The big set of open-source graphics driver updates for Linux 6.15 have been merged but Linux creator Linus Torvalds isn't particularly happy with the pull request. In particular, he's unhappy with some new "hdrtest" testing code being built as part of full kernel builds and the "turds" it leaves behind and this code "needs to die" at least from the perspective of non-DRM driver developers...

While fresh off the GNOME 48 release, GNOME desktop developers aren't slowing down and there's been some interesting activity to report this week...

KaOS Linux 2025.03 independent distribution is now available for download with the KDE Plasma 6.3 desktop environment and Linux kernel 6.12 LTS. Here’s what’s new!

The post KaOS 2025.03 Linux Distro Released with KDE Plasma 6.3 and Linux Kernel 6.13 appeared first on 9to5Linux - do not reproduce this article without permission. This RSS feed is intended for readers, not scrapers.

KaOS is a desktop Linux distribution that features the latest version of the KDE desktop environment, the Calligra office suite, and other popular software applications that use the Qt toolkit. It was inspired by Arch Linux, but the developers build their own packages which are available from in-house repositories. KaOS employs a rolling-release development model and is built exclusively for 64-bit computer systems.

The big pull request was sent out today of the numerous Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) updates for the in-development Linux 6.15 kernel. There are new drivers, a lot as usual for the AMD Radeon and Intel kernel graphics drivers, and a lot of other changes throughout for advancing these open-source kernel graphics/display drivers...

Ubuntu users frustrated by the inability to connect to a new password-protected Wi-Fi network at the login screen will be pleased to know a fix is rolling out. This particular bug affects users of both Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and Ubuntu 24.10. When trying to join a wireless network at the login screen (GDM) which requires a password, the password input prompt never appears and the connection fails. Why does—soon to be ‘did’—connecting to a wifi network at the Ubuntu login screen fail? Canonical software engineer (and the original bug reporter) Bartosz Woronicz explains: "The log-in screen [in Ubuntu] is implemented […]

You're reading Ubuntu Fixes Wi-Fi Connection Fail at Login Screen, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.

While there were a few graphics benchmarks in yesterday's Ubuntu 25.04 beta benchmarks, today's article is looking more at the Ubuntu 25.04 Linux gaming performance for both the GNOME 48 and KDE Plasma 6.3 desktops that default to the Wayland-based session by default while also trying out the X11 session for both of these desktops.

IcarusDev is currently making Immortal Boy a 2.5D turn-based RPG of battles, puzzles and exploration - amid secrets and betrayal. It's a little of Undertale meets OMORI.

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Back during the Linux 6.13 kernel cycle initial support for many (pre-M1) Apple devices were upstreamed including various iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch devices. That though was the very preliminary support and continuing to work their way upstream are various drivers/patches to further enhance the support. Now for the Linux 6.15 kernel is a new Apple backlight driver for controlling the backlight on various mobile Apple devices...

Mini Royale from IndigoBlue is out now in Early Access and free to play, with Native Linux support and Easy Anti-Cheat enabled.

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Mini Royale from IndigoBlue is out now in Early Access and free to play, with Native Linux support and Easy Anti-Cheat enabled.

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Read the full article on GamingOnLinux.

The networking subsystem updates for the in-development Linux 6.15 kernel bring multiple nice performance optimizations to enhance Linux networking speeds. The Linux 6.15 networking pull also has support for a number of new wireless and wired network chipsets...

Offworld have updated their tactical WW2 shooter Squad 44 (formerly known as Post Scriptum) to bring a whole bunch of fixes, while do so they've also updated Easy Anti-Cheat and enabled Linux platforms to jump in and play.

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Ubuntu 25.04 is due out next month, with a Beta now live for testing so you can see all that's new and report any unexpected issues.

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All of the ARM64 changes were merged this week to the Linux 6.15 kernel for enhancing the 64-bit ARM processor support...

Since last year Canonical had been investigating using -O3 compiler optimizations for their Ubuntu package builds in the name of delivering better performance for Ubuntu Linux. A few weeks back though they decided they would not use -O3 optimizations for all packages. They have now provided more engineering insight into their reasoning and the results of their investigation into -O3 compiler optimizations for more packages...

A two year old Intel Mesa merge request was finally merged for Mesa 25.1 today for enabling functionality on DG2/Alchemist GPUs and newer...

All of the HID subsystem updates have been merged for the ongoing Linux 6.15 merge window...

Here's the up to date list of games available on Amazon Prime Gaming for March 28th, and what compatibility you can expect for Linux / SteamOS and Steam Deck. An easy way to build up your gaming collection with these games coming as part of your Amazon Prime subscription.

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Starsector (formerly "Starfarer") is still in development but it's been a seriously impressive game for years. Not yet on Steam or any other store, as you have to buy it direct, but don't let that stop you with a big update out now.

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Seems like Amazon are not ready to give up on their cloud gaming service Luna just yet, with it expanding into more countries and getting a big new deal going.

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Ubisoft are attempting to turn around their fortunes, with the creation of a new subsidiary with funding help from Tencent. This new group will have full control over Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six.

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With the Linux kernel 6.14 out now, I noted in my quick-look overview about a bug that was fixed for the Steam Deck OLED model. Collabora have given a little more info on their work for this issue and how it was a challenge.

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Valve released a fresh Steam Beta Client update for March 27th bringing with it a few fixes, plus an interesting seeming improvement for how they calculate download progress and timing.

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Set to be merged for the Linux 6.15 kernel is the very initial NOVA driver core code that will be incrementally built up over time in succeeding kernel versions. For Linux 6.15, this open-source NVIDIA kernel driver isn't of any use for end-users as it's just the very preliminary pieces to begin crafting the foundation for the driver that is leveraging the NVIDIA GSP found with Turing and newer hardware. In preparation for future kernel cycles, the NOVA skeleton driver pieces were posted for review yesterday to begin fleshing out more of the driver's design...

Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) distribution is now available for public beta testing with Linux kernel 6.14, GNOME 48, and many other changes. Here's what to expect!

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LibreOffice 25.2.2 is now available for download as the second point release to the latest LibreOffice 25.2 office suite series with 83 bug fixes.

The post LibreOffice 25.2.2 Office Suite Is Now Available for Download with 83 Bug Fixes appeared first on 9to5Linux - do not reproduce this article without permission. This RSS feed is intended for readers, not scrapers.

The upcoming Ubuntu 25.04 release brings a plethora of new features, UI tweaks and foundational changes that are worth upgrading for. In this post, I run through the best new features Ubuntu 25.04 ‘Plucky Puffin’ has tucked up under its wing. From notification grouping and digital ‘wellbeing’ tools to a more capable OS installer and performance-focused Linux kernel – there’s a lot to love about this release. If you don’t plan testing Ubuntu 25.04 beta—available now—you can look forward to trying all of the items spotlighted below in April, when Ubuntu 25.04 is released. Read on to find out what […]

You're reading Ubuntu 25.04: The Best New Features, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.

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If you’ve been pining to sample the Plucky Puffin, now’s the time: the Ubuntu 25.04 beta downloads are out! Ubuntu 25.04 beta lands ahead of the planned stable release on Thursday April 17, 2025. As a beta, the purpose is to let folks like you and I muck in to test it out, check it works with hardware, and report any bugs, breakages, or big issues so they can be looked into, worked on and fixed up in time for the release premiere next month. Ubuntu 25.04 is a short-term release supported for 9 months — Ubuntu LTS releases are […]

You're reading Ubuntu 25.04 Beta is Now Available to Download, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.

The many SoC and DeviceTree updates have now been merged for the Linux 6.15 kernel merge window. There's a lot on the ARM hardware side plus some additions for RISC-V and various interesting new device/board additions...

Kubuntu is a free, user-friendly Linux distribution based on KDE's desktop software and on the Ubuntu operating system. It has a biannual release cycle. Besides providing an up-to-date version of the KDE desktop at the time of the release, the project also releases updated KDE packages throughout the lifetime of each release.

Lubuntu is a variant of Ubuntu that uses the LXQt desktop environment. (Versions prior to 18.10 shipped with the LXDE desktop.) It includes essential applications and services for daily use, including office suite, PDF reader, image editor and multimedia players. A distribution available for both 32-bit and 64-bit computers, Lubuntu is intended to be user-friendly, lightweight and energy efficient.

Ubuntu Cinnamon is an official flavour of the Ubuntu distribution featuring the Cinnamon desktop. The project strives to offer modern tools while providing a user-friendly desktop which will feel familiar for users coming from other operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows.

Ubuntu Kylin is an official Ubuntu flavour whose primary goal is to create a variant of Ubuntu optimised for Chinese users (using the Simplified Chinese writing system), although it also supports other languages. The default desktop is called UKUI (Universal Kylin User Interface) which is based on MATE desktop and is developed with the Qt toolkit. UKUI strives to adhere to the friendly-and-simple design concept. The distribution also includes more than 20 applications developed in-house, including Kylin Assistant, Kylin Video, Kylin Screenshots and Software Center.

Ubuntu MATE is a desktop Linux distribution which aims to bring the simplicity and elegance of the Ubuntu operating system through a classic, traditional desktop environment - the MATE desktop. MATE is the continuation of the GNOME 2 desktop environment which was used as Ubuntu's default desktop until 10.10 (when it was replaced by Unity). The project began its life as an Ubuntu "remix", but starting with version 15.04, it was formally accepted as an official member of the Ubuntu family of Linux distributions.

Ubuntu Budgie (previously budgie-remix) is an Ubuntu-based distribution featuring the Budgie desktop, originally developed by the Solus project. Written from scratch and integrating tightly with the GNOME stack, Budgie focuses on simplicity and elegance, while also offering useful features, such as the Raven notification and customisation centre.

Xubuntu is a community-developed operating system based on Ubuntu. It comes with Xfce, which is a stable, light and configurable desktop environment.

An official variant of Ubuntu, Ubuntu Studio is a Linux-based operating system for creative individuals in the areas of audio production, video production, graphics design, photography and desktop publishing. It makes professional audio accessible on Linux; it uses the JACK sound server and a kernel built with a low-latency patch. Up until version 20.10 Ubuntu Studio shipped with the Xfce desktop environment, but this was replaced by KDE Plasma in October 2020.

Ubuntu Unity is a flavour of Ubuntu featuring the Unity desktop environment (the default desktop environment developed and used by Ubuntu from 2010 to 2017). Unity debuted in the netbook edition of Ubuntu 10.10; it was initially designed to make more efficient use of space given the limited screen size of netbooks, including a vertical application switcher called "the launcher" and a space-saving horizontal multipurpose top menu bar. Ubuntu switched from Unity to GNOME in 2017, but the desktop was resurrected again as an unofficial "Ubuntu Unity Remix" in 2020. It became an official flavour of Ubuntu during the development cycle of Ubuntu 22.10 in 2022.

Edubuntu is a partner project of Ubuntu, a distribution suitable for classroom use. The aim is that an educator with limited technical knowledge and skill will be able to set up a computer lab, or establish an on-line learning environment, in an hour or less, and then administer that environment without having to become a fully-fledged Linux geek.