This is the topic where a weekly summary of our forum activity is put together by our resident AI (ChatGPT-5) and posted here so everyone can get an overview of some of the top discussions over the past 7 days.
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We hope you find these reports useful, especially for catching up after a few days away.
Create a audio cd iso file
A new member @theyikes asked how to create an audio CD âISO.â @hydn clarified that audio CDs donât use ISO 9660, suggesting BIN/CUE instead. @MarshallJFlinkman recommended CDemu for mounting and later provided a practical write-up on using cdrdao; @Halano noted that audio discs are indexed PCM rather than a filesystem. > âIt is not possible to create an ISO image that represents an audio discâŚâ â a helpful distinction for newcomers. linux Support toolssoftwaredesktop
MDM for Linux Devices? @tech-informal asked for Jamf-like MDM options on Linux. @hydn outlined realistic choicesâFleetDM (osquery-based), Scalefusion, and 42Gears SureMDMâwhile @toadie suggested looking at SaltStack for policy and config management. Solid, practical overview of whatâs viable in 2025. linux Support cybersecuritydebianarch-linux
Anybody using a mechanical keyboard? @Mat and @unixdude compared setups; @unixdude shared practical UHK customizations (e.g., vi-style hjkl arrows, Esc/tilde/backtick mapping) and real-world module usage. > âAt this point I am starting to find it difficult to use a regular keyboardâŚââtestament to ergonomic tuning. General Discussions Discussions
@ricky89 contributed in a programming meta thread, recalling Microsoftâs J++ era while engaging on tooling and practices across professional and scientific software contexts: Development and coding.
Best Reply or Topic of the Week
5 âotherâ Independent Linux Distros You Should Try â @Brian_Masinick added a concise, practical shortlist spanning MX Linux, PCLinuxOS, antiX, Sparky, Solus, KDE Neon, EndeavourOS, and CachyOS. Itâs a handy, no-nonsense complement to the original guide for anyone auditioning independent distributions.
I am a beginner
A friendly welcome thread saw @Powder check in on how the Linux switch is going, followed by helpful questions from @unixdude and a warm greeting from @tmick to newcomer @Allan34. Great onâramp for fresh users asking about distro choices and firstâweek experiences. Category: General Discussions Discussions.
âIf your ISP is giving you a reliable Gbps, you can stick with their modem, but there are plenty of reasons to ditch it⌠Any monthly rental fees add up fast⌠ISP gear usually has mediocre WiâFi, and can choke under heavy useâŚâ
Clear, actionable tradeâoffs for modem and router choices, plus forwardâlooking notes about firmware control and multigig readiness make this the weekâs most immediately useful reply for many readers.
Arch website and services under DDoS attack
A timely thread kicked off by @hydn tracking the Arch Linux service outages, with links to Archâs news post, status page, and mailing list thread. @shybry747 asked big-picture questions about the rise of attacks on Linux infrastructure, while @hydn added context on the âgrowing issue of automated trafficâ and modern DDoS mitigation. A bit of levity from @tmick kept things human amid the security talk.
Category: #General-Discussions ⢠Tags: #security, arch-linux
Favorite Derived Linux Distributions (Built on Debian, Arch, etc.)
A new companion thread to explore derivative distros such as MX Linux, antiX, Linux Mint, and EndeavourOS. @Brian_Masinick highlighted antiXâs no-systemd approach and recent interest in Cachy OS for cutting-edge kernels, while @Mat discussed the appeal of âplain old Debianâ and clean Xfce setups, referencing Asmi Linux. @hydn curated a family-tree overview from DistroWatch.
Category: #General-Discussions ⢠Tags: distros
Favorite laptop brands?
Hardware favorites skewed ThinkPad: @Brian_Masinickâs T14 Gen 3 continues to impress; @RootGroot25 contrasted Lenovo reliability with past HP experiences; @Mat praised Lenovo + Ubuntu LTS âplug and play,â and @hydn noted the long support runway with Ubuntuâs extended security maintenance.
Category: #General-Discussions
/var/cache to TMPFS. Advice needed
Practical tuning chat: @AnthonyRKing examined apt cache size, @Halano shared a one-line fstab entry to mount /var/cache on tmpfs, and @hydn advised against moving the entire cache to RAM on modern systems due to lost caching and extra rebuilds/downloads, pointing instead to zram/zswap and SSD best practices.
Category: Linux Support ⢠Tags: #performance, #storage
Synology NAS alternatives
Storage strategy in the real world. @unixdude weighed a capacity upgrade versus a 2-bay NAS for offsite backups, while @shybry747 underscored the difference between backups and archives:
âA backup should be a copy of your current working files, but an archive contains not just a backup but a history of backups.â
Snapshots, redundancy, and ransomware resilience were recurring themes.
Category: #General-Discussions ⢠Tags: #storage, #backups
Finding Linux Compatible Printers @e_b asked about refreshing the community printer guide. @hydn welcomed them and committed to updating the article, suggesting the newsletter for notifications when it lands.
Category: #Community-Picks ⢠Tags: desktop
Linux Distro Choice: How Close to the Edge Are You?
Balancing stable systems with experimental play: @Brian_Masinick keeps production environments steady while confining bleeding-edge trials to removable mediaâsensible risk management many can emulate.
Category: #General-Discussions ⢠Tags: distros
Here are some notable discussions from the past week (prioritizing new topics), with summaries, mentions, and categories/tags:
QEMU-KVM question â General Discussions Discussions
A hands-on virtualization thread from @tmick asking how to run an existing Windows drive as a VM. The community highlighted raw-disk usage and its pitfalls. @hydn advised caution around Windows activation and drivers, noting GPU passthrough is needed for gaming; @ricky89 suggested VMware as an alternative; @MarshallJFlinkman recommended using qemu-img for disk operations; @shybry747 and @toadie emphasized SSD/NVMe performance tuning for faster boots. The consensus: itâs doable, but expect complexity and consider cloning to SSD for best results.
Linux Updates and European mirrors â General Discussions Discussions @ricky89 noticed Fedoraâs 6.16.3 kernel hadnât appeared after Bodhi marked it as stable, likely due to pinned mirrors (garr.it) syncing on delay. @hydn explained mirror propagation timelines and that Fedoraâs defaults now auto-select mirrors, while @shybry747 shared the Caribbean geolocation challenge, sometimes requiring manual mirror strategies. Useful insight for anyone pinning a specific mirror.
New Feature: âRelated Topicsâ Now Available â CommunitySite Helpforums
A forum UX improvement from @hydn: âRelated Topicsâ now shows at the end of threads, replacing âNew and Unread.â Itâs designed to help you discover relevant discussions faster, revive older threads, and keep conversations flowing without relying solely on search.
Antiditect browser â linux Support
A short, solved request by @Rashed_Islam for free anti-detect browsers with multiple profiles on Linux. The quick turnaround and solution status underscore the responsiveness of the support section.
Clonezilla for cloning drives â Articles & guides & guides softwaredesktop
In the comments, @tmick explored cloning both Windows and Linux to a large removable drive and migrating Windows from HDD to SSD. @MarshallJFlinkman explained using dd for raw imaging to files or disks (for backups, not direct boot); @hydn cautioned that dd is powerful but dangerous, suggesting modern imaging tools for convenience.
Followed up with migration goals and disaster recovery planning in the cloning thread, keeping the âhow to move Windows to SSDâ discussion practical: Clonezilla for cloning drives (post 10).
Best Reply: @hydnâs step-by-step tip for Arch users in regions with unreliable geolocation or mirror performance, leveraging Reflector for fresh, fast mirrorlists. Itâs actionable, durable advice that many can reuse.
âUsing Reflector to rewrite your mirrorlist regularly⌠set-it-and-forget with a systemd timer⌠sort by rate for speed.â
Linux mint updating cache problem â In this newly opened and now solvedlinux Support thread, newcomer @filipe_nascimento ran into an unexpected Volian repo on a clean Mint install, triggering apt-secure warnings. @hydn explained how thirdâparty repos like deb.volian.org can be introduced (e.g., by installing nala) and how to remove the offending entry under /etc/apt/sources.list.d. @MarshallJFlinkman added mirror troubleshooting steps via Update Manager. The OP ultimately reinstalled clean and reported success. debianpackage-manager
Can Linux save ewaste â A thoughtful General Discussions Discussions debate by @Mohaa on whether lean Linux setups can meaningfully extend older hardware lifespans when modern browsers dominate resource usage. @Halano captured it well:
web browsers are huge â itâs like another operating system on top of the system.
Practical advice followed, including @MarshallJFlinkman suggesting about:processes and using uBlock Origin to curb memory usage.
What Iâve learned from distro hopping â New General Discussions Discussions topic from @Mohaa comparing minimal base installs (tty-first) and RAM footprints across distros, then layering Xorg/Wayland plus a tiling WM. Lessons learned included how package choices and installers (e.g., display managers pulling full DE stacks) can balloon footprints. @Brian_Masinick encouraged the exploration and follow-ups.
For active members: Fine-tuning forum email notifications â A Community guide by @hydn for dialing in Discourse email noise. Key tip: set emails to âonly when awayâ and âunless previously sentâ so frequent visitors arenât double-notified. Also includes advice on weekly/monthly digests and per-topic watch/mute controls. Site Help
âServerless Horrorsâ on Hacker News â In Showcase, @Mat shared a collection of real-world pitfalls from serverless deployments and the HN discussion thread. @hydn added Lobsters to the reading list for deeper dives. This thread is a good starting point for evaluating serverless trade-offs.
I was wrong! zswap IS better than zram â An Articles & guides & guides entry by @hydn revisiting prior guidance and providing a more balanced, empirical comparison of ZRAM vs Zswap. Rule of thumb: ZRAM shines with light/occasional swap; Zswap makes sense when swap demand spikes unpredictably and fast storage (e.g., NVMe) is available. @Brian_Masinick appreciated the data-driven approach.
QEMU-KVM question â Active General Discussions Discussions thread where @tmick explored cloning Windows from HDD to SSD in a dual-boot setup. @shybry747 suggested GRUB updates would be required; later, @bricklayerX proposed an alternativeârestore the clone to a virtual disk and run it via virtâmanager, avoiding risks with physical disks. The thread is a practical mix of cloning strategies and tooling like qemu-img and Clonezilla.
QEMU-KVM question â @bricklayerX proposed a clever and low-risk alternative to physical disk juggling: clone the HDD to a raw image, then boot it as a VM via virt-manager, leveraging qemu-img for resizing and copying inside the virtual disk. Itâs a practical approach that:
avoids accidental damage to the physical dual-boot setup,
enables experimentation and rollback,
and teaches modern virtualization workflows along the way.
Here are some of the most interesting or helpful discussions from the past week, with an emphasis on new topics.
Extending a partition to a different disk
A fresh support thread from @tmick asking how to resize a small /home on an SSD by moving storage to a 3 TB HDD, and how to mount the remainder as a /Virt partition. @MarshallJFlinkman shared practical pointers to the Arch Wikiâs fstab documentation and a LinuxQuestions âmove /homeâ workflow (copy files, test fstab swap, rollback plan). Useful reading if youâre planning a clean move of $HOME without LVM. linux Support
Our community forums: feedback @Brian_Masinick shared thoughtful feedback on how the weekly summary helps keep up with forum activity during a busy week, with @hydn responding appreciatively. A nice meta-thread about how community tooling (like these weekly summaries) supports participation. CommunitySite Helpforums
Kali Linux Sept 9th 2025 last-snapshot
New topic from @hydn reporting on a large update tied to Kali 2025.2, including an updated GNOME, an overhauled menu aligned with the MITRE ATT&CK framework, and sizable package refreshes. Good context on why this snapshot is heavier than usual and what changed in the desktop experience. General Discussions Discussions kali-linuxdebiandistros
Can Linux save ewaste @Brian_Masinick suggests UnGoogled Chromium for lower resource footprint and privacy. @ricky89 notes Firefox disk cache growth during long streams; @MarshallJFlinkman recommends reviewing about:cache and leveraging Arkenfox to disable disk caching and reduce writesâa highly actionable tip for prolonging SSD life while maintaining performance. General Discussions Discussions
Linux Updates and European mirrors
A multilingual note from @billy about Debian mirrors sparked a tangent on resilient DNS. @unixdude shared using FRR + anycast + Pi-hole at home (with WireGuard to a DO VM) to keep DNS up during maintenance, and @hydn chimed in on the reliability benefits. Great mix of practical ops insight and home-lab wisdom. General Discussions Discussions
Linux top: Hereâs how to customize it @hydn updated the write-up with screenshots comparing procps-ng top 4.0.4 versus older builds, calling out newly exposed fields (e.g., ioR/ioW, nDRT). If you monitor IO or thread details, this is a quick way to modernize your top layout. Community Picks monitoringcommand-linetools
Posted an update on storage planning for dual-SSD Debian/Windows plus a 3 TB VM datastore in the QEMU-KVM thread: link.
Staff were active across general discussions, tips, and site-help, balancing hands-on guidance with community housekeeping.
Best Reply or Topic of the Week
Best Reply: @MarshallJFlinkmanâs guidance on taming Firefox disk usage with about:cache and Arkenfox in the e-waste thread: link
From Firefox, enter the following:
about:cache
âŚI think disk caching is disabled because I am using Arkenfox hardening on Firefox⌠If you have sufficient free memory, and are more concerned with limiting disk writes, disabling disk caching may solve the live stream content filling the disk or wearing out the SSD.
Why it stood out: concise, actionable, and privacy-friendly advice that solves a real annoyance (runaway disk cache) while extending SSD longevityâplus itâs easy to try and revert.
Here are some highlights from the past week, prioritizing new threads and fresh activity:
My personal Linux backup strategy â #General-Discussionsfile-systemsdesktop
A new deep-dive from @ricky89 detailing a practical XFS + EFI setup on a 500GB SSD and a rotation to a Western Digital SA510. The thread evolved into a rich compare-and-contrast of strategies: @MarshallJFlinkman outlined a full-volume encryption workflow (dm-crypt/LUKS), authenticated images with dd â gpg plus par2 parity, and monthly LVM snapshots with encrypted Duplicity; @benowe1717 shared an end-to-end approach mixing Nextcloud syncs, custom bash jobs, and Duplicity for external backups; while @hydn emphasized automation (cron with rsync/restic) and, critically, restore testing and drive rotation.
âThere is no cloud, itâs just someone elseâs computer.â â @MarshallJFlinkman
List of External/Internal drives with Linux Support â #General-Discussionslinuxhardware
A new community-maintained compatibility list launched by @NothingConspicous, complete with a key for Linux support levels and notes about onboard encryption quirks. The idea is to crowdsource which external/internal drives âjust work,â where LUKS vs. VeraCrypt fits, and what to avoid. @hydn welcomed the initiative, and @benowe1717 asked for a standardized testing checklist to ensure contributions are consistent and useful.
How to Upgrade ThinkPad Firmware on Linux (fwupd) â #Articles-&-guides @hydn published a hands-on guide walking through fwupd on a ThinkPad T14s, noting the system was stuck on older firmware after removing Windows. The follow-up includes pointers to the Arch Wiki and a full update log, and the guide clarifies the same approach applies to most laptops, not just ThinkPads.
âbattery boostâ âgreat 30 fpsâ â #General-Discussionssoftwaregaminglaptops
A short, fresh thread where @hydn welcomed the OP and requested more context around the âbattery boostâ and 30 FPS claim. Worth watching if youâre interested in real-world battery/performance tuning anecdotes for gaming laptops on Linux.
Favorite laptop brands? â #General-Discussions
Diverse experiences: @Zach recounted a smooth MSI Summit experience (Cinnamon, then dual-boot tuxOS/Cinnamon), but with so-so battery life; @MarshallJFlinkman praised older ThinkPad keyboards and shared a System76 Lemur NIC workaround; @hydn pointed to TLP and newer GNOME power improvements and lamented modern shallow key travel; @Brian_Masinick lauded classic ThinkPad keyboards (X201, T-series) and suggested mechanical boards for the best typing; and @ricky89 shared a friendâs strong recommendation of Dell.
Extending a partition to a different disk â Linux Support
Practical storage architecture talk. @tmick reinstalled with LVM and began carving logical volumes across disks; @NothingConspicous cautioned about Btrfs RAID profiles (noting RAID5/6 caveats) and clarified potential approaches; @ricky89 asked whether a separate /home is worth it; and @benowe1717 shared the same curiosity. This thread is a great primer on how different filesystems, RAID levels, and partitioning choices impact risk management and flexibility.
Welcome! Please introduce yourself â Communityforums
Welcome to @benowe1717! Ben brings 11 years of IT experience (support â devops â program management), loves self-hosting, and runs a homelab with Debian, Ubuntu, and a couple of Raspberry Pis. Desktop is Zorin; gaming interests include MMOs and Minecraft. A great addition to the communityâs self-hosting and ops discussions.
Our community forums: feedback â CommunitySite Helpforums @Brian_Masinick shared a brief real-life security disruption (credit card compromise) and still found time to affirm that weekly forum summaries are useful when life gets busy. @hydn responded with a sophisticated phishing example (PayPal spoof) and suggested splitting off a security sub-discussion if it continued.
What Iâve learned from distro hopping â #General-Discussions @MarshallJFlinkman drew an evocative analogy: Linux as a âbig box of digital Lego,â inviting curiosity and creative assembly; he also reminisced about Commodore 8-bit exploration. @Brian_Masinick acknowledged a different approach yet appreciated the method and plans to revisit the details when time allows. Insightful and motivating.
A few notable staff contributions and community assists this week:
Moderation + backup best practices: @hydn split out and elevated the backup conversation and added pragmatic advice about automation, restore testing, and rotating external drives in My personal Linux backup strategy.
Also of note: staff continued fielding new-member posts and nudged a new gaming/battery thread to add context; this helps keep topics actionable and discoverable for future readers.
Best Reply or Topic of the Week
Best Reply: @hydnâs clear, risk-aware breakdown of when and why to split /home, /var, and /tmp into separate partitionsâplus the trade-offsâwas the weekâs most practically helpful guidance for many setups. Read it here: Extending a partition to a different disk â post #7.
It concisely frames the benefits (safer reinstalls, service isolation, and avoiding log/temp blowups) against the overhead of additional partition managementâexcellent advice for newcomers and veterans alike.
Repurposing an old RAID disk â In linux Support, @rogerp found a 2TB NAS drive from an old RAID and asked about recovery options. @NothingConspicous broke down the RAID possibilities and confirmed that with RAID1, data can be recovered by assembling the array with mdadm. The thread was marked solved, and @rogerp shared mdadm output and follow-up attempts.
Should I switch to grub-efi if grub-pc is already installed â A dual-boot recovery story in linux Support from @tmick: Windows and Debian reinstalls, mismatched boot modes (UEFI vs BIOS), and a missing Windows menu entry. @ricky89 suggested isolating installs, copying Windows EFI files to /boot/EFI, and customizing /etc/grub.d/40_custom; @benowe1717 and @hydn compared Debianâs stability against Ubuntu/Zorin for gaming. @tmick later shared lessons learned after multiple reinstalls, noting, > âI now know just to switch to EFI only mode before installing DebianâŚâ
2026 vector user interface library â In General Discussions Discussions, @Halano unveiled VUI, a âVector User Interfaceâ concept that compiles SVG/CSS into compact opcodes for fast, cross-platform rendering (Linux/BSD/Windows/macOS/Android/iOS). @Powder loved the LCARS vibe and the idea of a UI between TUI and GUI.
Seagate - External Hard Drive â @Loomy asked in linux Support about a Seagate external drive that doesnât âauto-updateâ backups on Linux like vendor tools do on Windows. @MarshallJFlinkman suggested deleting/repartitioning and formatting as EXT4, and asked for model details and any error messages. @Halano noted reports of good Linux compatibility and the simplicity of reformatting.
How Iâm Continuing to Use CSF After ConfigServerâs Shutdown â In Articles & guides & guides, @stefanpejcic suggested adding the OpenPanel-maintained CSF fork, âsentinelfirewall/sentinel,â and noted a tricky version check that expects download hosts starting with âdownloadâ. @hydn welcomed the input and followed up on how the check was bypassed, with @stefanpejcic explaining a simple re-run of the install script can also refresh missing files.
My personal Linux backup strategy â A General Discussions Discussions thread (desktop, file-systems) where @ricky89 reported switching a 1TB internal drive to EXT4 for speed (especially for many tiny files like node_modules) and using Duplicity for selective backups to a spare USB disk. @tmick shared a practical rsync-to-Nextcloud plus external HDD setup.
Anyone ever tried Haiku OS? â A General Discussions Discussions detour into Haiku. @stefanpejcic called it âtoo retro,â while @hydn pointed out its steady progress and why it still labels itself âbeta,â sharing a link to recent development activity and context as a BeOS successor.
Shared practical dual-boot and GRUB customization advice in Should I switch to grub-efiâŚ, detailing steps to copy Windows EFI files and add a GRUB custom entry.
Contributed to the community check-in with a personal highlightâintroducing a new Linux learnerâin Whatâs everyone working on?.
Best Reply or Topic of the Week
Best Reply: Repurposing an old RAID disk â solution by @NothingConspicous. A concise, high-signal answer that identified RAID1 as recoverable and pointed to mdadm to assemble the array. It set the OP on the right path and neatly closed the loop for future readers facing similar situations.
Below are some of the most engaging and informative discussions from the week, with an emphasis on new topics. Each title links directly to the relevant post.
Linux mint installed but wont boot
Category/tag: linux Support
A fresh install of Linux Mint 22 on an older Toshiba Satellite stumped @Ady when the system wouldnât boot post-install. With details about legacy vs UEFI mode and GRUB target device, the thread turned into a practical walkthrough of diagnosing firmware mode mismatches and correct bootloader placement. Helpful guidance from @hydn and @ricky89 focused on ensuring the USB boots in UEFI and targeting the whole drive for GRUB (e.g., /dev/sda).
Forum outage report
Category/tag: Community @hydn posted a transparent incident report about a ~12âhour forum outage traced to a Cloudflare SSL certificate issue. The post outlines detection (Better Stack alert), remediation (reset cert settings), and follow-up prevention measuresâplus a candid note about being under the weather. A model for concise postmortems that keeps the community informed.
Linux Mint GUI using WSL
Category/tags: linux Support command-linevirtualizationdesktop-environments
New member @GC67 explored running a Mint GUI on WSL. The key blockerâtasksel not launchingâwas explained as a systemd limitation in WSL. The thread steers newcomers toward installing light desktops like XFCE and using Windows X servers (VcXsrv/X410), or taking advantage of WSLg on Windows 11. @rogerp requested command outputs to assist further, and @hydn provided a clear action plan.
Ubuntu Server LXDE Problem
Category/tags: linux Support ubuntuserver @JamesCRocks installed a minimal LXDE on Ubuntu Server and ran into a half-missing taskbar. @hydn suggested using âPanel Preferencesâ or the lxpanelctl config command to adjust applets, noting a known LXPanel bug in 24.04. The guidance resolved the issue and the topic was marked solved.
âYou can access Panel Preferences by rightâclicking an empty area of the taskbar⌠or run: lxpanelctl config.â
Supporting Members of LinuxCommunity.io
Category/tags: Communityforums
A community note from @hydn outlining how paid membership tiers sustain hosting, upgrades, and giveaways, and how member engagement keeps the space welcoming. Includes a link to the volunteer @staff group and a call to support continued growth.
I Created CHMER (CHess prograMER)
Category/tags: Showcaseprogramming @hemuk477 introduced CHMER, a chess programming endeavor under the HSR-projects umbrella. @hydn added a project link and encouraged visibility. A nice snapshot of member projects in progress and an open invitation for feedback and collaboration.
Welcome! Please introduce yourself
Category/tags: Communityforums
A steady stream of introductions this week: @MrBeverage brings live-performance keyboard expertise and new Fedora KDE enthusiasm; @Zedboy is training toward Linux sysadmin; @ed_chigliak migrated from Windows to Mint and Voyager while starting an IT role; @Ady is moving from Microsoft to Mint on older hardware.
âJust installed Fedora 42 KDE on a new AMD Ryzen 7 mini, and digginâ it. Having fun writing Bash scripts.â â @MrBeverage
2026 vector user interface library
Category/tag: Showcasedesktop @Halano previewed a fast, animated vector UI libraryââsciâfi UIâ vibes with high performance. In conversation with @rogerp about FOSS plans and toolkit choices (Qt vs GTK), @Halano shared a vision closer to FLTKâleaner, faster, featureâpackedâand skepticism of heavy abstraction layers.
List of External/Internal drives with Linux Support
Category/tags: General Discussions Discussions linuxhardware @benowe1717 added multiple WD Elements and a Toshiba Canvio to the community-maintained list. They noted that smartctl often detects these as âinternalâ and misreports RPMâraising interesting observations about how external enclosures present devices and how SMART tools interpret them.
@hydn explained why tasksel wonât launch under WSL and offered a practical GUI path with XFCE and an X server, plus notes on WSLg for Windows 11. Clear, stepâbyâstep help for new users: Linux Mint GUI using WSL â hydnâs reply
Curation work on evergreen resources: pruning unmaintained entries from the benchmarking tools topic and inviting suggestions for additions: Linux benchmark scripts and tools â update
âYou installed in legacy mode, but your disk has an EFI partition. The fix is to boot the USB in UEFI mode and reinstall, making sure the bootloader goes to the whole drive.â
Windows 11 vs Linux: A Year Later, Iâm Switching Back
In Articles & guides & guides, @hydn wrote a reflective piece about a year of dual-booting and why heâs resettling on Linux for efficiency, control, and lower maintenance. The thread drew varied perspectives: @benowe1717 shared update-management frustrations and Pi-hole workarounds, @mfreeman72 highlighted decades of Linux-only workflow, and @Tanithgaunt critiqued the reliance on WSL. @Brian_Masinick weighed in with a real-world Windows 10 â 11 support tale.
âIf you wanna run Linux, then run Linux for Linux apps.â â @Tanithgaunt
I messed up. Need help
In #Linux Support (hardwaredesktop-environments), @GC67 hit a boot snag installing Linux Mint from USB. After suggestions from @tmick, @GC67 discovered a missing mmx64.efi, copied grubx64.efi as a workaround, then resolved BitLocker re-encryption before completing a fast, fingerprint-enabled Mint install. Marked solved thanks to @hydnâs guidance.
Problem with drivers and bootloader
A #Linux Support thread with laptopsbootdrivers from @Android_Creator, dual-booting Windows 11 and Pop!_OS across two NVMe drives. @hydn recommended fully disabling Secure Boot for Pop!_OSâs systemd-boot, verifying with bootctl and efibootmgr, and considering GRUB if adding CachyOS. The discussion expanded into NVIDIA drivers, the nvidia-settings package, Clevo WMI modules, and fan control, with @Brian_Masinick chiming in on collaborative problem-solving.
Enabling Touchpad gestures
In #Linux Support (hardwaredesktop-environments), @GC67 sought Windows-like multi-finger gestures and pinch-to-zoom. @hydn recommended pairing Touche with Touchegg on GNOME for customizable gestures and noted KDEâs built-in options. The thread covers Wayland vs X11 considerations and package installation steps.
Copying Files Between Linux Machines
In #Linux Support, @JamesCRocks explored scp, rsync, and Caja for fast machine-to-machine transfers after standing up a Nextcloud instance. @hydn explained why rsync is superior for resumable transfers and clarified directory execute permissions as a key barrier under /mnt. @tmick added links to Nextcloud community tips, and @Brian_Masinick shared practical ISO/USB workflows. @JamesCRocks ultimately zipped and scpâd from $HOME to finish the job cleanly.
Ubuntu Server Suspend/Wake-On-LAN
A #Linux Support thread with ubuntu#server:@JamesCRocks was surprised by server sleep behavior while exploring WOL. @hydn noted this isnât default and provided a direct fix masking sleep targets with systemd, which resolved the issue. Marked solved.
Systemd-Networkd-Wait-Online Timeout on Boot
In #Linux Support (bootubuntuserver), @JamesCRocks wanted to speed up Ubuntu 24.04 boot times by adjusting the wait-online behavior. @hydn offered a precise override for systemd-networkd-wait-online to use --any and a small timeout, eliminating long delays for unplugged or slow NICs. Follow-up confirms fast boots despite a flashing error message.
My Linux Projects: Mint LMDE, Media Server, and More
In General Discussions Discussions (homelabdesktopdistros), @madbaker shared a thoughtful migration plan: LMDE on older hardware, moving OneDrive/WSL assets with rclone, consolidating media to a laptop-based server (vs Pi) for simplicity, and ordering new 4TB drives. @hydn offered tooling suggestions (rclone, rsync) and platform considerations (TrueNAS and alternatives).
Synology NAS alternatives
A revived General Discussions Discussions topic after @unixdude shared news that Synology reversed a third-party HDD policy. @hydn questioned whether trust damage persists, likening it to community reactions to Red Hatâs policy changes. A useful pulse-check on the home-lab NAS landscape and vendor reputations.
@hydn posted a clear, actionable explanation of why rsync failed to access a mountpoint without directory execute permissions and how to fix it, improving the âCopying Files Between Linux Machinesâ threadâs outcome: see reply.
Provided a direct solution to unwanted suspend on Ubuntu servers by masking sleep targets with systemd, resolving the WOL puzzle: solution post.
Advised a new Linux user on hardware choices and shared curated getting-started guides to accelerate learning paths: guidance.
Contributed network/security context to pfSense discussions and acknowledged updated vendor docs on RFC1918 egress filtering: pfSense notes.
@unixdude detailed a robust, snapshot-backed NAS strategy that blends Synology snapshots, local/offsite replication, and automated rebuildsâa practical blueprint for home backup reliability: strategy.
@tmick supported certification seekers with direct links to free LPI study materials while welcoming newcomers: pointer.
Overall, staff facilitated solutions across boot, networking, storage, and usability topics while helping new members find trustworthy resources and paths into Linux.
Best low-memory Linux Server Distros for < 1GB deployments
In Articles & guides, @hydn shared a concise guide for ultra-light server environments, targeted at 512 MB and even 256 MB RAM systems. The piece focuses on choosing lean distributions so you can keep memory overhead low and reserve headroom for real services. If youâre building tiny homelab appliances or reviving old hardware, this oneâs a timely reference.
Whatâs happening to the value of our hardware over time?
In General Discussions tagged under hardware, laptops, and desktop, @hydn sparked a lively take with a screenshot of Windows messaging and a broader reflection on polish and integration across ecosystems. He contrasted Microsoftâs rough edges with Appleâs âit just worksâ approach and UniFiâs generally smooth setup â noting both Appleâs Unix roots and UniFiâs Debian base. An interesting lens on how software design influences our perception of hardware value over the years.
âThey should change to EFI only in BIOS⌠Iâd put it in a Prep for install section along with the explanation as to why.â
The guide now includes that tip, plus a short installer video for extra clarity.
WinBoat â Run Windows Apps on Linux, Seamlessly
In General Discussions, @hydn spotlighted WinBoat, an open-source project aiming to make Windows applications feel native on Linux. While early testers like @toadie noted high audio latency for VST plugins and @tmick ran into Flatpak/FUSE hurdles on Debian, the concept â a polished UI with filesystem integration and eventual GPU acceleration â has people watching for rapid improvement.
âI loathe MSFTâs shells, but I recently ran across nushell⌠Wow! Finally a shell on Windows I can use.â
A handy thread for CLI fans who occasionally have to operate in Windows environments.
Conky question about GPU dispalys
In Linux Support, tagged debian, conky, and lua-code, @tmick posted a puzzling GPU utilization display mismatch between two NVIDIA cards. @hydn suggested pinning the GPU ID in nvidiagraph calls to normalize graph output, which partially resolved the visualization while confirming cases where a second GPU genuinely idles near 0%. A neat debugging exchange for Conky/NVIDIA users.
Tumbleweed? For a gamer and a tinkerer
In General Discussions tagged fedora and arch-linux, newcomer @Trinity outlined an Arch setup with Btrfs snapshots, secure boot, and modern Mesa for an RDNA 4 GPU, then weighed a possible move back to Fedora (or openSUSE Tumbleweed) after secure boot keys were reset by a BIOS update. A great case study in balancing cutting-edge graphics stacks, gaming, and secure boot ergonomics.
Reported on installation friction with WinBoat in a Debian environment (FUSE/Flatpak dependencies): WinBoat feedback.
Followed up on his own Conky/NVIDIA display thread with results after testing suggested changes: Conky follow-up.
Staff highlights (by volume/feedback): @hydn (17 posts, 22 likes) and @tmick (8 posts, 7 likes) led the way with a mix of new guides, technical feedback, and practical support.
How to Install Docker on Linux and Run Your First Container
In Articles & guides, @hydn shared a beginner-friendly intro to Docker with a clear path to your first container. The thread turned into a practical clinic as @tmick asked why Docker over jails or VMs, @shybry747 probed Docker versus Podman, and @benowe1717 delivered a grounded explanation of ephemeral containers and what you actually need to back up. @toadie rounded it out with useful TUI recommendations for day-to-day container management.
Docker Alternative: Podman on Linux @hydn started a follow-up in Articles & guides inspired by community feedback, outlining how to get productive with Podman. @benowe1717 plans to trial it alongside a Docker Compose workflow, @tmick began testing Podman due to Docker issues on Debian Testing, and @toadie pointed to podman-tui and Podman Desktop. Fresh perspectives from @shybry747, who runs Fedora, make this a balanced read for anyone choosing their container tooling.
Newby Needs PC Purchase Advice
In General Discussions, @LurkerMike asked for hardware guidance to move from Windows to Linux with an eye toward AI workloads. Suggestions centered on ThinkPads, Framework, and Ryzen-based desktops, plus beginner-friendly distros like Ubuntu LTS, Mint, and Fedora. After @LurkerMike shared a ThinkCentre Neo 55s configuration, @hydn confirmed its Ubuntu compatibility and discussed sensible RAM sizing and alternatives like mini PCs.
DeLinuxCo Workstation - 20251012 New ISO
In Showcase, @DeLinuxCo rolled out a new Arch-based Cinnamon workstation ISO featuring Xlibre as the default X server, kernel 6.17, and polished defaults like Easy Effects presets and monitor brightness controls. @hydn stopped by with compliments, and it looks like a clean, opinionated daily driver for Arch fans.
Tumbleweed? For a gamer and a tinkerer @Trinity started a conversation in General Discussions about distro fit for gaming and tinkering. @hydn suggested keeping an eye on Vanilla OS and openSUSE Slowroll, @tmick chimed in with welcome tips, @Halano recommended Debian for control and Bazzite for gaming performance, and @Brian_Masinick vouched for Tumbleweedâs reliability as a true rolling release.
My Linux Projects: Mint LMDE, Media Server, and More
In General Discussions, @madbaker shared a progress update on migrating off OneDrive using rclone and rsync, with a sensible two-drive backup plan and a move toward a Raspberry Pi NAS. @hydn encouraged the cleanup milestones and linked a dual-boot guide for those keeping Windows around during the transition.
Sharing our wallpapers - past an present
A creative moment in General Discussions where @toadie posted original ZBrush artwork from 2008. Earlier in the week, @hydn surfaced new wallpaper finds. If you enjoy customizing your desktop, this thread is a fun place to browse and contribute.
How to make Firefox store cache in RAM?
In Linux Support, @nbpel cut through complexity with a simple answer: set browser.cache.disk.enable to false in about:config. If you want to avoid disk writes and speed up browsing on systems with adequate RAM, this quick tweak is worth noting.
Infrastructure fix for email replies. After diagnosing cPanel behavior around plus-addressing, @hydn documented the final adjustment in You can now reply to forum topics and messages via email. This restores reply-by-email convenience for busy members.
Hardware onboarding help. In the new-to-Linux hardware thread, @hydn followed up with specific advice, links, and performance notes in this reply, helping @LurkerMike validate a Lenovo desktop pick for Ubuntu.
Technical follow-through on containers. In the Docker starter thread, @hydn added a concise comparison to jails and VMs in this message, teeing up a Podman deep dive later in the week.
Podman perspective. Sharing personal takeaways on stability and ecosystem fit, @hydn weighed in on the Podman guide conversation here: reply.
Staff participation in tips and tools. @tmick highlighted a from-scratch approach for ultra-light systems in this comment, a useful pointer for those wanting absolute control over footprint.
Staff Q&A engagement. @shybry747 helped steer the Docker threadâs direction by asking about Podman in this post, which led to expanded coverage and a new article.
Best Reply or Topic of the Week
How to Install Docker on Linux and Run Your First Container â @benowe1717âs reply stands out for its clear, actionable explanation of what to back up with containers. It demystifies the âephemeralâ model by separating image immutability from persistent configuration and data, with practical examples that newcomers can apply immediately.
âThe containers themselves are ephemeral⌠So backing up the container itself just isnât necessary. Your configs and your data are not ephemeral. They need to persist across container instances and across container hosts.â
Thanks for reading. See you again next week!
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âPortâ identification
In Linux Support, @RevMac asked how to find the USB serial âportâ on Linux Mint for JS8/FLRIG. @toadie suggested starting with lsusb, and @hydn added a practical tip to plug in the device and run dmesg | tail to spot ttyACM0 or ttyUSB0. The thread also touched on improving device discovery with cyme. A clear, beginner-friendly troubleshooting path that others can reuse.
Anyone try this âRecall for Linuxâ? @hydn started a lively discussion in General Discussions about a tongue-in-cheek Linux implementation of Microsoftâs Recall. The conversation quickly shifted into privacy and tracking. @HonzaHlava framed it as a warning about the surveillance future, @ricky89 noted the value of readable source, and @MarshallJFlinkman cautioned against piping a tinyurl into bash while arguing that pervasive data collection has serious downstream effects. A useful reality check on convenience versus privacy.
Linux Troubleshooting: These 4 Steps Will Fix 99% of Errors
In Articles & guides, @hydn shared a concise method for fault-finding, later distilling it into the memorable GLAD mnemonic: Gather, Look, Analyze, Document. @toadie praised the piece, while @tmick highlighted how surprisingly rare a good mnemonic is despite years in support. The thread is a quick reference you can keep in your toolkit.
Usb switch - Linux compatibility @ricky89 posted in Articles & guides about solving intermittent keyboard and mouse disconnects when using a BENFEI USB 3.0 switch. Disabling autosuspend did not help, but moving the device from a USB 2.0 port to a USB 3.0 port resolved the problem. @hydn proposed a network-based KVM over IP (GL-RM1) as an advanced alternative for local, low-latency switching without cloud dependency.
From NTP to NTS
In Linux Support, @US3R wanted secure time sync with time.cloudflare.com over NTS on Ubuntu 24.04. The accepted answer outlined moving from timesyncd to Chrony and configuring NTS properly. The solution was confirmed working, and the step-by-step flow is a great model for anyone adopting authenticated time.
Whatâs the most useful Linux command or tool that most new users overlook? @Penguin started a broad General Discussions survey of go-to commands. @Halano dropped a power list that included zoxide, fzf, fd, nnn, btop, ncdu, age, FFmpeg, mpv, and more. @hydn emphasized ncdu for disk cleanup, journalctl -xe for debugging, ss -tuln for ports, and also championed pushd/popd/dirs for fast directory navigation. Handy discoveries and reminders for both newcomers and veterans.
[VSCode] Suggestions for YAML Extension
In General Discussions, @toadie asked for recommendations to improve YAML editing, especially for Ansible. The early replies suggested editor-agnostic approaches while the thread opens the door for community tips on schema validation and formatting workflows.
The Linux Boot Process: From Power Button to Kernel
In Articles & guides, @hydn shared a deep dive on the full boot chain. Readers appreciated the thoroughness and cross-referenced a parallel discussion on Hacker News. @Penguin planned to share it further. A good anchor for those who want to understand what happens under the hood.
Support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, 2025
The General Discussions thread picked up again with @ricky89âs timely observation that end-of-support may drive many to Linux, while also increasing the incentive for malware authors. @hydn compared the situation to macOS and emphasized that good system hygiene and sticking to trusted repositories still go a long way.
Fedora 36 Released
This long-running General Discussions thread saw a fresh update for Fedora 43. @ricky89 shared a smooth upgrade experience plus two practical fixes: restoring kernel selection in GRUB and resolving a KDE menu hiccup by running sudo dnf distro-sync --allowerasing. It is a useful mini-guide for others upgrading soon.
@shybry747 weighed in on container choices twice, steering Fedora users toward Podman. See their note on the Docker primer thread and a follow-up in the Podman alternative topic:
Behind the scenes and in support areas, staff welcomed newcomers, nudged users to the right categories, and improved posting capabilities for better troubleshooting context, including enabling uploads for a new member in a USB port identification question.
Best Reply or Topic of the Week
Should I stay on Arch or try Fedora? by @P.Coder
This reply delivers a balanced, experience-based comparison that moves beyond distro hype. It addresses practical concerns like update cadence, AUR trade-offs, gaming performance, and the value of vendor packages and Flatpaks. Clear reasoning and real-world context make it a standout resource for anyone weighing Arch derivatives against Fedora.
Thanks for reading. See you again next week!
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Fedora-KDE-43 review
In General Discussions, @tmick shared a thorough first look at Fedora KDE 43 with lots of screenshots and impressions of Dolphin, Discover, and the Windows-like ergonomics that may help newcomers. Discussion ranged across performance and UX, with @Halano noting, > âLooks gorgeous,â but at a potential cost in speed, while @hydn asked about tiling add-ons and comparisons to Neon and Manjaro. The thread captures a balanced mix of aesthetics, practicality, and performance trade-offs for Plasma users.
Mastering linux date util @Halano started a clean, practical guide in Articles & guides to GNU coreutilsâ date command, from setting clocks to calculating durations and formatting. @hydn highlighted the utility of coreutils, and @Brian_Masinick chimed in with a handy example for 12-hour time plus the date. Itâs a useful toolbox post for anyone who spends time in the terminal and wants quick, reproducible time calculations.
Devuan Excalibur 6 stable release is LIVE @hydn announced in General Discussions that Devuan 6, based on Debian 13 âTrixie,â is now available for those seeking a systemd-free environment, with SysVinit as default and options for OpenRC and runit. @Brian_Masinick added historical and practical context comparing Devuan to antiX, noting antiXâs stricter systemd avoidance and breadth of package rebuilds. @benowe1717 asked thoughtful questions about the day-to-day benefits of avoiding systemd, citing a logrotate timer discovery. This thread is a succinct on-ramp to the systemd debate for curious users.
List of Linux command-line system information tools
In Articles & guides, @hydn published a curated, wiki-style roundup of âfetchâ and system info tools. From Fastfetch to classic scripts, the post invites members to help grow the list. Itâs a good bookmark for anyone who wants a quick catalog of options to display system specs in the terminal.
Nominate Members for Community Badges @hydn kicked off a new recognition thread in Community to surface posts worthy of Kernel of Wisdom, Root of Knowledge, or Master of Unix. The instructions show exactly how to copy a direct link to a post for nomination, and the lighthearted back-and-forth with @tmick keeps it fun while encouraging more peer recognition.
Conky question about GPU dispalys
This Linux Support thread saw @tmick iterate on a Conky setup for GPU monitoring, moving from inaccurate metrics to a streamlined graph-based view. @Brian_Masinick offered examples from MX/antiX setups, and later @tmick shared a configuration update that improves clarity. For those who like minimal yet informative monitoring, the configs and screenshots are helpful references.
My personal Linux backup strategy @shybry747 jumped into this General Discussions thread with a simple approach: compress the entire home directory with Nemo pre-upgrade, then copy to external USB for a quick restore of tabs and app settings. Elsewhere in the discussion, @ricky89 detailed using Timeshift for system snapshots and Borg/Vorta for data on BTRFS, plus a weekly schedule, while @toadie offered BTRFS snapshots integrated with GRUB. @hydn dropped a timely pointer to Fedoraâs Sway atomic desktop for those exploring alternatives.
[VSCode] Suggestions for YAML Extension @toadie started a General Discussions discussion seeking a YAML extension with better indenting and debugging. @tmick suggested exploring Linux-native editors and alternatives like Notepadqq, while @toadie clarified they use Code - OSS to avoid telemetry. A concise exchange for anyone refining their YAML editing workflow.
Anybody using a mechanical keyboard?
Still active in General Discussions, @Mat contrasted the NocFree split keyboard with the UHK 80, noting ergonomics, learning curve, and value when avoiding injury. @unixdude added that the UHK60v2 was âlife-changingâ for wrist and back pain, and a brief currency confusion prompted a laugh. Itâs a practical complement to our many software discussions, focused on the hardware we use every day.
Together, staff kept conversations moving across news, guides, desktop updates, and helpful forum tips.
Best Reply or Topic of the Week
Best Reply: @tmickâs accepted solution and configuration in Conky question about GPU dispalys stands out for clarity and practical value. He identified that Conky was reading the bridge rather than the GPUs, simplified the display to a reliable graph, and shared clean, reproducible code. Itâs a solid example of iterative problem-solving that others can reuse.
Thanks for reading. See you again next week!
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â8 GB vram in 2026 isnât good I agree, but for me is enough. This device gives you freedom unlike xbox and ps5.â
Screen goes blanks when maxmizing window on Gnome @rafidsadik asked for help in Linux Support after GNOME on Wayland blacked out windows when maximizing. After confirming an AMD GPU and trying other tweaks, they temporarily switched to KDE while investigating further. If youâve seen similar Wayland behavior on Arch, share your fixes.
Discourse Stats Helper (Bash Script)
In Showcase, @hydn shared a small but handy script that uses curl and jq to query /site/statistics.json and present forum metrics interactively. Itâs aimed at admins and moderators who prefer the terminal. The post outlines single-metric lookups and an interactive menu, plus sensible handling of missing fields.
Firewalla Gold Plus vs. Ubiquiti UDM Pro Max
Over in Articles & guides, @hydn published a comparison for homelab and small business firewalls at the $600 price point. The follow-up discussion looks at what else might score highly in a similar evaluation and whether other vendors introduce licensing complexity or steeper learning curves.
Ubuntu LTS Support Extended to 15 Years
In Articles & guides, the community noted Canonicalâs extended support window for LTS releases. @hydn highlighted how Ubuntu Proâs ESM helps long-lived installs and even linked a thread on getting ESM for free on up to five systems for personal use.
What was your first Linux experience?
A long-running Linux Support thread saw a fresh burst of nostalgia and practical insights. @J_J_Sloan recalled early SLS and Slackware days and now manages RHEL in the cloud, while others compared first distros from Red Hat 9 to Slackware CURRENT. It is a great mix of history and current practice.
âSurely itâs the wrong way round. Itâs a Linux subsystem on/for Windows, ergo LSW?â
Tar Command in Linux with Examples
Still in Articles & guides, @AnthonyRKing asked whether tar can infer compression automatically. The thread clarifies that tar -xf works with .tar.gz and .tar.xz without extra flags, which is a practical tip for newcomers tackling archives.
Fedora-KDE-43 review
In General Discussions, @Brian_Masinick chimed in with desktop environment history and personal preference. He compared KDE, Xfce, and minimalist window managers like IceWM, sharing why he avoids heavy overhead and prefers simple, configurable setups for day-to-day work.
Docker Alternative: Podman on Linux
Over in Articles & guides, @AnthonyRKing raised an excellent follow-up question about migrating from Docker to Podman. The thread asks what happens to existing containers and images and what to expect if you remove Docker first, which sets the stage for a practical migration checklist.
The @system account published last weekâs automated digest to keep readers informed and engaged:
⢠Weekly Forum Summary
Best Reply or Topic of the Week
What was your first Linux experience? @J_J_Sloanâs reply in Linux Support stands out for blending history with practical, production-scale experience. They concisely explained Maia Mailguard as a SpamAssassin and ClamAV based email spam and virus management system with per-user web controls, sharing that it supported 4,000 users at Toyota and continues as an open source project they maintain. It is a useful, real-world example that many administrators can learn from.
Thanks for reading. See you again next week!
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In General Discussions, @J_J_Sloan shared benchmark results in Linux vs FreeBSD Disk I/O: Why Is FreeBSD Faster?. The thread compares throughput and latency across Linux and FreeBSD with dbench, highlighting FreeBSDâs roughly 50 percent higher disk throughput in the authorâs tests. @hydn weighed tradeoffs like additional layers in Linuxâs I/O stack and suggested scheduler and governor tuning, while @Halano and @tmick added perspective on kernel optimization and how to reproduce tests.
@tmick started a troubleshooting thread in Linux Support with KVM\QEMU fails to connect to the âdefaultâ connection. The discussion traces a ânetwork âdefaultâ is not activeâ error in virt-manager. @toadie offered network checks and virsh commands, and after a round of attempts and a system re-install, @tmick marked it solved and shared lessons learned for others who run into broken libvirt networking.
@MadGoat introduced a helpful tool in Showcase, Tool: Config / setup app for Arch â GOATd-Setup-Ally. The app batches common post-install actions on Arch, showing the exact commands it runs and supporting multiple AUR helpers. @toadie tested it on classic Arch and reported smooth installs from both repo and AUR, while @hydn boosted visibility and early feedback from the wider community.
@shybry747 started a discussion in General Discussions about Waylandâs progress with Wayland and Screen Sharing. After issues on Fedora 41 and 42 with Sway, screen sharing now works well on Fedora 43. The thread explores how compositor and app support have matured, with @toadie and @Brian_Masinick noting the scope and coordination needed to make Wayland a daily driver.
In Linux Support, @tmick asked for guidance in How to install nvidix-smi without breaking the Nauvo drivers. The goal is to surface GPU model and driver versions in Conky via nvidia-smi without breaking a working system on a Debian 14 based setup. If you have a clean path to nvidia-smi with these drivers, please share your approach.
Another Linux Support thread came from @Layton with Boot error after entering LUKs password. After providing the password, the system warns about a device UUID and drops into generating an initramfs report. The user is looking for consistent recovery steps that avoid re-installation and a simple way to extract the rdsosreport for analysis.
@US3R raised a policy and tooling question in Linux Support, Restrict shred to only root (no sudo, no user). @toadie noted that users can shred their own files, not system or other usersâ files. The conversation invites approaches for hardening threat models where local shredding needs to be minimized without heavy restrictions elsewhere.
Finally, in Articles & guides, @hydnâs recent CDN market update prompted discussion in 25 Best CDN Providers 2026. The list now reflects the removal of Lumen and Edgio CDNs and adds Leaseweb and Advanced Hostingâs Anycast CDN as actively maintained, globally available options. Itâs a helpful snapshot for anyone comparing providers this quarter.
@hydn published and updated several resource threads:
Closed the loop on monitoring choices after an EOL announcement in Free Linux Server Monitoring and APM solutions for SysAdmins, highlighting Netdata, SigNoz, Checkmk, and Prometheus plus Grafana, along with practical notes from real-world use.
Kept the market guide fresh with an overhaul in 25 Best CDN Providers 2026, adding Leaseweb CDN and Advanced Hostingâs Anycast CDN while removing inactive options.
They also compared day-to-day use in Docker Alternative: Podman on Linux, finding Podman a capable stand-in for Docker with similar docs and tooling, while noting use cases matter.
@hydn welcomed new members and boosted contributor visibility:
Staff stayed active across outages, market updates, and hands-on tooling, balancing timely alerts with practical recommendations and community onboarding.
Best Reply or Topic of the Week
The most actionable guidance this week goes to @settermjd for a thorough migration playbook in How difficult would it be to migrate a small business away from Windows?. The reply outlines a sensible path: inventory existing software and match Linux equivalents, validate client compatibility, frame the move in terms of business value, and run a month-long daily driver pilot. It is the kind of practical, business-focused approach that helps technical migrations succeed.
Before we wrap up, hereâs this weekâs leaderboard ranking.
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In Linux Support, @vipuser asked how to keep a RAM-mounted APT cache clean in Can i automatically clean cache of apt archives?. A solution was accepted that uses a small apt.conf.d snippet to enable automatic cleaning after installs. Members also shared handy aliases for manual control and tips for memory pressure troubleshooting.
@vipuser started a practical thread in Linux Support about migrating a setup between machines in How to clone Ubuntu. @toadie suggested Clonezilla and Rescuezilla and clarified running on different hardware, while @hydn linked a step-by-step guide. The discussion also touched on UUIDs and whether machine-id needs changes after cloning.
In Linux Support, @vipuser followed up with performance tuning in ZRAM setup (a little non standard situation). The thread covers how ZRAM interacts with tmpfs, whether to adjust vm.swappiness, and how much RAM to allocate. It is a good primer for adding compressed swap without reintroducing disk writes.
@debian-user opened a driver support question in Linux Support with Nvidia for Linux Mint (LMDE). Resources for safe driver installation were shared, and @tmick added experience about enabling the correct components and when to use the nvidia-driver packages.
A privacy focused question landed in Linux Support with Should i disable TPM for more privacy?. The thread invites experiences about balancing measured boot, disk encryption workflows, and personal privacy preferences.
New hardware hiccups showed up in Linux Support with Fingerprint reader for Mint. @GC67 described a reader that initially worked on Linux Mint but later stopped. The group is exploring diagnostics and alternative tooling for better reliability.
@J_J_Sloan shared test results in General Discussions in Linux vs FreeBSD Disk I/O: Why Is FreeBSD Faster?. The post highlights how Linux peaked earlier under load while FreeBSD scaled more evenly, and outlines plans for an apples-to-apples dual boot test on identical hardware with ZFS to firm up absolute numbers.
In Linux Support, @hydn posted the accepted solution in the APT cache thread, using apt.conf.d to enable automatic cleanup after installs and upgrades. See the solution here: post. He also shared a convenience update alias and a note on cache-dropping for those who prefer manual control: post.
On memory tuning, @hydn clarified that ZRAM does not require a disk-backed swap and suggested enabling it where available, addressing swappiness and how ZRAM plays alongside tmpfs mounts: post.
In cloning and migration help, @toadie offered straightforward paths via Clonezilla and Rescuezilla, which was helpful for moving an Ubuntu setup across different hardware: post.
For NVIDIA tooling on Debian-based systems, @tmick added experience-based advice on driver selection and when the metapackage can cause GUI issues, complementing package references shared earlier: post.
On the Cloudflare post-mortem discussion, @hydn reflected on mitigation options like temporarily pausing Cloudflare during outages and asked about replacing ISP hardware to reduce friction: post.
In a security-focused thread, @hydn emphasized that restricting shred does not prevent data loss if permissions are lax, and urged tightening file and directory permissions instead of targeting tools: post.
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