Open Source

Meta's Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) team has announced new models for Metaverse applications and watermarking AI-generated content. It also released codebases for Flow Matching and Image Diversity Modeling, among others.

CheckMag YouTuber Retro Tech Dad has just released a deep dive exploring the viability of PC gaming on Android using the Windows emulator, Winlator. Using a host of different tips and tricks, the results speak for themselves.

The Raspberry Pi 5 isn't exactly a gaming power house, although it certainly is a popular device for building retro emulation machines. PS2 emulation is spotty at best on the Pi 5, so the idea of running PS3 titles on the same hardware seems akin to flying pigs. Nevertheless, RPCS3 now has an arm64 build working on the Pi 5, and it performs better than you might think.

In their latest video, The Thought Emporium discusses the science and practical applications of the channel's latest and most advanced open-source radio telescope, the XJ9. Featuring a modular design and a host of radio-focused features, the XJ9 is an enticing project for radio enthusiasts.

After more than two decades in development, the service management daemon GNU Shepherd has finally reached the 1.0-labeled milestone. Its highlights include transient and timed services, log rotation, integrated logging, as well as improved service insights. Additionally, the deprecated GOOPS interface is now gone.

Integrating Firefox and Thunderbird with GNOME components on top of the Window Maker window manager and a Debian core, Window Maker Live is a live Linux distro that has just moved from version 0.96.0-0 to 12.8. As its name suggests, this update comes with all the goodies from the Debian 12.8 "Bookworm" release.

For most developers, using Python for VR game development does not sound like the most efficient use of the programming language. However, developer DaFluffyPotato met the challenge and discovered some exciting results.

Linux distro openSUSE has just announced that GPU switching is now built into all of its distributions. Users rejoice, as they no longer have to rely on alternative methods to get the most out of their multi-GPU systems.

Arch-based Manjaro Linux is back with an update that relies on the new LTS Linux kernel, which is 6.12. This refresh, with version number 24.2 and known as "Yonada," is available in three editions. These are GNOME 47.2, KDE Plasma 6.2, and Xfce 4.18. The embedded versions and community editions have not been updated yet.

Since openSUSE Leap Micro 6.1 has arrived, Leap Micro 5.5 has also reached EOL (End of Life). The update comes with a new opensuse-migration-tool, soft-reboot support, 2FA for PAM logins, vhostmd for SAP virtualization, and more. The downloadable images start below 1 GB (preconfigured) and go as high as 2.3 GB (VMware).

Community-developed ultralight Linux distro Alpine is back with version 3.21.0. The first release in the 3.21 stable series comes with loongarch64 CPU support, as well as multiple updated packages, including GNOME 47, GCC 14, PHP 8.4, and more. It also sports version 6.12 of the Linux kernel.

Over the past two years, developer Bananymous has been slowly putting together a UNIX-like OS that is written almost entirely in C++. The OS even supports x86_64 and i686 architectures.

While remaining an experimental distribution, EasyOS 6.5 is also considered a rather mature piece of code. Its highlights include several fixes, the 6.6.61 Linux kernel, as well as Chromium 130.0.6723.91 compiled in OpenEmbedded. This milestone refresh targets both releases, namely Scarthgap and Daedalus.

Codenamed "db" and using the version number 3.8.0, the latest Nitrux release comes with updated apps such as Firefox 133.0, MESA 24.2.8, some fixes to the system installer, as well as OpenRC reorganization that improves the service script. The Calamares configuration tool and the offline documentation have been updated as well.

FreeBSD's third release of the stable/14 branch, labeled 14.2 and dedicated to the memory of Mike Karels, arrives with OpenZFS 2.2.6, OpenSSL 3.0.15, and support in the installer for downloading and installing the needed firmware packages after deploying the base system. OCI container images are now also available.

Built on the ESP32-S3, CapibaraZero has arrived to offer an alternative to the popular but expensive Flipper Zero hacking gadget. While less refined than the Flipper Zero, this project maintains much of the same functionality.

Over the past few weeks, the companion Android app for the popular open-source ham radio transceiver project has received many notable updates. The features list keeps growing as more flexible programming options and an official 1.0 version release join the mix.

Using the Linux kernel 6.8.12-4 as a stable default with 6.11 as an option, Proxmox Backup Server 3.3 sports ZFS 2.2.6 support and is based on the Debian 12.8 "Bookworm" release. The list of changes also includes removable datastores support, new change detection modes and push direction for remote sync jobs, and more.

Powered by an Ubuntu core and sporting a macOS-inspired design, elementary OS has just moved up to version 8. After 13 years of history, this Linux distro has received a new dock optimized for better multitasking and window management, as well as a new Wayland-powered Secure Session feature.

As Bluesky continues to gain traction as an alternative to X, easier ways of starting a conversation on the platform are popping up. Enter the Bluesky Comments extension for Chrome, which makes commenting on any web page possible.

Based on Debian 12.8 "Bookworm" and the Linux kernel 6.8.12-4 (with 6.11 as an option), Proxmox Virtual Environment 8.3 comes with multiple package updates, supporting QEMU 9.0.2, LXC 6.0.0, and ZFS 2.2.6. A new "Tag View" for the resource tree is also available, as well as Ceph Squid 19.2.0 support, faster container backups, and more.

Not long after its 18th anniversary, Oracle Linux is back with a new update, labeled 9.5. Java moves from OpenJDK 11 to OpenJDK 17, while .NET 9.0 comes with support for C#13 and F#9. Additionally, GCC Toolset 14 is available via the AppStream repository, not to mention the UEK and RHCK options.

After over 22 years in development, FreeCAD 1.0 is finally available, with the latest release bringing much-needed UI tweaks and a new assembly module. The development team says it is dedicated to improving the FreeCAD project, but that it has solved the last two major problems that held back the 1.0 release.

CheckMag The Epomaker TH40 is an excellent affordable entry to the 40% keyboard form factor, but in our recent review, we found that it was impossible to use with the out-of-the-box layers and key bindings. Here's how we set up and optimised the Epomaker TH40 for general use and typing.

Blender 4.3 has introduced a massive list of upgrades that impact almost every aspect of the popular open-source program. While the exact details of the update can quickly get technical, here are a few highlights.

Codenamed “Teal Serval” and available with the distributed kernel version 5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5, AlmaLinux OS 9.5 comes with improved security, refined development tooling, as well as performance enhancements. The list of changes includes updated compilers, improved system monitoring, stronger cryptography, crypto-policies, and more.

The desktop-focused branch of the FreeBSD family, namely GhostBSD, has just moved up to version 24.10.1. This update fixes issues that occurred on some Legacy BIOS systems on boot while also delivering multiple driver updates and under-the-hood improvements. There is also support for watching Netflix in Chromium.

More than two months after the arrival of its predecessor, Q4OS 5.7 surfaces with Debian Bookworm 12.8-specific updates, improved hardware compatibility, an updated Q4OS software center, as well as the usual set of refreshed packages alongside Q4OS-exclusive visual refinements, under-the-hood fixes, and tweaks.

Often abbreviated to RHEL, Red Hat Enterprise Linux has just reached version number 9.5 after 24 years on the market. While continuing to provide fast, reliable, and affordable software services to enterprises, the latest update comes with improved file management capabilities, multiple package updates, and more.

Based on Arch Linux and featuring multiple desktop options with a BORE kernel which focuses on top performance and low latency, CachyOS is back with this year's 12th release. This update comes with improved gaming performance on both Nvidia and AMD hardware, latest Calamares version, improved Asus ROG Ally X support, and more.

The Mozilla Foundation has announced it has let go of 30% of its staff, eliminating its advocacy and global programs divisions. This marks the second round of 2024 layoffs for the company that dismissed 60 people in February 2024.

NethSecurity 8.3 is now available with a focus on new features for subscriptions and an improved user experience. This updated Linux firewall solution sports a centralized unit update management interface, comprehensive real-time and historical monitoring, a new NAT helper configuration page, and more.

Meta has announced that it is making its open-source LLM (Large Language Model) Llama accessible to U.S. government agencies and contractors for national security applications. The company is partnering with Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle and others to make this happen.

Only available for 64-bit processors since mid-2020, Parted Magic has just received a new update. The latest version of this Slackware-based distro focused on data recovery and disk partitioning comes with Wine 9.0, ClamAV 1.4.1, LibreOffice 24.8.2, version 6.11 of the Linux kernel, and more.

Lime3DS and PabloMK7, two forks of the recently shut-down Citra emulator, have now also bitten the dust. However, there is a silver lining to the story, which could result in a new super-emulator, combining features from the past projects.

CheckMag Since dropping x86 in favour of ARM, Apple has more or less closed the door on native dual booting on its hardware. However, Asahi Linux, for some time, has offered native Fedora builds for Apple silicon Macs. The latest release now comes with an alpha build of their game playing toolkit, allowing you to install Steam and play a selection of games on your dual boot Apple silicon Mac.

Thanks to the move from KDE 5 to KDE 6, Br OS 24.10 has multiple visual changes when compared to its predecessor. The latest update to this Ubuntu-based Brazilian distro comes with Wayland set as default (Xorg still available as an alternative), and, similar to most recent Linux distro updates, it uses the 6.11.0 kernel.

Available since yesterday, Firefox 132.0 comes with Microsoft PlayReady encrypted media playback, which allows 4K UHD support on several streaming websites, as well as various security fixes, improvements to tracking protection, a broader color range, and more. Firefox ESR 115 and 128.x were also updated.

Keychron has updated its K3 mechanical keyboard with improved sound characteristics, Bluetooth 5.2, massive battery life upgrades, and QMK support for customisation on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Just as expected, Fedora 41 is finally here. Across various editions, the list of changes includes highlights such as GNOME 47 and KDE Plasma 6.2, the Mir and Wayland-based Miracle desktop environment in the new Fedora Miracle, new options for image mode, Secure Boot support for systems that require the Nvidia proprietary driver, and more.

Now recompiled in OpenEmbedded, EasyOS 6.4 remains labeled "an experimental Linux distribution" for the time being. This update launches with support for the Zig programming language, the version 6.6.58 kernel, new desktop icon themes, support for the WEBP image format in mtPaint, and more.

Beelink just announced that its Multi-Functional EX docking station for mini PCs is now open-source with free plans for anyone to use. Along with the announcement, Beelink published documentation to build the PCIe-enabled docking station. It hopes that access to the plans for the accessory will enrich the mini PC ecosystem.

The Video Game History Foundation was recently struck a massive blow when the US Copyright Office shot down its argument that game preservation is a valid reason to bypass DMCA protections. In response, the Video Game History Project called out "lobbying efforts by rightsholder groups" for "holding back progress." The VGHF sought to break copyright protections to allow libraries to digitally distribute out-of-print games.

The SteamOS 3.6.19 release adds more functionality to the Asus ROG Ally and moves the gyro controller driver into the kernel, outside of Steam's proprietary driver stack, suggesting that support for third-party gaming handhelds is inching closer to reality. At the same time, the Steam Deck OLED becomes more Windows-friendly.

Parrot OS is back with multiple improvements and updates, as well as a new launcher. Unleashed yesterday, version 6.2 of this Debian-based distro that targets ethical hackers brings forward Rocket, a launcher for Docker containers written entirely in Python, which uses a PyQt6 GUI and can also run on Windows and macOS machines.

While there are multiple guides on manually bypassing the TPM, Secure Boot, or processor compatibility checks performed when installing Windows 11, Flyby11 does everything automatically. With the help of this straightforward patcher, users with outdated hardware can effortlessly transition to Windows 11 24H2.

Covered by the terms of the Apache 2.0 license, the IBM Granite 3.0 family of AI models targets enterprise customers and provides top performance alongside (allegedly) the most comprehensive set of risk and harm detection capabilities on the market. Those interested can download the models from Hugging Face.

Less than two months since the release of version 1.6, PorteuX 1.7 arrives with several fixes, sub-500 MB ISOs, as well as updates to most of the seven desktop environments supported. The seven are GNOME, Cinnamon, KDE, LXDE, LXQt, MATE, and Xfce. The Linux kernel 6.11.4 is used for all these flavors.

CheckMag Nintendo has a long history of screwing over its fans, whether it’s releasing underpowered hardware, suing fan projects, shutting down services older consoles rely on, and constantly re-selling its back catalogue of games to people who have bought these same titles over and over. But where Ryujinx and Yuzu are concerned, it’s not hard to see why these projects got shut down.

The Ploopy Trackpad is a 3D printed trackpad with multi-touch gesture support and a high degree of customisability, thanks to its QMK firmware and 3D printed construction. All of the part files, QMK firmware, and build instructions are available online for free, but Ploopy also sells a $72.50 DIY build kit and a pre-assembled trackpad for $94.25