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Links 21/06/2023: KDE Plasma 5.27.6 and Linux Mint 21.2 Beta



  • GNU/Linux

    • Applications

      • 9to5LinuxDarktable 4.4 Open-Source RAW Image Editor Released, Here’s What’s New

        New features in darktable 4.4 include the ability to define multiple automatically applied presets against a single processing module, revamped default parameters of various processing modules, image metadata-based default parameters for many modules, and support for chromatic adaptation workflow setting and the Sigmoid display transform module in the default workflow configuration option.

        Furthermore, the Scopes module received a new color harmony overlay option in RYB vectorscope mode with support for nine different color harmonies, and a new right-click-and-drag global operation promises to allow image rotation to be corrected without the need to first open the Rotate and Perspective module.

      • GStreamer: GStreamer 1.22.4 stable bug fix release

        The GStreamer team is pleased to announce another bug fix release in the stable 1.22 release series of your favourite cross-platform multimedia framework! This release only contains bugfixes and security fixes and it should be safe to update from 1.22.x.

      • Linux Links10 Best Free and Open Source Linux Document Processors

        A document processor is a document preparation system. We recommend the best document processors for Linux.

    • Instructionals/Technical

      • Linux CapableHow to Install Jellyfin Media Server on Debian 12/11/10

        In the realm of digital entertainment, Jellyfin Media Server stands as a powerful, flexible, and open-source tool. Its purpose? To manage, stream, and organize multimedia content with ease.

      • Linux CapableHow to Install Yarn on Rocky Linux

        In the universe of software development, Package Managers are pivotal tools, simplifying the process of managing system libraries, dependencies, and even the software itself. Navigating this cosmos, you'll likely encounter two prominent constellations: NPM (Node Package Manager) and Yarn.

      • 4 Different commands to Shutdown or Restart Ubuntu Linux

        Restarting your Ubuntu computer is not some Sisyphean task and is quite easy using its graphical user interface. But what if you are using the command line server of Ubuntu and want to shut it down or restart using the terminal?

      • UbuntubuzzHow To Install NextGenerator, An Inkscape Extension for Mail Merge with Photos

        This tutorial will help you add mail merge features to Inkscape by using NextGenerator extension. Its purpose is to automatically generate items like cards intended for different recipients with different photos, colors and more. Licensed under GNU GPL just like Inkscape, it is historically a successor to an extension named InkGenerator. Now let's do it.

      • ID RootHow To Install VeraCrypt on Fedora 38

        In this tutorial, we will show you how to install VeraCrypt on Fedora 38. In today's digital landscape, data security, and encryption play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information. VeraCrypt, a powerful open-source disk encryption software, provides robust encryption capabilities for protecting your data.

      • LinuxiacHow to Install Google Chrome on Debian 12 (Bookworm)

        Are you looking to install Google Chrome on Debian 12? Follow our comprehensive tutorial and enjoy faster and more secure web browsing.

      • TecAdminHow to Set Up ElasticSearch on Ubuntu 22.04

        Elasticsearch is a real-time, distributed, and scalable search engine based on Lucene, enabling users to store, search, and analyze massive volumes of data swiftly. It's often used for log and event data analysis in IT environments. In this guide, we will explain how to install and configure Elasticsearch on Ubuntu 22.04.

      • Trend OceansHow to Create HTTPS Server in Node Js

        How do I create an HTTPS server forNodeJS? Then let's learn how to create an HTTPS server because this is the most frequently asked question by Node.js developers.€  HTTPS is a secure protocol€ for web applications where all communication between your browser and the server is€ encrypted and decrypted only€ by using a€ private€ key.

      • It's FOSSUsing cd Command in Linux

        Learn about using one of the basic but essential Linux commands that is used for switching directories.

      • TecMintThe Ultimate Guide to Handling Filenames with Special Characters in Linux

        We come across files and folder names very regularly. In most of the cases file/folder name are related to the content of the file/folder and starts with number and characters.

        Alpha-Numeric file name are pretty common and very widely used, but this is not the case when we have to deal with file/folder name that has special characters in them.

      • Trend OceansHow to Download and Install John the Ripper on All Platforms

        One of the best-known tools in the community for cracking passwords is "John the Ripper," so let's learn how to download and install it on your Linux, macOS, and Windows systems. John the Ripper is open-source software that comes preinstalled in Kali Linux, but you can also install it on your favourite operating system.

      • CloudbookletHow to use Janitor AI for Free
        Learn how to use Janitor AI for free in this comprehensive guide. We will cover everything you need to know, from what Janitor AI is to how to use it for free.

      • CloudbookletHow to Rename a File in Linux
        Learn how to rename a file in linux using commands like mv and rename. Effortlessly manage and organize your files by following these step-by-step instructions.

      • FOSSLinuxHow to remove empty files and directories in Linux

        Having a clutter-free file system is essential for smooth operation and efficient navigation in Linux. It's common to end up with empty files and directories during daily operations, and they can sometimes cause confusion or take up unnecessary space.

      • It's Ubuntu11 Bash Script Examples

        Let's have a look into some of the amazing bash scrip examples that€  can be handy for you. Bash scripts are normally used for executing a shell command or running multiple commands together and also for the automation of the work.

      • It's FOSSInstall and Use Flatpak on Ubuntu

        Ubuntu may come with Snap by default but you could still enjoy the Flatpak universal packages on it.

      • Adam Young: LED Keyboard
        xset led on
      • Peter 'CzP' CzanikPeter Czanik: What I learned about syslog-ng performance using sngbench

        A few weeks ago, I posted about sngbench, a shell script to measure syslog-ng performance. The performance of syslog-ng is influenced by many factors, including the hardware and OS it runs on, and syslog-ng itself. This blog summarizes some of my findings using the script.

      • Peter Czanik: What I learned about syslog-ng performance using sngbench

        A few weeks ago, I posted about sngbench, a shell script to measure syslog-ng performance. The performance of syslog-ng is influenced by many factors, including the hardware and OS it runs on, and syslog-ng itself. This blog summarizes some of my findings using the script.

        Before you begin

        The sngbench.sh script was born several years ago, but we made it public only last month. This is because it was ugly as hell and difficult to use, but now, after a refactor, it is ready for public use. It is a synthetic benchmark, so while it is not fully realistic, it is good to measure peak performance, and compare how your choice of hardware, OS or syslog-ng version and configuration influences syslog-ng performance.

      • Storage APIs: Partitioning with Ansible Storage Role: Encryption
      • ID RootHow To Install Etherpad on Rocky Linux 9

        In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Etherpad on Rocky Linux 9. For those of you who didn’t know, Etherpad is a valuable tool for teams that rely heavily on text-based content.

      • Trend OceansEnable/Disable Auto Updates & Upgrade from Unattended-Upgrades on Ubuntu

        Learn how to disable auto-updates and upgrade from unattended-upgrades in Ubuntu 22.04 and later to have more control over system updates.€  Unattended Upgrades€ software helps us auto-update and upgrade system packages in the background without user interaction to keep up to date with the latest features and security patches.

    • Games

      • HackadayModular Keyboard And Custom Game Controller

        Most video games, whether on console or PC, have standardized around either a keyboard and mouse or an analog controller of some sort, with very little differences between various offerings from the likes of Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, or even Valve. This will get most of us through almost all video games, but for those looking to take their gameplay up a notch or who are playing much more complex games, certain specialized controllers are available, but they might not meet everyone’s specific needs. Thanks to this custom, modular keyboard anyone should be able to make exactly the controller they need.

    • Desktop Environments/WMs

      • K Desktop Environment/KDE SC/Qt

        • KDEKDE Plasma 5.27.6, Bugfix Release for June
          Today KDE releases a bugfix update to KDE Plasma 5, versioned 5.27.6.

          Plasma 5.27 was released in February 2023 with many feature refinements and new modules to complete the desktop experience.

          This release adds two months' worth of new translations and fixes from KDE's contributors. The bugfixes are typically small but important and include...

  • Distributions and Operating Systems

    • Reviews

      • DebugPointSparkyLinux 7 “Orion Belt” Review: Blending Stability and Freshness

        We review the fresh SparkyLinux 7 “Orion Belt”, bringing the latest and greatest Debian 12 packages.

        SparkyLinux, the renowned Debian-based desktop Linux distribution, is back with its latest release, SparkyLinux 7 “Orion Belt.” This major release is coming up after almost two years of development since SparkyLinux 6.0. This eagerly awaited version combines the strengths of Debian 12’s stability with SparkyLinux’s cutting-edge features, promising an exceptional user experience.

        Let’s delve into the details of this major release and find out its performance and other distro aspects.

    • Fedora Family / IBM

      • Red HatNew C++ features in GCC 13

        The latest major version of the€ GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), 13.1, was released in April 2023. Like every major GCC release, this version brings many additions, improvements, bug fixes, and new features. GCC 13 is already the system compiler in Fedora 38.€ Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) users will get GCC 13 in the Red Hat GCC Toolset (RHEL 8 and RHEL 9). It's also possible to try GCC 13 on godbolt.org and similar web pages.

        Like the article I wrote about GCC 10 and GCC 12, this article describes only new features implemented in the C++ front end; it does not discuss developments in the C++ language itself. Interesting changes in the standard C++ library that comes with GCC 13 are described in a separate blog post: New C features in GCC 13

      • Adam Williamson: DevConf.CZ 2023, Rawhide update test gating, ELN testing and more!

        I'm in Brno, working from the office for a few days after the end of DevConf.CZ. It was a great conference, good to see people and feel some positive energy after all the stuff with RH layoffs and so on. It was really well attended, and there were a lot of useful talks. I presented on the current state of openQA and Fedora CI, with Miroslav Vadkerti kindly covering the Fedora CI stuff (thanks to Miro for that). The segmented talk video hasn't been updated yet, but you can watch it from the recorded live stream starting here (at 6:04:32).

      • Fedora Infrastructure Status: pagure.io outage

        A networking device pagure.io uses to communicate with the world needs an urgent reboot to correct errors. pagure.io will be down for 10-20min as this device is fixed.

    • Canonical/Ubuntu Family

      • DebugPointLinux Mint 21.2 "Victoria" BETA is Out for Testing

        The highly anticipated release of Linux Mint 21.2 is almost here, and the testing copy of Linux Mint 21.2 BETA is now available for download for three official versions ("Cinnamon", "Xfce", and "MATE"). Download links to the BETA copy are at the end of the article.

      • NeowinLinux Mint 21.2 Beta ISOs appear on official mirrors for download

        You can now download the Linux Mint 21.2 Beta from official third-party mirrors. The Mint project is still to officially announce the release, but we believe it will do so very soon.

    • Open Hardware/Modding

      • ArduinoThis Star Wars-inspired display shows volumetric objects in 3D space

        A little over a year ago, Maker Mac70 set out to build an inexpensive DIY version of a volumetric display — a system which enables users to view objects in 3D, without the need for special glasses or extremely fancy components.

      • ArduinoJames Bruton builds a walking AT-AT robot

        Was there anything more exciting than watching AT-ATs walk across Hoth towards the Rebel base for the first time? Those massive machines were iconic and helped to solidify The Empire Strikes Back as the best movie set in the Star Wars universe.

      • Linux Foundation's Site/BlogZephyr Project€ Welcomes Analog Devices, Arduino and Technology Innovation Institute as it Launches the 3.4 Release

        Today, the Zephyr€® Project announced that Analog Devices (ADI) has joined as a Platinum member as well as Arduino and Technology Innovation Institute (TII) as Silver members. Zephyr, an open source project at the Linux Foundation that builds a secure, connected and flexible RTOS for future-proof and resource-constrained devices, is easy to deploy and manage. It is a proven RTOS ecosystem created by developers for developers.

  • Free, Libre, and Open Source Software

    • Events

      • Linux Plumbers Conference (LPC)Linux Plumbers Conference: Real-time and Scheduling Microconference CFP

        The real-time and scheduling micro-conference joins these two intrinsically connected communities to discuss the next steps together.

        Over the past decade, many parts of PREEMPT_RT have been included in the official Linux codebase. Examples include real-time mutexes, high-resolution timers, lockdep, ftrace, RCU_PREEMPT, threaded interrupt handlers, and more. The number of patches that need integration has been significantly reduced, and the rest is mature enough to make their way into mainline Linux.

        The scheduler is at the core of Linux performance. With different topologies and workloads, giving the user the best experience possible is challenging, from low latency to high throughput and from small power-constrained devices to HPC, where CPU isolation is critical.

        The following accomplishments have been made as a result of last year’s micro-conference: [...]

      • FSFFSF Events: Free Software Directory meeting on IRC: Friday, July 07, starting at 12:00 EDT (16:00 UTC)

        Join the FSF and friends on Friday, July 07, from 12:00

    • Programming/Development

      • It's FOSSBash Basics Series #2: Using Variables in Bash

        In this chapter of the Bash Basics series, learn about using variables in Bash scripts.

      • Adriaan de GrootSo much boilerplate

        While looking through my box-of-hardware-bits for some stuff I need to put together my RISC-V build farm (a topic for another day), I found an NFC card reader from some time ago. O yeah, I remember wanting to do a little project with that at some point. No time like the present! But just getting to a first commit takes so much boilerplate.

      • nixCraftAlpine Linux fatal error: ncurses.h: No such file or directory fix

        When I try to compile a program on Alpine Linux, it fails with the following error:
        app.c:1:10: fatal error: ncurses.h: No such file or directory
        1 | #include <ncurses.h>
        | ^~~~~~~~~~~

  • Leftovers

    • Science

    • Education

      • New York TimesWhat the New, Low Test Scores for 13-Year-Olds Say About U.S. Education Now

        But the ages of 10 to 13 are also a crucial period for mastering foundational skills, from multiplication to recognizing a character’s feelings in a short narrative passage.

        “The bottom line — these results show that there are troubling gaps in the basic skills of these students,” said Peggy Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, which gives the NAEP exam. “This is a huge-scale challenge that faces the nation.”

      • New YorkerWhat Can We Do About Pandemic-Related Learning Loss?

        Remote school was devastating for many students. In Richmond, Virginia, a plan to switch to a year-round calendar brought promise and pushback.

    • Hardware

      • CNX SoftwareBroadcom unveils 2nd generation WiFi 7 chipsets: BCM6765, BCM47722, BCM4390

        Broadcom has announced its second generation WiFi 7 chipsets: the BCM6765 residential WiFi 7 access point chip, the BCM47722 enterprise WiFi 7 access point chip with dual IoT radios that support simultaneous operation for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, Thread, and Matter protocols, and the BCM4390 low-power Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, and 802.15.4 combo chip designed for use in mobile devices.

    • Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

      • CS MonitorMedicaid trim: States review rolls to cut ineligible recipients

        Roughly 1.5 million Americans have lost Medicaid coverage since the COVID-era ban on removing recipients was lifted in April. Many are losing coverage because of a lack of paperwork or old contact information. Critics say the review is too hasty.

      • New YorkerWhen Dying Patients Want Unproven Drugs

        Patient-advocacy groups mobilized to demand access to a controversial new drug called Relyvrio. But hasty approval comes at a cost.

      • Pro PublicaKen Paxton Allied with Troubled Businessman to Push Opioid Program

        A year after persuading Texas lawmakers to buy millions of child identification kits that had no proven record of success, a businessman with a troubled history found an in with the state's attorney general.

        Last fall, Kenny Hansmire was tapped by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton to be part of a coalition to combat opioid abuse that Paxton declared would “be the largest drug prevention, education, abatement and disposal campaign in U.S. history.”

      • Michael West MediaRespiratory disease registry seeks to combat silicosis

        A national registry will be set up to detect and combat deadly workplace respiratory diseases as the federal government seeks to tackle the prevalence of silicosis.€ 

        If passed, the law will require mandatory reporting of the disease which affects nearly one-in-four engineered stone workers in the industry prior to 2018.€ 

      • MeduzaRamzan Kadyrov’s 20-year-old daughter Khutmat Kadyrova awarded Order of Chechnya for ‘immense contribution to development of medicine’ — Meduza

        Khutmat Kadyrova, the 20-year-old daughter of the head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, has been presented with the Order of Chechnya, a state award instituted in honor of her grandfather, Akhmat Kadyrov. The Chechen Minister of Information and Print Akhmed Dudayev announced Kadyrova’s award on Telegram.

      • Ben CongdonMental Models: Slack

        Two of my all-time favorite articles about managing one’s energy and time relate to the notion of maintaining “Slack” in one’s life. The first, Slack, by Zvi Mowshowitz, directly describes the Slack concept that I refer to in this post. The second, Sabbath hard and go home, expands on this notion in the context of the author’s Jewish upbringing.

        I’ve been wanting to write about this concept for a while, but (ironically) haven’t ever found the time to do so.

        Slack (proper noun) is your buffer. It’s your buffer of mental energy, physical energy, and time. It’s the ability to get sick for a day or two without significant interruption to one’s commitments. Slack means you can have an off day without missing an important deadline. Slack allows you to to explore something you’re curious in, without worrying about wasting time. It’s writing a blog post about Slack, when there are assuredly more “valuable” things one could do with one’s time.

    • Proprietary/Artificial Intelligence (AI)

      • Digital Music NewsOpenAI Lobbied European Commission to Water Down A.I. Regulations, Documents Reveal

        OpenAI has repeatedly lobbied European regulators to water down the E.U.’s AI Act—thereby reducing its regulatory burden.€  A new report from Time suggests that despite CEO Sam Altman’s public calls for AI regulation, his company wants to define said regulation. Time examined documents about OpenAI’s engagement with E.U. officials about the law.

      • Beta NewsAI-powered Opera One web browser now available for Linux, Windows, and macOS

        Opera One, an innovative web browser that utilizes Artificial Intelligence, is finally here. With its integration of Aria, the first-ever browser AI, Opera One takes browsing to the next level. Aria is easily accessible through a new command line and the browser sidebar, allowing users to tap into a leading generative AI service and stay up-to-date with real-time web information. Opera has been at the forefront of generative AI advancements, aiming to provide users with an exceptional browsing experience that boosts productivity and creativity. Unlike other browser companies, Opera didn't simply add AI services as an afterthought.

      • OMG UbuntuOpera One, an AI-infused Web Browser, Hits Linux

        I haven’t used the Opera web browser since… Well, forever – but I'm well aware it remains a popular option with folks. Today, June 20, Opera hit version 100 and, through the power of marketing, transforms itself into Opera One.

      • AxiosIn new AI hype frenzy, tech is applying the label to everything now

        At this peak moment in the tech world's artificial intelligence craze, anything that tech companies can slap an "artificial intelligence" label on, they will.

        Why it matters: The more our understanding of a new technology is distorted by hype, the less thoughtfully we can apply it — and the more likely it is we will cause harm with it.


        The big picture: Real advances in machine-learning based pattern- recognition and -completion have sparked a new bubble in tech-industry investment, encouraging companies to apply the "AI" label to anything that moves.

      • Tom's HardwareMicrosoft to Remove Multiple Folder Options from File Explorer

        Microsoft to 'streamline' File Explorer menus by removing 'legacy' features from menu.

      • PC GamerMicrosoft says latest Windows Kernel fix might actually break more things

        Microsoft rolled out 63 patches as a part of its June 2023 update for Windows 11 and Windows 10 last Tuesday.

      • Bleeping ComputerMicrosoft shares workaround for Outlook freezes, slow starts

        Microsoft is working to address a known issue affecting Outlook for Microsoft 365 customers, causing slow starts and freezes as if Offline Outlook Data Files (OST) [...]

      • The RecordMicrosoft resolves ‘dangerous’ new Azure vulnerabilities

        Microsoft recently fixed two vulnerabilities affecting two Azure-related tools that would have allowed hackers to access a victim’s data and make changes to their virtual environment.

    • Linux Foundation

      • Linux Foundation's Site/BlogFINOS Announces 2023 State of Open Source in Financial Services Survey [Ed: LF, in partnership with Microsoft, uses proprietary software to run "survey" on "Open Source"]

        FINOS, the fintech open source foundation, Linux Foundation Research, and partners GitHub, Red Hat, and Scott Logic are conducting their third annual survey as part of their ongoing research on open source adoption, contribution, and readiness in the financial services industry.

    • Security

      • Privacy/Surveillance

        • TechdirtTexas Legislature Convinced First Amendment Simply Does Not Exist

          Over the past two years, there has been a concerted push by state legislatures to regulate the Internet, the likes of which has not been seen since the late 90s/early aughts. Content moderation, financial relationships between journalists and platforms, social media design and transparency, “national security,” kids being exposed to “bad” Internet speech—you name it, a state legislature has introduced an unconstitutional bill about it. So it’s no surprise that the anti-porn crowd seized the moment to once again exhibit a creepy and unhealthy interest in what other people do with their pants off.

    • Defence/Aggression

    • Transparency/Investigative Reporting

      • The NationIf Donald Trump Went to Jail for Violating the Espionage Act, He’d Be an Exception

        Sitting in his isolation cell in United States Penitentiary Marion—a hulking edifice of cement, bars, and razor wire in Illinois built to take the place of Alcatraz—Daniel Hale could be forgiven if he felt little sympathy for Donald Trump. Unlike the former president, who flew to his arraignment in his private jet and celebrated afterward with a gala party at his New Jersey country club, Hale was brought to the courthouse in steel handcuffs and then quickly thrown in a dank jail cell. Although both faced charges related to national security, Hale was a courageous whistleblower and Trump is an egotistical politician.

    • Environment

    • Finance

      • Michael West MediaChinese e-commerce giant Alibaba announces CEO, chair

        China’s Alibaba Group has announced a major management reshuffle as the e-commerce giant restructures into six different business divisions to adapt to fast-changing technologies.

        The moves also are aimed at spurring growth at a time when the Chinese economy is slowing despite an end to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions a half-year ago.

      • Federal News NetworkForeign companies are shifting investment out of China as confidence wanes, business group says

        A business group says foreign companies are shifting investment and their Asian headquarters out of China as confidence plunges following the expansion of an anti-spying law and other challenges. The report by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China is one of many signs of growing pessimism despite the ruling Communist Party’s efforts to revive interest in the world’s No. 2 economy. Companies are uneasy about the anti-spying law, government protection of Chinese rivals and lack of action on reform promises. They also are being squeezed by slowing Chinese economic growth, despite the country's exit from its “zero-COVID” policies, and by rising costs.

      • European CommissionPresident von der Leyen presents the European economic security strategy and the revised multiannual EU budget

        European Commission News Brussels, 20 Jun 2023 On 20 June, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen presented the new European economic security strategy. She also spoke about the main aims of the revision of the EU's long-term budget.

      • New York TimesThe Racial Wage Gap Is Shrinking [Ed: American economy collapsing, but Wall Street Times is twisting this as "social justice"]

        Though still enormous, the gap has shrunk over the past five years.

      • New York TimesAlibaba’s Daniel Zhang Will Leave Top Post, Replaced by Joseph Tsai

        In a shake-up, Joseph Tsai, an Alibaba veteran and executive vice chairman, will take over as chairman. Another Alibaba executive, Eddie Wu, will become C.E.O.

      • Michael West MediaBusiness conditions turn sour and likely to worsen

        Insolvency levels are trending up and expected to continue rising as business conditions diminish.

        External administration was up 35 per cent in the year to May despite a seasonal dip between March and April.

      • With 1,000 jobs cut at Grab, another reality check for on-demand services

        Sooner or later, the venture capitalists will want their money back. Surely, these on-demand or sharing platform companies cannot keep giving incentives to drivers and delivery people while handing out endless discounts to consumers.

        The latest reality check came yesterday in the form of 1,000 job cuts at Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing and food delivery operator.

        The deepest cut for the company since the start of the pandemic, the retrenchment of 11 per cent of its workforce is meant to manage costs and ensure more affordable services long term, according to chief executive Anthony Tan.

      • EuroNews Four-day week: Which countries have embraced it and how’s it going so far?

        Portugal has become the latest country to announce a trial of a four-day week, following the example of the likes of Belgium, the UK, and others.

        Conversations around the four-day workweek were first reignited by the COVID-19 pandemic, with workers and employers rethinking the importance of workplace flexibility and benefits.

        The idea is simple – employees would work four days a week while getting paid the same and earning the same benefits, but with the same workload.

        Companies reducing their workweek would therefore operate with fewer meetings and more independent work.

    • AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

      • Meduza‘Let this be my protest’ Yulia Alyoshina, Russia’s first openly trans politician, has decided to run for Altay governorship — Meduza

        In September 2023, Russia’s Altay region will hold gubernatorial elections. Yulia Alyoshina, Russia’s first transgender politician, plans to run for governor. She was the head of the Altay regional division of the Civic Initiative party, but resigned in 2022 following Russia’s passage of new laws against “LGBT propaganda.” Nonetheless, the party’s regional branch suggested that she run in this year’s elections. Alyoshina spoke to Novaya Gazeta Europe about why she’s running. Meduza summarizes the conversation in English.

      • Michael West Media'No involvement': Liberal MP responds to wife's funding

        Liberal MP Warren Entsch has fended off questions about a $214,000 grant awarded to his wife while the Morrison government was in power.

        The public money was released under an Indigenous Languages and Arts program, to teach pottery in a remote Aboriginal community.

      • Michael West MediaAll details not necessary for referendum vote: advocate

        A key figure behind the push for an Indigenous voice says it is common for issues to be put to a referendum without the fine detail.

        One of the main arguments used by the ‘no’ case for an Indigenous voice in the constitution is that the structure and processes behind the voice have not yet been spelled out.

      • Michael West MediaVoice advocates ready for real discussion with Aussies

        The path has been cleared for a wider conversation on an Indigenous voice as a leading advocate declares there is no hidden agenda behind the plan.

        After parliament passed legislation enabling a referendum,€ Uluru Dialogue co-chair Pat Anderson said it was time for politicians to step back from the referendum debate.€ 

      • Michael West MediaAll options on table as housing fund held up in Senate

        The proposed $10 billion housing fund may be shelved by the federal government after it was pushed back to later this year.

        The Greens successfully delayed the bill until October – with the support of the opposition – in the Senate on Monday.

      • Michael West MediaSouth Australia looks to ride boom in fishing tourism

        With more than 800,000 South Australian holidaymakers casting a line each year, the move is on to cash in on the state’s boom in fishing tourism.

        A statewide survey is being launched to help plan for the sector’s growth and deliver on an election commitment to develop an integrated strategy.

      • New York TimesOnce Scorned, Far Right Secures Foothold in Spanish Cities

        Local alliances between the center-right Popular Party and the far-right Vox may foreshadow a broader coalition agreement at the national level.

      • New York TimesAnother Blow to Boris Johnson as U.K. Parliament Ratifies Damning Report

        The former prime minister will lose his pass to Parliament, another stinging penalty from the fallout of lockdown-breaking parties during the pandemic.

      • CS MonitorUK Parliament votes to back ‘partygate’ report that slammed Boris Johnson

        The censure strips the former prime minister of his lifetime access to Parliament, after lawmakers voted by 354 votes to 7 to approve a scathing report by the Privileges Committee.

      • Pro PublicaAlito Took Unreported Luxury Trip With GOP Donor Paul Singer

        In early July 2008, Samuel Alito stood on a riverbank in a remote corner of Alaska. The Supreme Court justice was on vacation at a luxury fishing lodge that charged more than $1,000 a day, and after catching a king salmon nearly the size of his leg, Alito posed for a picture. To his left, a man stood beaming: Paul Singer, a hedge fund billionaire who has repeatedly asked the Supreme Court to rule in his favor in high-stakes business disputes.

        Singer was more than a fellow angler. He flew Alito to Alaska on a private jet. If the justice chartered the plane himself, the cost could have exceeded $100,000 one way.

      • New York TimesReframing the West: New Fiction Makes Room for Voices Long Denied

        A wave of novels is drawing from wellsprings of race, class and gender to expand the genre.

      • Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda

        • ADFRussia Uses Local Voices to Spread Propaganda

          Russian flags have become a fixture of rallies and public protests in Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic and Mali — an indication of the way Russia is pushing its propaganda and disinformation by filtering it through local influencers.

    • Censorship/Free Speech

    • Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

    • Civil Rights/Policing

    • Internet Policy/Net Neutrality

    • Digital Restrictions (DRM)

      • Digital Music NewsSpotify Reportedly Preps ‘Supremium’ HiFi Tier, Plans to Add Audiobook Credits to Premium [Ed: Spotify does not know how to make money. It loses a billion bucks a years.]

        Two months ago, following price increases from Amazon Music and Apple Music, Spotify head Daniel Ek signaled that he intended to raise the cost of his platform’s subscription plans. Now, the Stockholm-headquartered company is reportedly preparing to roll out a more expensive tier (complete with Spotify HiFi) known internally as “Supremium.”

    • Monopolies

      • Dennis Crouch/Patently-OReframing ITC’s Role: The Advancing America’s Interests Act

        This essay focuses on proposed Advancing America’s Interests Act (H.R.3535) which aims to limit NPE access to the ITC by refining the economic prong of the domestic industry requirement and by adding a stronger public interest consideration prior to issuance of an exclusion order.€ 

        The International Trade Commission (ITC) is a branch of the U.S. government focused on protecting domestic industry against undue foreign competition.€  The ITC’s power extends in to several areas, but primarily by enforcing the laws of (1) intellectual property rights; (2) anti-dumping; and (3) countervailing duties.

      • Patents

      • Copyrights

        • TechdirtCourt Finally Dismisses Bananas Copyright Lawsuit Over Bananas Taped To Walls

          A year ago, we wrote about an unfortunate decision by a judge rejecting a motion to dismiss in a copyright lawsuit regarding bananas taped to walls. There was, of course, the high profile “banana taped to wall” artwork by Maurizio Cattelan that got tons of public attention at Art Basel in 2019 when it sold for $120,000 (and when someone walked over and pulled it off the wall and ate it, in a bit of counterprograming). Cattelan was the defendant in this lawsuit as some other guy, Joe Morford, claimed that he had done it first with an artwork called “Banana & Orange” and that Cattelan’s banana (which, officially, was called “Comedian”) infringed on his work.

        • The Nation“I Write Things I Cannot Play”: The Secret of Liz Phair

          In 1992 and 1993, an unknown singer-songwriter named Liz Phair recorded her debut album in Chicago, not knowing that it would become one of the most influential records of the decade. Exile in Guyville hit the music scene with the stiff, stinging rush of the Lake Michigan wind as Phair sang frankly and clearly about sex and young life as a woman. Her album immediately became revered as evocative of a time of economic insecurity and as part of a new generation of women striving to express themselves in more sexually open and emotionally raw ways. Since then, the album’s legend has only grown—crisis and misogyny haven’t gone anywhere. When Guyville was released, besotted critics were reductively focused on seeing it as some kind of feminist response to the Rolling Stones classic Exile on Main Street. Now, with decades of increasing stature, it stands alone, the Stones album barely a footnote. In 2023, Liz Phair is going on tour for the 30th anniversary of Guyville and will perform every song off the album. I spoke to her about a tour that is a testament to the timelessness of a truly great album.

        • ReasonJournal of Free Speech Law: "From Hot News to Link Tax: The Dangers of a Quasi-Property Right in Information," by Paul Matzko

          Just published as part of the symposium on Media and Society After Technological Disruption, edited by Profs. Justin "Gus" Hurwitz & Kyle Langvardt.



Recent Techrights' Posts

They Don't Tell Us that 'Digitalisation' (Now Sold as "Hey Hi") Just Means Customers Become Unpaid Staff and Are Made Accountable
People are being conditioned to associate technology with something undesirable, at times even unbearable
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Has Layoffs and Microsoft Gaming/Entertainment Division Has an Uncertain Future
it's good to see all those horrible things crashing and burning
 
Links 22/07/2025: "Blog Restart" and Microsoft Clobbered by “ToolShell"
Links for the day
Global Warming and Global GAFAM Energy-Wasting
Burn more money (borrowed, loans), then hope the waste will somehow translate into profit?
No Compliance With the European Patent Convention (EPC) at the European Patent Office (EPO)
It's about preventing competition against this autocracy
Blue-Collar Trolls vs White-Collar Trolls
Examples of white-collar trolls
Apple Vision Pro Failed So Badly That Its Sales Are About 2,000 Times Smaller Than iPhone Sales
What's left for Apple to offer other than hype?
To Millions of People "Year of the Linux Desktop" Was Some Time in the 1990s (Bootable GNU/Linux as a Complete Operating System is Over 33 in Age)
In some sense, "year of the Linux desktop" was 33 years ago
Make No Assumptions (or Demands) About the Screen Resolution Used by Other People
There are usability aspects, aside from accessibility aspects
Why Wayland (and XWayland) Won't Solve the Key Problem It Proclaims to be Tackling (the Same Is True for Rust)
The problem isn't Wayland per se but the false promises and efforts to force everybody to move to it whilst insulting or demonising everyone who won't play along
Diplomatic Immunity Should Not Exist for Anybody
The EPO in its current form gradually 'normalises' the end of European democracy
Brett Wilson LLP Stopped Sending Me Papers When I Showed It had Sent Me Over 5 Kilograms of Legal Papers
A week ago we lodged our third lawsuit
Microsoft Mass Layoffs and Shutdowns Became the New Normal at Microsoft
Microsoft mass layoffs became a topic of everyday media coverage since May
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Monday, July 21, 2025
IRC logs for Monday, July 21, 2025
FSF "Raised Almost $139,000 During This Summer Campaign"
"Thank you for making a stand against dystopia!"
Gemini Links 22/07/2025: VPS Exploited and Fear of View
Links for the day
LLM Bots vs Techrights
Slows things down a bit
New Publication Sheds Lights on Abuse of Workers at the European Patent Office (EPO)
Put in simple terms, they're killing the Office, harming remaining staff, try to hire rubber-stampers
Links 21/07/2025: Hardware, Health, and Imperialism
Links for the day
Gemini Links 21/07/2025: "When Buying Isn't Owning" and "CMS Special Edition"
Links for the day
Links 21/07/2025: Indie Web and Toxic Politics
Links for the day
[Meme] Microsoft Lawyers Throwing Stones in Glass Houses
threatened me with bankruptcy
Google "AI Overview" is Not AI and Not Overview
do not be misled; what Google does isn't smart, it's just ripping off the sites it already crawled for as long as 27 years
Making the Case to Dump Microsoft and GAFAM for National and Digital Sovereignty
"Sovereignty is difficult"
The Tactics of the Opposition (Microsoft Lunduke): Associate With K00ks, Throw in Vaccines to Muddy the Water
Who stands to gain from this?
Europe's Second-Largest Institution (EPO) and Largest Patent Monopoly Office Needs More Transparency, Not Less Transparency
In the EPO, what good are elections when one candidate literally bribes all the voters?
How Not to Report News About Microsoft
This pattern of misreporting is so widespread that it's hard to believe it's not intentional
Computer Science is Under Attack, They Want Everyone to be a Consumer
If people can no longer acquire Computer Science education and real Computer Science experience, they will not know how to control their own digital destiny or emancipate the very same universities that now control the syllabus and instead of teaching Computer Science encourage the outsourcing of systems
The Best Tools Are the Simplest Tools
There's a hidden message here about the merits of sticking with X
Ofcom Online Safety Group Speaks of Protecting Women Online, Will Brett Wilson LLP Ever Listen?
They've essentially became like the Taliban's "burka police"
Social Control Media Relies on Advertisers, So It'll Always Be Hostile Towards Free Software
Sales, sales, sales
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Sunday, July 20, 2025
IRC logs for Sunday, July 20, 2025
Fragmentation of Data
Life is too short to "hoard" data
In Defence of "Spinning Rust"
Just because something is "old" (or older) doesn't mean it ought to become extinct
Using Free Software to Prepare Legal Documents
LibreOffice is openly complaining about OOXML as an obstacle
Tech and Technology Are Not the Same Anymore
"Are you into tech, Sir?"
Our Articles About SLAPPs Receive Recognition and Interest
This week we shall continue writing about the 3 lawsuits we filed
Are You Served?
For many people, advocacy of Free software and GPL enforcement are assumed to be happening
Conspiracy or grooming? Alex Jurado, Voice of Reason compared to Outreachy
Reprinted with permission from Daniel Pocock
Links 20/07/2025: Security Breaches and Former 'Open' 'AI' Engineer on Hype and Culture Issues
Links for the day
Links 20/07/2025: Fending Off BRICS and US Government Attacks Its Own Media (Like China and Russia)
Links for the day
Framed by social control media: Alex Belfield, Voice of Reason
Reprinted with permission from Daniel Pocock
Gemini Links 20/07/2025: Summertime and OCC25 Wrap-up
Links for the day
Jamie Zawinski Complained About Wayland, Then Decided to Give It a Go, Now Complains Again About Wayland
Ask IBM (Red Hat) why it's worth throwing so much away just for Wayland fanaticism
Slopwatch: Planet Ubuntu, LinuxSecurity, and More
former "Linux" blogs which basically became slopfarms
Russia Set to Ban Facebook?
If WhatsApp is made to "leave", that means Facebook or "Meta".
Links 20/07/2025: More GAFAM Lawsuits, Layoffs, and SLAPPs
Links for the day
Taking Stock of a Good and Productive Week
We shall now be taking a break, unpacking the new hard drive (8 TB), and making backups of everything
Nice Recovery (From Actual Fire) by PCLinuxOS, New Version of PCLinuxOS Released, Now Top of DistoWatch
PCLinuxOS is a community-driven distro
More Microsoft Shutdowns That Mostly Slipped Under the Radar
Remember what happened to books 'sold' by Microsoft?
Microsoft Lunduke Still Fighting Cancel Culture With... Cancel Culture
There will be no "winners" in such 'debates'
The History of Daily Links and Politics
"I support Wayland, but I also support abortion..."
Ageism in Tech
Your protocol is "old"...
Microsoft is at 0% "Market Share" in Most Areas
Depending on the taxonomy chosen, there may be dozens of categories other than desktops and laptops
"The moment MSFT stock fails to start tumbling, that’s the beginning of another corporate giant going under."
There are far more layoffs at Microsoft than at Intel, but you would not get this impression based on Wall Street media
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Saturday, July 19, 2025
IRC logs for Saturday, July 19, 2025