- wlug - list.wlug.org.nz

Mastodon’s founder cedes control, refuses to become next Musk or Zuckerberg
by Peter Reutemann 14 Jan '25

14 Jan '25

'Mastodon announced Monday that it's shifting its structure over the next six months to become wholly owned by a European nonprofit organization—"affirming the intent that Mastodon should not be owned or controlled by a single individual." This takes control of the social network away from its previous "ultimate decision-maker," Eugen Rochko. As founder, Rochko initially took the reins to ensure the decentralized platform would never be for sale and "would be free of the control of a single wealthy individual." His grand vision remains to leave Mastodon users in control of the social network, making their own decisions about what content is allowed or what appears in their timelines. The news comes after leaders of other social networks, like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, have sparked backlash over sudden changes to popular apps like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). For years, Musk has drawn criticism for changing Twitter's hate speech policies through his X rebranding. And more recently, Zuckerberg this month defended Meta's decision to relax hate speech policies (permitting women to be called "property" and gay people to be called "mentally ill") by calling bans on such speech "out of touch with mainstream discourse." Mastodon is hoping to provide an alternative social network for users who are potentially frustrated with their lack of control over their timelines and content on other networks. But to achieve the "envisioned independence" for all users, Mastodon's structure needed to "evolve," the blog said, "as the community grew" to about 1.5 million monthly active users in 2023. Remaining headquartered in Europe primarily, Mastodon's day-to-day operations will be managed by the new European not-for-profit entity, "establishing a new legal home for Mastodon." The user experience on Mastodon won't be affected much by the transition to a nonprofit owner, Mastodon said. But "changes are definitely in the pipeline."' -- source: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/mastodon-becomes-nonprofit-to-m… Cheers, Peter

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Pilet: A Modular, Portable Mini-Computer Powered by Raspberry Pi
by Peter Reutemann 13 Jan '25

13 Jan '25

'Pilet is a retro-futuristic mini-computer that runs on the latest Raspberry Pi 5. It’s built to be fully modifiable, both in hardware and software, so you can escape the limitations of closed systems like iOS or Android. Pilet works with various Linux distributions and is compatible with Raspberry Pi OS out of the box. The team is also developing Pilet OS, a custom-optimized operating system for Pilet. Key Features of Pilet Here are some of Pilet's key features: - Raspberry Pi 5 Power: Pilet is powered by the Raspberry Pi 5, which offers a performance boost and supports advanced features like PCIe and NVMe storage. - Long Battery Life: With a 7-hour battery life, you can take your projects anywhere without being tied to a desk. - Open Source: Pilet is fully open source. After launch, the team will release schematics, PCB files, CAD files, and source code, so you can tweak and modify both the hardware and software. - Modular Design: Pilet’s modular design lets you add your own modules, like cameras, sensors, or even LTE connectivity. The team is also working on modules like NVMe and LTE. - VESA compatibility: Makes it easier and more secure to mount Pilet anywhere. - Active+passive cooling: A metal back combined with a fan keeps the Raspberry Pi 5 cool and running smoothly. - AI module support: Supports the Hailo-8L module, delivering 13 TOPS of processing power. - Rear stand: Allows users to position Pilet at any angle. - Custom battery management: Ensures stable performance even under demanding applications. - Simple and Practical: Pilet follows the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle. It’s easy to use, with no extra drivers or complicated setups. All components are 3D-printable and customizable. Technical Specifications - Supported SBC: Raspberry Pi 5 - Power Source: 3.7V Lithium Polymer/Lithium-Ion Batteries, 5V USB-C - Screen: 5-inch or 7-inch IPS touchscreen - I/O: MicroHDMI (2x), USB 3.0 (2x), USB 2.0 (2x), Programmable GPIO - Network: Wi-Fi, LAN, Bluetooth 5.0, LTE (via module) - Storage: SD card, NVMe SSD (via module) - Dimensions: 175mm x 125mm x 28mm' -- source: https://ostechnix.com/pilet-modular-portable-mini-computer-powered-by-raspb… Looks funky! :-) Cheers, Peter

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German router maker is latest company to inadvertently clarify the LGPL license
by Peter Reutemann 13 Jan '25

13 Jan '25

'The GNU General Public License (GPL) and its "Lesser" version (LGPL) are widely known and used. Still, every so often, a networking hardware maker has to get sued to make sure everyone knows how it works. The latest such router company to face legal repercussions is AVM, the Berlin-based maker of the most popular home networking products in Germany. Sebastian Steck, a German software developer, bought an AVM Fritz!Box 4020 (PDF) and, being a certain type, requested the source code that had been used to generate certain versions of the firmware on it. According to Steck's complaint (translated to English and provided in PDF by the Software Freedom Conservancy, or SFC), he needed this code to recompile a networking library and add some logging to "determine which programs on the Fritz!Box establish connections to servers on the Internet and which data they send." But Steck was also concerned about AVM's adherence to GPL 2.0 and LGPL 2.1 licenses, under which its FRITZ!OS and various libraries were licensed. The SFC states that it provided a grant to Steck to pursue the matter. AVM provided source code, but it was incomplete, as "the scripts for compilation and installation were missing," according to Steck's complaint. This included makefiles and details on environment variables, like "KERNEL_LAYOUT," necessary for compilation. Steck notified AVM, AVM did not respond, and Steck sought legal assistance, ultimately including the SFC. Months later, according to the SFC, AVM provided all the relevant source code and scripts, but the suit continued. AVM ultimately paid Steck's attorney fee. The case proved, once again, that not only are source code requirements real, but the LGPL also demands freedom, despite its "Lesser" name, and that source code needs to be useful in making real changes to firmware—in German courts, at least. "The favorable result of this lawsuit exemplifies the power of copyleft—granting users the freedom to modify, repair, and secure the software on their own devices," the SFC said in a press release. "Companies like AVM receive these immense benefits themselves. This lawsuit reminded AVM that downstream users must receive those very same rights under copyleft."' -- source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/suing-wi-fi-router-makers-remains-a… Cheers, Peter

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Linux Foundation bands together Chromium browser makers in a “neutral space”
by Peter Reutemann 10 Jan '25

10 Jan '25

'Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers sounds like a very niche local meetup, one with hats and T-shirts that barely fit the name. But it's really a "neutral space" for funding and support, corralling together some big names with a stake in the future of Chrome's open source roots, Chromium. The Linux Foundation, a nonprofit started in 2000 that has grown to support a broader range of open source projects, spurred the initiative. In a press release, the Foundation states that the project will allow "industry leaders, academia, developers, and the broader open source community" to work on Chromium, with "much-needed funding and development support for open development of projects." A few names you don't often see together are already on board: Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Opera. Krystian Kolondra, executive vice president of browsers at Opera, stated in a release that "as one of the major browsers contributing to the Chromium project," Opera would "look forward to collaborating with members of the project to foster this growth and keep building innovative and compelling products for all users." How will this work? Kind of how Chromium has been working already. The group will have an open governance model, according to the Foundation, based on other Foundation initiatives based on "transparency, inclusivity, and community-driven development." The Linux Foundation's structure supports Kubernetes, Node.js, RISC-V, ONAP, and, of course, Linux, in such a manner. A Technical Advisory Committee will ensure the work done in the group "meets the needs of the wider Chromium community." Otherwise, the Chromium projects will keep to their existing governance structures.' -- source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/google-meta-microsoft-and-opera-agr… Cheers, Peter

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Red Hat In-Vehicle Linux Gets Closer to Go With New Certification
by Peter Reutemann 09 Jan '25

09 Jan '25

'There was good news on Monday for the futures of Linux in general and Red Hat in particular in the automotive sector. Less than six months after Red Hat announced that the Linux math library — a fundamental component of Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System — achieved ISO 26262 ASIL-B functional safety certification, it’s announced the achievement of functional safety certification of mixed criticality. All of this may sound like mumbo jumbo, which it is a bit, but it’s important mumbo jumbo as far as Red Hat’s efforts to build a turnkey open-source solution for software defined automobiles are concerned. And no matter how convoluted it sounds, this is not only good for Red Hat; it’s good for Linux. The keyword phrase in Red Hat’s announcement is “mixed criticality,” which basically means that Red Had has certified that its in-vehicle OS can safely execute several applications of different criticality –in this case safety-critical and non-safety critical — on the same system-on-chip running a single operating system.' -- source: https://fossforce.com/2025/01/red-hat-in-vehicle-linux-gets-closer-to-go-wi… Cheers, Peter

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"Make The Terminal More Enjoyable with These Linux Terminal Tools"
by Peter Reutemann 07 Jan '25

07 Jan '25

The following tools are mentioned in the article linked below: - tldr - btop - mc - zoxide - ripgrep - tmux - fzf - bat -- source: https://www.maketecheasier.com/linux-terminal-tools/ I'm quite liking btop and I've mc in the past when having only console access and requiring a two-panel file-manager. Cheers, Peter

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Here’s the Most Popular Databases for 2024
by Peter Reutemann 07 Jan '25

07 Jan '25

'The DB-Engines ranking of the most popular database management systems for January 2025 is now available. It features data from the past 12 months’ popularity trends for 423 databases, thus highlighting the platforms that dominated the data management scene over the past 2024. From traditional relational databases to modern NoSQL solutions, the list provides clear insights into trends in the tech sector, particularly in data storage and processing. Here’s a quick look at who came out on top and who fell short. Unsurprisingly, Oracle holds the top spot as the leading database, dominating the enterprise sector for many years. MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB complete the top five. Among them, MongoDB stands out as the sole NoSQL database in the group, while the other four represent the leading stars of the RDBMS segment.' -- source: https://linuxiac.com/most-popular-databases-for-2024/ Cheers, Peter

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Time to check if you ran any of these 33 malicious Chrome extensions
by Peter Reutemann 07 Jan '25

07 Jan '25

'As many of us celebrated the year-end holidays, a small group of researchers worked overtime tracking a startling discovery: At least 33 browser extensions hosted in Google’s Chrome Web Store, some for as long as 18 months, were surreptitiously siphoning sensitive data from roughly 2.6 million devices. The compromises came to light with the discovery by data loss prevention service Cyberhaven that a Chrome extension used by 400,000 of its customers had been updated with code that stole their sensitive data.' -- source: https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/01/dozens-of-backdoored-chrome-extens… Cheers, Peter

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Setting Application Menu Shortcut
by Lawrence D'Oliveiro 24 Dec '24

24 Dec '24

So after my last Debian Unstable upgrade, I am now running KDE Plasma 6 as my desktop. KDE Plasma, by default, brings up its application menu if you press and release what it calls the “Meta” (more commonly “Super” or “Windows”) modifier key. I have this disabled because I use Meta/Super instead of Alt as the modifier key for moving windows around; and I did that switch to avoid interfering with the use of the Alt-click function in Blender. Previously, I did this change to Meta/Super behaviour by editing a config file called ~/.config/kwinrc. But now, this has been unified with the rest of the system settings, and can be controlled through the same interface <https://www.lorenzobettini.it/2024/06/modifier-only-shortcuts-in-kde-plasma…> (excuse the ads).

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Home Assistant's New Voice Assistant Answers To 'Hey Jarvis'
by Peter Reutemann 20 Dec '24

20 Dec '24

'Home Assistant (not to be confused with the Google Assistant on Google Home) has launched the Voice Preview Edition (Voice PE), its first dedicated voice assistant hardware for $59. The device offers a privacy-focused, locally controlled solution that supports over 50 languages and integrates seamlessly with the open-source smart home platform. As The Verge notes, Voice PE supports the wake words "Hey Jarvis" right out of the box. From the report: The Voice PE is a small white box, about the size of your palm, with dual microphones and an audio processor. An internal speaker lets you hear the assistant, but you can also connect a speaker to it via a 3.5 mm headphone jack for better-quality media playback. A colored LED ring on top of the Voice PE indicates when the assistant is listening. It surrounds a rotary dial and a physical button, which is used for setup and to talk to the voice assistant without using the wake word. The button can also be customized to do whatever you want (because this is Home Assistant). A physical mute switch is on the side, and the device is powered by USB-C (charger and cable not included). There's also a Grove port where you can add sensors and other accessories. For those who don't like the idea of always-listening microphones in their home from companies such as Amazon and Google, but who still want the convenience of controlling their home with their voice, the potential here is huge. But it may be a while until Voice PE is ready to replace your Echo or Nest smart speaker. [...] if you want more features, Voice PE can connect to supported AI models, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, to fully replace Assist or use it as a fallback for commands it doesn't understand. But for many smart home users, there will be plenty of value in a simple, inexpensive device that lets you turn your lights on and off, start a timer, and execute other useful commands with your voice without relying on an internet connection. ' -- source: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/12/19/231255 Cheers, Peter

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