Mozilla has finally unwrapped its new branding, describing the first refresh to its logo in over a decade as not merely ‘a facelift’ but an effort to lay foundations for the company’s next 25 years. If you read this blog regularly — thank you! — you know what the Mozilla’s new branding looks like because I first reported on it back in August. And then again in October when a reader tipped me to the design agency Mozilla had contracted to undertake the work and I shared some of the cool animated mascot art created for it. Personally, I love […]

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Tab groups are a nifty productivity feature already available in web browsers like Google Chrome and Vivaldi — now they’re coming to Mozilla Firefox. Except, that isn’t news, is it? Mozilla announced a series of major new features coming to Firefox in the next 12 months, including long-requested features such as native profile management, an option for vertical tabs, and a more intuitive URL bar search experience, and tab grouping. However, Firefox’s new tab groups feature is not yet enabled out-of-the-box in the latest stable builds of the browser, nor is it offered easily activated through Firefox Labs (as other […]

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A new crowdfunding project aims to revive the (oft-derided) MacBook Pro Touch Bar, this time as a standalone device that work with Windows, macOS and, potentially, Linux too. It’s called Flexbar, and it’s currently seeking cash through Kickstarter. Now, I don’t like writing about crowdfunding projects generally. If I do, they need to offer something novel, or have a track record of delivering. Flexbar is novel, but the campaign has red flags that make me doubtful it will ever exist – more on that in a mo. If you don’t know your Apple from your Orange Pis, the Touch Bar was […]

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by George Whittaker Introduction

In an era dominated by voice-controlled devices, voice assistants have transformed how we interact with technology. These AI-driven systems, which leverage natural language processing (NLP), allow users to communicate with machines in a natural, intuitive manner. While mainstream voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant have captured the limelight, Linux-based alternatives are quietly reshaping the landscape with their focus on openness, privacy, and customizability.

This article delves into the world of Linux voice assistants, examining their underlying technologies, the open source projects driving innovation, and their potential to revolutionize human-computer interaction.

The Foundations of Voice Assistants

Voice assistants combine multiple technologies to interpret human speech and respond effectively. Their design typically involves the following core components:

1. Speech-to-Text (STT): Converts spoken words into text using automatic speech recognition (ASR) technologies. Tools like CMU Sphinx and Mozilla’s DeepSpeech enable this functionality.
2. Natural Language Understanding (NLU): Interprets the meaning behind the transcribed text by identifying intent and extracting relevant information.
3. Dialogue Management: Determines the appropriate response or action based on user intent and context.
4. Text-to-Speech (TTS): Synthesizes natural-sounding speech to deliver responses back to the user.

While these components are straightforward in concept, building an efficient voice assistant involves addressing challenges such as:

• Ambiguity: Interpreting user commands with multiple meanings.
• Context Awareness: Maintaining an understanding of past interactions for coherent conversations.
• Personalization: Adapting responses based on individual user preferences.

Open Source Voice Assistants on Linux

Linux’s open source ecosystem provides a fertile ground for developing voice assistants that prioritize customization and privacy. Let’s explore some standout projects:

1. Mycroft AI:

   • Known as "the open source voice assistant," Mycroft is designed for adaptability.
   • Features: Wake word detection, modular skill development, and cross-platform support.
   • Installation and Usage: Mycroft can run on devices ranging from Raspberry Pi to full-fledged Linux desktops.

2. Rhasspy:

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A new version of the Cinnamon desktop environment has been tagged for release – a sure-fire sign that the Linux Mint 22.1 beta is on the way! As the flagship desktop of Linux Mint, Cinnamon 6.4 will come preinstalled in Linux Mint 22.1 when it’s released at the end of December (though should beta testing reveal issues the date could slip into early 2025). But this post isn’t about Linux Mint 22.1, but Cinnamon. Linux Mint may develop, maintain, and cheerlead the desktop but it can installed on nearly every Linux distribution out there, including Ubuntu (which also has an […]

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A major new update to the powerful open source video converter HandBrake is available. In the 6 months (give or take) since the HandBrake 1.8 release arrived with its GTK4 (but not libadwaita) GUI in tow, the team has furnished this free media conversation software for Windows, macOS, and Linux with a fresh batch of features. HandBrake 1.9 adds support for lossless VP9 encoding. Now, the app already supports converting to VP9, but lossless support means it can convert videos while retaining 100% of the original input quality. The downside to lossless video formats in general is huge file sizes […]

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If you’re an avid user of the Discord Linux app and been annoyed that screen share audio doesn’t work, there’s good news: it now does! The latest version of Discord for Linux at long last includes the option to ‘share system audio’ when setting up a screen share to stream in chats or server channels. Though it works on Windows and macOS, Discord has been silent on when it plans to support screen audio sharing on Linux – so much so it’s been the top feature request on the Discord feedback tracker for years. But this week Linux user Aden […]

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Calibre 7.22 is out — and yes, I’m making extra special effort to not mangle the version number this release as I always seem to insert an extra period in the string whenever I cover the the app! Unwieldy looking though it can seem, the open-source Calibre ebook manager remains unsurpassed in terms of features, tools, and capabilities. Add in the fact it’s cross-platform too, and it’s easy to see why it remains a go-to for avid e-bookworms. Calibre 7.22 builds on recent feature additions, adding a new option to set the position of the control bar when using ‘Read […]

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by George Whittaker Introduction

In an increasingly interconnected digital world, web applications are the backbone of online services. With this ubiquity comes a significant risk: web applications are prime targets for cyberattacks. Ensuring their security is not just an option but a necessity. Linux, known for its robustness and adaptability, offers a perfect platform for deploying secure web applications. However, even the most secure platforms need tools and strategies to safeguard against vulnerabilities.

This article explores two powerful tools—OWASP ZAP and ModSecurity—that work together to detect and mitigate web application vulnerabilities. OWASP ZAP serves as a vulnerability scanner and penetration testing tool, while ModSecurity acts as a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to block malicious requests in real time.

Understanding Web Application Threats

Web applications face a multitude of security challenges. From injection attacks to cross-site scripting (XSS), the OWASP Top 10 catalogues the most critical security risks. These vulnerabilities, if exploited, can lead to data breaches, service disruptions, or worse.

Key threats include:

• SQL Injection: Malicious SQL queries that manipulate backend databases.
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Injecting scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
• Broken Authentication: Flaws in session management leading to unauthorized access.

Proactively identifying and mitigating these vulnerabilities is crucial. This is where OWASP ZAP and ModSecurity come into play.

OWASP ZAP: A Comprehensive Vulnerability Scanner What is OWASP ZAP?

OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) is an open-source tool designed for finding vulnerabilities in web applications. It supports automated and manual testing, making it suitable for beginners and seasoned security professionals alike.

Installing OWASP ZAP on Linux

1. Update System Packages:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install Java Runtime Environment (JRE): OWASP ZAP requires Java. Install it if it's not already present:

   sudo apt install openjdk-11-jre -y

3. Download and Install OWASP ZAP: Download the latest version from the official website:

   wget https://github.com/zaproxy/zaproxy/releases/download//ZAP__Linux.tar.gz

   Extract and run:

   tar -xvf ZAP__Linux.tar.gz cd ZAP__Linux ./zap.sh

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Firefox fans on Linux will enjoy smaller download sizes and faster decompressing when using the official binary builds from the Mozilla website. The browser maker today announced its switching to the tar.xz format — yes, that xz —to distribute its Linux builds, which uses the more efficient LZMA compression algorithm to deliver smaller downloads and faster extraction times. Most Linux users get Firefox updates as a regular software update from a distro-maintained repo, e.g., a Firefox Snap on Ubuntu, a Firefox DEB on Linux Mint and Pop!_OS, etc. But Mozilla say by switching from BZIP2 (tar,bz2) to XZ (tar.xz) Linux […]

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Indie distro fans rejoice: elementary OS 8.0 is now available to download. Built on the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS base and powered by the Linux 6.8 kernel, elementary OS 8 brings a swathe of improvement to both the Pantheon desktop environment, its core apps, and the overall user experience. The elementary team says it focused on several areas for this release, including the creation of a new secure session (using Wayland, but not currently default), improved multitasking with a new dock, and “empowering our diverse community through inclusive design”. Below, I highlight elementary OS 8’s most notable user-facing changes and provide a […]

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by George Whittaker Introduction

Quantum computing, a revolutionary paradigm, promises to solve problems that are computationally infeasible for classical systems. By leveraging the peculiar principles of quantum mechanics—superposition, entanglement, and quantum interference—quantum computing has emerged as a transformative force across industries. From cryptography and drug discovery to optimization and artificial intelligence, its potential is vast.

Ubuntu, a leading open source operating system, provides an ideal environment for quantum computing development due to its robust community support, extensive software repositories, and seamless integration with tools like Qiskit. Qiskit, an open source quantum computing framework by IBM, is a gateway for developers, researchers, and enthusiasts to dive into the quantum world. This article explores how to set up and explore quantum computing with Qiskit on Ubuntu, guiding you from the basics to practical applications.

Understanding Quantum Computing What Is Quantum Computing?

Quantum computing is a field that redefines computation. While classical computers use binary bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers utilize quantum bits or qubits, which can exist in a state of 0, 1, or a combination of both, thanks to superposition. This unique property allows quantum computers to perform parallel computations, drastically enhancing their processing power for specific tasks.

Key Concepts

• Superposition: The ability of a qubit to exist in multiple states simultaneously.
• Entanglement: A phenomenon where qubits become interconnected, and the state of one directly affects the other, regardless of distance.
• Quantum Gates: Analogous to logical gates in classical computing, these manipulate qubits to perform operations.

Applications of Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is not just theoretical; it is already impacting fields like:

• Cryptography: Breaking traditional encryption and enabling quantum-safe cryptographic protocols.
• Optimization: Solving complex logistical problems more efficiently.
• Machine Learning: Enhancing algorithms with quantum speed-ups.

Setting Up the Environment on Ubuntu Installing Prerequisites

1. Install Python: Qiskit is Python-based. On Ubuntu, install Python via:

   sudo apt update sudo apt install python3 python3-pip

2. Update Pip:

   pip3 install --upgrade pip

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Mozilla Firefox 133 was released today, furnished with some new features and UI refinements long-time users are sure to appreciate. In the 4 weeks since Firefox 132 brought us certificate compression, tweaked the way the ‘copy link without site tracking’ surfaces, and flicked the switch on hardware acceleration of SVG primitives in WebRender, Mozilla’s developers added the following: Of these, the tab overview menu option is the one most easily spotted (assuming you’re signed into your Mozilla account and you use the browser on other devices). Elsewhere, Firefox 133.0 also introduces Bounce Tracking Protection to the ‘strict’ mode in Enhanced Tracking Protection […]

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If you were put off trying the Warp terminal app on Ubuntu (or another Linux distro) due to the account and login requirement, there’s good news. The team behind the Rust-based, AI-infused terminal tool has relented on the requirement that users sign-up for and log in with a Warp account before they can run a command. As of this week, anyone can download Warp for for macOS or Linux (it’s coming to Windows soon) and access “all of the core features […] with a preview of more advanced features” without an account, and without logging in. Although, having tried the […]

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Snap is Canonical’s universal package format for Linux. It lets developers build their software once for users on multiple Linux distributions to use. At least, that’s the theory. In reality, few Linux distributions outside of the Ubuntu ecosphere support Snap out of the box. Most carry the underlying Snap daemon package (snapd) in the repositories, so it’s possible for users who want to use snaps, to do so. Linux Mint takes a different approach to that, however. Ubuntu-based it may be, riding the Ubuntu repos and benefitting from the ongoing bug, security, and other patches Canonical’s engineers push out, but […]

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Good things come to those who wait. And for 3D modelling professionals using open-source software, the wait for FreeCAD 1.0 has been a long one – over 22 years in the making! At long last, this free, open-source alternative to expensive engineering software like Autodesk Fusion 360, AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS etc., finally issued its first, formal stable release. A major milestone all told. Not that a lack of 1.0 release had put people off using it prior to now, of course. FreeCAD in already widely used – from professionals and engineering students to 3D printing enthusiasts, both on Linux and other […]

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Flatpak is no longer just a promising format whose potential lay in the far future – it’s already the go-to way for developers to package and distribute their software on Linux, including to those of us using Ubuntu. While Ubuntu has no plans to support Flatpak officially, both Flatpaks and Flathub (the main source of Flatpak apps) work great on Ubuntu — well, most of the time! There’s just one thing that puts some users off using Flatpak apps on Ubuntu: managing them. GNOME Software is the main graphical way to handle software in most GNOME-based Linux distros. It lets […]

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by George Whittaker Introduction

Qualitative data analysis (QDA) is a cornerstone of research across various fields, from social sciences to marketing. It involves uncovering patterns, themes, and meanings within non-numerical data such as interviews, focus groups, and textual narratives. In this era of digital tools, MAXQDA stands out as a premier software solution for QDA, empowering researchers to organize and analyze complex datasets effectively.

Despite its strengths, MAXQDA lacks native Linux support, a limitation for researchers who prefer or rely on Linux environments. This article explores how Linux users can overcome these challenges, leverage MAXQDA for qualitative research, and integrate it seamlessly into their workflows.

Understanding MAXQDA What is MAXQDA?

MAXQDA, developed by VERBI Software, has long been a trusted tool for qualitative and mixed-methods research. Known for its user-friendly interface and robust features, MAXQDA allows researchers to work with diverse data types, including text, audio, video, and images.

Key Features of MAXQDA

1. Data Importation

   • Supports multiple formats such as Word documents, PDFs, spreadsheets, and even social media data.
   • Allows seamless transcription and analysis of audio/video files.

2. Coding and Categorization

   • Enables researchers to code textual and multimedia data with color-coded systems.
   • Offers hierarchical code systems for detailed organization.

3. Visualization Tools

   • Provides visual tools like mind maps, word clouds, and matrix analyses.
   • Facilitates understanding of data relationships and patterns.

4. Mixed-Methods Integration

   • Combines qualitative and quantitative data for comprehensive analysis.

Why MAXQDA for Researchers?

MAXQDA offers unmatched versatility for researchers handling complex qualitative datasets, providing tools for in-depth analysis, reporting, and visualization—all essential for producing meaningful insights.

Setting Up MAXQDA on Linux

While MAXQDA officially supports Windows and macOS, Linux users can employ workarounds to run the software. Below are practical methods to use MAXQDA on Linux.

Running MAXQDA with Wine or PlayOnLinux

Wine is a compatibility layer that allows Windows applications to run on Linux. PlayOnLinux, built on Wine, provides a more user-friendly interface for installing and managing Windows applications.

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Here’s something lighthearted for you—unless you’re pedantic about ornithology, in which case you won’t be so chirpy: it seems a Bullfinch found its way into Ubuntu 24.10 ‘Oracular Oriole’. Did someone leave a window open?! If you have upgraded to Ubuntu 24.10 and changed the default wallpaper you will have noticed some of the supplementary (i.e., non-default) desktop backgrounds prominently feature an ‘oriole’ bird. Or what the artist thinks is an oriole bird, as it turns out. Ubuntu’s Bullfinch Bird Bug According to a bug recently filed on Launchpad, home of Ubuntu development, one of the supplemental wallpapers included in […]

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Feeling creative? After you’ve scanned out slew of changes shipping in the new Blender 4.3 release, you’ll find it hard not to! Blender 4.3 is the latest stable release of the phenomenally powerful open-source 3D modelling software. Its creators say the update builds on the Blender 4.2 LTS release earlier this year with “improvements to existing tools, performance enhancements, and the foundations that will shape the years to come.” I’ll recap the key changes in a second, but first I want to highlight a couple of big things that Linux users will be interested to know… Blender 4.3: Big Linux […]

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