Minggu, 05 Januari 2025

Autostart AppImage Applications in Linux

Autostart AppImage Applications in Linux

One of the main downside of using AppImages is the lack of desktop integration. This can be achived using AppImage Launcher tool.

Another problematic part is the lack of support for autostarting an AppImage application when the system restarts.

With some effort, you can achieve that, too.

The method involves twp steps:

  • Creating a desktop file for the application
  • Adding this desktop file to autostart application list

Let me show you the process in detail.

Step 1: Create a desktop file

Desktop files are text files that contain metadata about applications, such as their name, icon, and the command to run them.

These files are stored in specific locations, and the system menu uses them to allow users to launch applications from the menu.

For user-installed applications, the desktop file is typically stored in ~/.local/share/applications.

Before you explore autostarting an AppImage file, let’s first create a desktop file for your AppImage package.

Method 1: Using AppImage Launcher

AppImageLauncher is a handy tool that integrates AppImages with your Linux system. This way, you can find the AppImage apps in the system menu.

Although, AppImage Launcher hasn't see a new release in almost three years, it still works.

For Ubuntu and other Debian-based systems, you can use the deb package to install AppImage Launcher.

First, go to the releases page and download the deb file.

📋
You can either download the stable release file, released in 2020 or the continuous build file, released in 2022.

Then install the deb file to your system.

If you are an Arch Linux user, you can install AppImageLauncher from AUR using an AUR helper like Yay.

yay -S appimagelauncher

There are release files for Fedora on the official releases page.

Once AppImageLauncher is installed, right-click on an AppImage app file and select "Open with AppImageLauncher".

Autostart AppImage Applications in Linux
Open AppImage with AppImageLauncher

For the first time, it will ask you to select a centralized location. Go for the default (~/Applications). Click OK. Now, this is where all your AppImage files will be stored.

Autostart AppImage Applications in Linux
Default AppImage location

Now, in the next window, chose "Integrate and Run".

Autostart AppImage Applications in Linux
Integrate and Run the AppImage

That's it. Your AppImage is now integrated to your system. You can now find the app you just ran with AppImage launcher in the system menu.

And it creates the required desktop file which is located at ~/.local/share/application.

Method 2: Creating desktop file manually

📋
This part requires you to have basic knowledge of Linux commands.

If you do not want to use AppImage Launcher, you can also create a desktop file manually.

Create a file called <your-app-name>.desktop in ~/.local/share/applications. For example, if you are using ClickUp, name it ~/.local/share/applications/clickup.desktop

Inside this file, add the following lines in this manner:

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=Logseq
Comment=A Note taking and Knowledge Management Application
Exec=/home/$USER/Applications/Logseq.AppImage
Icon=/home/$USER/Applications/Images/Logseq.png
Terminal=false
Categories=Office;

This is a very minimal desktop file for an application.

Here, the fields should be filled with data:

  • Replace the Name and Comment field with the name and description for your application.
  • The Exec field should point to the absolute path of the AppImage file.
  • The Icon field should point to the absolute path of the icon image file.
  • Terminal=false means that the application does not require a terminal to run. For most graphical applications like AppImages, this is the desired setting.
  • Categories is where your Application will appear in the system menu.

Once done, save the file. That's it. You have created a desktop file for the AppImage.

💡
I advise placing all the AppImage files in a dedicated directory for better organization and avoiding accidental removal of the AppImage files.

Step 2: Autostart the application

Once you have the AppImage desktop file ready, you can easily autostart the application by just copy and pasting it to the ~/.config/autostart directory.

Use the cp command to copy the file:

cp ~/.local/share/applications/Logseq.desktop ~/.config/autostart

There is a dedicated GUI tool to autostart programs in Ubuntu. You may use that, if you want.

Now, when you restart your system, the selected application will be auto-started.

Conclusion

Out of Snap, Flatpak and AppImages, I like AppImage for the protability feature. You download the AppImage file, make it executable and run it.

The ease of use comes with a few downsides. The desktop integration is the most obvious one. You cannot launch them from the system menu. However, this can be achived using the third-party AppImage Launcher tool.

Not able to auto start an AppImage app when the system starts is another pain point. With some effort, that can also be achieved.

I so wish that AppImage ecosystem provides these feature by default. I mean if a third party AppImage Launcher can allow desktop integration, it can surely be integrated by AppImage officialy. What do you think?



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Rabu, 01 Januari 2025

FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

Happy new year 2025 🥳

The Tuxmas Days continue in full swing. Main highlights are:

Tuxmas Day 3 introduced the new commenting system. You'll see it in action when you leave a comment on the website.

Tuxmas Day 4 introduced the lifetime membership option. Instead of a recurring fee, you get the Plus membership forever with a single payment of $76 till 7th January. After that it will be $99. If you wanted to support It's FOSS with Plus membership, this would be the best time and chance 🙏

Tuxmas Day 5 has Linux Terminal and Bash series converted into downloadable PDF eBook.

Follow the entire Tuxmas series here. And your feedback is greatly appreciated.

💬 Let's see what else you get in this edition

  • Serpent OS's alpha release.
  • An open source 3D printer.
  • Rediscovering an operating system.
  • And other Linux news, videos and, of course, memes!

📰 Linux and Open Source News

And finally, open source tools are adding AI features. Better late than never.

Kdenlive is Adding an AI Background Removal Tool
You can easily remove backgrounds with this new tool.
FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

🧠 What We’re Thinking About

What's your new year resolution?

My Linux and Open Source Resolutions for 2025
Here’s what I have decided for 2025. What are your resolutions?
FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

Ankush's favorite distro of 2024 is one that you might not have expected.

My Favorite Linux Distro for 2024 is Not Ubuntu, Not Mint, It’s This
Revealing my favorite Linux distribution before 2024 ends.
FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

🧮 Linux Tips, Tutorials and More

And if you are still unfamiliar with the Linux command line, use the new year motivation and get acquainted with the essentials in this series.

Linux Command Line Introduction [Free Course]
Want to know the basics of the Linux command line? Here’s a tutorial series with a hands-on approach.
FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

👷 Maker's and AI Corner

Your homelab will thank you for using a dashboard tool to manage it effectively.

Imagine that the genius minds like Ken Thompson, Brian Kernighan and Bjarne Stroustrup collaborated on a new operating system and yet it flopped.

Rediscovering Plan9 from Bell Labs
An OS that was developed by the likes of Rob Pike, Ken Thompson, Brian Kernighan, Bjarne Stroustrup and yet it did not achieve the success.
FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

📹 Videos we are watching


✨ Discover handy tools

A dope looking GUI-based system monitor for Linux.

NeoHtop - Modern System Monitor
A beautiful, efficient system monitor built with Rust and Svelte. Monitor processes, CPU, and memory usage in real-time.
FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

🧩 Quiz Time

Call yourself a terminal junkie? Find the wrong paths with this puzzle.

Find The Wrong Path
Spot what’s wrong, and solve the quizzes!
FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

If that's too tricky, then you can try your hand at the Essential Ubuntu Shortcuts puzzle.


💡 Quick Handy Tip

In a terminal, you might already know that you can select a word by double-clicking on it.

However, if you hold the Shift key and left-click on another word after that, all the text between the first and last selected text will also be highlighted. No need to manually drag the cursor to select those.

It may not work in all the terminal emulators (i.e. terminal applications).

FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

🤣 Meme of the Week

Oh, that would be something. 🤌 ✨

FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

🗓️ Tech Trivia

On December 31, 1889, American Bell reorganized and transferred its assets to AT&T to bypass Massachusetts laws. By becoming the parent company, AT&T took control of the Bell System. This move eventually led to AT&T becoming a legalized monopoly in the U.S.


🧑‍🤝‍🧑 FOSSverse Corner

What was your favorite distro in 2024? Join other FOSSers and share yours!

What’s your favourite Linux distro? Why do you use that one?
You have to move with the times. When you retire you may have the luxury of doing it your way. Snaps are like static binaries, but with some extra crud to fit them into the package system. I dont see why they should startup slowly… there must be some clunky scripts involved. A static binary is large, but not so large that it would affect load time. I have one app (keenwrite) that comes as a static binary… it loads quite fast and my machine is rather like your Dell with early corei7 and…
FOSS Weekly #25.01: 2 New Free Books, Homelab Dashboards, Plan 9 and More

❤️ With love

Share it with your Linux-using friends and encourage them to subscribe (hint: it's here).

Share the articles in Linux Subreddits and community forums.

Follow us on Google News and stay updated in your News feed.

Opt for It's FOSS Plus membership and support us 🙏

Enjoy using Linux in 2025 🐧



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Senin, 30 Desember 2024

Rediscovering Plan9 from Bell Labs

Rediscovering Plan9 from Bell Labs

During a weekend of tidying up - you know, the kind of chore where you’re knee-deep in old boxes before you realize it. Digging through the dusty cables and old, outdated user manuals, I found something that I had long forgotten: an old Plan9 distribution. Judging by the faded ink and slight warping of the disk sleeve, it had to be from around 1994 or 1995.

I couldn’t help but wonder: why had I kept this? Back then, I was curious about Plan9. It was a forward-thinking OS that never quite reached full potential. Holding that disk, however, it felt more like a time capsule, a real reminder of computing’s advancements and adventurous spirit in the 1990s.

What Made Plan9 So Intriguing Back Then?

In the 1990s, Bell Labs carried an almost mythical reputation for me. I was a C programmer and Unix system administrator and the people at Bell Labs were the minds behind Unix and C, after all. When Plan9 was announced, it felt like the next big thing. Plan9 was an operating system that promised to rethink Unix, not just patch it up. The nerd in me couldn’t resist playing with it.

A Peek Inside the Distro

Booting up Plan9 wasn’t like loading any other OS. From the minimalist Rio interface to the “everything is a file” philosophy taken to its extreme, it was clear this was something different.

Some standout features that left an impression:

  • 9P Protocol: I didn’t grasp its full potential back then, but the idea of treating every resource as part of a unified namespace was extraordinary.
  • Custom Namespaces: The concept of every user having their own view of the system wasn’t just revolutionary; it was downright empowering.
  • Simplicity and Elegance: Even as a die-hard Unix user, I admired Plan9's ability to strip away the cruft without losing functionality.

Looking at Plan9 Today

Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to see if the disk still worked. Spoiler: it didn’t.

But thanks to projects like 9front, Plan9 is far from dead. I was able to download and image and fire it up in a VM. The interface hasn't aged well compared to modern GUIs, but its philosophy and design still feels ahead of its time.

Rediscovering Plan9 from Bell Labs

As a seasoned (read: older) developer, I’ve come to appreciate things I might have overlooked in the 1990s:

  1. Efficiency over bloat: In today’s world of resource-hungry systems, Plan9’s lightweight design is like a breath of fresh air.
  2. Academic appeal: Its clarity and modularity makes Plan9 and outstanding teaching tool for operating system concepts.
  3. Timeless innovations: Ideas like distributed computing and namespace customization feels even more pertinent in this era of cloud computing.

Why didn’t Plan9 take off?

Plan9 was ahead of its time, which often spells doom for innovative tech. Its radical departure from Unix made it incompatible with existing software. And let’s face it - developers were (and still are) reluctant to ditch well-established ecosystems.

Moreover, by the 1990s, Unix clones, such as Linux, were gaining traction. Open-source communities rallied around Linux, leaving Plan9 with a smaller, academic-focused user base. It just didn't have the commercial/user backup.

Plan9’s place in the retro-computing scene

I admit it: I can get sappy and nostalgic over tech history. Plan9 is more than a relic; it’s a reminder of a time when operating systems dared to dream big. It never achieved the widespread adoption of Unix or Linux, but it still has a strong following among retro-computing enthusiasts.

Here’s why it continues to matter:

  • For Developers: It’s a masterclass in clean, efficient design.
  • For Historians: It’s a snapshot of what computing could have been.
  • For Hobbyists: It’s a fun, low-resource system to tinker with.

Check out the 9front project. It’s a maintained fork that modernizes Plan9 while staying true to its roots. Plan9 can run on modern hardware. It is lightweight enough to run on old machines, but I suggest using a VM; it is the easiest route.

Lessons from years past

How a person uses Plan9 is up to them, naturally, but I don't think that Plan9 is practical for everyday use. Plan9, I believe, is better suited as an experimental or educational platform rather than a daily driver. However, that doesn't mean that it wasn't special.

Finding that old Plan9 disk wasn’t just a trip down memory lane; it was a reminder of why I was so drawn to computing. Plan9’s ambition and elegance is still inspiring to me, even decades later.

So, whether you’re a retro-computing nerd, like me, or just curious about alternative OS designs, give Plan9 a run. Who knows? You might find a little magic in its simplicity, just like I did.



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Jumat, 27 Desember 2024

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

I host nearly all the services I use on a bunch of Raspberry Pis and other hardware scattered across my little network.

From media servers to automation tools, it's all there. But let me tell you, the more services you run, the more chaotic it gets. Trying to remember which server is running what, and keeping tabs on their status, can quickly turn into a nightmare.

That's where dashboards come to the rescue. They're not just eye candy; they're sanity savers.

These handy tools bring everything together in one neat interface, so you know what's running, where, and how it's doing.

If you’re in the same boat, here’s a curated list of some excellent dashboards that can be the control center of your homelab.

1. Homer

It’s essentially a static homepage that uses a simple YAML file for configuration. It’s lightweight, fast, and great for organizing bookmarks to your services.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

Customizing Homer is a breeze, with options for grouping services, applying themes, and even offline health checks. You can check out the demo yourself:

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

While it’s not as feature-rich as some of the other dashboards here, that’s part of its charm, it’s easy to set up and doesn’t bog you down with unnecessary complexity.

Deploy it using Docker, or just serve it from any web server. The downside? It’s too basic for those who want features like real-time monitoring or authentication.

✅ Easy YAML-based configuration, ideal for beginners.
✅ Lightweight and fast, with offline health checks for services.
✅ Supports theme customization and keyboard shortcuts.
❌ Limited to static links—lacks advanced monitoring or dynamic widgets.

2. Dashy

If you’re the kind of person who loves tinkering with every detail, Dashy will feel like a playground.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

Its highly customizable interface lets you organize services, monitor their status, and even integrate widgets for extra functionality. Dashy supports multiple themes, custom icons, and dynamic content from your other tools.

You can check out the live demo of Dashy yourself:

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

However, its extensive customization options can be overwhelming at first. It’s also more resource-intensive than simpler dashboards, but the trade-off is worth it for the sheer flexibility it offers. Install Dashy with Docker, or go bare metal if you’re feeling adventurous.

✅ Highly customizable with themes, layouts, and UI elements.
✅ Supports status monitoring and dynamic widgets for real-time updates.
✅ Easy setup via Docker, with YAML or GUI configuration options.
❌ Feature-heavy, which may feel overwhelming for users seeking simplicity.
❌ Can be resource-intensive on low-powered hardware.

3. Heimdall

Heimdall keeps things clean and simple while offering a touch of intelligence. You can add services with optional API integrations, enabling Heimdall to display real-time information like server stats or media progress.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

It doesn’t try to do everything, which makes it an excellent choice for those who just want an app launcher that works. It’s quick to set up, runs on Docker, and doesn’t demand much in terms of resources.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively
Source: Heimdall

That said, the lack of advanced features like widgets or multi-user support might feel limiting for some.

✅ Clean and intuitive interface with support for dynamic API-based widgets.
✅ Straightforward installation via Docker or bare-metal setup.
✅ Highly extensible, with the ability to add links to non-application services.
❌ Limited customization compared to Dashy or Organizr.
❌ No built-in user authentication or multi-user support.

4. Organizr

Organizr is like a Swiss Army knife for homelab enthusiasts. It’s more than a dashboard, it’s a full-fledged service organizer that lets you manage multiple applications within a single web interface.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

Tabs are the core of Organizr, allowing you to categorize and access services with ease. You can experiment yourself with their demo website.

It also supports multi-user environments, guest access, and integration with tools like Plex or Emby.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively
This Organizr dashboard is shared by a user on Reddit | Source: r/organizr

Setting it up requires some work, as it’s PHP-based, but once you’re up and running, it’s an incredibly powerful tool.

The downside? It’s resource-heavy and overkill if you’re just looking for a simple homepage.

✅ Tab-based interface with support for custom tabs and user access control.
✅ Extensive customization options for themes and layouts.
✅ Multi-user and guest access support with user group management.
❌ Setup can be complex for first-time users, especially on bare metal.
❌ Interface may feel cluttered if too many tabs are added.

5. Umbrel

Umbrel is more like a platform, since they offer their own umbrelOS and devices like Umbrel Home. Initially built for running Bitcoin and Lightning nodes, Umbrel has grown into a robust self-hosting environment.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

It offers a slick interface and an app store where you can one-click install tools like Nextcloud, Home Assistant, or Jellyfin, making it perfect for beginners or anyone wanting a “plug-and-play” homelab experience.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

The user interface is incredibly polished, with a design that feels like it belongs on a consumer-grade device (Umbrel Home) rather than a DIY server.

While it’s heavily focused on ease of use, it’s also open-source and completely customizable for advanced users.

The only downside? It’s not as lightweight as some of the simpler dashboards, and power users might feel limited by its curated ecosystem.

✅ One-click app installation with a curated app store.
✅ Optimized for Raspberry Pi and other low-powered devices.
✅ User-friendly interface with minimal setup requirements.
❌ Limited to the apps available in its ecosystem.
❌ Less customizable compared to other dashboards like Dashy.

6. Flame

Flame walks a fine line between simplicity and functionality. It gives you a modern start page for your server, where you can manage bookmarks, applications, and even Docker containers with ease.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively
Source: Flame

The built-in GUI editor is fantastic for creating and editing bookmarks without touching a single file.

Plus, the ability to pin your favorites, customize themes, and add a weather widget makes Flame feel personal and interactive.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively
Source: Flame

However, it lacks advanced monitoring features, so if you’re looking for detailed stats on your services, this might not be the right fit.

Installing Flame is as simple as pulling a Docker image or cloning its GitHub repository.

✅ Built-in GUI editors for creating, updating, and deleting applications and bookmarks.
✅ Supports pinning favorites, local search, and weather widgets.
✅ Easy Docker-based setup with minimal configuration required.
❌ Limited dynamic features compared to Dashy or Heimdall.
❌ Lacks advanced monitoring or user authentication features.

7. UCS Server (Univention Corporate Server)

If your homelab leans towards enterprise-grade capabilities, UCS Server is worth exploring.

It’s more than just a dashboard, it’s a full-fledged server management system with integrated identity and access management.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

UCS is especially appealing for those running hybrid setups that mix self-hosted services with external cloud environments.

Its intuitive web interface simplifies the management of users, permissions, and services. Plus, it supports Docker containers and virtual machines, making it a versatile choice.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively
Source: Univention

The learning curve is steeper compared to more minimal dashboards like Homer or Heimdall, but it’s rewarding if you’re managing a complex environment.

Setting it up involves downloading the ISO, installing it on your preferred hardware or virtual machine, and then diving into its modular app ecosystem.

One drawback is its resource intensity, this isn’t something you’ll run comfortably on a Raspberry Pi. It’s best suited for those with dedicated homelab hardware.

✅ Enterprise-grade solution with robust user and service management.
✅ Supports LDAP integration and multi-server setups.
✅ Extensive app catalog for deploying various services.
❌ Overkill for smaller homelabs or basic setups.
❌ Requires more resources and knowledge to configure effectively.

8. DashMachine

Dash Machine is a fantastic lightweight dashboard designed for those who prefer simplicity with a touch of elegance.

It offers a tile-based interface, where each tile represents a self-hosted application or a URL you want quick access to.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively
Source: DashMachine

One of the standout features is its search functionality, which allows you to find and access services faster.

Installing Dash Machine is straightforward. It’s available as a Docker container, so you can have it up and running in minutes.

However, it doesn’t offer multi-user functionality or detailed service monitoring, which might be a limitation for more complex setups.

✅ Clean, tile-based design for quick and easy navigation.
✅ Lightweight and perfect for resource-constrained devices.
✅ Quick setup via Docker.
❌ Limited to static links—no advanced monitoring or multi-user support.

9 Hiccup (newbie)

Hiccup is a newer entry in the self-hosted dashboard space, offering a clean and modern interface with a focus on user-friendliness.

It provides a simple way to categorize and access your services while keeping everything visually appealing.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively
Source: Hiccup

What makes Hiccup unique is its emphasis on simplicity. It’s built to be lightweight and responsive, ensuring it runs smoothly even on resource-constrained hardware like Raspberry Pis.

The setup process is easy, with Docker being the recommended method. On the downside, it’s still relatively new and it lacks some of the advanced features found in more established dashboards like Dashy or Heimdall.

✅ Sleek, responsive design optimized for smooth performance.
✅ Easy categorization and Docker-based installation.
✅ Minimalistic and beginner-friendly.
❌ Lacks advanced features and monitoring tools found in more mature dashboards.

Bonus: Smashing

Smashing is a dashboard like no other. Formerly known as Dashing, it’s designed for those who want a widget-based experience with real-time updates.

Whether you’re tracking server metrics, weather, or even financial data, Smashing makes it visually stunning.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

Its modular design allows you to add widgets for anything you can imagine, making it incredibly versatile.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively
Source: Smashing

However, it’s not for the faint of heart, Smashing requires some coding skills, as it’s built with Ruby and depends on your ability to configure its widgets.

Installing Smashing involves cloning its repository and setting up a Ruby environment.

9 Dashboard Tools to Manage Your Homelab Effectively

While this might sound daunting, the results are worth it if you’re aiming for a highly personalized dashboard.

✅ Modular design with support for tracking metrics, weather, and more.
✅ Visually stunning and highly customizable with Ruby-based widgets.
✅ Perfect for users looking for a unique, dynamic dashboard.
❌ Requires coding skills and familiarity with Ruby.
❌ More complex installation process compared to Docker-based solutions.

Wrapping It Up

Dashboards are the heart and soul of a well-organized homelab. From the plug-and-play simplicity of Umbrel to the enterprise-grade capabilities of UCS Server, there’s something here for every setup and skill level.

Personally, I find myself switching between Homer for quick and clean setups and Dashy when I’m in the mood to customize. But that’s just me!

Your perfect dashboard might be completely different, and that’s the beauty of the homelab community.

So, which one will you choose? Or do you have a hidden gem I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to feature your recommendations in the next round!



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Kamis, 26 Desember 2024

FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

The "12 Days of Tuxmas" have begun 🎄

I'll share 12 new content, features or changes to It's FOSS platform during the holiday period.

On the first day of Tuxmas, you get holiday themed wallpapers for your Linux desktop.

On the second day of Tuxmas, you can enjoy holiday-themed Linux quizzes and puzzles.

Stay tuned for the rest of Tuxmas days.

❤️
By the way, this is the 52nd newsletter of 2024. One for each week of the year. If you read all the 52 editions this year, you and me both, deserve some sort of award for the consistency 😊

Also, if you haven't already, please do subscribe to our YouTube channel and help us reach 60,000 subscribers before 2025. We need nearly 3,000 more people.

💬 Let's see what else you get in this edition

  • A trip down memory lane.
  • Mozilla partnering with Ecosia.
  • Defining moments of open source and Linux in 2024.
  • And other Linux news, videos and, of course, memes!

📰 Linux and Open Source News

Following its rebranding, Mozilla has now teamed up with Ecosia.

Mozilla’s New Partnership Adds Ecosia Search Engine as a Default Option for Everyone
A new default search engine option for everyone, in the form of a new partnership!
FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

🗓️ Year End Specials

As we end this memorable year, let's take a look back at some of the most notable Linux applications and FOSS apps for Android.

These Are The Most Useful Linux Apps I Discovered in 2024
Here are the best Linux apps we encountered in 2024. Try them out if you haven’t yet!
FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

Beyond that, the year 2025 has some interesting Linux distributions to watch out for.

6 Linux Distros to Watch Out for in 2025
Some great Linux distributions are expected to be released in 2025. Here’s what you should keep an eye out for.
FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

There were many important events in the world of open source and Linux, but eight such occurrences caught our eye.

8 Defining Moments in the Open Source and Linux World: 2024 Edition
Ready to recap the biggest moments in 2024? Let’s go!
FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

🧠 What We’re Thinking About

We can start preparing our wishlist for 2025, right?

What do I want to see in the Linux ecosystem in 2025?
The expectations are high for the Linux ecosystem in 2025. What do you think?
FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

You'll relate to some of these if you have been using Linux for a long time.

9 Major Annoyances With Linux That Look Like a Thing of the Past in 2025
It is a breeze to use Linux in 2025 with all the major annoyances gone. And, here’s why.
FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

🧮 Linux Tips, Tutorials and More


👷 Maker's and AI Corner

No need to surrender documents to online AI tools for basic tasks, you can do the same locally.

5 Local AI Tools to Interact With PDF and Documents
Interact with your documents but in private with these local AI tools.
FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

Retro tech, major impact—meet AGC that powered the Apollo missions.


📹 Videos We are Creating for You


✨ Apps of the Week

Is Betterbird a “better” alternative to Thunderbird? Find out:

Betterbird: A Thunderbird Fork That Promises Better Features
A better Thunderbird? Let’s take a look!
FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

If you find yourself searching for the meaning of words, then freeDictionaryApp can be a great fit.



🧩 Quiz Time

Can you guess the year of release for these distros?

Guess the Year of These Distros’s First Release
Test your history knowledge and guess in which year these popular distros were released.
FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

💡 Quick Handy Tip

In Thunar file manager, you can enable sidebar image preview. For doing that, click on “View” and then hover over the “Side Pane” option. Here, click on “Image Preview”, and Thunar should start showing image previews.

In some cases, you might have to enable it each time you use Thunar.

FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

🤣 Meme of the Week

Santa got no chill. ☠️

FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

🗓️ Tech Trivia

Charles Babbage, born on December 26, 1791, designed the Analytical Engine, a mechanical computer ahead of its time. He also developed the Difference Engine to automate polynomial calculations. His work laid the foundation for modern computing, influencing future generations.


🧑‍🤝‍🧑 FOSSverse Corner

A FOSSer is wondering about the state of VR support in Linux; care to share your thoughts?

The State Of Linux & VR
So, as the title implies, I AM curious - what is the state of VR gaming in Linux? is it ‘viable’ at this time?
FOSS Weekly #24.52: Holiday Special Tuxmas Days

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