    It's FOSSDimitrios

    7. Display Manager
    The display manager is a program that gives login capabilities to the user in a desktop environment.
    Some popular display managers are GDM, LightDM, and SSDM. You can learn more about it here:
    Linux Jargon Buster: What is Display Manager in Linux?
    In this chapter of the Linux Jargon Buster, you’ll learn about display manager in Linux. Is it part of the desktop environment? What does it do?
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    8. GNOME Shell
    The user interface component in the GNOME desktop environment that is responsible to managing actions like window switching, notifications, and launching applications is the GNOME shell.
    You can customize the behavior and add more functionalities to it using GNOME shell extensions.
    9. Terminal Emulator
    The terminal emulator is a text-based program that lets you type in commands for the computer to process. Some may even prefer to all it the command-line interface (just like the command prompt in Windows).
    By default, every Linux distribution offers a terminal emulator with a set of capabilities. However, you can choose to install a separate one to get more functionalities or a different look/feel.
    You can explore our list of available Linux terminal emulators to try out some cool options.
    10. Sudo
    Sudo is a command on Linux that gives you elevated privileges (or root privileges) temporarily.
    It is used whenever you want to make a system modification, or want to simply access a system file. The user is asked to prove that they are the administrators of the computer by typing in the password whenever sudo is used in a command.
    Interestingly, the password is not visible when you type it in the terminal for security purposes.
    11. Package Manager
    A tool that lets you install, manage, and remove applications on your Linux distro, is the package manager. It can be terminal-centric or one with a graphical user interface (GUI).
    For instance, APT package manager for .deb files is terminal-focused. And, Synaptic is a GUI-based tool.
    Every Linux distro has a different package manager. However, some package managers are predominantly found in most of the Linux distributions. For more information, you can check out our package manager explainer:
    What is a Package Manager in Linux?
    Learn about packaging system and package managers in Linux. You’ll learn how do they work and what kind of package managers available.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    12. End of Life
    End of Life (EOL) is a term used to point out the particular date/year after which a software will stop receiving any maintenance or security updates. In our context, it can be a Linux distribution. However, it is a term used for all kinds of software.
    For instance, the End of Life for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is April 2029. The End of Life differs based on the release cycle of the distribution, which I shall mention in the next point.
    Suggested Read 📖
    What is End of Life in Ubuntu? Everything You Should Know About it
    Learn what is end of life of an Ubuntu release, how it impacts you, how to check support status and what you should do if your system reaches end of life.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    13. Long-Term Support (LTS) and Non-LTS Release
    A release cycle is the period when you can expect a software to get a new upgrade while marking the end of life of the current version.
    If you find something that mentions — Long-Term Support (LTS) release, it means that the software will get updates for a long duration of time, focusing on its stability over bleeding-edge changes.
    Depending on the software or the distro, the duration will differ. For instance, every LTS release of Ubuntu gets at least five years of updates, and its flavours get only three years of updates.
    And, non-LTS is the opposite of it, meaning, the software will get updates for a shorter duration (or limited time).
    For instance, Ubuntu 24.10 will be supported for only nine months.
    14. Point and Rolling Release
    A point release is a minor update to a major version of the software. For instance, Linux Mint 22.1 is a point update to Linux Mint 22.
    On the contrary, a rolling release does not increment in any similar form. It just gets updates, small or big, with every new push by the developer team after its initial big release. For instance, Arch Linux is one of the best rolling release distros.
    What is a Rolling Release Distribution?
    What is rolling release? What is a rolling release distribution? How is it different from the point release distributions? All your questions answered.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    15. Snap, Flatpak, and AppImage
    Snap, Flatpak, and, AppImage are three different universal packaging formats for Linux software. Unlike DEB or RPM packages, you can use Snap/Flatpak/AppImage packages on any Linux distributions.
    Technically, they have certain differences among each other, but they serve a similar aim, to make things cross-distribution friendly and remove the hassle of dependencies.
    Suggested Read 📖
    Flatpak vs. Snap: 10 Differences You Should Know
    Flatpak vs Snap, know the differences and gain insights as a Linux user to pick the best.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    16. Tiling Window Manager
    Tiling Window Manager is a program that lets you organize your windows in a tile layout. It is a mighty utility to make the best use of your screen space while keeping things organized.
    It boosts your productivity, and also makes your desktop experience prettier.
    Suggested Read 📖
    Explained: What is a Tiling Window Manager in Linux?
    Learn what a tiling window manager is, and the benefits that come along with it.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    17. Upstream and Downstream
    In terms of Linux software lingo, upstream is often referred to an original project from which the current software is based on. It can be a kernel, or a distro, or an app in our context. And, the downstream is the one that takes things from the upstream.
    For instance, the Linux kernel releases are upstream, and the distro developers customizing it and using it will be termed as downstream.
    You can learn more in our article here:
    Linux Jargon Buster: What are Upstream and Downstream?
    The terms: upstream and downstream are rather ambiguous terms and, I think, not really used by the general public. If you are a Linux user and do not write or maintain software, chances are pretty good that these terms will mean nothing to you, but they can be instructive in
    It's FOSSBill Dyer

    18. Daemon
    A daemon is a utility program that runs in the background to make sure certain services are running and monitored. For instance, the system update daemon makes sure to check for updates at a regular interval of time.
    Get more insights on this on our article here:
    What are Daemons in Linux? Why are They Used?
    You’ll often come across the term daemon while using Linux. Don’t be scared. Learn what are daemons in Linux & why they are used in UNIX-like operating systems.
    It's FOSSBill Dyer

    19. TTY
    When it comes to Linux, TTY is an abstract device in UNIX and Linux. Sometimes it refers to a physical input device such as a serial port, and sometimes it refers to a virtual TTY where it allows users to interact with the system (reference).
    What is TTY in Linux?
    Sooner or later, you’ll come across the term tty while using Linux. Learn what it is and what is its significance.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    20. Immutable Distro
    Considering you already know what a distro is, an immutable distro is just a type of distro where you cannot modify the core of the operating system (in other words, it is read-only).
    This makes it a safer experience, and a more reliable one. Immutable distros have gained popularity recently, and you can find plenty of immutable distros to try the concept for yourself.
    12 Future-Proof Immutable Linux Distributions
    Immutability is a concept in trend. Take a look at what are the options you have for an immutable Linux distribution.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    21. Super Key
    The Windows key that you normally know and love is the super key for Linux. It acts as the command button (like macOS) with which you can perform a range of keyboard shortcuts.
    So, if someone says press the super key, it is just the Windows key on most keyboards. In some rare instance, the keyboard button could have a Linux icon over a Windows one.
    What is the Super Key in Ubuntu Linux?
    Get familiar with the super (or is it meta) key in Linux in this chapter of the Jargon Buster series.
    It's FOSSSagar Sharma

    Conclusion
    It helps to know the common technical terms, specially if you are in discussion on online forums.
    Of course, there is no end to jargon. There are many more that didn't make to this list. There will be newer ones as we progress with time.
    What are your favorites Linux jargon that you learned recently? Share it with us in the comments 😄
  23. by: Abhishek Kumar



    Since the launch of DeepSeek AI, every tech media outlet has been losing its mind over it. It's been shattering records, breaking benchmarks, and becoming the go-to name in AI innovation.

    DeepSeek v/s OpenAI benchmark | Source: Brian Roemmele
    Recently, I stumbled upon a post on my X feed (don’t judge me, I’m moving to Bluesky soon!) where someone claimed to have run Deepseek on a Raspberry Pi at 200 tokens/second.

    My head started spinning. "wHaaaTTT?!"
    Naturally, I doom-scrolled the entire thread to make sense of it. Turns out, the guy used an AI accelerator module on top of the Pi to hit those numbers.

    But curiosity is a powerful motivator. Since I didn’t have an AI module lying around, I thought, why not test the raw performance of Deepseek on a plain Raspberry Pi 5? Who's stopping me?
    So, for this article, I installed Ollama on my Pi 5 (8 GB model) and downloaded Deepseek model with different parameters(i.e. 1.5B, 7B, 8B, and 14B parameters to be specific).
    💡
    If you're new or unsure about setting things up, don't worry, we already have a detailed guide on installing Ollama on a Raspberry Pi to help you get started.
    Here’s how each one performed:
    Deepseek 1.5B

    This model was snappy. It felt surprisingly responsive and handled paraphrasing tasks with ease. I didn’t encounter any hallucinations, making it a solid choice for day-to-day tasks like summarization and text generation.
    Performance stats
    To test its capability further, I posed the question: What's the difference between Podman and Docker?
    The model gave a decent enough answer, clearly breaking down the differences between the two containerization tools.
    It highlighted how Podman is daemonless, while Docker relies on a daemon, and touched on security aspects like rootless operation.
    This response took about two minutes, and here’s how the performance data stacked up:
    total duration: 1m33.59302487s load duration: 44.322672ms prompt eval count: 13 token(s) prompt eval duration: 985ms prompt eval rate: 13.20 tokens/s eval count: 855 token(s) eval duration: 1m32.562s eval rate: 9.24 tokens/sDeepseek 7B

    The 7B model introduced a fair amount of hallucination. I tried writing a creative prompt asking for three haikus, but it started generating endless text, even asking itself questions!
    While amusing, it wasn’t exactly practical. For benchmarking purposes, I simplified my prompts, as seen in the video. Performance-wise, it was slower, but still functional.
    Performance stats
    To test it further, I asked: What’s the difference between Docker Compose and Docker Run? The response was a blend of accurate and imprecise information.
    It correctly explained that Docker Compose is used to manage multi-container applications via a docker-compose.yml file, while Docker Run is typically for running single containers with specific flags.
    However, it soon spiraled into asking itself questions like, “But for a single app, say a simple Flask app on a single machine, Docker Run might be sufficient? Or is there another command or method?”
    Here’s how the performance data turned out:
    total duration: 4m20.665430872s load duration: 39.565944ms prompt eval count: 11 token(s) prompt eval duration: 3.256s prompt eval rate: 3.38 tokens/s eval count: 517 token(s) eval duration: 4m17.368s eval rate: 2.01 tokens/sDeepseek 8B

    This was the wild card. I didn’t expect the 8B model to run at all, considering how resource-hungry these models are. To my surprise, it worked!
    The performance was on par with the 7B model, neither fast nor particularly responsive, but hey, running an 8B model on a Raspberry Pi without extra hardware is a win in my book.
    Performance stats
    I tested it by asking, "Write an HTML boilerplate and CSS boilerplate." The model successfully generated a functional HTML and CSS boilerplate in a single code block, ensuring they were neatly paired.
    However, before jumping into the solution, the model explained its approach, what it was going to do and what else could be added.
    While this was informative, it felt unnecessary for a straightforward query. If I had crafted the prompt more precisely, the response might have been more direct (i.e. user error).
    Here’s the performance breakdown:
    total duration: 6m53.350371838s load duration: 44.410437ms prompt eval count: 13 token(s) prompt eval duration: 4.99s prompt eval rate: 2.61 tokens/s eval count: 826 token(s) eval duration: 6m48.314s eval rate: 2.02 tokens/sDeepseek 14B ?

    Unfortunately, this didn’t work. The 14B model required over 10 GB of RAM, which my 8 GB Pi couldn’t handle. After the success of the 8B model, my hopes were high, but alas, reality struck.
    Conclusion
    DeepSeek’s raw performance on the Raspberry Pi 5 showcases the growing potential of SBCs for AI workloads.
    The 1.5B model is a practical option for lightweight tasks, while the 7B and 8B models demonstrate the Pi’s ability to handle larger workloads, albeit slowly.
    I’m excited to test DeepSeek on the ArmSoM AIM7 with its 6 TOPS NPU. Its RK3588 SoC could unlock even better performance, and I’ll cover those results in a future article.
    If you’re interested in more of my experiments, check out this article where I ran 9 popular LLMs on the Raspberry Pi 5.
    Until then, happy tinkering, and remember: don’t ask AI to write haikus unless you want a never-ending saga. 😉
  24. by: Ankush Das



    Google's ecosystem includes several products and services. It is one of the prominent ecosystems on the internet with a dominating market share.
    While I believe their products require no introduction, as a formality, I should mention some of them as Gmail, YouTube, Google Chrome, Google Drive, Google Search, Google Photos, and Google Gemini.
    Considering I am an Android user, and prioritize my convenience, I have been using Google services for a long time now.
    However, I have decided to move away from Google's ecosystem to try out other options. Sure, it is tough to eliminate their presence without affecting my convenience, so the aim is to minimize it.
    Before I tell you my strategy to make the move to alternative options, let me tell you why.
    Why The Move Away From Google's Ecosystem?
    Without a surprise, the first reason for the switch is privacy.
    While I can never be anonymous on the internet, I can share fewer details about me and my data with the services I use.
    And, Google is the least preferred privacy-friendly choice out there. They get to know a lot of about from the data you store with them. And, it is not illegal, but it is something that I no longer would like to do.
    I should mention that I'm not mixing security with privacy here. Google has been good enough to keep my accounts secure, or else I would not have been safely using my Gmail account for such a long time.
    Next, I want to give a chance to innovative players in the market. The options may not be necessarily better than Google services, but they have their unique selling points, which could unlock a benefit for me that I never realized.
    And, finally, giving open source a better chance.
    Now, let me highlight how I exactly plan to move from Google's ecosystem.
    📋
    There are some affiliate links in the article. Please read our affiliate policy for more details.
    First Step: Finding Out The Areas With Alternatives
    If you know there are options, it is easy to switch. So, first, I set out to find the type of services which provide me with options.
    Some easy ones include:
    Search engine
    Email + Calendar
    Cloud storage
    AI chatbot
    Video conference
    Website analytics
    Browser
    And, here are the ones that are a bit tricky to move away from:
    Document Suite
    Photo collection
    Video sharing platform
    Maps
    I will tackle all of them, but let us focus on the easy ones first.
    The Best Google Alternatives For My Use-Case (And Hopefully For You!)
    Now that we know what kind of alternatives we need, I just need to narrow down the options that are capable enough.
    Type
    Service
    Alternative(s)
    Email
    Gmail
    ProtonMail, Tuta
    Search Engine
    Google
    DuckDuckGo
    Calendar
    Google Calendar
    Proton
    Cloud Storage
    Google Drive
    pCloud, Proton
    AI Chatbot
    Gemini
    Llama with Ollama
    Video Meetings
    Google Meet
    Jitsi Meet
    Website Analytics
    Google Analytics
    Umami, Fathom
    Web Browser
    Chrome
    Firefox
    Documents
    Google Docs
    Proton Docs, Nextcloud
    Password Manager
    Chrome's Built In
    Bitwarden, Proton Pass
    Phone photo Backup
    Google Photos
    Ente
    Yes, I can list countless alternatives, but it is useless if it cannot do half of the things Google services let me do.
    The goal is not to aimlessly move away from Google, but pick meaningful alternatives. So, with the above-mentioned categories in mind, I tell you about the best options that I use along with some suggestions for you.
    ✋
    Please note that the alternatives I am using or suggesting may not be an exact replacement of a Google service. They might be good enough for me but perhaps they won't suffice your need or preference. Try them on your own and see if you are comfortable with the alternatives.
    Search Engine: DuckDuckGo

    In my opinion, DuckDuckGo is a great alternative to Google search engine that promises to keep your personal activity private while offering additional privacy-focused services.
    For instance, I use DuckDuckGo's Privacy Essentials browser extension to get rid of trackers, and to generate free email aliases. I can also integrate the email aliases with Bitwarden. Not to forget, they also have a privacy-friendly AI chatbot providing access to AI models like Gpt-4o mini, and a browser for Windows/macOS.
    So, DuckDuckGo's ecosystem makes it an interesting choice for what I need.
    📋
    You can also try some privacy-focused search engines like Ecosia, Startpage, and searx.
    Email + Calendar: Proton Mail

    Proton Mail is an obvious choice here because of its Google-like ecosystem offering. You can also try Tuta for privacy-focused email.
    For me, I have been using Proton Mail since its early days. So, it makes sense to stick with it, along with the potential of using Proton's other services (which we will also touch upon as you read on).
    Here, the relevant service to use with the email is Proton Calendar:

    I use it for free (personally), and if I want to scale up my requirements, I can upgrade it to a paid plan for more storage, and features like custom email domains.
    And, for my work at It's FOSS, we have a visionary (paid) account, so we get more storage, and all the perks of premium Proton services available.
    I would say both free and premium options justify their use-cases to replace Gmail and Google Calendar for me.
    Cloud Storage

    Considering I already use Proton Mail (and its calendar), it is a no-brainer choice to go with Proton Drive, being an end-to-end encrypted (E2E) option.
    You only get 5 GB of space, which is lower than what you get with Google. But, it should be decent if you want to store a couple of important documents.
    And, if you want more, and aren't concerned about E2E, you can opt for pCloud, which offers more storage space, and explore other privacy-focused cloud storage services.
    Top 10 Best Free Cloud Storage Services for Linux
    Which cloud service is the best for Linux? Check out this list of free cloud storage services that you can use in Linux.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

    AI Chatbot
    A replacement to Google Gemini? That's easy.
    I just set up Ollama to use one of the best open source LLMs and a web UI to easily access it without the terminal.
    12 Tools to Provide a Web UI for Ollama
    Don’t want to use the CLI for Ollama for interacting with AI models? Fret not, we have some neat Web UI tools that you can use to make it easy!
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    Everything runs locally, I do not have to worry about anything here. Of course, you need a decent system with a mid-range GPU like the RTX 3060 to run the AI models efficiently.
    Video Conference
    Google Meet is a dominantly used option for all kinds of meetings/interviews, but it is not open source, nor end-to-end encrypted.

    You can opt for Jitsi Meet if you want enhanced security and privacy. It is open source, and end-to-end encrypted. If needed, you can self-host it to meet your custom requirements.
    For more options, you can refer to our article as well:
    5 Best Open Source Video Conferencing Tools [2024]
    Don’t trust the big tech with your data? Try these open source video conferencing tools for online meetings.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    Website Analytics
    Google Analytics is a popular choice among web administrators because it is free, and provides a lot of information about your audience to take better decisions regarding your content, product, and more.
    However, there are better (and lighter) Google Analytics alternatives out there that respect the privacy of your visitors/customers, and still give you plenty of useful insights.
    The catch is most of them are paid. I understand not everyone can afford to switch to a paid alternative, but you can start with the free ones (or self-host them), and choose to invest in paid options later. Explore all the alternatives here:
    8 Best Google Analytics Alternatives You Can Try Today
    It is not that complicated to switch away from Google Analytics with these options. You can opt for a free self-hosted one or go for a paid one as per your requirements.
    Linux HandbookAnkush Das

    Web Browser
    Google Chrome holds more than 65% of the market share as per Statista.
    Sure, it is one of the most convenient options. However, it does not offer good privacy protection features.
    If you want to switch away to get better privacy, you can try Brave, Mullvad, or LibreWolf (a hardened version of Firefox).
    Documents, Photos, Videos, and Map
    Honestly, there are no easy replacements to this. So, you will have to decide if you would like to adjust, and willing to pay a lot more (in some cases).
    Nextcloud Office (a self-hosted replacement to Google Docs)
    For instance, you will not get a Google Docs like experience with Nextcloud Office (self-hosted) or CryptPad or Proton Docs, but they are manageable to some extent. So, you need to try them out and see if it fits your requirements.
    Next up is tough, a replacement for Google Photos.

    Yes, Ente is an excellent open source privacy-focused option. However, it is way pricier than what Google Photos costs for extra storage, as you get only 5 GB for free. Therefore, if you have numerous photos and videos, it will be an expensive switch.
    You can choose to self-host it, and explore other self-hosted Google Photos alternatives. But, of course, you will need to spend some time and money there as well.
    Self-hosted Open Source Alternatives to Google Photos
    Google Photos can be replaced using these open-source self-hosted photo applications.
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    Finally, we need a replacement for Google Maps?

    As much as we could hate Google, I can never object to its usefulness and integration capabilities with every car out there.
    You can try open source alternatives like Organic Maps (for Android phones), and OpenStreetMap (web-based). However, it may not give you the same details and experience.
    So, choosing a document suite, map, and photo/video platform to replace Google services will be an inconvenient endeavor.
    In my case, I have tried to use CryptPad as much as possible. But, other alternatives haven't worked out well for me.
    Final Thoughts
    With the options mentioned above, I might have reduced my Google-centric usage by 70%, but it is not a 100% yet. I hope to reach that mark some day.
    I would love to know about your plans to do the same. Are you on the same boat with me? Have any other plans? Let me know in the comments below!
  25. by: Abhishek Prakash

    In the previous newsletter, I shared the new tools directory page proposal and asked for your feedback. From the responses I got, an overwhelming majority of FOSSers liked this idea.
    So I'll work on such pages. Since I want them to have some additional features, they will take a little longer. I'll inform you once they are live. Stay tuned 😄
    Would you like to see more pages like this?
    💬 Let's see what else you get in this edition
    A new Hyprland release.
    FSF's new commemorative logo.
    Microsoft's popular offering being handed a lawsuit.
    And other Linux news, tips and, of course, memes!
    This edition of FOSS Weekly is supported by ONLYOFFICE.
    ✨ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor: Create, Edit and Collaborate on PDFs on Linux
    The ONLYOFFICE suite now offers an updated PDF editor that comes equipped with collaborative PDF editing and other useful features.
    Deploy ONLYOFFICE Docs on your Linux server and integrate it with your favourite platform, such as Nextcloud, ownCloud, Drupal, Moodle, WordPress, Redmine and more. Alternatively, you can download the free desktop app for your Linux distro.
    Online PDF editor, reader and converter | ONLYOFFICE

    View and create PDF files from any text document, spreadsheet or presentation, convert PDF to DOCX online, create fillable PDF forms.

    ONLYOFFICE

    📰 Linux and Open Source News
    Hyprland 0.47.0 released with HDR support and squircles.
    Bitwarden has tightened security for accounts without 2FA enabled.
    Mozilla Thunderbird 134 has landed with a new notification system.
    A few offers on Data Privacy Day.
    Microsoft has launched DocumentDB, an open source document store platform.
    The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has unveiled a fresh logo to commemorate its forthcoming 40th anniversary.
    🧠 What We’re Thinking About
    Facebook is banning the links from many Linux websites.
    Everything is Spam on Facebook Unless It is Paid Post (or Actual Spam)
    Linux websites are getting ill-treatment by Facebook.
    It's FOSS News Abhishek
    Microsoft's popular social media platform, LinkedIn, has been dragged to court over alleged misuse of user data.
    🧮 Linux Tips, Tutorials and More
    Moving away from Google's ecosystem is a smart move in the long run.
    You can share files between guest and host operating system in GNOME boxes.
    Small tip on tracking changes and version control with LibreOffice.
    Learn to merge PDF files in Linux.
    And some tips on customizing the launcher in Ubuntu.






    👷 Maker's and AI Corner
    Running the impressive DeepSeek R1 AI model on a Raspberry Pi 5 is possible.
    I Ran Deepseek R1 on Raspberry Pi 5 and No, it Wasn’t 200 tokens/s
    Everyone is seeking Deepseek R1 these days. Is it really as good as everyone claims? Let me share my experiments of running it on a Raspberry Pi.
    It's FOSSAbhishek Kumar

    ✨ Apps highlight
    If you like listening to audiobooks, then Cozy can be a great addition to your Linux system.
    Cozy: A Super Useful Open Source Audiobook Player for Linux
    Cozy makes audiobook listening easy with simple controls and an intuitive interface.
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    Take your music anywhere with the open source Musify app.
    🛍️ Deal You Would Love
    15 Linux and DevOps books for just $18 plus your purchase supports Code for America organization. Get them on Humble Bundle.
    Humble Tech Book Bundle: Linux from Beginner to Professional by O’Reilly
    Learn Linux with ease using this library of coding and programming courses by O’Reilly. Pay what you want & support Code For America.
    Humble Bundle

    🎟️ Event alert
    Foss FEST 2025 is open for registration. Groups of international students can participate in the hackathon and win prizes worth 4,000 euros. It's FOSS is an official media partner for this event.
    Foss FEST 2025: International Hackathon
    OpenSource Science B.V.

    🧩 Quiz Time
    Can you beat this Linux Directory Structure puzzle?
    Linux Directory Structure: Puzzle
    The Linux directory structure is fascinating and an important thing to know about. Take a guess to solve this puzzle!
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    💡 Quick Handy Tip
    You can easily open new windows for running apps by either Middle-Clicking or Ctrl+Left-Clicking on the app from the dock. It also works for apps that are not running.
    Usually, the apps open in the same workspace, however in multi-monitor setups, this might open new app windows on the other monitor.
    🤣 Meme of the Week
    Windows got destroyed hard. 🤭

    🗓️ Tech Trivia
    Apple launched the iPad on April 3, 2010, redefining mobile computing with its touch-based, versatile design. It bridged the gap between smartphones and laptops, setting the standard for tablets. The iPad's success has reshaped the tech world and inspired countless imitators.
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 FOSSverse Corner
    Pro FOSSer, Daniel is showcasing his Gentoo virtual machine setup on his laptop.
    Gentoo vm install on my laptop
    Up early this morning putting the finishing touches to Gentoo VM, to reboot to the CLI!! I have compiled two kernels, a gentoo-source, that I did a manual compile and a gentoo-kernel-dis for backup!! If the gentoo-source kernel works, I will nuke the gentoo-kernel. Just for fun, take a look-see Been awhile since we have had a 8 inch snow!!!
    It's FOSS CommunityDaniel_Phillips

    ❤️ With love
    Share it with your Linux-using friends and encourage them to subscribe (hint: it's here).
    Share the articles in Linux Subreddits and community forums.
    Follow us on Google News and stay updated in your News feed.
    Opt for It's FOSS Plus membership and support us 🙏
    Enjoy FOSS 😄

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