177144923
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
The electric truck market is loaded with options these days, but most of them feel like they are designed for people who want to show off rather than actually get things done. Between all the oversized touchscreens, fancy features, and prices that could make your head spin, I found myself turned off by a lot of the choices out there. That is why the Slate Truck caught my eye — and why I did not hesitate to put down my $50 to reserve one.
This unique truck takes a very different approach from the big names in the industry. It is all about simplicity and affordability. No giant infotainment screen. No powered seats or overly complicated tech to get in the way. Instead, you get steel wheels, crank windows, real knobs for the HVAC, and the freedom to bring your own phone or tablet to handle navigation and music. I actually respect that. It puts control back where it belongs — with the driver.
177121375
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
ARMO, the company behind Kubescape, has uncovered what could be one of the biggest blind spots in Linux security today. The company has released a working rootkit called âoeCuringâ that uses io_uring, a feature built into the Linux kernel, to stealthily perform malicious activities without being caught by many of the detection solutions currently on the market.
At the heart of the issue is the heavy reliance on monitoring system calls, which has become the go-to method for many cybersecurity vendors. The problem? Attackers can completely sidestep these monitored calls by leaning on io_uring instead. This clever method could let bad actors quietly make network connections or tamper with files without triggering the usual alarms.
176989443
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
In a move that is sure to make longtime PC users do a double take, the Library of Congress has added two very unexpected sounds to its National Recording Registry. No, itâ(TM)s not another classic rock album or jazz staple. Believe it or not, itâ(TM)s actually the âoeReboot Chimeâ from Windows 95 (that played when the operating system started) and the soundtrack from Minecraft! I kid you not, folks. Both of these are linked to Microsoft, a company more known for software than symphonies.
176987333
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
You see, the developers are adding OEM support to Linux Mint Debian Edition 7 (LMDE 7) — a version of the operating system thatâ(TM)s allegedly nothing more than an emergency fallback. Based on the upcoming Debian Stable release, LMDE 7 will soon be able to be pre-installed on machines sold or donated around the world. That might not sound like a big deal on the surface, but letâ(TM)s cut through the bull crap — this could be a sign of something much bigger.
As you may know, OEM installs are typically reserved for operating systems meant to ship on hardware. Itâ(TM)s how companies preload Linux on laptops without setting a username, password, or timezone. When the customer first powers the machine on, they walk through a setup wizard, just like they would on Windows or macOS.
Mint has supported this for years — but only in its Ubuntu-based version. So why is this feature suddenly coming to LMDE, which the team has repeatedly described as a contingency? In other words, if the Debian variant is merely a plan B, why make it ready for OEMs? It simply doesnâ(TM)t make sense.
Well, thatâ(TM)s where things get quite interesting.
Some Linux users have grown increasingly uncomfortable with Canonicalâ(TM)s direction — from its reliance on Snap packages to decisions around telemetry and packaging. LMDE, which is based on pure Debian, avoids all of that. It offers the Mint experience without any Ubuntu baggage. So could OEM support in LMDE be a quiet signal that the Mint team is rethinking its future?
Itâ(TM)s possible that LMDE is being groomed for more than just emergencies. Hell, maybe itâ(TM)s being prepared to take over entirely.
Right now, LMDE 7 is still in development, and thereâ(TM)s no release date yet. Once it is released, however, donâ(TM)t be shocked if you start seeing it show up on laptops and desktops from vendors who want Mint without Ubuntu.
176713567
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
For many years now, Linux users looking to block ads have needed to piece together a mixture of browser extensions, DNS-based filtering, and network-wide tools (such as Pi-hole). While these solutions certainly help, none of them offer complete system-wide protection.
Yeah, with Windows and macOS users having access to various tools for years, Linux users have mostly had to rely on workarounds. Thatâ(TM)s where AdGuard for Linux comes in! Yes, folks, we finally have a dedicated ad blocker that works across all browsers and applications!
Unlike browser extensions that only work inside a single browser, AdGuard for Linux blocks ads across your entire system. That means it removes ads from websites and apps. It also protects against tracking scripts, blocks malicious websites, and allows users to customize filtering rules. So it is not just about blocking ads.
Despite being a pre-release version, it already includes useful features like ad blocking, tracker protection, and the ability to remove annoying cookie pop-ups. Future updates will add DNS-level filtering and app-specific exclusions for even more control.
176565889
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
The subway in NYC has received a huge upgrade, but itâ(TM)s probably not at all what youâ(TM)d expect. No, it is not coming in the form of new trains or renovations to stations (even though that would be great). Actually, the MTA is testing a system that effectively transforms Google Pixel Android smartphones into powerful diagnostic tools for tracking rail defects!
The project, called âoeTrackInspect,â attaches Google Pixel phones to subway cars. Then, by using the Android devicesâ(TM) built-in microphones and motion sensors, it detects vibrations and sound patterns. These sounds can indicate areas of track that may need maintenance.
175988953
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
The Wine team has officially released Wine 10.0, marking a full year of extensive development with over 6,000 changes. This stable release introduces major updates designed to enhance performance, compatibility, and visual experience when running Windows applications on Linux and other non-Windows platforms.
175859583
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
The Linux Foundation has announced the launch of "Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers," an initiative aimed at funding and supporting open development within the Chromium ecosystem. The purpose of this effort is to provide resources and foster collaboration among developers, academia, and tech companies to drive the sustainability and innovation of Chromium projects.
175834399
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Millions of computers are heading towards a security crisis as Microsoft plans to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Despite this impending deadline, 32 million devices — roughly 65 percent of household computers in Germany — are still running the aging operating system. In the DACH region, including Austria and Switzerland, over 35 million systems rely on Windows 10, leaving millions of users exposed to potential cyberattacks once updates stop. By contrast, only about 33 percent of German devices have transitioned to Windows 11, and over a million are still running even older systems like Windows 8, 7, or XP.
Thorsten Urbanski, an IT security expert at ESET, is sounding the alarm. âoeItâ(TM)s five minutes to midnight to prevent a security fiasco in 2025. We strongly urge users not to wait until October. Upgrade to Windows 11 now or choose an alternative operating system if your device cannot support the latest version. Otherwise, users are exposing themselves to significant security risks, including dangerous cyberattacks and data breaches.â
175775079
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
It might sound unbelievable, but the human brain processes information at just 10 bits per second! Yes, folks, that’s slower than the internet speeds many of us endured during the early days of dial-up. While our senses take in billions of bits of data every second, our brain intelligently sifts through the chaos, letting through only what’s important.
This is no accident. Researchers Jieyu Zheng and Markus Meister explain in their study, The Unbearable Slowness of Being, that the brain is built this way for survival. Instead of getting overwhelmed by a flood of details, the brain has a system to focus on what matters most. It ensures we act quickly and effectively without being bogged down by unnecessary information.
175680105
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Could the strange lights, glowing orbs, and supposed UFO sightings in the night sky actually have a simple explanation? With the launch of the T-Mobile Starlink beta program, itâ(TM)s possible that what people think are mysterious flying objects are, possibly, Starlink satellites being deployed to make mobile dead zones a thing of the past.
Elon Muskâ(TM)s Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has been rapidly expanding its satellite constellation as part of its partnership with T-Mobile to bring direct-to-cell satellite coverage across the United States. These satellites, designed to function like cell towers in space, are now at the center of a beta program that promises to connect customers in areas where traditional infrastructure canâ(TM)t reach.
175665009
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
A s we close out 2024, we Linux enthusiasts are once again looking ahead to what the future holds. While Linux has long been the unsung hero of technology, powering servers, supercomputers, and the cloud, itâ(TM)s also a dominant force in the consumer space, even if many donâ(TM)t realize it. With Android leading the way as the most widely used Linux-based operating system, 2025 is shaping up to be another landmark year for the open source world
175645617
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
In a move sure to rattle some subscribers, YouTube TV has announced a price increase for its Base Plan. Starting January 13, 2025, the monthly subscription cost will jump from $72.99 to $82.99. The search giant cites the rising costs of content and investments in service quality as the primary reasons for this adjustment.
175631305
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Linux Mint has reclaimed its position as the top-ranked Linux distribution on DistroWatch, dethroning MX Linux. The latest page hit rankings, which reflect the popularity of distributions among DistroWatch users, place Linux Mint in first place with 2,412 hits per day. MX Linux, previously the reigning champ, now sits in second with 2,280 hits.
174321607
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Canonical has introduced a new service enabling the creation of custom distroless Docker images under its âoeEverything LTSâ program. This initiative allows customers to include any open-source software in their Docker images, regardless of whether it is packaged in Ubuntu, with a security maintenance commitment of up to 12 years.
