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Gnome desktop bans AI code in extensions

Gnome Linux desktop bans vibe-coded extensions over AI slop code

Gnome has officially banned the use of AI-generated code in its shell extensions, but the justification is more pragmatic than it is ideological. As of the announcement, any code submitted for consideration in the Gnome Extensions...

Julian van der Merwe, 17 Dec 2025 18:41

Self-hosting: 4 reasons I still haven’t taken the plunge

I find the idea of self-hosting fascinating. I read about it regularly, and as someone who reviews PC hardware, I’m practically surrounded by ideal conditions—and gear—to finally get started. I’ve even tested devices that would be...

Christian Hintze, 12 Dec 2025 12:31

USB boot stick with flash tools (image source: ChatGPT)

Rufus, BalenaEtcher? My current USB boot tool beats them all

Need to create a Windows rescue boot stick? Or a USB for Linux Mint, another for Kali Linux, or Tails? Finding the right boot sticks used to be a hassle for me—but now I can handle Windows, Linux, and more with a single USB stick,...

Christian Hintze, 10 Dec 2025 13:11

PSKeeb 5 ergonomic wireless mechanical keyboard launch

Open-source ergonomic wireless mechanical keyboard packs Lenovo-style track point and efficient ZMK firmware

An enterprising YouTuber has built a fully wireless split ergonomic mechanical keyboard with support for a track point, dual customisable knobs, and a focus on portability. The keyboard uses ZMK firmware, which is known for its hy...

Julian van der Merwe, 10 Dec 2025 06:16

Snipping Tool shoots a picture from our Notebookcheck website

With this open-source tool I take all my screenshots as a tester

As a laptop reviewer, I take countless screenshots during every test—benchmark results, control-center settings, and more. I need a tool that’s lightweight, captures screenshots quickly, and automatically saves them to a predefine...

Christian Hintze, 04 Dec 2025 12:30

Text Grab at work (image source: screenshot Text Grab on Github)

This handy open source tool pulls text from anything for me — even videos and images

Copying text from a Word document is easy. But how many times have I watched a YouTube video and wished for a tool that could extract the text shown on screen? Well, the open source app Text Grab can do exactly that — and more.

Christian Hintze, 03 Dec 2025 14:35

A banner promoting DiVine on its website (image source: DiVine)

DiVine: Vine’s six-second loop returns with Jack Dorsey's backing, and it’s banning AI

Square CEO and Twitter Co-Founder Jack Dorsey is bankrolling DiVine, and its founders say AI-generated clips won’t fly thanks to multiple checks integrated into the system to prevent uploads.

Rahim Amir Noorali, 17 Nov 2025 00:25

An image of the VR headset and its controllers (Image source: CNCDan via YouTube)

DIY builder 3D-prints open-source VR setup with 6 DoF and controllers

DIY engineer and YouTuber CNC Dan has made a major overhaul of a basic VR headset he built a while ago, adding 6 DoF and wireless controllers. While not perfect, the result is impressive.

Chibuike Okpara, 14 Nov 2025 21:47

Debian APT set to require Rust toolchain from May 2026 as legacy ports face sunset

APT is set to gain Rust code in 2026 as Debian modernises its package manager. The coding language's presence in open-source projects keep growing.

Louise Burke, 04 Nov 2025 17:51

Steam Hardware and Software Survey October 2025 showing updated platform and hardware trends (Image source: Valve)

Linux gaming growth: SteamOS share exceeds three percent on Steam as hardware makers take notice

Valve's October 2025 Steam survey shows Linux and SteamOS surpassing three percent of users, highlighting growing hardware optimisation across open-source platforms.

Louise Burke, 04 Nov 2025 03:10

SeaMonkey 2.53.22 displaying Notebookcheck's homepage (Image source: Screenshot - Notebookcheck)

SeaMonkey 2.53.22 bids farewell to 32-bit OSs but fails to embrace Reddit regardless

A lesser-known alternative Web browser, SeaMonkey received a version bump on October 31, 2025 that sees it lose a major strength while unfortunately failing to address SeaMonkey's biggest shortcoming, that is, the inability to ren...

Sergey Tarasov, 02 Nov 2025 11:53

PayPal and OpenAI collaborate to enable instant purchasing and payments via ChatGPT

PayPal and OpenAI have reached a deal giving OpenAI's "Instant Checkout" feature the power of PayPal payments. Users will now be able to pay for goods and services directly through a ChatGPT session.

Arjun Krishna Lal, 28 Oct 2025 16:53

Regardless of media type, there are docker containers to help you self-host and manage almost every type of media, all accessible from any device through a browser. (Image Source: Notebookcheck)

Data hoarders, here are the best free Docker containers to help you access, store and organise every type of media

CheckMag If you are looking to step away from subscription services, reduce reliance on big tech, or simply have fun while learning, self-hosting is a great way to make your media collections available across all of your devices while keep...

David Devey, 27 Oct 2025 16:36

Data from Garmin smartwatches can be visualized with an open-source software (Image source: Yevhenii Dubrovskyi on Unsplash)

Garmin: Visualize smartwatch data locally and privately with open-source tool

An open-source tool called Grafana allows Garmin smartwatches users to evaluate and display their own data more or less independently of the manufacturer. It also offers more configuration options that may provide deeper insights.

Silvio Werner, 22 Oct 2025 20:07

An image of the YouTuber testing the headset in sim racing (Image source: CNCDan; cropped screenshot)

DIY YouTuber builds cheap VR headset and makes it open-source

DIY YouTuber CNCDan has uploaded a video of his latest project — a VR headset, which, besides the 3D-printed parts, cost him about $150. He also made all the resources needed for the project open source.

Chibuike Okpara, 13 Oct 2025 21:09

An image of Stradex1 in the playing position (Image source: Brady Y. Lin; cropped)

DIY engineer 3D-prints new musical instrument and makes it open-source

YouTuber Brady Y. Lin, who could be called a serial inventor, has uploaded a video of his latest invention — Stradex1. Stradex1 is a violin-inspired musical instrument, but more compact and possibly more intuitive. He also made th...

Chibuike Okpara, 12 Oct 2025 07:04

The new shelf-based Discovery Page introduced in s&box's October 2025 update helps surface community-made games more effectively (Image: Facepunch Studios)

s&box update brings discovery overhaul, physics improvements and rendering optimisations

Facepunch refines Source 2–based creation platform with improved workflow, physics stability and rendering performance

Louise Burke, 11 Oct 2025 21:30

DeepSeek V3.2 Exp AI LLM uses a new sparce attention design to reduce compute costs while maintaining similar perfomance versus prior versions. (Image source: DeepSeek)

Free, open-source DeepSeek V3.2 Exp AI LLM debuts with lower compute costs, helping businesses save even more money

DeepSeek has released DeepSeek-V3.2-Exp, an experimental AI LLM designed to reduce compute costs while maintaining good performance when compared to its prior version, DeepSeek-V3.1-Terminus. The open-source model free to download...

David Chien, 11 Oct 2025 07:18

Following the launch of Panther Lake, Intel will scale back its open-source contributions in the name of competition. (Image source: Intel)

Intel slashes open-source contributions in the name of competiton

Intel will no longer be blindly contributing to the open-source software ecosystem, with recent comments from the company indicating that it will be using open-source as an "advantage to Intel." Intel was previously known for cont...

Julian van der Merwe, 10 Oct 2025 20:58

Ubuntu 25.10 "Questing Quokka" desktop screenshot showing GNOME 49 changes (Image source: Canonical)

Ubuntu 25.10 "Questing Quokka" arrives with GNOME 49 and Linux 6.17 in tow

As previously announced, Ubuntu 25.10 became available earlier today as the final step before the next LTS release, which is scheduled for 2026. In addition to the 6.17 kernel and GNOME 49, this release also comes with the Ptyxis ...

Codrut Nistor, 09 Oct 2025 16:57

Blender 5 beta startup view. (Image source: Blender)

Blender 5.0 Beta: Free, open-source 3D modelling and animation program launches with slew of tweaks and performance updates

Blender 5.0 Beta has officially been released in preparation for the release candidate that is scheduled to land later this year. Blender 5.0 is slated to add a number of UI tweaks for readability and tweak the backend codebase to...

Julian van der Merwe, 09 Oct 2025 01:22

The Fig.(0), pictured above, is the first of many shoe designs that Presq will share on MakerWorld (Image source: Bambu Lab)

Open-source 3D-printed shoes now a reality thanks to Bambu Lab x Presq partnership

Bambu Lab and Presq have partnered to release a line of open-sourced, customisable footwear designs that will allow anyone to bring their concepts to reality using just a 3D printer. The lineup of 3D designs, which feature TPE and...

Vishal Bhardwaj, 08 Oct 2025 19:23

openSUSE Leap 16.0 now available with a new installer and much more (Source: openSUSE News)

openSUSE Leap 16.0 launches with a new installer, simplified migration options, and more

The openSUSE Project team is back with openSUSE Leap 16.0, a major update that sports a fresh software stack, a new installer, and simplified migration options. Additionally, it introduces "an unmatched maintenance- and security-s...

Codrut Nistor, 02 Oct 2025 12:51

Ubuntu Touch smartphone AI render, Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0 released (Image source: Generated using OpenAI)

UBports keeps the Ubuntu Touch legacy alive with version 24.04-1.0

The first Ubuntu Touch release based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is now available as version 24.04-1.0. The list of supported devices includes the Fairphone 3, Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1, Fairphone 4 and 5, Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL, Sony Xp...

Codrut Nistor, 01 Oct 2025 12:05

FydeOS 21.0 Sunlit Epiphany now available (Image source: FydeOS)

Lightweight FydeOS 21.0 targets Chromebook fans

In addition to moving from Chromium OS up to r138 (previously r132), FydeOS 21.0 comes with enhanced search filtering in the launcher app, a new rich content insert feature, improved screenshots, isolated web apps in kiosk mode, a...

Codrut Nistor, 30 Sep 2025 13:11

The Open Printer (pictured above) can print on rolls of sheet for flexible page sizes (Image source: Open Tools)

Open Printer is an open source inkjet printer with DRM-free ink and roll paper support

The Open Printer features a modular and highly repairable design, and while it uses the popular HP 63 cartridges, it lacks DRM blocks that lock out third-party cartridges. It also allows printing on paper rolls, so you can either ...

Vishal Bhardwaj, 29 Sep 2025 19:17

The Apollo A6000 is an Amiga-compatible computer with updated hardware for faster performance. (Image source: Apollo Computer)

Apollo Computer announces sale date for the second batch of Apollo A6000 Amiga-compatible computers

Apollo Computer will release a second batch of Apollo A6000 Amiga-compatible systems on October 13. An additional twenty units will be sold at the Amiga 40 event in Germany. The all-in-one computer is modeled after the original Am...

David Chien, 28 Sep 2025 06:43

Kali Linux 2025.3 launches with updated Nexmon wireless firmware while dropping ARMel support (Image source: Kali Linux Blog)

Kali Linux 2025.3 drops ARMel support and gets refreshed Nexmon firmware

Offensive Security's Debian-based distro is back, dropping ARMel support while offering a refreshed Nexmon wireless firmware package. Kali Linux 2025.3 also comes with 10 new tools, updated HashiCorp Packer and Vagrant VM apps, as...

Codrut Nistor, 25 Sep 2025 17:26

Debian-based distro for system integrators SysLinuxOS 13 Mate now available (Image source: SysLinuxOS)

SysLinuxOS 13 Mate now available, Gnome edition coming next week

Based on Debian Trixie and targeting system integrators, SysLinuxOS 13 Mate includes a rich set of tools, such as Angry IP scanner, Etherscape, Putty, Zenmap, firewalk, Teams for Linux, Firefox, Chrome, and Edge, as well as docker...

Codrut Nistor, 24 Sep 2025 07:12

DietPi 9.17 Linux for SBCs, AI-generated launch teaser image (Image source: DietPi.com Docs)

Ultralight Debian 13-based DietPi 9.17 Linux for SBCs now available

Based on Debian 13 and designed primarily for single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi family, DietPi 9.17 comes with improved backups, a Roon Server early access toggle, as well as multiple minor bug fixes and tweaks. Alon...

Codrut Nistor, 22 Sep 2025 11:10

Ubuntu 25.10 beta comes with the Linux 6.17 kernel and more

Ubuntu 25.10 "Questing Quokka" is one step closer to the masses thanks to a new beta release. Targeting multiple platforms and available in quite a few versions, as usual, this release includes the 6.17 Linux kernel and most featu...

Codrut Nistor, 19 Sep 2025 16:20

Vibe coders have to face inconsistent performance of AI models (Image source: Generated using OpenAI)

Open source tool measures the stupidity level of AI models

A new open-source tool is offering real-time monitoring of multiple AI models, including OpenAI GPT-5, Claude Opus 4, and Gemini 2.5 Pro. The first of its kind, it can detect "when AI companies reduce model capability to save cost...

Codrut Nistor, 17 Sep 2025 23:21

Debian 13.1-based Mauna Linux 25 now available (Image source: Mauna Linux)

Debian-based Mauna Linux 25 comes with GNOME 48 and multiple minor updates

Already available in Cinnamon, LXQt, MATE, and Xfce versions, Mauna Linux gets a GNOME edition as well. Labeled 25, the latest refresh of this Debian-based distro comes with the 6.12 LTS kernel, OnlyOffice 9.0.4, Firefox 142.0.1, ...

Codrut Nistor, 17 Sep 2025 13:34

macOS-inspired MocaccinoOS Linux desktop gaming distro (Image source: MocaccinoOS)

Minimal Linux distro MocaccinoOS 25.09 launches with the 6.12.45 kernel

A minimal and swift, yet gaming-ready distro, MocaccinoOS 25.09 comes with an upgraded kernel (6.12.45 LTS), Mesa 25.1.9, as well as version 570.181 of the Nvidia GPU driver package. Additionally, this version also comes with mult...

Codrut Nistor, 09 Sep 2025 18:24

Signal secure backup feature on Android phone with encrypted message and media backup options. (Image Source: Signal)

Signal introduces both free and paid secure backup options

Signal, the open-source messaging service, is introducing new free and paid secure cloud backup plans for chats and media. The free plan gives you 100MB of storage for messages and up to 45 days of media backups.

Rohith Bhaskar, 08 Sep 2025 22:31

RomM allows you to host your own ROM collection in a Docker container, enabling you to play your retro collection from almost any browser (Image Source: RomM via Github)

RomM is the Plex of self-hosted retro gaming. A beautiful ROM manager that lets you play games through any browser

CheckMag RomM is a self-hosted solution for managing and maintaining your ROM collection. With save state support, metadata scraping and RetroAchievements, it will let you play nearly everything up to PSX from a web browser. Here's how to ...

David Devey, 08 Sep 2025 20:42

Linux Mint 22.2 launches with a few old bugs

Since the MATE, Xfce, and Cinnamon Linux Mint 22.2 "Zara" editions come with the HWE kernel 6.14, all ended up facing the same issues. The list of problems includes a bug that affects systems with older Nvidia GPUs that use the 47...

Codrut Nistor, 08 Sep 2025 18:37

Windows-inspired Debian-based Kamuriki Linux 4.00 launches (Image source: Kamuriki Linux)

Windows-like Kamuriki Linux 4.00 now available

Debian-based Kamuriki Linux 4.00 is now available with a Windows classic-like interface and the Wine compatibility layer under the hood. The distro comes loaded with multiple useful tools for daily use and, despite only having a J...

Codrut Nistor, 08 Sep 2025 15:31

Arch-based Xray_OS Linux desktop with Tolitica assistant (Image source: Xray_OS on SourceForge)

Arch-based Xray_OS distro for gamers gets updated

The latest release of Xray_OS Linux, just like its predecessors, brings together an Arch base and a set of unique tools developed from scratch, such as the Tolitica Assistant, to deliver a fast and stable gaming-focused experience...

Codrut Nistor, 04 Sep 2025 10:42

Moonshot AI's Kimi K2 model can be used by businesses for free and has scored in the top ten of most powerful AI in the world. (Image source: Moonshot AI)

Moonshot AI releases Kimi K2: A free, smarter rival to DeepSeek

Moonshot AI has released Kimi K2 AI, a large language model that has scored higher than DeepSeek on the LMSys text arena leaderboard. The open-source AI is free to all to use.

David Chien, 03 Sep 2025 05:09

Linux from Scrach 12.4 keeps the CLI alive but offers paths for a fully-featured self-built distro (Image source: Generated using OpenAI)

Minimal distro Linux From Scratch 12.4 launches with 49 package updates and the 6.16.1 kernel

With over 146 commits since the previous stable version, the build-it-yourself, CLI-only Linux From Scratch 12.4 guide is available for both the SysV init and systemd approaches. This project allows the user to create a minimal di...

Codrut Nistor, 02 Sep 2025 14:48

FreeBSD 14.3-based GhostBSD 25.02 comes with enhanced hardware support, security updates, and kernel improvements

The latest GhostBSD community spin, labeled 25.02-R14.3p2, comes with the latest FreeBSD improvements, such as improved hardware support and security, kernel enhancements, as well as up-to-date wireless networking support. This re...

Codrut Nistor, 27 Aug 2025 17:14

Android will block sideloading of unverified apps starting next year

Google announces new security measures for Android — a new developer verification requirement. Starting September 2026, sideloading apps from unverified developers will be blocked on Android. Google says it is making this move to ...

Chibuike Okpara, 27 Aug 2025 12:08

DeepSeek has released version 3.1 of its open-source AI, delivering smarter answers faster than ever before. (Image source: DeepSeek)

Faster, smarter DeepSeek V3.1 AI arrives for free

DeepSeek-V3.1 AI LLM has arrived eight months after the initial launch of V3. The chatbot software is able to answer prompts quicker and smarter than before. The model is open source, allowing anyone to use and build upon it for f...

David Chien, 26 Aug 2025 23:58

CachyOS Arch-based Linux distro desktop showcase mid-2025 (Image source: CachyOS Forum)

CachyOS 250824 lands with automated Btrfs boot environments and more

Available since yesterday, CachyOS 250824 is the sixth release of the year and arrives alongside the packages.cachyos.org package versions dashboard. The list of changes includes stability improvements and automated Btrfs boot env...

Codrut Nistor, 25 Aug 2025 15:32

Abandoned Spotify Car Thing revived by free firmware that restores original functionality and then some

After Spotify mercilessly killed the Car Thing, an enthusiast modding community has revived the diminutive audio streaming device with a new firmware that has feature parity with the original Car Thing functionality. Nocturne V3 h...

Julian van der Merwe, 13 Aug 2025 19:48

Technician testing electronic hardware, similar to the process used for PQShield's post-quantum cryptography chip (Image source: Pexels)

PQShield launches UltraPQ-Suite and expands post-quantum cryptography hardware portfolio

PQShield expands post-quantum cryptography hardware with UltraPQ-Suite and PQPlatform-TrustSys, building on its 2024 NIST-approved silicon debut.

Louise Burke, 13 Aug 2025 14:56

The Unplugged UP Phone is one of the few smartphones designed to minimize tracking, surveillance, and data harvesting, featuring a robust built-in VPN and firewall, and no Google services. (Image source: Unplugged)

Unplugged UP Phone blocks big tech surveillance and data harvesting even when turned off

Unplugged is set to launch its high-privacy UP Phone in September 2025. Powered by UnpluggedOS (based on AOSP), the triple-camera smartphone features a strong firewall, open-source AV, and physical battery disconnect to help defen...

David Chien, 12 Aug 2025 23:55

Visually improved Software Manager app coming to Mint 22.2 (Image source: The Linux Mint Blog)

Linux Mint 22.2 Beta focuses on visual improvements

The latest snapshot of the upcoming Linux Mint 22.2 "Zara" release is now available with a revamped login page and a visually enhanced software management center. It also sports a new fingerprint authenticator, Fingwit. Among othe...

Codrut Nistor, 12 Aug 2025 17:02

Open Source

Gnome Linux desktop bans vibe-coded extensions over AI slop code

Self-hosting: 4 reasons I still haven’t taken the plunge

Rufus, BalenaEtcher? My current USB boot tool beats them all

Open-source ergonomic wireless mechanical keyboard packs Lenovo-style track point and efficient ZMK firmware

With this open-source tool I take all my screenshots as a tester

This handy open source tool pulls text from anything for me — even videos and images

DiVine: Vine’s six-second loop returns with Jack Dorsey's backing, and it’s banning AI

DIY builder 3D-prints open-source VR setup with 6 DoF and controllers

Debian APT set to require Rust toolchain from May 2026 as legacy ports face sunset

Linux gaming growth: SteamOS share exceeds three percent on Steam as hardware makers take notice

SeaMonkey 2.53.22 bids farewell to 32-bit OSs but fails to embrace Reddit regardless

PayPal and OpenAI collaborate to enable instant purchasing and payments via ChatGPT

Data hoarders, here are the best free Docker containers to help you access, store and organise every type of media

Garmin: Visualize smartwatch data locally and privately with open-source tool

DIY YouTuber builds cheap VR headset and makes it open-source

DIY engineer 3D-prints new musical instrument and makes it open-source

s&box update brings discovery overhaul, physics improvements and rendering optimisations

Free, open-source DeepSeek V3.2 Exp AI LLM debuts with lower compute costs, helping businesses save even more money

Intel slashes open-source contributions in the name of competiton

Ubuntu 25.10 "Questing Quokka" arrives with GNOME 49 and Linux 6.17 in tow

Blender 5.0 Beta: Free, open-source 3D modelling and animation program launches with slew of tweaks and performance updates

Open-source 3D-printed shoes now a reality thanks to Bambu Lab x Presq partnership

openSUSE Leap 16.0 launches with a new installer, simplified migration options, and more

UBports keeps the Ubuntu Touch legacy alive with version 24.04-1.0

Lightweight FydeOS 21.0 targets Chromebook fans

Open Printer is an open source inkjet printer with DRM-free ink and roll paper support

Apollo Computer announces sale date for the second batch of Apollo A6000 Amiga-compatible computers

Kali Linux 2025.3 drops ARMel support and gets refreshed Nexmon firmware

SysLinuxOS 13 Mate now available, Gnome edition coming next week

Ultralight Debian 13-based DietPi 9.17 Linux for SBCs now available

Ubuntu 25.10 beta comes with the Linux 6.17 kernel and more

Open source tool measures the stupidity level of AI models

Debian-based Mauna Linux 25 comes with GNOME 48 and multiple minor updates

Minimal Linux distro MocaccinoOS 25.09 launches with the 6.12.45 kernel

Signal introduces both free and paid secure backup options

RomM is the Plex of self-hosted retro gaming. A beautiful ROM manager that lets you play games through any browser

Linux Mint 22.2 launches with a few old bugs

Windows-like Kamuriki Linux 4.00 now available

Arch-based Xray_OS distro for gamers gets updated

Moonshot AI releases Kimi K2: A free, smarter rival to DeepSeek

Minimal distro Linux From Scratch 12.4 launches with 49 package updates and the 6.16.1 kernel

FreeBSD 14.3-based GhostBSD 25.02 comes with enhanced hardware support, security updates, and kernel improvements

Android will block sideloading of unverified apps starting next year

Faster, smarter DeepSeek V3.1 AI arrives for free

CachyOS 250824 lands with automated Btrfs boot environments and more

Abandoned Spotify Car Thing revived by free firmware that restores original functionality and then some

PQShield launches UltraPQ-Suite and expands post-quantum cryptography hardware portfolio

Unplugged UP Phone blocks big tech surveillance and data harvesting even when turned off

Linux Mint 22.2 Beta focuses on visual improvements

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