Security updates for Friday

https://lwn.net/Articles/1059638/ #LWN #Linux #security

Is it even a #Linux desktop if you don’t accidentally program a segfault into your window manger and crash back to the TTY?

It's now easier to install MGSHDFix for Metal Gear games on Linux / Steam Deck https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/02/its-now-easier-to-install-mgshdfix-for-metal-gear-games-on-linux-steam-deck/

#Linux #MGS #MetalGearSolid #SteamDeck #Luxtorpeda

The reason installing Linux is "so hard" is because we've been deskilled by the computer industry: we don't know how to install operating systems any more, or programmes for that matter. I have zero objection to automating the installation process, but IMO, it's not merely a Windows vs. Linux thing.

#FOSS #FLOSS #OpenSource #Linux #Debian #Gnome #comptuers #Windows

RE: https://mas.to/@OrionKidder/116101408528439716

Related thought: it's actually a minor miracle that Linux runs as well as it does on random hardware considering that all the drivers are in the kernel.

#FOSS #FLOSS #OpenSource #Linux #Debian #Gnome #Computers

Orion Ussner kidder » 🌐 2026-02-20
@OrionKidder@mas.to

My very nearly unfounded hypothesis is that Windows doesn't naturally run any better on randomly assorted hardware than Linux does. The difference is that 99.99% of commercially available computers were *set up* to run Windows and/or were tweaked so Windows would run on them.

#FOSS #FLOSS #OpenSource #Linux #Debian #Gnome #Computers #Windows

My very nearly unfounded hypothesis is that Windows doesn't naturally run any better on randomly assorted hardware than Linux does. The difference is that 99.99% of commercially available computers were *set up* to run Windows and/or were tweaked so Windows would run on them.

#FOSS #FLOSS #OpenSource #Linux #Debian #Gnome #Computers #Windows

bcachefs already got banned from the kernel, and now kent is using claude to code it? LOL this thing is _dead in the water_ now. awesome job on a vibecoded filesystem, kent.

#linux #bcachefs #aislop

https://github.com/koverstreet/bcachefs/commits/bcachefs-testing/

Alt...

Screenshot of various commits on github of Kent Overtreet and Claude (AI) on a bcachefs branch

#LibreOffice 25.8.5 Is Now Available for Download with More Than 60 Bug Fixes https://9to5linux.com/libreoffice-25-8-5-is-now-available-for-download-with-more-than-60-bug-fixes

@libreoffice @tdforg #OpenSource #FreeSoftware #Linux

Alt...

LibreOffice 25.8 banner image

Seven stable kernels for Thursday

https://lwn.net/Articles/1059538/ #LWN #Linux #kernel

Free and open source RTS 0 A.D. release 28 "Boiorix" is live https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/02/free-and-open-source-rts-0-a-d-release-28-boiorix-is-live/

#RTS #FreeGame #Linux #PCGaming #OpenSource

[$] Modernizing swapping: virtual swap spaces

The kernel's unloved but performance-critical swapping subsystem has been undergoing multiple rounds of improvement in recent times. Recent articles have described the addition of [...]

https://lwn.net/Articles/1059201/ #LWN #Linux #kernel

This is a really neat blog post on bootc and OSTree:

https://a-cup-of.coffee/blog/ostree-bootc/

If I had more VMs or physical systems to manage it would be really neat to try bootc for the base images, lots of potential there

@homelab@fedigroups.social #Homelab #Linux

openSUSE governance proposal advances

https://lwn.net/Articles/1059511/ #LWN #Linux

Security updates for Thursday

https://lwn.net/Articles/1059500/ #LWN #Linux #security

Oh no. I am getting itchy distro syndrome again.... #Linux #GNU #FOSS

Creature collector EvoCreo 2 gets a demo on Steam https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/02/creature-collector-evocreo-2-gets-a-demo-on-steam/

#EvoCreo2 #Linux #PCGaming #Demo

Exosphere:

― aggregated patch and security update reporting
― basic system status across multiple Unix-like hosts via SSH

<https://exosphere.readthedocs.io/> | <https://github.com/mrdaemon/exosphere>

<https://untrusted.website/@mr_daemon/114980024541462116> @mr_daemon

<https://mastodon.social/@terminaltrove/114977286773333343> @terminaltrove

#Unix #Linux #BSD #FreeBSD #OpenBSD #Debian #Ubuntu #RedHat #macOS #Windows #SSH

Alt...

A frame from the animated demo at the Welcome page.

[$] LWN.net Weekly Edition for February 19, 2026

The LWN.net Weekly Edition for February 19, 2026 is available.

https://lwn.net/Articles/1058474/ #LWN #Linux

FWIW I just successfully installed Ubuntu onto a refurbished Dell Latitude and I am absolutely thrilled. I am not an ignoramus with computers, but I am certainly not a pro like so many on Mastodon. This is very doable for (relative) normies.

Then with every new horror story about Windows 11, I heave a sigh of relief.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-says-bug-causes-copilot-to-summarize-confidential-emails/

#Linux #Windows11 #AI

Pop OS *mostly* works. Touchscreen on Cosmic is flawless.
No screen rotation detection.
Folding it into tablet mode doesn't disable the keyboard.
Pretty sure both can be fixed 😄
#Linux #Wayland

An update to the malicious crate notification policy (Rust Blog)

https://lwn.net/Articles/1059338/ #LWN #Linux #security #Rust

An Asahi Linux progress report

https://lwn.net/Articles/1059339/ #LWN #Linux #Rust

NVIDIA recommended driver 580.126.18 released for Linux https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/02/nvidia-recommended-driver-580-126-18-released-for-linux/

#NVIDIA #Linux

Security updates for Wednesday

https://lwn.net/Articles/1059333/ #LWN #Linux #security

Experimental code ready for testing to enable HDMI 2.1 FRL with AMDGPU on Linux https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/02/experimental-code-ready-for-testing-to-enable-hdmi-2-1-frl-with-amdgpu-on-linux/

#AMD #HDMI #Linux #OpenSource

[$] More accurate congestion notification for TCP

The "More Accurate Explicit Congestion Notification" (AccECN) mechanism is defined by this RFC draft. The Linux kernel has been gaining support for AccECN with TCP over the last f [...]

https://lwn.net/Articles/1058666/ #LWN #Linux #kernel

Security reminder:

When's the last time you've checked that your other LUKS keyslots are still empty?

#linux #security #backdoors

Fedora now available in Syria

https://lwn.net/Articles/1059342/ #LWN #Linux

New laptop day! Go on, Fedifriends, which #Linux distro should I put on it?

I usually use Pop / Ubuntu / Debian - but happy to try anything modern and supported.

(Chuwi Minibook X N150 if it makes a difference.)

Hytale gets a huge Patch 3 update with Animal Taming, Map Markers and lots of new content https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/02/hytale-gets-a-huge-patch-3-update-with-animal-taming-map-markers-and-lots-of-new-content/

#Hytale #IndieGames #PCGaming #Linux

It's nothing short of incredible to see what kind of mindshare Bazzite has attracted in its 3 years of existence. I'm actually surprised to see it eclipsing Ubuntu here, in terms of YouTube search volume.

For good measure, I'm also including a result that adds "Linux Gaming" to the mix. Equally awesome :)

(Context: I'm brainstorming some guides getting people set up for gaming on various distros)

#linux #gaming

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Google Trends screenshot comparing worldwide YouTube search interest over five years for "Ubuntu gaming" (blue), "bazzite gaming" (red), "fedora gaming" (yellow), and "cachy os gaming" (green), with a line chart of interest over time and a right-side bar chart of average interest.

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Screenshot of Google Trends comparing five search terms ("Ubuntu gaming," "bazzite gaming," "fedora gaming," "cachy os gaming," "linux gaming") with an interest-over-time line chart showing "linux gaming" rising sharply to dominate, and a right-side bar chart of average interest values.

#askfedi Are there any #Linux kernel developers out there? We have a feature disparity that we need to address but I don't know the means to start this discussion on the LKML.

RE: https://microblog.shivering-isles.com/@sheogorath/116088274521178501

Hello Fediverse!

We now have an account for Aurora on here :)

Our stable branch is getting ready to move from Fedora 42 to 43, hopefully next week. Also at the same time we are working on our new ISOs that will use the new Anaconda WebUI installer.

We hope to get this to "beta" stage with the F43 stable release.

#linux #kde

Ok.. I still need to fill a few gaps, but my sleeper build is working great and honestly has great airflow and temps seem good.

I'm running #bazzite #linux on it and it's running things like Forza horizon on ultra with no thermal issues.

I'm curious, what are some ways to benchmark or stress the system to see the thermal limits of the GPU and CPU? How does one test this besides throwing games at it?

Is there a standard bench-marking tool?

Alt...

Old Dell Dimension case running modern hardware running bazzite with Steam

If you’re on Linux, there’s a good chance you use GNOME: it’s the default experience across Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora Workstation, Endless OS, and more. If you’re on another desktop, you still likely use components developed by GNOME contributors—or maybe you get apps from Flathub.

Want to become more than just a user? How about… a friend? 🥺 Become a Friend of GNOME to support GNOME, Flathub, and the work we do!

https://donate.gnome.org/

#GNOME #Flathub #Linux #OpenSource

I tried tuning various parameters but after some reading came to the conclusion that lots of small files with very little RAM is about the worst case scenario for XFS.

#linux #snac #btrfs

You're going to hear a lot of dumb takes about the #fedora 32 bit discussion.

Here's what you need to know directly from the source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgabGSI82M0

If you prefer the written word, I depend on https://gamingonlinux.com and https://lwn.net for the correct details.

#linux

#linux #xfs