Raspberry Pi has today announced the launch of a Raspberry Pi 5 with 16 GB RAM. A engorged-memory model had been oft-rumoured since the launch of the raspberry Pi 5 in 2024 – and long-desired by fans of this particular single-board computer (SBC). The launch of the new Raspberry Pi CM5 late last year offers up to 16 GB RAM whilst utilising the same underlying chipset as the Pi 5, all but confirming a bumper RAM revision for the full-size board was imminent. Why didn’t they launch a 16 GB model right away? It’s only due to last year’s (minor) […]

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by George Whittaker Introduction

In the digital age, where data is often referred to as the "new oil," the ability to extract meaningful insights from massive datasets has become a cornerstone of innovation. Data mining—the process of discovering patterns and knowledge from large amounts of data—plays a critical role in fields ranging from healthcare and finance to marketing and cybersecurity. While many operating systems facilitate data mining, Linux stands out as a favorite among data scientists, engineers, and developers. This article delves deep into the emerging trends in data mining, highlighting why Linux is a preferred platform and exploring the tools and techniques shaping the industry.

Why Linux is Ideal for Data Mining

Linux has become synonymous with reliability, scalability, and flexibility, making it a natural choice for data mining operations. Here are some reasons why:

• Open Source Flexibility: Being open source, Linux allows users to customize the operating system to suit specific data mining needs. This adaptability fosters innovation and ensures the system can handle diverse workloads.

• Performance and Scalability: Linux excels in performance, especially in server and cloud environments. Its ability to scale efficiently makes it suitable for processing large datasets.

• Tool Compatibility: Most modern data mining tools and frameworks, including TensorFlow, Apache Spark, and Hadoop, have seamless integration with Linux.

• Community Support: Linux benefits from an active community of developers who contribute regular updates, patches, and troubleshooting support, ensuring its robustness.

Emerging Trends in Data Mining with Linux 1. Integration with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

One of the most significant trends in data mining is its intersection with AI and ML. Linux provides a robust foundation for running advanced machine learning algorithms that automate pattern recognition, anomaly detection, and predictive modeling. Popular ML libraries such as TensorFlow and PyTorch run natively on Linux, offering high performance and flexibility.

For example, in healthcare, AI-driven data mining helps analyze patient records to predict disease outbreaks, and Linux-based tools ensure the scalability needed for such tasks.

2. Real-Time Big Data Processing

In an era where decisions need to be made instantaneously, real-time data mining has gained traction. Linux supports powerful frameworks like Apache Spark, which enables real-time data analysis. Financial institutions, for instance, rely on Linux-based systems to detect fraudulent transactions within seconds, safeguarding billions of dollars.

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Mozilla Firefox 134 has landed, making the browser’s first release of the new year. It’s been a month since Firefox 133 delivered time-saving tab overview access, beefed up bounce tracking protection, finessed flaws with Flatpak file opening, and smoothed out issues causing slow DNS lookup/connection timings on 64-bit Linux distributions. Do the changes in Firefox 134 best those? Let’s take a look! Firefox 134: New Features Touch hold gestures on Linux On Linux, Firefox 134 supports touchpad hold gestures. This allows kinetic scrolling to be stopped simply by placing two fingers on the touchpad. If you ever scroll down a lengthy article […]

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Sad news from Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth today: longtime Ubuntu and Debian contributor Steve Langasek has passed away. In a touching post on the Ubuntu Discourse, Mark Shuttleworth shares: “Steve passed away at the dawn of 2025. His time was short but remarkable. He will forever remain an inspiration.” “Judging by the outpouring of feelings this week, he is equally missed and mourned by colleagues and friends across the open source landscape, in particular in Ubuntu and Debian where he was a great mind, mentor and conscience.” As a former Debian and Ubuntu release manager, and a long-term Canonical employee, […]

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If you’ve ever played around with customising Ubuntu (or any GNOME Shell-based Linux distribution) you’ll have encountered GNOME Tweaks, an official app giving you GUI access to options, settings, and controls not otherwise exposed in the UI. In recent years, GNOME’s developers have begun migrating settings out of GNOME Tweaks and into the desktop proper — a move which refutes that oft-opined claim that GNOME only removes options, never adds them. But we (as users) can’t expect GNOME to cover and cater to every whim, want and wish. It pulls engineers and developers away from working on arguably more important […]

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by George Whittaker Introduction

In today’s interconnected digital landscape, safeguarding your online activities has never been more critical. Whether you’re accessing sensitive data, bypassing geo-restrictions, or protecting your privacy on public Wi-Fi, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) offers a robust solution. For Linux users, the open source ecosystem provides unparalleled flexibility and control when setting up and managing a VPN.

This guide delves into the fundamentals of VPNs, walks you through setting up and securing your connections in Linux, and explores advanced features to elevate your network security.

Understanding VPNs: What and Why What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel to a remote server. By masking your IP address and encrypting data, a VPN ensures that your online activities remain private and secure.

Key Benefits of Using a VPN

• Enhanced Privacy: Protects your browsing activities from ISP surveillance.

• Data Security: Encrypts sensitive information, crucial when using public Wi-Fi.

• Access Control: Bypass geo-restrictions and censorship.

Why Linux?

Linux offers a powerful platform for implementing VPNs due to its open source nature, extensive tool availability, and customizability. From command-line tools to graphical interfaces, Linux users can tailor their VPN setup to meet specific needs.

VPN Protocols: The Backbone of Secure Communication Popular VPN Protocols

1. OpenVPN: A versatile and widely used protocol known for its security and configurability.

2. WireGuard: Lightweight and modern, offering high-speed performance with robust encryption.

3. IPsec: Often paired with L2TP, providing secure tunneling for various devices.

Key Features of VPN Protocols

• Encryption Standards: AES-256 and ChaCha20 are common choices for secure encryption.

• Authentication Methods: Ensure data is exchanged only between verified parties.

• Performance and Stability: Balancing speed and reliability is essential for an effective VPN.

Setting Up a VPN in Linux Prerequisites

• A Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora).

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A new year has started, and who knows what kind of innovations and improvements it holds for for Ubuntu, which remains the world’s most used desktop Linux operating system. We get two new releases of Ubuntu each year, one in April and one in October. Plus, new point releases of the latest long-term support release rolling up bug fixes, app updates, and back-porting newer Linux kernels and GPU drivers. So 2025 should be another golden year for Ubuntu, those of us using it, and the Linux and open-source community as a whole. Changes to Ubuntu in 2024 span a wide […]

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As another year transitions from present to past, I want1 to recap the notable new features, changes, updates and innovations Ubuntu saw over the past 12 months. And there was a fair bit: we got a noble new long-term support release in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, plus an opulent follow up in the form of Ubuntu 24.10, Canonical focused on ensuring Ubuntu stays the forefront of next-gen tech, and even snaps started to suck less! ;) For a round up of 10 cool things Ubuntu got, did, or committed to in 2024—listed in no particular order, lest anyone question my priorities— […]

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by George Whittaker Introduction

Scheduling tasks is a fundamental aspect of system management in Linux. From automating backups to triggering reminders, Linux provides robust tools to manage such operations. While cron is often the go-to utility for recurring tasks, the at command offers a powerful yet straightforward alternative for one-time task scheduling. This article delves into the workings of the at command, explaining its features, installation, usage, and best practices.

Understanding the at Command

The at command allows users to schedule commands or scripts to run at a specific time in the future. Unlike cron, which is designed for repetitive tasks, at is ideal for one-off jobs. It provides a flexible way to execute commands at a precise moment without needing a persistent schedule.

Key Features:

• Executes commands only once at a specified time.

• Supports natural language input for time specifications (e.g., "at noon," "at now + 2 hours").

• Integrates seamlessly with the atd (at daemon) service, ensuring scheduled jobs run as expected.

Installing and Setting Up the at Command

To use the at command, you need to ensure that both the at utility and the atd service are installed and running on your system.

Steps to Install:

1. Check if at is installed:

   at -V

   If not installed, proceed to the next step.

2. Install the at package:

   • On Debian/Ubuntu:

     sudo apt install at

   • On Red Hat/CentOS:

     sudo yum install at

   • On Fedora:

     sudo dnf install at

3. Enable and start the atd service:

   sudo systemctl enable atd sudo systemctl start atd

Verify the Service:

Ensure the atd service is active:

sudo systemctl status atd Basic Syntax and Usage

The syntax of the at command is straightforward:

at [TIME]

After entering the command, you’ll be prompted to input the tasks you want to schedule. Press Ctrl+D to signal the end of input.

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Removing backgrounds from video in Kdenlive, the free, open-source video editor for Linux, macOS and Windows, is about to get a whole lot easier. Developers are adding a “modern background removal tool” that uses machine learning to create object masks so you can ‘cut out’ an object, person, or item in a video clip. Real-time background removal features are common in video conferencing/chat apps like Slack. They allow a user to replace their actual backdrop (like a messy kitchen) with an alternative image or, sometimes, even a video clip. And image editing tools like GIMP and Photoshop have long been […]

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Orbit by Mozilla is a new AI-powered assistant for the Firefox web browser that makes summarising web content while you browse as easy as clicking a button. After all, why read an article to understand what it says when you can read an AI summary rephrasing the article instead? ;) Mozilla’s AI assistant Orbit is currently a beta product and available to install from the Firefox add-ons site where the extension, which works on Firefox for Windows, macOS, and Linux, is pitched thus: Orbit empowers you to stay informed and efficient by delivering the information you need in a condensed […]

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Loupe (aka Image Viewer) is GNOME’s modern successor to the venerable Eye of GNOME has picked up its first batch of image editing features. The features in question were only recently merged upstream, aren’t finished, and not yet included in a stable build. But they’re an interesting addition that furthers the likelihood that Loupe could become the default image viewer on Ubuntu. At present, Ubuntu continues to use Eye of GNOME as the default tool for opening and browsing image files on desktop, despite Loupe having officially replaced it upstream in the GNOME project as a GNOME Core app. Loupe […]

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We’re seeing something of a terminal emulator renaissance of late, with developers eager to reimagine, rethink, and rewire the humble console to leverage modern hardware, GPU acceleration, containerised workflows, and (in some cases) AI/LLMs. Ghostty, a new open-source and cross-platform terminal application created by Mitchell Hashimoto (co-founder of HashiCorp) is the latest to join the fray. Hashimoto’s says he “set out to build a terminal emulator that was fast, feature-rich, and had a platform-native GUI while still being cross-platform.” The first public release materialised over Christmas, rather like a festive Dickensian spook seeking to give us a glimpse into the […]

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You may have noticed (or not) that if an app is pinned to the Ubuntu Dock you don’t see a shortcut for it in the applications grid. This approach is by design to avoid duplication since the dock is always visible (by default) so those app shortcuts are always in reach – each app shortcut only shows once. Not everyone likes this behaviour, especially if Ubuntu Dock auto-hide is enabled. Naturally, there are 3rd-party GNOME Shell extensions one can install to make sure all apps show in the main applications grid irrespective of whether they’re pinned to Ubuntu Dock (or […]

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by George Whittaker Introduction

The creation of virtual worlds has transcended traditional boundaries, finding applications in education, training, entertainment, and research. Immersive simulations enable users to interact with complex environments, fostering better understanding and engagement. Debian, a cornerstone of the Linux ecosystem, provides a stable and open-source platform for developing these simulations. In this article, we delve into how Debian can be used with game engines to create captivating virtual worlds, examining tools, workflows, and best practices.

Setting Up Your Development Environment Installing Debian

Debian’s stability and extensive software repositories make it an ideal choice for developers. To start, download the latest stable release from the Debian website. During installation:

• Opt for the Desktop Environment to leverage graphical tools.

• Ensure you install the SSH server for remote development if needed.

• Include build-essential packages to access compilers and essential tools.

Installing Graphics Drivers

Efficient rendering in game engines relies on optimized graphics drivers. Here’s how to install them:

• NVIDIA: Use nvidia-detect to identify the recommended driver and install it via apt.

• AMD/Intel: Most drivers are open-source and included by default. Ensure you have the latest firmware using sudo apt install firmware-linux.

Essential Libraries and Tools

Install development libraries like OpenGL, Vulkan, and SDL:

sudo apt update sudo apt install libgl1-mesa-dev libvulkan1 libsdl2-dev

For asset creation, consider tools like Blender, GIMP, and Krita.

Choosing the Right Game Engine Unity

Unity is a popular choice due to its extensive asset store and scripting capabilities. To install Unity on Debian:

1. Download Unity Hub from Unity’s website.

2. Extract the .AppImage and run it.

3. Follow the instructions to set up your Unity environment.

Unreal Engine

Known for its stunning graphics, Unreal Engine is ideal for high-fidelity simulations. Install it as follows:

1. Clone the Unreal Engine repository from GitHub.

2. Install prerequisites using the Setup.sh script.

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Ubuntu Pro is an optional security feature that Ubuntu LTS users can enable to receive critical updates for an extra 25,000 packages which would otherwise sit unpatched. If you use Ubuntu 24.04 LTS you will have seen Ubuntu Pro security updates in Software Updater (or when running apt commands). And you will have noticed you can’t install those updates without having an Ubuntu Pro subscription. Ubuntu Pro is free for all users on up to 5 machines, meaning the only ‘cost’ involved is the time it takes to register and setup Ubuntu Pro. Businesses (or home users) with fleets of […]

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by George Whittaker

Performance is a cornerstone of effective system administration, particularly in the Linux ecosystem. Whether you're managing a high-traffic web server, a data-intensive application, or a development machine, tuning your Linux system can lead to noticeable gains in responsiveness, throughput, and overall efficiency. This guide will walk you through the art and science of Linux performance tuning and optimization, delving into system metrics, tools, and best practices.

Understanding Linux Performance Metrics

Before optimizing performance, it’s essential to understand the metrics that measure it. Key metrics include CPU usage, memory utilization, disk I/O, and network throughput. These metrics provide a baseline to identify bottlenecks and validate improvements.

The Role of /proc and /sys Filesystems

The /proc and /sys filesystems are invaluable for accessing system metrics. These virtual filesystems provide detailed information about running processes, kernel parameters, and hardware configurations. For example:

• /proc/cpuinfo: Details about the CPU.

• /proc/meminfo: Memory usage statistics.

• /sys/block: Insights into block devices like disks.

Performance Monitoring Tools

Several tools are available to monitor performance metrics:

• Command-Line Tools:

  • top and htop for a dynamic view of resource usage.

  • vmstat for an overview of system performance.

  • iostat for disk I/O statistics.

  • sar for historical performance data.

• Advanced Monitoring:

  • dstat: A versatile real-time resource monitor.

  • atop: A detailed, interactive system monitor.

  • perf: A powerful tool for performance profiling and analysis.

CPU Optimization

The CPU is the heart of your system. Identifying and addressing CPU bottlenecks can significantly enhance performance.

Identifying CPU Bottlenecks

Tools like mpstat (from the sysstat package) and perf help identify CPU bottlenecks. High CPU usage or frequent context switches are indicators of potential issues.

Optimization Techniques

• Process Priorities: Use nice and renice to adjust process priorities. For example:

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A new version of OpenShot video editor is out (a video editor which doesn’t have the best reputation for stability hence the nickname OpenShut). OpenShot—more accurately, ChatGPT or similar—says “OpenShot 3.3 is here to transform your editing experience! This release is as powerful as it is beautiful […] Take your video editing to the next level with OpenShot 3.3. Download it now and see the difference”. The headline change in OpenShot 3.3 is the use of a new default theme called Cosmic Dust. This apparently offers a “modern editing experience”. The new theme looks nice, it I’m not sure it […]

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In deep mid-winter nothing beats curling up with a good book, in-front of a roaring fire – the crackle of all the unwanted Christmas tat your nearest and dearest bought you chars, melts, and burns providing a warm aural soundtrack. Thankfully, not everyone’s feeling as seasonably irascible as I am – like the folks behind open-source ebook reader, manager, and converter Calibre. They’ve hand-wrapped a bug-fix update to help tide us over the festive season. Hurrah! As gifts that arrive in late December go, Calibre 7.23 is a modest one: more ‘last-minute box of chocs’ than something you really wanted […]

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Canonical and Intel have announced they’re making it easier for Ubuntu users to get cutting-edge drivers for Intel’s newest discrete GPUs. The effort brings “ray tracing and improved machine learning performance” for Intel Arc B580 and B570 “Battlemage” discrete GPUs to users on Ubuntu 24.10, building on that releases’ preexisting support for Intel Core Ultra Xe2 iGPUs. “For the past decade, Ubuntu has been one of the first distributions to enable the latest Intel architectures. Building upon this strong collaboration, Intel and Canonical are excited to announce the availability of an Ubuntu graphics preview for [24.10]”, they say. Users with […]

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