Open Source

Beyond All Reason is redefining large-scale RTS with its open-source Recoil engine, capable of supporting 100-player matches and 10,000-unit battles. With a Steam launch and multilingual localisation underway, it is setting new standards for community-driven strategy games.

The security-focused OpenBSD operating system has just reached the 58th release. Thanks to it, this open-source piece of code now sports new userland features, more accurate documentation, better hibernation support, as well as performance improvements in out-of-memory situations.

The Evertop PC is a new open-source retro PC inspired by the IBM XT. Powered by an ESP32 chip, the Evertop can almost entirely mimic the IBM XT's capabilities, including support for DOS-era software. Thanks to a massive battery, the Evertop system can run for hundreds of hours away from the wall, and even features solar charging support.

Casio US introduces the fx-CG100 ClassWiz, a powerful color-graphing calculator with MicroPython for app programming and 2,900 math functions covering pre-algebra to advanced calculus for students of all levels.

CheckMag As a tech journalist and cybersecurity analyst running Manjaro KDE, these keyboard shortcuts have greatly transformed my workflow. From instant window switching to formatting-free pasting, these tricks save me hours every week—and they’ll supercharge your productivity too.

CheckMag The market for ultra-portables that bridge the gap between a decent desktop and media consumption has dwindled to almost nothing. A space now dominated by iPads and Android tablets with terrible multitasking, file management and mobile browsers. But once you get rid of Windows, the Surface Go can still be a compelling option.

The T-Deck Pro from LilyGo is a new and rather unusual mobile IoT device that is equipped with an e-ink display which is easy to read even in sunlight. It also features wireless connectivity options and should be quite versatile for tinkering.

CheckMag With official Steam OS just around the corner, Bazzite might seem irrelevant. However, Steam OS is currently still in beta, some functions don't work, and it has a far shorter supported device list. Bazzite on the other hand supports almost every x86 based handheld out there, is mature in its development process, and is very easy to set up alongside Windows. Here's how.

The DeepSeek-V3-0324 release comes three months after the initial DeepSeek V3 launch in December 2024. This updated model has improved performance and capabilities, such as creating appealing web pages and well-written reports in Chinese.

Q4OS, often praised as a faster solution for old computers than Puppy or Bodhi Linux, is back with a new update. Labeled 5.8, this refresh is based on Debian Bookworm 12.10 and the 6.1.0-32 kernel. In addition to the Debian-specific changes, Q4OS 5.8 also comes with several translations for Calamares, improved Flatpak app handling, and more.

Roughly three months since elementary OS 8, the 8.0.1 update lands with a new kernel alongside multiple minor changes. The list of areas that received tweaks includes the AppCenter, Files, Terminal, System Settings, Installer, and more. The ISO file is 3.3 GB in size, and the installation needs at least 32 GB.

With a history of over two decades and formerly known as SystemRescueCD, the Arch-based SystemRescue live environment has just received the update labeled 12.00. This refresh comes with the 6.12.19 LTS kernel, bcachefs support, Firefox 128.8.0 ESR, and Xfce 4.20.1, as well as several other package updates.

Unleashed as the sixth and final release of the stable/13 branch, FreeBSD 13.5 focuses on maintenance once again. In addition to the usual list of tweaks and fixes, this update also comes with refreshed third-party apps, including Inkscape 1.4, VLC 3.0.21, GTK 4.16.12, and more.

CheckMag Thanks to Valve and Proton, Linux is becoming a much more viable platform for work and play, but first party support for syncing common cloud services like OneDrive and Google Drive is none existent and unlike TruNAS and Synology this feature isn't built in. However, there is a reliable and relatively straightforward solution. Here's how it works.

Based on Linux Debian 12.9 "Bookworm" and using the 6.8 kernel as default (with 6.11 as an option), Proxmox Mail Gateway 8.2 is now available with SpamAssassin 4.0.1, which packs updated rulesets. Additionally, this new release comes with ZFS 2.2.7, PostgreSQL 15.11, automated/unattended installation, and more.

Framework today announced the latest in its repairable, upgradeable laptop line-up. The Framework 12 is a 12-inch convertible laptop with a touch screen and 360-degree hinge. Despite the convertible nature, the Framework 12 will feature a rugged design, with TPU overmoulding for shock absorption.

Ading2210, a high-schooler who created DoomPDF, has now released LinuxPDF to run Linux on a RISC-V emulator derived from TinyEMU within a PDF file using a combination of C, Python, HTML, and Javascript.

The AstoCAD development team has announced the first release of the FreeCAD soft fork, which aims to drastically redesign the UI of the free, open-source 3D design software to "make FreeCAD sexy."

Built on top of the 6.13.2 Linux kernel, the latest update of the Arch-based German distro Bluestar Linux comes with Firefox 135, LibreOffice 25.2, GTK 4.16.12, and many other updated packages. However, Thunderbird only moves up to 128.6, although version 135 has been recently released, while KDE Plasma is stuck at 6.2.5.

EndeavourOS Neo's successor, Mercury, arrived yesterday with the Linux kernel 6.13, Xfce 4.20, Firefox 135.0, Nvidia 570.86.16-3, a memory test for EFI, a default dark theme in KDE, Gnome, Xfce, Mate, Budgie, and Cinnamon, as well as many other tweaks and fixes. The version number of the update is 2025.02.08.

The Manjaro-based Mabox Linux is back with update 25.02, which includes the barely released Firefox 135 and various package updates. The Linux kernel used is now 6.6.65, up from the 6.6.47 release, which was present in the 24.12 Mabox update. The Nvidia driver also got updated, as well as Samba, GTK, and a few others.

Available with the same generous selection of desktop environments as before, PorteuX 1.9 comes with the 6.13.1 Linux kernel, CUPS support for GTK3, as well as multiple fixes. The list of updated packages includes Cinnamon 6.4.6, GNOME 47.3, the Nvidia driver 570.86.16, and many others.

Born in 2008 and developed by a former NetBSD developer as a testbed for the XBPS package manager, Void Linux received a new update yesterday. Labeled 20250202, this release introduces support for Apple Silicon, Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, and Pinebook Pro, alongside optimized Raspberry Pi images, several fixes, and more.

AMD's open source RADV Vulkan driver for Linux has already been updated to support the AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT GPUs, although there will be a few minor features missing at launch — a massive improvement over previous GPU launches, which generally only received support on Linux weeks or even months after launch.

Facebook's parent company, Meta, has blocked posts mentioning Linux, citing cybersecurity concerns. Meta confirmed after manual review that Linux is on the list of cybersecurity-related topics, and it will seemingly remain so until further notice.

The anyon_e is a new open-source laptop with a high-resolution AMOLED display that should be suitable for casual gaming. The notes also sports an aluminum chassis and is equipped with a 60Wh battery.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, initially planned to develop artificial intelligence on an open-source basis. However, no source code for current OpenAI models has been made available thus far. DeepSeek from China takes a completely different approach and offers DeepSeek-R1 under the MIT license. Supposedly, this new AI model is even on par with ChatGPT.

Available with several desktop choices, including Budgie and Xfce, the rolling release distro Solus returns with version 4.7 Endurance. Only available for 64-bit hardware, Solus 4.7 includes multiple package updates, a new software center with out-of-the-box Flatpak support, as well as improved video card compatibility.

The Volla Phone Quintus is now available and aims to entice buyers with its focus on privacy. The smartphone runs on either Android or Ubuntu Touch and foregoes all Google services, if desired.

Flipper Zero users searching for exotic sensor mods for their devices are in luck: The FlippenHeimer is now on sale. This Geiger counter mod provides insight into surrounding radioactivity and has received glowing reviews. Update: Slight clarification of what the product can be used for

Carrying the codename "Xia" and to be supported until 2029, Linux Mint 22.1 arrived yesterday with modernized APT dependencies by transitioning to Aptkit and Captain, Power-saver and Balanced modes (Performance mode only on supported systems), Night Light, Cinnamon 6.4 with improved Wayland compatibility, and more.

Although it comes with the same Linux kernel as its predecessor, namely 6.11, the latest Tuxedo OS update sports the latest KDE Plasma update, as well as Vim 9.1, QT 6.8.1, and Firefox 134.0.1. The LibreOffice package also got a minor update, from 24.8.0 to 24.8.3. Several other components were also updated.

CheckMag When I got the notification that my Nighthawk R7000 reached "end of life" I started down the rabbit hole of looking to install custom firmware to keep what is otherwise perfectly functioning hardware secure. While I didn't manage to keep my R7000 in service, I did find this hidden gem of a router.

Based on the Debian 12.9 "Bookworm" base, MX Linux 23.5 includes the Xfce 4.20 core packages and multiple other updates, including visual tweaks and security fixes. The Xfce, KDE, and Fluxbox ISOs come with the 6.1.123 kernel, while AHS takes advantage of the 6.12.8 liquorix core.

The Irish Debian-based live Linux distro focused on providing solid Internet anonymity and security is back with version 6.11. This release of Tails comes with several critical security fixes, as well as the ability to detect corrupted USB sticks before enabling the Persistent Storage feature.

An enterprising developer has released an open-source Hall-effect keyboard library for custom gaming keyboards. The project features custom firmware, browser-based configuration software, and a 1,000 Hz polling rate, making it suitable for gaming applications. The Libhmk project also supports a number of standard Hall-effect switches and gaming features, like DKS, Rapid Trigger, and Continuous Rapid Trigger.

Targeting experienced users and drawing inspiration from CRUX, Venom Linux has returned with its desktop based on the Openbox window manager alongside a text-mode installer. Version 20250108 sports the 6.12.8 Linux kernel, MESA 24.3.3, Wayland 1.23.1, and more. The list of options now also includes the s6 init system.

Moving up to the 6.12.8 kernel version, Arch-based Bluestar Linux returns with a minor update. This release includes the bugfix update for KDE Plasma 6, which is labeled 6.2.5, as well as e2fsprogs 1.47.2, which is still in beta and replaces the stable 1.47.1 version from Bluestar 6.12.7.

The AgiBot World Alpha dataset includes trained actions such as folding clothes. Over 100 scenarios, ranging from home to work environments, were trained with humans demonstrating correct outcomes. AI humanoid developers can use the dataset for free.

Arch-based German distro Bluestar Linux is back with multiple package updates on top of a new kernel. The kernel version is 6.12.7, while the list of updates includes Firefox 133.0.3, LibreOffice 24.8.4, Vim 9.1, VLC 3.0.21, Python 3.13.1, and many others.

The aptly named ebook2audiobook project has received a massive update, supporting 1,000 languages. With many more features, the 2.0 update has much more to offer readers.

The 3D-printed VR headset for mice runs the Godot game engine using a Raspberry Pi 4. During research experiments, mice can walk virtual worlds endlessly. MouseGoggles also eliminates the tedious task of building real mouse mazes.

After clever reverse engineering, engineers liberated the EPS32's once closed-source WiFi stack. Soon, the ESP32 will be capable of several exciting operating modes.

Popular hacking firmware, Bruce, has announced an official PCB. Manufactured by PCBway, this collaboration brings full support for the firmware.

Zenwalk Linux "Santa Claus" edition (current-241227) comes with a few noticeable package updates and new additions, such as Firefox 133, Perl 5.40, Wayland 1.23.1, and more. Overall, it sports the same changes as the latest Slackware refresh. The Xfce 4.20 update also comes with multiple tweaks and fixes.

A permanent connection to near-Earth satellites without any other ground-based systems is set to be reality soon. From simple surfing with a smartphone to real-time applications, numerous possibilities are conceivable.

Based on Sid (the unstable Debian version), siduction has been around for over a decade with multiple desktop choices. Sadly, version 2024.1.0 discontinues three flavors, namely GNOME, MATE, and Cinnamon. The main highlight is KDE Plasma 6 and it comes in five flavors: KDE, LXQt, Xfce, Xorg, and no X.

The 13th release of the year, which is also the last one of 2024, speeds up and further enhances the security provided by CachyOS while also improving compatibility thanks to RustiCL, which replaces the default OpenCL driver. Additionally, CachyOS 241221 comes with the Bluetooth service enabled by default.

Grml, an Austrian Linux distribution based on Debian, has returned with version 2024.12. While it drops x86 support, this update is the first to bring this minimal, live Linux distro to 64-bit ARM hardware. In addition to these, Grml 2024.12 also comes with fresh Debian 13 software packages alongside many minor tweaks and fixes.

The final release of the year sees Kali Linux dropping support for 32-bit kernels while sporting GNOME 47 and Python 3.12. Additionally, the update labeled 2024.4 comes with 14 new tools, a major refresh to the Kali NetHunter store and website, as well as more supported devices, pushing the list up to a total of 100.