FOSS Weekly #25.34: Mint 22.2 Features, FreeVPN Fiasco, Windows Update Killing SSDs, AI in LibreOffice and More

There are numerous popular browser-based free VPNs. FreeVPN is one such extension that was recently caught to be spying on its users. As the saying goes, if it's free, you are the product.

Google Verified FreeVPN Caught Red-handed Spying on its Users

If it is free, you are the product. Unless it is free and open source.

It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

If you have to, at least use free option from reliable sources like Proton or Mozilla.

💬 Let's see what else you get in this edition

• Some new hardware for tinkerers.
• XZ Utils backdoor being found in Debian docker images.
• Command that lets you create new files with predefined size.
• LibreOffice gets AI image generation ability.
• And other Linux news, tips, and, of course, memes!

📰 Linux and Open Source News

• LibreOffice gets a new AI image generation extension.
• Security researchers have found XZ Utils backdoor in Debian images on Docker Hub.
• Intel's ongoing global layoff drive is adversely affecting driver support in the Linux kernel.
• Firefox 142 is here with a topic-based new tab page, AI-powered link previews, and more.
• ArmSoM's CM1 is here for industrial-grade performance in embedded IoT.
• Raspberry Pi has launched a smaller variant of the Touch Display 2.

Raspberry Pi Launches 5″ Touch Display 2 for Just $40

Small, sharp, and just $40.

It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

🧠 What We’re Thinking About

A Windows update is not playing nice with SSDs. Switching to Linux should fix this.

Windows Update Is Killing SSDs! Should You Switch to Linux?

The moment to make the move to Linux is now.

It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

🧮 Linux Tips, Tutorials, and Learnings

• Here are some privacy-focused alternatives to Notion.
• You can access root folder from the Nautilus file manager.
• If you ever forget it, you can easily reset the root password in Ubuntu.
• Handy fallocate command allows you to create files of a certain size, say a 10 GB file for your testing.

Accessing Root Directory in Nautilus File Manager

Quick little tip that shows how you can access the files and folders under root from Nautilus file manager.

It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

👷 AI, Homelab and Hardware Corner

I tested the TerraMaster's SSD enclosure against my SanDisk external SSD. I never cared for SSD enclosures until now and I must say these are pretty useful gadgets, specially for people who have their homelab with access to numerous NVMe SSDs.

TerraMaster D1 SSD Plus Review: Experience a Faster External SSD

It is one of those devices that I did not know I needed until I used it.

It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

A split mechanical keyboard that doesn't look weird and is also silent? Nocfree is famous for that and they have a new version announced on Kickstarter. One more gadget added to my wishlist. Now I got to start saving for it 😄

✨ Project Highlight

You might have heard about Omarchy. The distro that started the 'pre-configured Hyprland' revolution of sorts. Sourav tested it out, read his experience.

This One Command Turned My Arch Install Into a Beautiful Hyprland Setup

This script turned my boring Arch install into something special.

It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra

📽️ Videos I am Creating for You

Have a look at Linux Mint 22.2 Zara features in the latest video.

🧩 Quiz Time

Are you a terminal plumber? Our Chain Reaction quiz will test your pipes knowledge.

Chain Reaction: A Linux Pipes & Commands Quiz

Connect the dots...er.. pipes and correctly guess the command combinations.

It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash

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💡 Quick Handy Tip

In Dolphin (the KDE file manager), you can make copying and moving files 'faster'. Go to Menu → Configure → Configure Dolphin → Context Menu, turn on Copy To and Move To, and hit "Apply".

After that, right-click any file or folder, and you’ll see Copy Here and Move Here options. Clicking them lets you pick a destination right there without needing to open another window.

🤣 Meme of the Week

I have become old. 👨‍🦳

🗓️ Tech Trivia

On 25th August 1991, a 21-year-old Finnish student named Linus Torvalds casually announced on Usenet that he was working on a “hobby” operating system for 386 PCs—something “just for fun” and not big or professional like GNU. That hobby project became Linux, our favorite open source project.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 FOSSverse Corner

The discussion surrounding why Windows users are so difficult to convert to Linux is still ongoing. Go ahead, contribute to it!

Why are Windows Users so Difficult to Convert to Linux?

Over the weekend I had a windows user come to see me, he had no sound on his laptop computer speakers.Running windows 10. Easy, into devices on the control panel, look for realtek and enable them, sound worked. But reboot, they stopped. Virus check showed he was badly infected, so many lost count. Malwarebytes, adwcleaner etc and removed them, restart enable device worked, but second restart no sound, virus check again and they had returned. The computer is not capable of converting to window…

It's FOSS Communitycallpaul.eu (Paul)

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Source: It's FOSS