Tomorrow 5pm UTC is the final go/no-go meeting for the release of Fedora Linux 42: https://calendar.fedoraproject.org/meeting/11013/?from_date=2025-04-07

If everything goes to plan, then the new release can be there as soon as 2025-04-15 !!

It's the first release of Fedora Linux, that will promote the KDE desktop to full "Edition" Status (Same as the Gnome Desktop variant).

I've already been running F42 KDE edition on my daily devices and didn't envounter any issues so far

Also running some VServers with Fedora CoreOS 42 on Hetzner Cloud, which is also a joy to work with :-)

https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-coreos/provisioning-hetzner/

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

APT 3.0 released with revamped interface, columnar display for package names and colored text for better readability, will be the default for Debian 13 and Ubuntu 25.04:
https://9to5linux.com/apt-3-0-debian-package-manager-released-with-revamped-command-line-interface

Tails 6.14.1 released with safe access for any directory in the Home directory or Persistent Storage via the Tor Browser (through the integration of XDG Desktop Portals of Flatpak), updated software, usability and accessibility fixes, bug fix for Welcome Screen:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/4/tails-6-14-1-released-with-enhanced-tor-browser-integration-software-updates-and-bug-fixes/
(Flatpak haters gonna drop Tails now lol)

Nitrux 3.9.1 released with MauiKit and Maui Apps update, Linux kernel 6.13, Mesa 25, new Fiery browser, default configuration files added for Bauh, udev rule for NTsync, module configuration for v4l2loopback, a PipeWire configuration file for wine64-preloade, automatic change of power profile, screen brightness and refresh rate on laptops depending on the power source, and more:
https://9to5linux.com/immutable-distro-nitrux-3-9-1-brings-new-convergent-web-browser-linux-6-13

CachyOS March 2025 snapshot available with new Limine bootloader, Linux kernel 6.14, KDE Plasma 6.3.3, new cachyos-samba-settings package, re-enabled GSP Firmware for the closed-source NVIDIA kernel module, support for the “ASUS Armoury” driver used by the ROG Ally and other devices for fan and power management, etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/cachyos-iso-snapshot-for-march-2025-brings-new-bootloader-linux-kernel-6-14

Archinstall 3.0.3 released with improved Limine bootloader support, Sway replaced with Hyprland in the profile seat selection, improved FAT12 and FAT16 ESP support, package selector that displays a multi-selection menu to let users add any available package, will no longer force install the GRUB bootloader on BIOS systems when the user has not chosen it as a bootloader etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/arch-linux-installer-archinstall-3-0-3-improves-limine-bootloader-support

Serious security bypasses are found in Ubuntu 24.04 and later:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/3/new-security-bypasses-in-ubuntu-s-user-namespace-restrictions-require-manual-mitigation/

(FOSS news in comment)

KDE Plasma 6.3.4: Fehlerkorrekturen und Verbesserungen https://fosstopia.de/kde-plasma-6-3-4/ #KDE #KDEPlasma #LinuxDesktop #Plasma #Plasma6.3

Alright, who's on board with me in creating a terminal-less Linux distro for the masses? (Can be an existing distro)

https://discuss.tchncs.de/comment/17462026

Comment j'ai découvert @tuxedocomputers et quelques notes au sujet du #Tuxedo Infinity Flexible 14 Gen 1

https://notes.sklein.xyz/2025-03-15_0918/zen/

Before Wayland, there was X11, the graphical backbone of Linux for over 35 years. Originally developed at MIT in the 1980s, X11 introduced network transparency, allowing applications to run on one machine while displaying on another, a concept ahead of its time. This flexibility made it an essential part of UNIX and later, Linux desktops, powering everything from early X Window Managers to full desktop environments like Xfce, MATE, and KDE.

Despite its age and complexity, X11 remains widely used today, proving that well engineered software can stand the test of time. While Wayland aims to replace it with a modern, secure approach, X11’s legacy continues to shape how we interact with Linux desktops.

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

GNOME 48 "Bengaluru" released with dynamic triple buffering to boost the performance on low-end GPUs, Wayland color management protocol support, new Adwaita fonts, HDR (High Dynamic Range) support, new Wellbeing feature with screen time tracking, new Display Control utility, new windows centered by default, OSD notifications for headphone connections, new Papers app as the default document viewer, notifications grouped by apps, improvements to Nautilus and Software, Loupe got image editing support etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/gnome-48-bengaluru-desktop-environment-officially-released-this-is-whats-new

Serpent OS changes name to AerynOS, because of "serpent" having a negative association:
https://9to5linux.com/ikey-dohertys-serpent-os-changes-name-to-aerynos
(Instead of a "negative" name, now it has a name that's hard to spell correctly, judging from how many people spell Python incorrectly lol)

Fedora 42 Beta available with new KDE edition (not spin anymore!), COSMIC spin, refreshed Anaconda installer, DNF5 improvements etc.:
https://betanews.com/2025/03/18/fedora-linux-42-beta-asahi-kde-cosmic-new-features/

Kali Linux 2025.1 released with Xfce 4.20, KDE Plasma 6.2, refreshed theme, new keyboard shortcuts, kernel update, new partition layout etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/kali-linux-2025-1-ethical-hacking-distro-is-here-with-xfce-4-20-refreshed-theme

Lead developer of the Dash to Panel GNOME extension quits due to drama around the animated heart icon with a donation message:
https://news.itsfoss.com/dash-to-panel-drama/
(Linux isn't Linux without a drama each week...)

PINE64 RISC-V tablet (PineTab-V) gets new Debian-based distro, new accelerometer, a fix for a slow charging issue, an LED status indicator light, and a unique identifier for the PineTab-V in the EEPROM:
https://news.itsfoss.com/pinetab-v-upgrade/

(FOSS news in comment)

¡Hay un GNOME (un escritorio de GNU/Linux) salvaje en Madrid!

Si lo quieres ver, está en el nivel 1 del Corte Inglés, en una pantalla de anuncios a ojos vistas cuando subes. Supongo que el diseño muy minimalista y autónomo de GNOME lo hace bueno para este uso.

Linux Mint? Nicht für mich – Hier ist der Grund! https://fosstopia.de/warum-ich-lm-nicht-nutze/ #LinuxDesktop #LinuxMint #LinuxMint22

GNOME 48: Verbesserte Leistung und neue Funktionen https://fosstopia.de/gnome-48/ #Gnome #Gnome48 #GnomeShell #GnomeShellUX #LinuxDesktop

GNOME 48 "Bengaluru" released with notification stacking, dynamic triple buffering, new Adwaita Sans and Mono fonts, Digital Wellbeing features, battery charging limits, HDR support, global shortcuts, and improvements for GNOME apps

https://release.gnome.org/48/

Gnome 48 liefert HDR-Unterstützung und schont Akkus

Mit Wayland kann Gnome nun Farbmanagement sowie HDR bieten. Die Energieverwaltung kann Akku-Ladegrenzen berücksichtigen.

https://www.heise.de/news/Gnome-48-liefert-HDR-Unterstuetzung-und-schont-Akkus-10321044.html?wt_mc=sm.red.ho.mastodon.mastodon.md_beitraege.md_beitraege&utm_source=mastodon

Mit Wayland kann Gnome nun Farbmanagement sowie HDR bieten. Die Energieverwaltung kann Akku-Ladegrenzen berücksichtigen. #Linux-Desktop

Gnome 48 liefert HDR-Unterstüt...

Sortie de GNOME 48 demain, 19 mars 2025.

https://9to5linux.com/gnome-48-desktop-environment-release-date-slated-for-march-19th-2025

« Expérimentation de migration de deux utilisateurs grand public vers des laptops sous Fedora »

https://notes.sklein.xyz/2025-03-17_1225/

KDE Plasma 6.3.3 veröffentlicht https://fosstopia.de/kde-plasma-6-3-3-veroeffentlicht/ #KDE #KDEPlasma #KDEPlasma6.3 #KDEPlasma6.3.3 #LinuxDesktop

Linux-Multimedia-Framework Pipewire 1.4: MIDI 2 und neue Audiocodecs

Pipewire 1.4 geht als Soundserver für Linux mit einer erweiterten JACK-API und MIDI 2 auf Anforderungen zur Musikproduktion ein und enthält neue Codecs.

https://www.heise.de/news/Linux-Multimedia-Framework-Pipewire-1-4-MIDI-2-und-neue-Audiocodecs-10313510.html?wt_mc=sm.red.ho.mastodon.mastodon.md_beitraege.md_beitraege&utm_source=mastodon

Da Fedora auf meinem alten HP-Laptop Probleme (GNOME startet mit den aktuellsten Updates nicht mehr) macht und Programme auf dem ThinkPad immer wieder abstürzen, teste ich jetzt einfach mal Debian als Desktopsystem auf meinem alten Laptop. Mal schauen, ob das besser läuft.

This week's Linux and FOSS news:

LINUX NEWS

GNOME 48 RC available with dynamic triple buffering, Wayland color management protocol, support for centering new windows by default, NVIDIA improvements, updates for Nautilus and Settings etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/gnome-48-rc-adds-dynamic-triple-buffering-wayland-color-management-protocol

KDE Plasma 6.4 will include color code recognition for KRunner to display the color with textual representation, Disks & Devices widget will automatically check newly-connected disks for file system errors and offer corrections, fixes for keyboard navigation issues, Spectacle redesign etc.:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/3/kde-team-unveils-new-features-and-enhancements-planned-for-upcoming-kde-plasma-6-4-release/

KDE Gear 24.12.3 released with improvements for Dolphin, Konsole, Tokodon, Kasts, Konqueror, Itinerary, PlasmaTube, Kate, Kdenlive, AudioTube, NeoChat, Okular etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/kde-gear-24-12-3-improves-dolphin-konsole-tokodon-itinerary-kasts-and-more

PipeWire 1.4 released with RISC-V support, MIDI2 support, JACK Control API etc.:
https://9to5linux.com/pipewire-1-4-is-out-with-risc-v-support-midi2-support-jack-control-api-and-more

Wine 10.3 released with Wayland clipboard support, initial Vulkan video decoding, Compiler-RT included in ARM builds, improved Winelib C++ compatibility etc.:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/3/wine-10-3-maintenance-update-adds-wayland-clipboard-support-vulkan-video-decoding-and-more/

Ubuntu 25.04 will include Papers instead of Evince for PDF reader:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/03/ubuntu-25-04-new-pdf-viewer-app-official

Tails 6.13 released with enhanced Wi-Fi troubleshooting, updated Tor client and Tor Browser, ability to detect partitioning errors when Tails is started for the first time, bug fixes:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/3/tails-6-13-released-with-enhanced-wi-fi-troubleshooting-and-key-software-updates/

Ubuntu Touch (UBports) 20.04 OTA-8 released with VoLTE support for Volla phone users, support for WPA3-protected Wi-Fi networks, bug fixes, security updates:
https://9to5linux.com/ubuntu-touch-ota-8-released-with-volte-support-for-volla-phone-users

(FOSS news in comment)

The #linuxdaw library continues to grow, reflecting the development of #linuxaudio as a platform. Not only is the range of native #linux #plugin (s) growing, but also the maturity of #pipewire and #linuxdesktop itself. Truly amazing times for #musicproduction with this popular #opensource #operatingsystem.
https://linuxdaw.org/
PD: @alf Nice addition with the #clap, #lv2, #vst, etc. icons!