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Links 27/07/2023: GStreamer 1.20.7 and Much More



  • GNU/Linux

    • Audiocasts/Shows

    • Applications

    • Instructionals/Technical

      • ID RootHow To Install Cockpit on Fedora 38

        In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Cockpit on Fedora 38. Cockpit, a powerful web-based server management tool, revolutionizes the way administrators handle Fedora servers. Its intuitive interface simplifies complex tasks, making server administration accessible even to novices.

      • ID RootHow To Install SmartGit on Debian 12

        In this tutorial, we will show you how to install SmartGit on Debian 12. Version control systems are an integral part of modern software development, and Git has become the de facto standard for managing source code. SmartGit, a powerful graphical Git client, offers an intuitive interface and advanced features that streamline your Git workflow.

      • Linux CapableHow to Install RetroArch on Fedora 38/37 Linux

        RetroArch is a distinctive, open-source application designed as a frontend for emulators, game engines, and media players. It’s a robust software that brings together different gaming consoles under one interface, bridging the gap between retro and modern gaming.

      • Install Windows 11 KVM Guest on Manjaro Linux 22.1 (Gnome)
      • Ubuntu HandbookInstall MPV 0.36 in Ubuntu 22.04, 23.04, 20.04 via Ubuntu PPA

        MPV media player released new 0.36.0 version a few days ago. Here’s how to install it for those sticking to the classic .deb package format. MPV does not provide official packages for Ubuntu Linux.

      • Own HowToHow to update Linux Mint 21.2

        Updating your system is necessary so you get the latest features, and most importantly security features that patch the security bugs that your system may have.

        On Linux Mint performing an update is done via two different ways, by using the terminal, or by using the Update Manager.

        If you

      • The Power of touch Command: Creating and Modifying Files in Linux

        The touch command is a very common and standard command used in all UNIX/Linux based operating systems.

      • RoseHostingHow to Set Up System Locale on AlmaLinux 9

        The system locale or the locale setting on Linux will help us to ensure the date and time information...

      • ID RootHow to Base64 Encoding and Decoding via Command-Line

        In the realm of data transmission and storage, Base64 encoding plays a vital role. This efficient method allows us to represent binary data as ASCII characters, facilitating safe and reliable data exchange across various platforms. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of Base64 encoding and decoding using the command-line interface.

      • Linux CapableHow to Install Kdenlive on Fedora 38/37 Linux

        Kdenlive, short for KDE Non-Linear Video Editor, is an acclaimed open-source video editing software that has grown and improved significantly over time. It’s not only aimed at professionals but also caters to beginners in the field of video editing.

      • Red HatIntroduction to the Node.js reference architecture: Testing

        Welcome back to the Node.js reference architecture series. In this article, we’ll take a look at testing in the Node.js landscape and discuss the guidelines recommended by the Node.js reference architecture team.

      • Linux CapableHow to Install Google Chrome on Pop!_OS

        Google Chrome is a top-notch web browser known for its speed, high performance, and easy-to-use interface. Thanks to features like synchronized browsing, a wide array of extensions, and robust security, it’s a favorite among many users worldwide. This guide will walk you through installing Google Chrome on Pop!_OS.

      • OSTechNixHow To Safely Remove Windows From Windows-Linux Dual Boot

        Learn how to safely remove Windows from your dual boot system with this step-by-step guide. Uninstalling Windows allows you to free up disk space, speed up your boot time, and improve the stability of your Linux system.

      • Linux CapableHow to Install LibreWolf Browser on Debian 12/11/10

        In the age of digital surveillance and data collection, privacy has become a top concern for many internet users. One way to ensure online privacy is to use a secure and privacy-focused browser. Debian users, who traditionally rely on the Firefox browser, may find LibreWolf to be a compelling alternative.

      • Linux CapableHow to Install Android Studio on Pop!_OS

        Android Studio is the official integrated development environment (IDE) for Android application development. Developed by Google, this sophisticated tool is designed to accelerate the process of creating Android applications.

      • FOSSLinuxA ultimate guide to setting up a vsftpd FTP server on Debian

        When you need to transfer files between computers or servers, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a traditional, robust method to accomplish the task. In the world of FTP servers, vsftpd (which stands for "Very Secure FTP Daemon") is an excellent choice. It is known for its speed, stability, and security features. Setting up a vsftpd FTP server on Debian not only allows for secure file transfers, but also gives you control over user access and data management.

      • FOSSLinuxYour complete guide to installing Python on Debian

        Python is a versatile, powerful, and widely used programming language that is known for its simplicity and readability. Its diverse applications range from web development and machine learning to data analysis and automation. Installing Python on your Debian system can unlock a wealth of development opportunities.

      • Linux CapableHow to Manage Users and Groups in Linux

        In any Linux system, understanding the management of users and groups is fundamental. It’s a critical part of system administration, aiding in organizing and securing a system’s resources.

      • Linux Capablebc Command in Linux with Examples

        The Linux command line, also known as the terminal, is a powerful tool that gives you complete control over your system. An essential command in every Linux user’s toolkit is the bc command. It stands for Basic Calculator.

      • Linux Capablechage Command in Linux with Examples

        The Linux operating system provides its users with comprehensive commands to manage and administer system-related activities. One such command is chage. The chage command, an abbreviation for “change age,” is a crucial command used to modify and manage password expiration policies for user accounts in Linux.

      • Red HatHow to use a Python multiprocessing module

        In this article, we will learn how to work with a specific Python class from the multiprocessing module, the process class. I will give you a quick overview with examples.

      • Mark J. Wielaard: Checking usage of realloc with Valgrind

        Full article: Checking usage of realloc with Valgrind

        Summary: realloc has a surprising number of tricky corner cases to watch out for. Valgrind Memcheck will help you find various issues like using it with bad arguments, pointers that might have become invalid, and leaks of blocks that have been resized.

    • Games

    • Desktop Environments/WMs

      • GNOME Desktop/GTK

        • OMG! LinuxYour First Look at GNOME 45’s Default Wallpaper

          Wondering what the default GNOME 45 wallpaper will look like? Well, wonder no more, kid!

        • GNOMETobias Bernard: Rethinking Window Management

          Window management is one of those areas I’m fascinated with because even after 50 years, nobody’s fully cracked it yet. Ever since the dawn of time we’ve relied on the window metaphor as the primary way of multitasking on the desktop. In this metaphor, each app can spawn one or more rectangular windows, which are stacked by most recently used, and moved or resized manually.

          The traditional windowing system works well as long as you only have a handful of small windows, but issues emerge as soon the number and size of the windows grows. As new windows are opened, existing ones are obscured, sometimes completely hiding them from view. Or, when you open a maximized window, suddenly every other window is hidden.

          Over the decades, different OSes have added different tools and workflows to deal with these issues, including workspaces, taskbars, and switchers. However, the basic primitives have not changed since the 70s and, as a result, the issues have never gone away.

          While most of us are used to this system and its quirks, that doesn’t mean it’s without problems. This is especially apparent when you do user research with people who are new to computing, including children and older people. Manually placing and sizing windows can be fiddly work, and requires close attention and precise motor control. It’s also what we jokingly refer to as shit work: it is work that the user has to do, which is generated by the system itself, and has no other purpose.

          Most of the time you don’t care about exact window sizes and positions and just want to see the windows that you need for your current task. Often that’s just a single, maximized window. Sometimes it’s two or three windows next to each other. It’s incredibly rare that you need a dozen different overlapping windows. Yet this is what you end up with by default today, when you simply use the computer, opening apps as you need them. Messy is the default, and it’s up to you to clean it up.

  • Distributions and Operating Systems

    • SUSE/OpenSUSE

    • Fedora Family / IBM

      • Fedora ProjectFedora Community Blog: CPE Quarterly Update Q2 2023

        This is a summary of the work done on initiatives by the CPE Team. Each quarter CPE Team together with CentOS and Fedora community representatives choose initiatives that will be being worked on in this quarter. The CPE Team is then split into multiple smaller sub-teams that will work on chosen initiatives + day to day work that needs to be done. Some of the sub-teams are continuous efforts in the team and some are created only for the initiative project.

    • Debian Family

      • Daniel PocockDaniel Pocock: Understanding Cardinal George Pell prosecution, Institutional abuse & Debian cybertorture

        When the news appeared about Kevin Spacey today, I couldn't help reflecting on the similarities to the case of Cardinal Pell. Both men had a very prominent status in their profession. Both were in authority positions: Spacey was not only an actor, he was also artistic director of the Old Vic theatre in London for eleven years. Pell had been Arch-Bishop of both Melbourne and Sydney at various times. In both cases, the accused had substantial wealth.

        [...]

        Thinking about the impact these thoughts have on a child's state of mind, it is not hard to answer the question I raised at the beginning: Why did a fourteen year old boy from the choir begin using hard drugs like heroin? It could originate with any priest, even one he encountered before joining the choir and the school. Cardinal Pell may have been a red herring.

        Yet we see a very similar phenomena in Debian and other open source communities today. Abusers like Enrico Zini have inflicted secret punishments on various developers. At the same time, Zini tells the victims he still wants us to sing for him. Dr Norbert Preining shared one of those messages in December 2018. Here is the bit about continuing to sing:

        All packages in which you are currently listed as maintainer or uploader will be added to your Debian Maintainer whitelist as soon as possible.

        Zini is telling Dr Preining: continue to work for us but you are not allowed to speak.

  • Free, Libre, and Open Source Software

    • Events

      • Linux Plumbers Conference (LPC)Linux Plumbers Conference: Android MC CFP

        The Android Microconference brings the upstream community and Android systems developers together to discuss issues and changes to the Android platform and their dependencies and interactions with the Linux€  kernel, allowing for collaboration on solutions for upstream.

    • SaaS/Back End/Databases

      • PostgreSQLSetting the record straight: More updates on a trademark dispute

        The PostgreSQL Community Association (PGCA) is issuing a news announcement to clarify recent comments around an ongoing trademark dispute.

        On 24th July 2023, Álvaro Hernández posted a blog on the Fundación PostgreSQL website regarding the PostgreSQL Core Team's request that the website moderation team reject any submitted content linking to Fundación PostgreSQL or their events.

        The Core Team requested this on the advice of legal counsel, because of the ongoing legal action to invalidate PostgreSQL related trademarks registered by Fundación PostgreSQL which conflict with those held by the project (through the PostgreSQL Community Association, or PGCA).

      • MedevelPostbird: Open source PostgreSQL GUI client (Free software)

        Postbird is a cross-platform PostgreSQL GUI client, written in JavaScript, runs with Electron

      • RlangCanadian Hansard Live Database

        Motivation
        The original LiPad site provides a SQL dump that requires you to configure PostreSQL on your own laptop or server.
        Because some classmates asked me about it, I decided to host the database to simplify its access.

    • Programming/Development

      • QtOpensource installations currently facing problems

        We are currently facing issues with open-source installations of Qt. Root cause is a bug in the latest installer. We are working on fixing the issue and there are a few ways to work around it.

    • Standards/Consortia

      • Stacey on IoTLet there be light: The LiFi standard could illuminate the IoT

        This story was originally published in my weekly newsletter on Friday July 21, 2023. You can sign up for my newsletter€ here.€  Tired of having dozens of IoT devices competing for the same wireless airwaves as your computers, phones, and televisions? There might be a solution in the form of LiFi, or light fidelity, networks.

  • Leftovers

    • Hardware

    • Health/Nutrition/Agriculture

      • uni MichiganWhat’s in your water?

        Do you have a water filter in your home? Not to scare you, but it might be worth investing in one or at least getting your water tested for a certain class of chemical that you might have heard about: PFAS.€  Short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS are cropping up almost everywhere...

      • Helsinki TimesGene mutation could explain why some don't get sick from COVID-19: Study

        A new study conducted by researchers from UC San Francisco reveals that people who contract COVID-19 but remain asymptomatic, often referred to as "super dodgers," may have a hereditary advantage. These individuals are more than twice as likely as those who develop symptoms to carry a specific gene variation that aids in eradicating the virus.

        Published in Nature on July 19, 2023, the study provides the first evidence that there is a genetic basis for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.

    • Proprietary/Artificial Intelligence (AI)

      • Freelancer.com Data Shows Creative Skills Surging as AI Falls Short

        According to the Fast 50 Q2 2023 report, an analysis of over 280,000 jobs posted on Freelancer.com between April and June 2023, creative writing emerged as the fastest-growing skill. The report also indicated increased investments by businesses in marketing and on-site photography and videography.

      • Yahoo NewsGoogle Sued by Advertisers for Allegedly Inflating Video Ad Metrics

        If an advertisement autoplays for a bot on a site that’s not publicly listed or indexed by search engines, does anyone see it? According to Google, people do see the ad, which has led to a purported class action against the company that claims it overcharges advertisers for the “privilege of autoplaying their advertisements into the void.”

        A suit filed against the Alphabet-owned company on Wednesday accuses the tech giant of misleading advertisers about its “TrueView” ad program by inflating metrics on its ads, which are allegedly displayed as muted, autoplaying videos and served on unlisted webpages in violation of promised standards.

      • Associated PressCigna health giant accused of improperly rejecting thousands of patient claims using an algorithm.

        A federal lawsuit alleges that health insurance giant Cigna used a computer algorithm to automatically reject hundreds of thousands of patient claims without examining them individually as required by California law.

        The class-action lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Sacramento, says Cigna Corp. and Cigna Health and Life Insurance Co. rejected more than 300,000 payment claims in just two months last year.

      • LinuxiacHow to Install VS Code on Debian 12: A Step-by-Step Guide [Ed: VS Code is proprietary spyware of Microsoft. Do not install this. Try Kate instead,]

        Learn how to install Visual Studio Code on Debian 12 effortlessly with our comprehensive guide. Enhance your coding experience today!

      • VSCode Tutorial: Features, Installation Guide, and Top Extensions [Ed: Why on Earth are so many GNU/Linux sites helping Microsoft's siege against GNU/Linux? This should be shunned, not adopted, and Free alternatives proposed instead.]
      • Own HowToHow to create a shortcut on Visual studio code [Ed: Again, why would "Linux" sites help Microsoft spy on GNU/Linux and shill proprietary editors when very fine Free/libre ones exist? Microsoft's editor on GNU/Linux is proprietary, it spies, and it even says "folder" instead of directory.]

        Are you fan of shortcuts? Did you know that on Visual studio code you can create your own shortcut?

        Creating a shortcut on Visual studio code, it's really easy, and this method works on any Vscode installation, no matter the operating system.

    • Linux Foundation

    • Security

    • Defence/Aggression

    • Environment

      • AxiosHeat wave puts over half of U.S. population under heat alerts

        A heat wave that has hammered the southern U.S. for weeks expanded into the Great Plains, Midwest and Northeast on Wednesday, triggering heat alerts for over 170 million people, according to the National Weather Service.

        Why it matters: The extreme heat is expected to persist over a massive swath of the country through Friday, all the while posing an immediate risk to public health.


        • Heat events are the top annual weather-related killer in the U.S., especially when they persist over a long period of time, as the current heat wave has in many locations.
        • The extreme, record-breaking heat that has recently broiled the U.S. and Europe would have been "virtually impossible" without human-caused climate change, according to a new study published earlier this week.
        • The study reinforced prior research that found that greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels are making extreme heat events both more likely and more severe.

        Threat level: Several major cities from coast to coast, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas, Louisville, New York, Washington, D.C. and Boston, were forecast to see heat indices between 85 and 105€° Fahrenheit.

      • Energy/Transportation

        • AxiosChinese automakers want to sell electric cars across America

          Inexpensive electric cars from China have quickly gained a toehold in Europe — and could be taking over American driveways next.

          Why it matters: The Biden administration is incentivizing rapid electric vehicle (EV) adoption, while also trying to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese EV supply chains.


          • Yet experts say there's no way to meet the administration's proposed vehicle emissions standards without low-priced EVs that everyday Americans can afford.
          • With today's U.S. EV prices averaging close to $55,000, there's a big opening at the bottom of the U.S. market for budget-priced cars from Chinese brands like BYD, Xpeng Motors and Li Auto.
      • Overpopulation

    • Finance

      • AxiosThe U.S. and China build their economic arsenals

        For the next decade, U.S.-China rivalry will likely be characterized not by military struggle but by economic statecraft — using economic means to achieve geopolitical outcomes, Axios China reporter Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian writes in her new book Beijing Rules.

        Why it matters: That could create an economic arms race, with both sides struggling to create ever sharper and more innovative economic tools, and to rally ever more allies into their respective economic spheres of influence.

      • Snap stock is facing a double-digit sell-off after earnings for the 5th straight quarter. Here's why investors are panicking.

        Snap is making a habit of scaring investors with earnings reports.

        Shares of the Snapchat parent crashed as much as 20% on Wednesday, marking the fifth consecutive quarter that the stock declined by double-digits after earnings. By midday in New York, Snap stock changed hands at about $10.10 per share.

        Late Tuesday, the company reported second-quarter results that beat forecasts on the top and bottom lines, but its guidance for third-quarter sales was $1.07 billion-$1.13 billion, largely below analysts' views for $1.13 billion.

      • AxiosFed hikes interest rates to 22-year high

        The Federal Reserve resumed its campaign of interest rate increases, pushing its target rate up another 0.25 percentage point to the highest level in 22 years.

      • CD Projekt Red cutting 100 jobs, CEO says they’re ‘overstaffed’

        Dozens of jobs are on the chopping block at CD Projekt Red (CDPR) as the video game studio restructures its business.

        In a blog post on July 26, CEO Adam Kiciński announced that the company eliminating approximately 100 jobs, or nine per cent of its total workforce.

    • AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

    • Censorship/Free Speech

    • Civil Rights/Policing

    • Digital Restrictions (DRM)

      • IT WireGoogle trying to corner browser market, Norwegian firm Vivaldi claims

        "This means Google decides which browser is trustworthy on its own platform. I do not see how they can be expected to be impartial," he noted.

        "On Windows, they would probably defer to Microsoft via the Windows Store, and on Mac, they would defer to Apple. So, we can expect that at least Edge and Safari are going to be trusted. Any other browser will be left to the good graces of those three companies."

        Picalausa said it would not be possible for browser firms not to implement the specification if it was accepted. "Any browser choosing not to implement this would not be trusted and any website choosing to use this API could therefore reject users from those browsers. Google also has ways to drive adoptions by websites themselves," he pointed out.

        "First, they can easily make all their properties depend on using these features, and not being able to use Google websites is a death sentence for most browsers already.

        "Furthermore, they could try to mandate that sites that use Google Ads use this API as well, which makes sense since the first goal is to prevent fake ad clicks. That would quickly ensure that any browser not supporting the API would be doomed."

        He said that it was possible that laws in the European Union would "not allow a few companies to have a huge amount of power in deciding which browsers are allowed and which are not. There is no doubt that attesters would be under a huge amount of pressure to be as fair as possible".

        However,€ Picalausa added, "Unfortunately, legislative and judicial machineries tend to be slow and there is no saying how much damage will be done while governments and judges are examining this. If this is allowed to move forward, it will be a hard time for the open Web and might affect smaller vendors significantly."

      • Netflix Looks for Partners Beyond Microsoft to Boost Ad-Supported Tier

        The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday (July 27) that “Netflix is restructuring its advertising partnership with Microsoft a year into their deal and lowering ad prices in a bid to jump-start that fledgling corner of its business,” adding that “Some Netflix executives have been frustrated that Microsoft hasn’t sold more ad inventory, some of the people familiar with the matter said. Those soft sales and the weaker than expected ad market have so far led Microsoft to pay out the maximum amount required under the guarantee it agreed to a year ago when Netflix selected the company as its partner in launching the ad business, one person familiar with the partnership said.”

    • Monopolies

      • Patents

        • JUVEInsulet and August Debouzy secure PI against Medtrum in Paris [Ed: EPO, which is run by criminal, is enabling embargoes wherein the accused is presumed guilty (despite EPO giving loads of fake patents, according to EPO insiders). This report comes from a propaganda arm of Team UPC, lobbying for illegal agenda.]

          A wide-ranging battle between medical device manufacturer Insulet, and diabetes tool management company Medtrum, has reached France. On 7 July, Judicial Court of Paris declared that Medtrum’s latest models of pump bases and patch reservoirs infringe Insulet patent EP 2 438 957...

        • Use of EPO learning resources increasing among Europe’s universities [Ed: What can the EPO teach Europe’s universities? White-collar crimes? Why would universities allow criminals to butt in?]

          Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” becomes latest institution to integrate the EPO’s Modular Intellectual Property Education Framework into curriculum.

      • Copyrights

        • Digital Music NewsYouTube Q2 2023 Ad Revenue Tops $7.66 Billion, 4.4% Increase [Ed: "4.4% Increase", but inflation was vastly higher, so it is actually a decrease in spite of YouTube bombarding people with ads front, midway, and end]

          Alphabet revealed its Q2 2023 financial report, showcasing a rise in YouTube ad revenue. Here’s the latest. Google has revealed that YouTube brought in $7.67 billion in ad revenue, beating Wall Street analyst estimates ($7.43 billion) for 4.4% growth compared to last year. More than 2 billion monthly users are watching its YouTube Shorts platform,



Recent Techrights' Posts

Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Saturday, November 23, 2024
IRC logs for Saturday, November 23, 2024
[Meme] GAFAMfox
Mozilla Firefox in a state of extreme distress
Google Can Kill Mozilla Any Time It Wants
That gives Google far too much power over its rival... There are already many sites that refuse to work with Firefox or explicitly say Firefox isn't supported
Free (as in Freedom) Software Helps Tackle the Software Liability Issue, It Lets Users Exercise Greater Control Over Programs
Microsofters have been trying to ban or exclude Free software
In the US, Patent Laws Are Up for Sale
This problem is a lot bigger than just patents
ESET Finds Rootkits, Does Not Explain How They Get Installed, Media Says It Means "Previously Unknown Linux Backdoors" (Useful Distraction From CALEA and CALEA2)
FUD watch
Techdirt Loses Its Objectivity in Pursuit of Money
The more concerning aspects are coverage of GAFAM and Microsoft in particular
Techrights' Statement on Code of Censorship (CoC) and Kent Overstreet: This Was the Real Purpose of Censorship Agreements All Along
Bombing people is OK (if you sponsor the key organisations), opposing bombings is not (a CoC in a nutshell)
Links 23/11/2024: Press Sold to Vultures, New LLM Blunders
Links for the day
Links 23/11/2024: "Relationship with Oneself" and Yretek.com is Back
Links for the day
Links 23/11/2024: "Real World" Cracked and UK Online Safety Act is Law
Links for the day
Links 23/11/2024: Celebrating Proprietary Bluesky (False Choice, Same Issues) and Software Patents Squashed
Links for the day
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Friday, November 22, 2024
IRC logs for Friday, November 22, 2024
Gemini Links 23/11/2024: 150 Day Streak in Duolingo and ICBMs
Links for the day
Links 22/11/2024: Dynamic Pricing Practice and Monopoly Abuses
Links for the day
Topics We Lacked Time to Cover
Due to a Microsoft event (an annual malware fest for lobbying and marketing purposes) there was also a lot of Microsoft propaganda
Microsofters Try to Defund the Free Software Foundation (by Attacking Its Founder This Week) and They Tell People to Instead Give Money to Microsoft Front Groups
Microsoft people try to outspend their critics and harass them
[Meme] EPO for the Kids' Future (or Lack of It)
Patents can last two decades and grow with (or catch up with) the kids
EPO Education: Workers Resort to Legal Actions (Many Cases) Against the Administration
At the moment the casualties of EPO corruption include the EPO's own staff
Gemini Links 22/11/2024: ChromeOS, Search Engines, Regular Expressions
Links for the day
This Month is the 11th Month of This Year With Mass Layoffs at Microsoft (So Far It's Happening Every Month This Year, More Announced Hours Ago)
Now they even admit it
Links 22/11/2024: Software Patents Squashed, Russia Starts Using ICBMs
Links for the day
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Thursday, November 21, 2024
IRC logs for Thursday, November 21, 2024