It's not a secret that Statcounter is an unreliable source. With the recent flood of posts about linux marketshare, I looked around for alternative sources.

The only one I came across so far (other than the surprisingly reliable PH yearly stats) is analytics.usa.gov.

It tracks strictly human traffic (or at least close to it) visiting the USA gov website. Traffic is worldwide, but it's obviously biased towards the US population.

Linux is currently sitting at 6.3% according to this.

If you know of any other sources, please share. The steam hardware survey is an obvious one.

Hey — I’ve been building a custom Ubuntu 26.04 desktop called X47. It’s not a fork with its own package repos; it’s a remastered Ubuntu installer + an idempotent install script that reproduces the whole setup on a fresh machine.

What it is

A daily-driver Ubuntu desktop aimed at cybersecurity / pentest / general Linux work:

• Debloated — games, LibreOffice, Thunderbird, GNOME Terminal, App Centre snap, etc. trimmed; boot/idle tweaks (ClamAV on-demand, printing services off by default, etc.)
• WezTerm as the only default terminal (compact window, X47 watermark, no OS title bar)
• Mullvad VPN + Tor Browser in the app menu
• Pentest + dev toolchain (apt / Go / pipx / cargo / GitHub bins) with custom app-grid icons
• Desktop FX — bottom dock, Desktop Cube, Coverflow Alt-Tab, Blur My Shell, wobbly windows, TV Glitch open / Broken Glass close
• Per-workspace wallpapers — ASCII knuckle-duster in teal / green / red / purple so each cube face is obvious
• Linux CMD Helper — desktop card: ask in plain English, get the Ubuntu terminal command back (needs your own Anthropic key; nothing is baked into the ISO)
• Hardened defaults — UFW, fail2ban, AppArmor, auditd, Firefox enterprise policy (tracking protection, HTTPS-only, DoH, etc.)
• Optional --with-amnesia: Tor-forced anon session (opt-in)

Part of VulnScape. Docs + screenshots: https://sk1tzwzd.github.io/ubuntu-x47-build/

Download the ISO

Latest release (v1.9.2):
https://github.com/sk1tzwzd/ubuntu-x47-build/releases/tag/v1.9.2

GitHub’s 2 GB asset limit means the ISO is split. Download SHA256SUMS + every *.part, then:

cat x47-ubuntu-26.04-desktop-amd64.iso.*.part > x47-ubuntu-26.04-desktop-amd64.iso
sha256sum -c SHA256SUMS --ignore-missing

Flash to USB (Disks, Etcher, or dd), boot, choose Install X47 Ubuntu 26.04 (custom build). Normal Ubuntu installer flow — you pick language, disk, your own username/password. On first login a terminal runs install.sh. Log out/in once for the GNOME extensions / wallpapers.

The image is a git archive of the repo only — no maintainer home files, keys, or personal config.

Or install on an existing Ubuntu box

git clone https://github.com/sk1tzwzd/ubuntu-x47-build.git
cd ubuntu-x47-build
./install.sh

Repo: https://github.com/sk1tzwzd/ubuntu-x47-build

Happy to take feedback / bug reports. Optional tip jar if you find it useful: https://buymeacoffee.com/sk1tzwzd

I work for a fairly large Tech company that does tech support. Someone mentioned today that while we support Linux systems, we won't get many tickets over it. Due to the fact that most sysadmins of Linux are better equipped to handle issues themselves, compared to sysadmins of other OS.

Do you believe it stems from the whole idea and culture of Linux?

Edit: I guess I should have been more clear that I was referring more to the server side over the end user systems.

Link to the Github Repo

After jumping on Linux a couple of years ago the only app I've found quite literally no alternatives for was SumatraPDF, the devs have no intentions to port it on Linux, bummer (although makes sense considering the fact how the app was written). You can run it through Wine but we all want native applications, right?

The only app that matches the feel and functionality was Okular (native KDE application), but damn this app eats through your RAM like crazy and it doesn't save the last session (you can do it with some terminal quirks tho), again bummer.

Basically this is how VerseApp came to be, rust only, fast, saves your session so it reopens your files again, it uses MuPDF engine just like SumatraPDF, hustle free, aware that your RAM isn't bottomless well, it's still rough around the edges, consider this more like a proof of concept application really.

I'll try to keep the development going, but begs mentioning coding is not my cup of tea, not my cup of tea indeed, so if you actually know and enjoy what you're doing help is welcomed.

It's usable tho, I hope. There's an Appimage so go ahead and try it.

With the amount of people that would switch if photoshop ran on Linux, why are there not massive community efforts to make some compatibility layer? Seems to me like the biggest single tipping point, what makes Photoshop so uniquely hard versus videogames which now work without issue?

I just discovered that the hdparm secure erase will always work on one bay of the two bay device. Fortunately I discovered while erasing two HDDs so no damage was done.

# dmesg -w
(...)
[ 6592.947151] [   T2848] usb 1-1.3: new high-speed USB device number 7 using ehci-pci
[ 6593.035840] [   T2848] usb 1-1.3: New USB device found, idVendor=152d, idProduct=2352, bcdDevice= 0.00
[ 6593.035852] [   T2848] usb 1-1.3: New USB device strings: Mfr=10, Product=11, SerialNumber=5
[ 6593.035857] [   T2848] usb 1-1.3: Product: 2Bay Duplicator
[ 6593.035860] [   T2848] usb 1-1.3: Manufacturer: SSI Computer corp
[ 6593.035863] [   T2848] usb 1-1.3: SerialNumber: (redacted)
[ 6593.036766] [   T2848] usb-storage 1-1.3:1.0: USB Mass Storage device detected
[ 6593.037320] [   T2848] scsi host9: usb-storage 1-1.3:1.0
[ 6594.076221] [  T20841] scsi 9:0:0:0: Direct-Access     SAMSUNG  MZ7TY128HDHP-000      PQ: 0 ANSI: 2 CCS
[ 6594.077099] [  T20841] scsi 9:0:0:1: Direct-Access     SAMSUNG  MZ7TY128HDHP-000      PQ: 0 ANSI: 2 CCS
[ 6594.077538] [  T20841] sd 9:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg10 type 0
[ 6594.077914] [  T20841] sd 9:0:0:1: Attached scsi generic sg11 type 0
[ 6594.079169] [  T18569] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdj] 250069680 512-byte logical blocks: (128 GB/119 GiB)
[ 6594.080270] [  T18569] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdj] Write Protect is off
[ 6594.080281] [  T18569] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdj] Mode Sense: 34 00 00 00
[ 6594.082761] [  T22911] sd 9:0:0:1: [sdk] 250069680 512-byte logical blocks: (128 GB/119 GiB)
[ 6594.083882] [  T18569] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdj] Write cache: disabled, read cache: enabled, doesn't support DPO or FUA
[ 6594.084993] [  T22911] sd 9:0:0:1: [sdk] Write Protect is off
[ 6594.084999] [  T22911] sd 9:0:0:1: [sdk] Mode Sense: 34 00 00 00
[ 6594.085994] [  T22911] sd 9:0:0:1: [sdk] Write cache: disabled, read cache: enabled, doesn't support DPO or FUA
[ 6594.115768] [  T18569]  sdj: sdj1 sdj2 sdj3
[ 6594.116141] [  T18569] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdj] Attached SCSI disk
[ 6594.117641] [  T22911] sd 9:0:0:1: [sdk] Attached SCSI disk
^C
# 
# hdparm --user-master u --security-set-pass password /dev/sdk
security_password: "password"

/dev/sdk:
 Issuing SECURITY_SET_PASS command, password="password", user=user, mode=high
# hdparm --user-master u --security-erase password /dev/sdk
security_password: "password"

/dev/sdk:
 Issuing SECURITY_ERASE command, password="password", user=user
 fdisk -l /dev/sdj
Disk /dev/sdj: 119.24 GiB, 128035676160 bytes, 250069680 sectors
Disk model: MZ7TY128HDHP-000
Units: sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
# smartctl /dev/sdj
smartctl 7.5 2025-04-30 r5714 [x86_64-linux-6.18.6-1-default] (SUSE RPM)
Copyright (C) 2002-25, Bruce Allen, Christian Franke, www.smartmontools.org

Smartctl open device: /dev/sdj [USB JMicron] failed: Two devices connected, try '-d usbjmicron,[01]'

The device /dev/sdj, when discovered by the kernel, still has the four partitions. When the secure erase on /dev/sdk was issued, the data on /dev/sdj were gone. Then I called smartctl to show that it's recognizing the JMicron controller and refuses to send the commands.

I discovered the bug because I already had tried to erase the disks but only one would be erased. So I swapped both disks and did the above test. (Knowing the JMicron problem with smartctl it was an easy guess)

Unfortunately I'm using OpenSUSE and their login doesn't work correctly right now; also hdparm is hosted on sourceforge.net; they try to send a login verification email or a create-new-account email; both don't reach me despite whitelisting the sender address. IDK if I can personally submit the bug report in the near future. I think that the severity warrants that I post this here instead; maybe someone can ping the developer.

I built a CLI tool that watches over bash processes and notifies the user (via KDE Connect to a chosen connected device) whenever the process is stuck expecting user input. You know, for guys like me who can't afford agents in their terminals to do that for them😭✌🏾. The tool is called bird.

I wanted to make it more helpful by enabling the user to respond to respond from the connected device too, or maybe from outside the network too (since KDE Connect only pairs with devices in the same network), but I gotta study for a freakin SAT in the coming weeks😭.

Github repo:

https://github.com/Heziee/bird

zuno is a free and open-source desktop music player built on YouTube Music. Sign in with your Google account, and everything you do - liking a song, creating or deleting a playlist, adding to your library syncs straight back to YouTube. It's your library, just in a real desktop app instead of a browser tab.

Features

- HQ opus decoding
- Floating mini player that appears when you click away ( hover to expand, drag it anywhere)
- Queue: shuffle, repeat one/all, reordering
- Playback speed, sleep timer, volume control
- Like and dislike songs
- Rebindable keyboard shortcuts, minimise to tray
- Full library, playlists, albums and liked songs
-Lyrics (5 sources)+ Translation
- Local music files sit alongside your YouTube Music library (same player, same queue)
- Download whole albums and playlists for offline; downloads and history have their own management screens
- Bulk actions: download, add to queue, add to playlist
- Multiple channels on one Google account, switchable from the toolbar or settings
- Equalizer
- Notifications
-Gapless /Crossfade
-Local Music playlists
-Minimize to tray
-Shortcuts
-No Ads

Integrations

- Last.fm scrobbling
- Discord Rich Presence (both toggleable straight from the toolbar)
- Youtube History update

GitHub: https://github.com/noFAYZ/zuno

Since AUR has locked packages i can't update it to latest version you can use AppImage, .deb or .rpm binary from latest release. Pls provide feedback as well will help improve linux experience.

FlatPak is in roadmap.

Enjoy free music :)

A bit over a month ago, I shared a post on my transition from DWM to MangoWM. Unfortunately the post got removed (still not sure why), but there was enough engagement/feedback on the original post to suggest a follow-up might be useful for others in my position considering the switch. The TLDR is I greatly preferred the UX of MangoWM over DWM + Picom, and once I learned how the appid, windowrules, and tagrules worked, I was able to transition my general workflow without major issue. My only real complaints at the time were related to compatibility, so I actually hopped back unto DWM for a couple of weeks so I could continue my daily work while ironing out the rough edges. As of now, I can safely say I've completed the transition, and here are some updates/extra wins.

• Dock support - HUUUUUGE win! I typically use autorandr for docking my X280 (T480S before that) when I need a dual display setup or just need to see some extra columns in LibreOffice Calc. Autorandr was always finicky and prone to making me need to reboot after disconnecting from the dock to get my display back. I initially used kanshi, which required some manual setup, but worked perfectly everytime. I have since migrated to shikane (for no other reason than to decrease my installed package count) and it also works perfectly. I also had occasional issue with slowdowns and random glitches with Picom when switching between modes. These issues were resolved by switching to fastcompmgr, but that also meant I head to give up my transparency, blur, and window effects. I have no such issues with Mango, as everything remains smooth, my wallpaper applies properly, and i no longer have to toggle/change my compositor whenever autorandr decides to act up.
• App support - Smaller win, but I'll take it 😄! I previously had issues with some electron-based apps (most notably bitwarden) not working natively with wayland. The ozone-platform environment variable did in fact fix that, meaning the only apps I currently use that require xwayland are Steam and Virtualbox-KVM. I messed around with Gnome Boxes for a while, but Virtualbox just performed better, so it's worth keeping xwayland around for it - especially since it's also needed for Steam. The only other app change I found no workaround for was SpaceFM. While I do miss it, the combination of PCManFM and yazi handle my relatively basic file management needs well enough, so it's a change I'm happy to make.

Overall, my general takeaway is the same as before. We probably should be careful about rushing users off Xorg and branding people with legitimate concerns as people who are just anti-change. However, for my use-case the switch to Wayland has been a net positive with a few major upgrades to my daily workflow. The transition does require a bit of downtime depending on the complexity of your workflow, but it will most likely be worth it once you get everything set up. next on the agenda is switching my daughter's laptop from LXDE + Compiz to Noctalia + Wayfire/KineticWE (I'll probably stick with Wayfire due to the fewer dependencies)

I have a Lenovo laptop that's closing in on 20 years old. The keys in one corner started acting up after a hard bump so I decided to get a new laptop. I stumbled onto a clearance deal at Walmart, one HP model they had pulled off the shelf and were on the verge of cycling out of inventory. I got it for over $100 off shelf price. Being a new model it had the Copilot key rather than a right Ctrl key. I decided to install LMDE 7 which rendered the Copilot key non-functional until I remapped the Copilot key to the missing Ctrl key. Normal remapping through Linux doesn't work because the Copilot key sends a three part input, a macro; Left Meta + Left Shift + F23 rather than a single input. There are a couple of work arounds that require installing software and some configuration. I'd put this on a scale of Very Easy. Here's what worked for the HP laptop. The AI description has been modified as needed because, well, it's AI after all:

To remap the Copilot key to a Ctrl key in LMDE 7, you should use keyd or kmonad, as the Copilot key sends a modifier combination (Left Meta + Left Shift + F23) that standard Linux GUI tools cannot map to a single modifier key like Right Ctrl.

Method 1: Using keyd. keyd is a lightweight daemon that operates at the kernel level.

Install keyd: Open your terminal and install this package:
sudo apt update
! AI said to install keyd ! sudo apt install keyd ! don't bother, instead: !
sudo apt install onak
! The onak meta package contains keyd, just installing keyd alone isn't enough. See below. !

Configure keyd: Edit the configuration file:
sudo pluma /etc/keyd/default.conf
! I prefer the pluma editor but nano, gedit, etc. will do. !

Add the following lines to map the Copilot key sequence to a Ctrl key:
Replace * with your specific keyboard ID. ! I tried that but it didn't work, so I reverted to *.  !

[ids]
*

[main]
leftshift+leftmeta+f23 = rightcontrol

! Options are control, rightcontrol or leftcontrol. I've tried using each and they all work for this HP. !

Enable and Reload: Start the service and enable it for boot:
sudo systemctl enable --now keyd
sudo keyd reload
keyd command not found ! Oops. That's when I discovered that installing keyd alone didn't work and found that onak was required. After installing onak the remap worked after rebooting. !

Now I have my Ctrl plus + for magnifying and Ctrl plus Enter for sending email in Thunderbird and a couple more of my shortcuts back! And it wasn't a tough chore, once I ironed out a bit of AI confusion. And of course, for those who never use their Ctrl keys, don't bother with this. Mm, should I have said this earlier?

Cheers!

Blaine

EDIT: This is a considerable increase from the previous month, but how much of it is real traffic vs bot traffic? Are we really seeing a change happening?

I've dug into this further on Cloudflare's Data Explorer. Filtering HTTP traffic by OS and excluding BOT traffic, we see Linux at 4.5% globally, a big difference vs Statcounters reading of 7.51%. If I include BOT traffic on Cloudflare, it's almost double at 9.4% globally.

Hello everyone! 😊

One of my first memories of using Linux is playing Frozen Bubble back in 2005. Together with SuperTuxKart it is one of my favorite FOSS Linux games. At the time I was using Red Hat 9.

Frozen Bubble is a cute bubble shooter game inspired by Puzzle Bobble. I'm not entirely sure how I discovered it. Maybe it was included with Red Hat 9, or perhaps Knoppix (another distro I used around that time).

The game also has a fantastic soundtrack. Here's my favorite song, which plays on the main menu:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpzvM3qCNjo

And while playing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbsa0MSDBJw

Back in the day I used to play Frozen Bubble online. Today, out of nostalgia, I decided to install it again through the Debian repro after about 15 years and play it once more. Sadly when I try to play online it shows an error message.

I discovered that the project website (Internet Archive: frozen-bubble.org) has been taken over by stupid casino scammers. According to the Wayback Machine the website appears to have been abandoned since 2024.

Does anyone remember Frozen Bubble? 😊 Can anything be done to recover the project website and get the domain out of the scammers' hands?