This week in our forums…
Key Stats
In the past week, the Linux community forums had the following activity and key statistics:
Total New Posts: 105
Total New Topics: 10
Top Members
@hydn: 30 posts, 20 likes
@Brian_Masinick: 18 posts, 24 likes
@GC67: 10 posts, 16 likes
@JamesCRocks: 11 posts, 15 likes
@unixdude: 4 posts, 8 likes
@benowe1717: 5 posts, 7 likes
@madbaker: 3 posts, 6 likes
@Android_Creator: 4 posts, 5 likes
@tmick: 4 posts, 4 likes
@NothingConspicous: 2 posts, 4 likes
Interesting Topics
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Windows 11 vs Linux: A Year Later, I’m Switching Back
In Articles & guides & guides, @hydn wrote a reflective piece about a year of dual-booting and why he’s 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 → 11 support tale.“If you wanna run Linux, then run Linux for Linux apps.” — @Tanithgaunt
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What’s your choice for a new Linux user exploring what’s out there?
A fresh General Discussions Discussions thread with hardware distros desktop-environments where newcomer @GC67 weighed Raspberry Pi 500+, ThinkPad T480, and dual-booting a Dell Inspiron. @benowe1717 encouraged “try all three” learning, @hydn compared Pi vs T480 tradeoffs (and shared guides), and @madbaker added Pi 4 and desktop upgrade experiences. Later, @MarshallJFlinkman noted Mint compatibility on Pi and @hydn suggested Ubuntu + Cinnamon as an alternative path to a Mint-like experience. -
I messed up. Need help
In #Linux Support (hardware desktop-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 @hydn’s guidance. -
Problem with drivers and bootloader
A #Linux Support thread with laptops boot drivers from @Android_Creator, dual-booting Windows 11 and Pop!_OS across two NVMe drives. @hydn recommended fully disabling Secure Boot for Pop!_OS’s 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 (hardware desktop-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 KDE’s 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 scp’d 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 isn’t 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 (boot ubuntu server), @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 (homelab desktop distros), @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 Hat’s policy changes. A useful pulse-check on the home-lab NAS landscape and vendor reputations.
Activity by the @staff Group
- @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 “Copying Files Between Linux Machines” thread’s 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 rebuilds—a 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 Reply or Topic of the Week
- Best Reply: @hydn’s systemd-networkd wait-online override succinctly solved long boot delays when nonessential links aren’t active. It’s a practical fix many admins can apply.
Systemd-Networkd-Wait-Online Timeout on Boot — solution
Thanks for reading. See you again next week! 