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  1. Blogger
    by: Temani Afif
    Fri, 07 Mar 2025 13:14:12 +0000

    In the last article, we created a CSS-only star rating component using the CSS mask and border-image properties, as well as the newly enhanced attr() function. We ended with CSS code that we can easily adjust to create component variations, including a heart rating and volume control.
    This second article will study a different approach that gives us more flexibility. Instead of the border-image trick we used in the first article, we will rely on scroll-driven animations!
    Here is the same star rating component with the new implementation. And since we’re treading in experimental territory, you’ll want to view this in Chrome 115+ while we wait for Safari and Firefox support:
    CodePen Embed Fallback Do you spot the difference between this and the final demo in the first article? This time, I am updating the color of the stars based on how many of them are selected — something we cannot do using the border-image trick!
    I highly recommend you read the first article before jumping into this second part if you missed it, as I will be referring to concepts and techniques that we explored over there.
    One more time: At the time of writing, only Chrome 115+ and Edge 115+ fully support the features we will be using in this article, so please use either one of those as you follow along.
    Why scroll-driven animations?
    You might be wondering why we’re talking about scroll-driven animation when there’s nothing to scroll to in the star rating component. Scrolling? Animation? But we have nothing to scroll or animate! It’s even more confusing when you read the MDN explainer for scroll-driven animations:
    But if you keep reading you will see that we have two types of scroll-based timelines: scroll progress timelines and view progress timelines. In our case, we are going to use the second one; a view progress timeline, and here is how MDN describes it:
    You can check out the CSS-Tricks almanac definition for view-timeline-name while you’re at it for another explanation.
    Things start to make more sense if we consider the thumb element as the subject and the input element as the scroller. After all, the thumb moves within the input area, so its visibility changes. We can track that movement as a percentage of progress and convert it to a value we can use to style the input element. We are essentially going to implement the equivalent of document.querySelector("input").value in JavaScript but with vanilla CSS!
    The implementation
    Now that we have an idea of how this works, let’s see how everything translates into code.
    @property --val { syntax: "<number>"; inherits: true; initial-value: 0; } input[type="range"] { --min: attr(min type(<number>)); --max: attr(max type(<number>)); timeline-scope: --val; animation: --val linear both; animation-timeline: --val; animation-range: entry 100% exit 0%; overflow: hidden; } @keyframes --val { 0% { --val: var(--max) } 100% { --val: var(--min) } } input[type="range"]::thumb { view-timeline: --val inline; } I know, this is a lot of strange syntax! But we will dissect each line and you will see that it’s not all that complex at the end of the day.
    The subject and the scroller
    We start by defining the subject, i.e. the thumb element, and for this we use the view-timeline shorthand property. From the MDN page, we can read:
    I think it’s self-explanatory. The view timeline name is --val and the axis is inline since we’re working along the horizontal x-axis.
    Next, we define the scroller, i.e. the input element, and for this, we use overflow: hidden (or overflow: auto). This part is the easiest but also the one you will forget the most so let me insist on this: don’t forget to define overflow on the scroller!
    I insist on this because your code will work fine without defining overflow, but the values won’t be good. The reason is that the scroller exists but will be defined by the browser (depending on your page structure and your CSS) and most of the time it’s not the one you want. So let me repeat it another time: remember the overflow property!
    The animation
    Next up, we create an animation that animates the --val variable between the input’s min and max values. Like we did in the first article, we are using the newly-enhanced attr() function to get those values. See that? The “animation” part of the scroll-driven animation, an animation we link to the view timeline we defined on the subject using animation-timeline. And to be able to animate a variable we register it using @property.
    Note the use of timeline-scope which is another tricky feature that’s easy to overlook. By default, named view timelines are scoped to the element where they are defined and its descendant. In our case, the input is a parent element of the thumb so it cannot access the named view timeline. To overcome this, we increase the scope using timeline-scope. Again, from MDN:
    Never forget about this! Sometimes everything is correctly defined but nothing is working because you forget about the scope.
    There’s something else you might be wondering:
    To understand this, let’s first take the following example where you can scroll the container horizontally to reveal a red circle inside of it.
    CodePen Embed Fallback Initially, the red circle is hidden on the right side. Once we start scrolling, it appears from the right side, then disappears to the left as you continue scrolling towards the right. We scroll from left to right but our actual movement is from right to left.
    In our case, we don’t have any scrolling since our subject (the thumb) will not overflow the scroller (the input) but the main logic is the same. The starting point is the right side and the ending point is the left side. In other words, the animation starts when the thumb is on the right side (the input’s max value) and will end when it’s on the left side (the input’s min value).
    The animation range
    The last piece of the puzzle is the following important line of code:
    animation-range: entry 100% exit 0%; By default, the animation starts when the subject starts to enter the scroller from the right and ends when the subject has completely exited the scroller from the left. This is not good because, as we said, the thumb will not overflow the scroller, so it will never reach the start and the end of the animation.
    To rectify this we use the animation-range property to make the start of the animation when the subject has completely entered the scroller from the right (entry 100%) and the end of the animation when the subject starts to exit the scroller from the left (exit 0%).
    To summarize, the thumb element will move within input’s area and that movement is used to control the progress of an animation that animates a variable between the input’s min and max attribute values. We have our replacement for document.querySelector("input").value in JavaScript!
    I am deliberately using the same --val everywhere to confuse you a little and push you to try to understand what is going on. We usually use the dashed ident (--) notation to define custom properties (also called CSS variables) that we later call with var(). This is still true but that same notation can be used to name other things as well.
    In our examples we have three different things named --val:
    The variable that is animated and registered using @property. It contains the selected value and is used to style the input. The named view timeline defined by view-timeline and used by animation-timeline. The keyframes named --val and called by animation. Here is the same code written with different names for more clarity:
    @property --val { syntax: "<number>"; inherits: true; initial-value: 0; } input[type="range"] { --min: attr(min type(<number>)); --max: attr(max type(<number>)); timeline-scope: --timeline; animation: value_update linear both; animation-timeline: --timeline; animation-range: entry 100% exit 0%; overflow: hidden; } @keyframes value_update { 0% { --val: var(--max) } 100% { --val: var(--min) } } input[type="range"]::thumb { view-timeline: --timeine inline; } The star rating component
    All that we have done up to now is get the selected value of the input range — which is honestly about 90% of the work we need to do. What remains is some basic styles and code taken from what we made in the first article.
    If we omit the code from the previous section and the code from the previous article here is what we are left with:
    input[type="range"] { background: linear-gradient(90deg, hsl(calc(30 + 4 * var(--val)) 100% 56%) calc(var(--val) * 100% / var(--max)), #7b7b7b 0 ); } input[type="range"]::thumb { opacity: 0; } We make the thumb invisible and we define a gradient on the main element to color in the stars. No surprise here, but the gradient uses the same --val variable that contains the selected value to inform how much is colored in.
    When, for example, you select three stars, the --val variable will equal 3 and the color stop of the first color will equal 3*100%/5 , or 60%, meaning three stars are colored in. That same color is also dynamic as I am using the hsl() function where the first argument (the hue) is a function of --val as well.
    Here is the full demo, which you will want to open in Chrome 115+ at the time I’m writing this:
    CodePen Embed Fallback And guess what? This implementation works with half stars as well without the need to change the CSS. All you have to do is update the input’s attributes to work in half increments. Remember, we’re yanking these values out of HTML into CSS using attr(), which reads the attributes and returns them to us.
    <input type="range" min=".5" step=".5" max="5"> CodePen Embed Fallback That’s it! We have our rating star component that you can easily control by adjusting the attributes.
    So, should I use border-image or a scroll-driven animation?
    If we look past the browser support factor, I consider this version better than the border-image approach we used in the first article. The border-image version is simpler and does the job pretty well, but it’s limited in what it can do. While our goal is to create a star rating component, it’s good to be able to do more and be able to style an input range as you want.
    With scroll-driven animations, we have more flexibility since the idea is to first get the value of the input and then use it to style the element. I know it’s not easy to grasp but don’t worry about that. You will face scroll-driven animations more often in the future and it will become more familiar with time. This example will look easy to you in good time.
    Worth noting, that the code used to get the value is a generic code that you can easily reuse even if you are not going to style the input itself. Getting the value of the input is independent of styling it.
    Here is a demo where I am adding a tooltip to a range slider to show its value:
    CodePen Embed Fallback Many techniques are involved to create that demo and one of them is using scroll-driven animations to get the input value and show it inside the tooltip!
    Here is another demo using the same technique where different range sliders are controlling different variables on the page.
    CodePen Embed Fallback And why not a wavy range slider?
    CodePen Embed Fallback This one is a bit crazy but it illustrates how far we go with styling an input range! So, even if your goal is not to create a star rating component, there are a lot of use cases where such a technique can be really useful.
    Conclusion
    I hope you enjoyed this brief two-part series. In addition to a star rating component made with minimal code, we have explored a lot of cool and modern features, including the attr() function, CSS mask, and scroll-driven animations. It’s still early to adopt all of these features in production because of browser support, but it’s a good time to explore them and see what can be done soon using only CSS.
    Article series
    A CSS-Only Star Rating Component and More! (Part 1) A CSS-Only Star Rating Component and More! (Part 2)
    A CSS-Only Star Rating Component and More! (Part 2) originally published on CSS-Tricks, which is part of the DigitalOcean family. You should get the newsletter.
  2. Blogger
    by: Geoff Graham
    Thu, 06 Mar 2025 16:33:55 +0000

    Manuel Matuzović:
    This easily qualifies as a “gotcha” in CSS and is a good reminder that the cascade doesn’t know everything all at the same time. If a custom property is invalid, the cascade won’t ignore it, and it gets evaluated, which invalidates the declaration. And if we set an invalid custom property on a shorthand property that combines several constituent properties — like how background and animation are both shorthand for a bunch of other properties — then the entire declaration becomes invalid, including all of the implied constituents. No bueno indeed.
    What to do, then?
    Great advice, Manuel!
    Maybe don’t use custom properties in shorthand properties originally published on CSS-Tricks, which is part of the DigitalOcean family. You should get the newsletter.
  3. Blogger
    by: Abhishek Prakash
    Thu, 06 Mar 2025 05:27:13 GMT

    Skype is being discontinued by Microsoft on 5th May.
    Once a hallmark of the old internet, Skype was already dying a slow death. It just could not keep up with the competition from WhatsApp, Zoom etc despite Microsoft's backing.
    While there are open source alternatives to Skype, I doubt if friends and family would use them.
    I am not going to miss it, as I haven't used Skype in years. Let's keep it in the museum of Internet history.
    Speaking of the old internet, Digg is making a comeback. 20 years back, it was the 'front page of the internet'.
    💬 Let's see what else you get in this edition
    VLC aiming for the Moon. EA open sourcing its games. GNOME 48 features to expect. 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.
    You can deploy ONLYOFFICE Docs on your Linux server and integrate it with your favourite platform, such as Nextcloud, Moodle and more. Alternatively, you can download the free desktop app for your Linux distro.
    Online PDF editor, reader and converter | ONLYOFFICEView 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
    Electronic Arts has open sourced four Command & Conquer games. VLC is literally reaching for the Moon to mark its 20-year anniversary. Internxt Drive has become the first cloud storage with post-quantum encryption. Electronic Frontier Foundation has launched a new open source tool to detect eavesdropping on cellular networks. GNOME 48 is just around the corner, check out what features are coming:
    Discover What’s New in GNOME 48 With Our Feature Rundown!GNOME 48 is just around the corner. Explore what’s coming with it.It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra🧠 What We’re Thinking About
    A German startup has published open source plans for its Nuclear Fusion power plant!
    As per the latest desktop market share report, macOS usage has seen a notable dip on Steam.
    🧮 Linux Tips, Tutorials and More
    Get the 'Create new document' option back in the right-click context menu in GNOME. Facing errors while trying to watch a DVD on Fedora? It can be fixed. Learn to record a selected area or an application window with OBS Studio. Knowing how to edit files with Nano text editor, might come in handy while dealing with config files. New users often get confused with so many Ubuntu versions. This article helps clear the doubt.
    Explained: Which Ubuntu Version Should I Use?Confused about Ubuntu vs Xubuntu vs Lubuntu vs Kubuntu?? Want to know which Ubuntu flavor you should use? This beginner’s guide helps you decide which Ubuntu should you choose.It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash👷 Homelab and Maker's Corner
    As a Kodi user, you cannot miss out on installing add-ons and builds. We also have a list of the best add-ons to spice up your media server.
    And you can use virtual keyboard with Raspberry Pi easily.
    Using On-screen Keyboard in Raspberry Pi OSHere’s what you can do to use a virtual keyboard on Raspberry Pi OS.It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash✨ Apps Highlight
    Facing slow downloads on your Android smartphone? Aria2App can help.
    Aria2App is a Super Fast Versatile Open-Source Download Manager for AndroidA useful open-source download manager for AndroidIt's FOSS NewsSourav Rudralichess lets you compete with other players in online games of Chess.
    📽️ Video I am Creating for You
    How much does an active cooler cools down a Raspberry Pi 5? Let's find it out in this quick video.
    Subscribe to It's FOSS YouTube Channel🧩 Quiz Time
    For a change, you can take the text processing command crossword challenge.
    Commands to Work With Text Files: CrosswordSolve this crossword with commands for text processing.It's FOSSAnkush Das💡 Quick Handy Tip
    You can play Lofi music in VLC Media Player. First, switch to the Playlist view in VLC by going into View → Playlist.
    Now, in the sidebar, scroll down and select Icecast Radio Directory. Here, search for Lofi in the search bar.
    Now, double-click on any Lo-fi channel to start playing. On the other hand, if you want to listen to music via the web browser, you can use freeCodeCamp.org Code Radio.
    🤣 Meme of the Week
    You didn't have to join the dark side, Firefox. 🫤
    🗓️ Tech Trivia
    In 1953, MIT's Whirlwind computer showcased an early form of system management software called "Director," developed by Douglas Ross. Demonstrated at a digital fire control symposium, Director automated resource allocation (like memory, storage, and printing), making it one of the earliest examples of an operating system-like program.
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 FOSSverse Corner
    An important question has been raised by one of our longtime FOSSers.
    Do we all see the same thing on the internet?I think we all assume we are seeing the same content on a website. But do we.? Read this quote from an article on the Australian ABC news “Many people are unaware that the internet they see is unique to them. Even if we surf the same news websites, we’ll see different news stories based on our previous likes. And on a website like Amazon, almost every item and price we see is unique to us. It is chosen by algorithms based on what we were previously wanting to buy and willing to pay. There is…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 FOSS 😄
  4. Blogger
    by: Sreenath
    Thu, 06 Mar 2025 03:09:13 GMT

    When it comes to screen recording in Linux or any other operating system, OBS Studio becomes he go-to choice.
    It offers all the features baked in for users, ranging from casual screen recorders to advanced streamers.
    One such useful feature is to record a part of the screen in OBS Studio. I'll share the detailed steps for Linux users in this tutorial.
    🚧The method mentioned is based on a Wayland session. Also, this is a personal workflow, and if readers have better options, feel free to comment, so that I can improve the article for everyone.Record an application window in OBS Studio
    Before starting, first click on File → Settings from OBS Studio main menu. Here, in the Settings window, go to the Video section and note the Canvas resolution and Output scale resolution for your system.
    Note Canvas and Output Scale valuesThis will be helpful when you are reverting in a later step.
    Step 1: Create a new source
    First, let's create a new source for our recording. Click on the “+” icon on the OBS Studio home screen as shown in the screenshot below. Select “Screen Capture (Pipewire)” option.
    📋For X11 system, this may be Display Capture (XSHM).Click on "+" to add a new sourceOn the resulting window, give a name to the source and then click OK.
    Give a name to the sourceOnce you press OK, you will be shown a dialog box to select the record area.
    Step 2: Select the window to record
    Here, select the Window option from the top bar.
    Select the window to be recorded.Once you click on the Window option, you will be able to see all the open windows listed. Select a window that you want to record from the list, as shown in the screenshot above.
    This will give you a dialog box, with a preview of the window being recorded.
    Enable the cursor recording (if needed) and click OK.
    Selected window in previewStep 3: Crop the video to window size
    Now, in the main OBS window, you can see that the application you have selected is not filling the full canvas, in my case 1920×1080.
    Empty space in canvasThe output will contain this window and the rest of the canvas in black if you keep recording with this setting.
    You need to crop the area so that only the necessary part is present on the output file.
    For this, right-click on our source and select Resize Output (Source Size) option, as shown below:
    Resize output source sizeClick on Yes, when prompted.
    Accept ConfirmationAs soon as you click Yes, you can see that the canvas is now reduced to the size of the window.
    Canvas ResizedStep 4: Record the video
    You can now start recording the video using the Record button.
    Start video recordingOnce finished, stop recording, and the saved video file won't contain any other part, except the window.
    Step 5: Delete the video source
    Now that you have recorded the video, let's remove this particular source.
    Right-click on the source and select Remove.
    Remove the sourceStep 6: Revert the canvas and output scale
    While we were resizing the canvas to the window, the setting has been also changed on your OBS Studio video settings. If left unchanged, your future videos will also be recorded with the reduced size.
    So, click on File in the OBS Studio main menu and select Settings.
    Click on File → SettingsOn the Settings window, go to Videos and revert the Base Canvas Resolution and Output Scaled Resolution to your preferred normal values. Then click Apply.
    Revert Canvas Size to normalRecord an area on the screen in OBS Studio
    This is the same process as the one described above, except for the area selection.
    Step 1: Create a new source
    Click on the plus button on the Sources section in OBS Studio and select Screen Capture.
    Select Screen CaptureName the source and click OK.
    Step 2: Select a region
    On the area selection dialog box, click on Region. From the section, select Select Region option.
    Select RegionNotice the cursor has now changed to a plus sign. Drag the area you want to record.
    Select Area to RecordYou can see that the preview now has the selected area. Don't forget to enable the cursors, if needed.
    It is normal that the canvas is way too big and your video occupies only a part of it.
    Canvas Size MismatchStep 3: Resize the source
    Like in the previous section, right-click on the source and select Resize output option.
    Resize Output to Area CaptureStep 4: Record and revert the settings
    Start recording the video. Once it is completed, save the recording and remove the source. Revert the canvas and output scale settings, as shown in step 6 of the previous section.
    💬 Hope this guide has helped you record with OBS Studio. Please let me know if this tutorial helped you or if you need further help.
  5. Blogger

    Whereis Command Examples

    · Blogger · 03/05/25 03:15 PM

    by: Abhishek Prakash
    Wed, 05 Mar 2025 20:45:06 +0530

    The whereis command helps users locate the binary, source, and manual page files for a given command. And in this tutorial, I will walk you through practical examples to help you understand how to use whereis command.
    Unlike other search commands like find that scan the entire file system, whereis searches predefined directories, making it faster and more efficient.
    It is particularly useful for system administrators and developers to locate files related to commands without requiring root privileges.
    whereis Command Syntax
    To use any command to its maximum potential, it is important to know its syntax and that is why I'm starting this tutorial by introducing the syntax of the whereis command:
    whereis [OPTIONS] FILE_NAME...Here,
    OPTIONS: Flags that modify the search behavior. FILE_NAME: The name of the file or command to locate. Now, let's take a look at available options of the whereis command:
    Flag Description -b Search only for binary files. -s Search only for source files. -m Search only for manual pages. -u Search for unusual files (files missing one or more of binary, source, or manual). -B Specify directories to search for binary files (must be followed by -f). -S Specify directories to search for source files (must be followed by -f). -M Specify directories to search for manual pages (must be followed by -f). -f Terminate directory lists provided with -B, -S, or -M, signaling the start of file names. -l Display directories that are searched by default. 1. Locate all files related to a command
    To find all files (binary, source, and manual) related to a command, all you have to do is append the command name to the whereis command as shown here:
    whereis commandFor example, if I want to locate all files related to bash, then I would use the following:
    whereis bashHere,
    /usr/bin/bash: Path to the binary file. /usr/share/man/man1/bash.1.gz: Path to the manual page. 2. Search for binary files only
    To locate only the binary (executable) file of a command, use the -b flag along with the target command as shown here:
    whereis -b commandIf I want to search for the binary files for the ls command, then I would use the following:
    whereis -b ls3. Search for the manual page only
    To locate only the manual page for a specific command, use the -m flag along with the targeted command as shown here:
    whereis -m commandFor example, if I want to search for the manual page location for the grep command, then I would use the following:
    whereis -m grepAs you can see, it gave me two locations:
    /usr/share/man/man1/grep.1.gz: A manual page which can be accessed through man grep command. /usr/share/info/grep.info.gz: An info page that can be accessed through info grep command. 4. Search for source files only
    To find only source code files associated with a command, use the -s flag along with the targeted command as shown here:
    whereis -s commandFor example, if I want to search source files for the gcc, then I would use the following:
    whereis -s gccMy system is fresh and I haven't installed any packages from the source so I was given a blank output.
    5. Specify custom directories for searching
    To limit your search to specific directories, use options like -B, -S, or -M. For example, if I want to limit my search to the /bin directory for the cp command, then I would use the following command:
    whereis -b -B /bin -f cpHere,
    -b: This flag tells whereis to search only for binary files (executables), ignoring source and manual files. -B /bin: The -B flag specifies a custom directory (/bin in this case) where whereis should look for binary files. It also limits the search to the /bin directory instead of searching all default directories. -f cp: Without -f, the whereis command would interpret cp as another directory. 6. Identify commands missing certain files (unusual files)
    The whereis command can help you find commands that are missing one or more associated files (binary, source, or manual). This is particularly useful for troubleshooting or verifying file completeness.
    For example, to search for commands in the /bin directory that is missing manual pages, you first have to change your directory to /bin and then use the -u flag to search for unusual files:
    cd /bin whereis -u -m *Wrapping Up...
    This was a quick tutorial on how you can use the whereis command in Linux including practical examples and syntax. I hope you will find this guide helpful.
    If you have any queries or suggestions, leave us a comment.
  6. Blogger
    by: Preethi
    Wed, 05 Mar 2025 13:16:32 +0000

    Grouping selected items is a design choice often employed to help users quickly grasp which items are selected and unselected. For instance, checked-off items move up the list in to-do lists, allowing users to focus on the remaining tasks when they revisit the list.
    We’ll design a UI that follows a similar grouping pattern. Instead of simply rearranging the list of selected items, we’ll also lay them out horizontally using CSS Grid. This further distinguishes between the selected and unselected items.
    We’ll explore two approaches for this. One involves using auto-fill, which is suitable when the selected items don’t exceed the grid container’s boundaries, ensuring a stable layout. In contrast, CSS Grid’s span keyword provides another approach that offers greater flexibility.
    The HTML is the same for both methods:
    <ul> <li> <label> <input type="checkbox" /> <div class=icon>🍱</div> <div class=text>Bento</div> </label> </li> <li> <label> <input type="checkbox" /> <div class=icon>🍡</div> <div class=text>Dangos</div> </label> </li> <!-- more list items --> </ul> The markup consists of an unordered list (<ul>). However, we don’t necessarily have to use <ul> and <li> elements since the layout of the items will be determined by the CSS grid properties. Note that I am using an implicit <label> around the <input> elements mostly as a way to avoid needing an extra wrapper around things, but that explicit labels are generally better supported by assistive technologies.
    Method 1: Using auto-fill
    CodePen Embed Fallback ul { width: 250px; display: grid; gap: 14px 10px; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, 40px); justify-content: center; /* etc. */ } The <ul> element, which contains the items, has a display: grid style rule, turning it into a grid container. It also has gaps of 14px and 10px between its grid rows and columns. The grid content is justified (inline alignment) to center.
    The grid-template-columns property specifies how column tracks will be sized in the grid. Initially, all items will be in a single column. However, when items are selected, they will be moved to the first row, and each selected item will be in its own column. The key part of this declaration is the auto-fill value.
    The auto-fill value is added where the repeat count goes in the repeat() function. This ensures the columns repeat, with each column’s track sizing being the given size in repeat() (40px in our example), that will fit inside the grid container’s boundaries.
    For now, let’s make sure that the list items are positioned in a single column:
    li { width: inherit; grid-column: 1; /* Equivalent to: grid-column-start: 1; grid-column-end: auto; */ /* etc. */ } When an item is checked, that is when an <li> element :has() a :checked checkbox, we’re selecting that. And when we do, the <li> is given a grid-area that puts it in the first row, and its column will be auto-placed within the grid in the first row as per the value of the grid-template-columns property of the grid container (<ul>). This causes the selected items to group at the top of the list and be arranged horizontally:
    li { width: inherit; grid-column: 1; /* etc. */ &:has(:checked) { grid-area: 1; /* Equivalent to: grid-row-start: 1; grid-column-start: auto; grid-row-end: auto; grid-column-end: auto; */ width: 40px; /* etc. */ } /* etc. */ } And that gives us our final result! Let’s compare that with the second method I want to show you.
    Method 2: Using the span keyword
    CodePen Embed Fallback We won’t be needing the grid-template-columns property now. Here’s the new <ul> style ruleset:
    ul { width: 250px; display: grid; gap: 14px 10px; justify-content: center; justify-items: center; /* etc. */ } The inclusion of justify-items will help with the alignment of grid items as we’ll see in a moment. Here are the updated styles for the <li> element:
    li { width: inherit; grid-column: 1 / span 6; /* Equivalent to: grid-column-start: 1; grid-column-end: span 6; */ /* etc. */ } As before, each item is placed in the first column, but now they also span six column tracks (since there are six items). This ensures that when multiple columns appear in the grid, as items are selected, the following unselected items remain in a single column under the selected items — now the unselected items span across multiple column tracks. The justify-items: center declaration will keep the items aligned to the center.
    li { width: inherit; grid-column: 1 / span 6; /* etc. */ &:has(:checked) { grid-area: 1; width: 120px; /* etc. */ } /* etc. */ } The width of the selected items has been increased from the previous example, so the layout of the selection UI can be viewed for when the selected items overflow the container.
    Selection order
    The order of selected and unselected items will remain the same as the source order. If the on-screen order needs to match the user’s selection, dynamically assign an incremental order value to the items as they are selected.
    onload = ()=>{ let i=1; document.querySelectorAll('input').forEach((input)=>{ input.addEventListener("click", () => { input.parentElement.parentElement.style.order = input.checked ? i++ : (i--, 0); }); }); } CodePen Embed Fallback Wrapping up
    CSS Grid helps make both approaches very flexible without a ton of configuration. By using auto-fill to place items on either axis (rows or columns), the selected items can be easily grouped within the grid container without disturbing the layout of the unselected items in the same container, for as long as the selected items don’t overflow the container.
    If they do overflow the container, using the span approach helps maintain the layout irrespective of how long the group of selected items gets in a given axis. Some design alternatives for the UI are grouping the selected items at the end of the list, or swapping the horizontal and vertical structure.
    Grouping Selection List Items Together With CSS Grid originally published on CSS-Tricks, which is part of the DigitalOcean family. You should get the newsletter.
  7. Blogger

    QuestionAI

    · Blogger · 03/05/25 08:08 AM

    by: aiparabellum.com
    Wed, 05 Mar 2025 08:08:08 +0000

    QuestionAI represents the next evolution in question-answering technology, bridging the gap between vast information repositories and human curiosity. Unlike traditional search engines that return lists of potentially relevant links, QuestionAI directly delivers concise, accurate answers drawn from analyzing multiple sources. The platform understands natural language queries, recognizes context, and processes information much like a human researcher would—but at machine speed. Designed for professionals, researchers, students, and curious minds alike, QuestionAI serves as an intelligent assistant that not only answers questions but also helps users explore topics more deeply through related insights and explanations.
    Features
    Natural Language Processing: Ask questions in everyday language just as you would to a human expert, without needing to format queries in any special way. Contextual Understanding: The AI maintains conversation context, allowing for follow-up questions without repeating background information. Multi-Source Analysis: Draws information from diverse and verified sources to provide comprehensive answers that consider multiple perspectives. Citation Tracking: Clearly identifies the sources of information, allowing users to verify facts and explore topics more deeply. Customizable Knowledge Base: Ability to connect to specific document sets or databases for specialized questioning in professional environments. Visual Response Options: Receives responses not just as text but also as charts, graphs, and other visualizations when appropriate. Multilingual Support: Ask questions and receive answers in multiple languages, breaking down language barriers to information. Conversation History: Maintains a searchable log of previous questions and answers for easy reference and continued learning. Integration Capabilities: Connects with popular productivity tools, research platforms, and learning management systems. Privacy Controls: Robust security features ensure sensitive questions and information remain confidential. How It Works
    Question Input: Users enter their question in natural language through the clean, intuitive interface. AI Processing: The system analyzes the question to understand intent, context, and required information. Knowledge Base Search: QuestionAI scans its vast knowledge repositories, identifying relevant information from verified sources. Answer Synthesis: Rather than simply retrieving information, the AI synthesizes a coherent, comprehensive answer tailored to the specific question. Source Attribution: The system attributes information to its original sources, allowing users to verify claims and explore further. Refinement Loop: Users can ask follow-up questions or request clarification, with the system maintaining context from the previous exchanges. Continuous Learning: The platform improves over time, learning from interactions to provide increasingly relevant and accurate responses. Benefits
    Time Efficiency: Receive immediate answers to complex questions without sifting through multiple search results or documents. Information Accuracy: Benefit from answers drawn from verified sources with clear citations, reducing the risk of misinformation. Knowledge Depth: Explore topics more thoroughly with an AI that can handle increasingly specific and technical questions. Research Enhancement: Accelerate research processes by quickly establishing foundational knowledge before diving deeper. Learning Support: Supplement educational experiences with explanations that adapt to different knowledge levels. Decision Support: Make more informed decisions by accessing relevant information quickly and in context. Productivity Boost: Reduce time spent searching for information and more time applying insights to tasks and projects. Linguistic Accessibility: Access information regardless of language barriers through multilingual support. Reduced Cognitive Load: Offload the mental effort of searching and synthesizing information to an AI assistant. Continuous Knowledge Access: Stay informed with up-to-date information through a system that regularly updates its knowledge base. Pricing
    Free Tier: Limited daily questions with basic functionality, perfect for casual users exploring the platform. Personal Plan ($19/month): Unlimited questions, full feature access, and priority processing for individual users. Professional Plan ($49/month): Enhanced capabilities including document uploads, team sharing features, and advanced analytics. Enterprise Solution (Custom Pricing): Tailored implementation with private knowledge bases, enhanced security, dedicated support, and custom integrations. Educational Discount: Special pricing for students and educational institutions with additional learning-focused features. Annual Subscription: Save 20% when purchasing an annual subscription for any paid tier. Review
    QuestionAI delivers on its promise to revolutionize information retrieval through artificial intelligence. During our extensive testing, the platform consistently provided relevant, accurate answers to questions ranging from straightforward facts to complex conceptual inquiries.
    The natural language processing capabilities are particularly impressive, accurately interpreting questions even when phrased conversationally or with ambiguous terms. The system rarely misunderstands intent and, when it does, the clarification process is smooth and intuitive.
    Conclusion
    QuestionAI stands at the forefront of a new paradigm in information access, where artificial intelligence serves not just as a tool for finding information but as an active partner in knowledge exploration and synthesis. By combining advanced natural language processing, comprehensive knowledge repositories, and intuitive design, it delivers on the promise of AI as an extension of human cognitive capabilities.
    Visit Website The post QuestionAI appeared first on AI Parabellum • Your Go-To AI Tools Directory for Success.
  8. Blogger
    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.
  9. Blogger

    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.
  10. Blogger
    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.
  11. Blogger
    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!


  12. Blogger
    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.
  13. Blogger
    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.
  14. Blogger

    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.
  15. Blogger
    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.
  16. Blogger

    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.
  17. Blogger
    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 🐧
  18. Blogger
    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 🐧
  19. Blogger
    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

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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 using Linux in 2025 🐧
  20. Blogger
    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?
  21. Blogger

    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.
  22. Blogger
    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.
  23. Blogger
    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!
  24. Blogger

    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!
  25. Blogger
    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.
    ✨ANY.RUN: Business-Ready Interactive Linux Malware Analysis
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    📰 Linux and Open Source News
    Rhino Linux 2025.1 is now available.
    Intel's Tofino P4 has been open sourced.
    Flathub has made it easy to find mobile apps on the platform.
    NVIDIA Project DIGITS is a supercomputer that is powered by Linux
    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!
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    🧠 What We’re Thinking About
    This is not how you 'force implement' cloud features.
    Bambu Lab Firmware Fiasco Has Caused Rifts In The 3D Printing Community
    Bambu Labs has found themselves in a tough spot.
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    Hindenburg Research closing up shop has resulted in an interesting outcome.
    🧮 Linux Tips, Tutorials and More
    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.
    Spice up your Kodi setup with these stunning builds!
    Not the true measure, but this trick lets you have some ideas about how long it takes to boot your Linux system.
    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 ;)
    It's FOSSAnkush Das

    👷 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.
    Text Pieces: A Rust-based Open Source App to Help Devs With Text Transformations
    A handy little scratchpad app for developers.
    It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

    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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