Podcast Summary: Untitled Linux Show 188: We Don't Talk About ChromeOS

Release Date: February 3, 2025
Host: Jonathan Bennett
Guests: David Ruggles and Ken

Introduction

In the 188th episode of the Untitled Linux Show hosted by Jonathan Bennett, listeners are treated to an in-depth discussion on several pivotal topics within the Linux and open-source ecosystem. Joining Jonathan are David Ruggles and Ken, who delve into the latest updates in partition management, installer advancements, kernel optimizations, desktop environment developments, and strategic shifts in open-source initiatives.

GParted 1.7: Enhancements and New Features

The episode kicks off with an extensive overview of the latest release of GParted, version 1.7. Ken provides a comprehensive rundown of the new features and improvements introduced in this version.

• Experimental BCache FS Support: GParted 1.7 now includes experimental support for BCache FS, albeit limited to single-device file systems. This enhancement aims to optimize caching mechanisms for improved performance.

• Network Block Device Recognition: The new release can now recognize network block devices, enhancing its versatility in diverse storage environments.

• LVM Volume Group Probe Prevention: GParted 1.7 prevents the probe from initiating on LVM volume groups, reducing potential conflicts and improving stability.

• Dependency Upgrades: There is an increased dependency requirement, now mandating Lib parted version 3.2 from EXFAT. This ensures better compatibility and support for EXFAT partitions.

• Improved EXFAT Partition Support: The tool now reads filesystem usage from EXFAT's Progs 1.2.3 or later, addressing previous hang issues when searching partitions without Butterfs Progs installed.

• Continuous Integration Updates: Enhancements have been made to the continuous integration jobs for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and Rocky Linux 8, ensuring more robust and reliable deployments.

• Internationalization: Significant strides have been made in translating GParted into multiple languages, including Belarusian, Czech, Danish, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Georgian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Polish, Portuguese (both Brazilian and European), Romanian, Russian, Slovenian, Serbian, Swedish, Ukrainian, and Simplified Chinese. Bobby Borisov notes, "International users will be pleased to learn that translations have been newly introduced or improved for multiple languages" ([07:13]).

Notable Quote:
Jonathan Bennett expresses his appreciation for GParted's usability, stating, "GParted just became the easy button for me for doing things with disks. Whether it was deleting or moving or fixing, it's just a nice cozy interface. It's way easier to use than either Parted or fdisk" ([07:13]).

OpenSUSE's New Aguma Installer

Ken introduces the latest developments in OpenSUSE with the release of the Aguma Installer version 11. This update brings a host of features aimed at enhancing user experience and streamlining the installation process.

• Reorganized Web Interface: Aguma 11 features a significantly reorganized web interface, simplifying the setup of root authentication prior to initiating the installation process.

• Visual Alerts for Configuration Issues: The installer now visually alerts users with an exclamation mark if any configuration issues are detected, directing them to the specific sections that require attention.

• Support for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server: Aguma 11 is set to become the official installer for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16 and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications. It automatically detects the need for user registration to access software repositories and provides a straightforward interface for the process.

• License Agreement Integration: For enterprise installations, Aguma 11 introduces a license acceptance step post the selection of an enterprise product. However, OpenSUSE users can bypass this step seamlessly.

• Extended Command Line Interface Capabilities: The installer now supports running the tool on one machine while installing on another through the new API parameter. This facilitates remote installations and the use of scripts to automate tasks across multiple systems.

Ken summarizes, "Aguma 11 extends the capabilities of its command line interface. You can now run the tool on one machine while installing another, thanks to the new API parameter" ([20:57]).

Linux Kernel Tweaks: Reducing Data Center Power Consumption

David Ruggles brings to light an innovative tweak in the Linux kernel that has the potential to significantly reduce power consumption in data centers. This tweak, developed by the University of Waterloo's Computer Science department, introduces a minimal 30-line code enhancement aimed at optimizing data handling in high-throughput environments.

• Interrupt-Driven vs. Polling Mechanism: Traditionally, Linux networking relies on an interrupt-driven approach, where the CPU handles network data as interrupts occur. David explains, "Interrupt-driven means the computer is just sitting there ... when data shows up, the CPU interrupts its operation to handle it."

• Polling for Efficiency: The new tweak allows applications to poll the network buffer directly during periods of heavy load, bypassing the interrupt mechanism. This approach reduces CPU interruptions, leading to smoother performance and lower power usage.

• Dynamic Switching Mechanism: The innovation lies in the kernel's ability to dynamically switch between interrupt-driven and polling mechanisms based on the system's load. Under heavy traffic, it opts for polling to maintain efficiency, and reverts to interrupt-driven processing when the load is light.

Notable Quote:
Jonathan Bennett reflects on the broader implications, stating, "It's really fascinating that it dynamically switches between the two. That is, that is really, really pretty fascinating" ([15:36]).

The outcome of this tweak is a potential 30% reduction in power usage for large-scale network operations, presenting significant benefits for data centers aiming to optimize energy consumption.

GTK's Strategic Shift: Dropping X11 and Broadway

A major topic of discussion revolves around GTK (Gnome Toolkit) announcing the removal of support for X11 and the Broadway backend in its upcoming GTK5 release. This move signifies GTK's commitment to embracing modern display protocols, primarily Wayland.

• Removal of Legacy Components: GTK has officially removed the GDK display default call and the old GL renderer. Additionally, support for the Broadway backend, which facilitated running GTK applications in browsers via WebSockets, has been discontinued due to lack of usage.

• Impending GTK5 Changes: With GTK5 on the horizon, the complete removal of X11 and Broadway support is confirmed. This decision underscores GTK's transition away from outdated display protocols, pushing the ecosystem towards more contemporary solutions like Wayland.

• Community Reaction: The announcement has sparked discussions within the community, with reactions ranging from surprise to contemplation about the future of X11-dependent applications.

• Red Hat's Involvement: Notably, Red Hat engineers, once pivotal in maintaining X11, have shifted their focus to Wayland. Jonathan notes, "I didn't know this, but a lot of the X11 work was being done by Red Hat engineers. And when they rolled [to extended support], essentially, it became unmaintained" ([17:27]).

Notable Quote:
Jonathan Bennett provides his perspective, saying, "It's almost as if they're saying that the old X11 is no longer being maintained and therefore they're going to move off of it. And the truth of the matter is that the old X11 is no longer being maintained, essentially, and it is time to move off of it" ([16:56]).

This shift marks a significant evolution in the Linux desktop environment landscape, signaling a gradual phase-out of long-standing display protocols in favor of more efficient and modern alternatives.

KDE Plasma Updates and Firefox HDR Support

The conversation shifts to KDE Plasma, where Nate Graham provides insights into the upcoming Plasma 6.3 and the forthcoming Plasma 6.4 releases.

• Plasma 6.3 Improvements: Emphasizes bug fixes and stability enhancements, including:

  • Task Manager Enhancements: Playback controls are now only visible for windows currently playing audio, reducing clutter and improving usability. Jonathan remarks, "It's only going to show it for the window that's playing audio, as opposed to all of them" ([20:57]).

  • Context Menu Enhancements: Right-clicking to empty the trash now offers a more intuitive and streamlined experience.

  • System Stability: Numerous bug fixes address crashes, color profile issues, and other stability concerns, ensuring a smoother user experience.

• Plasma 6.4 Features: Focuses on keyboard shortcuts and refinements within the system settings' region and language pages.

Additionally, there's an exciting development regarding Firefox's support for High Dynamic Range (HDR):

• HDR Support in Firefox: An HDR patch is in the works for Firefox, expected to integrate seamlessly with KDE Plasma 6.2, which already includes relevant Wayland support. This advancement will enhance the visual experience for users with HDR-capable monitors.

Notable Quote:
Jonathan highlights the integration, stating, "the part of Wayland that talks to actually landed in KDE 6.2. So it's already there. And so like in Fedora and all of those places, just as soon as Firefox lands that patch, it's going to fire up and start working in KDE" ([33:15]).

However, Jonathan and Ken humorously discuss potential future challenges, such as HDR support for webcams under Wayland, highlighting the ongoing evolution and complexities within the Linux desktop environment.

Thunderbird 134: Real-Time Desktop Alerts and Stability Enhancements

The discussion transitions to Thunderbird, Mozilla's email client, with insights sourced from Bobby Borisov and Marius Nestor.

• Real-Time Desktop Alerts: Thunderbird 134 introduces a notification system that provides immediate desktop alerts upon the arrival of new emails. Bobby explains, "with this new feature, Thunderbird can deliver immediate alerts on your desktop whenever new mail arrives, ensuring that important messages never go unnoticed" ([35:37]).

• Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements:

  • Startup Crash Fixes: Addresses crashes occurring during startup when using POP3.
  • Message History Handling: Resolves hanguin issues when downloading message history headers from newsgroups.
  • APOP Authentication Prompt Correction: Ensures accurate password prompts for APOP authentication in POP3.
  • Smoother Message List Updates: Enhances performance by reducing delays in large virtual folders.

• Enhanced Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Users can now drag embedded images from a message directly into a compose window, streamlining the email composition process.

Notable Quote:
Ken summarizes the release, stating, "Mozilla Thunderbird 134 is a monthly development release that only should be used for testing purposes" ([35:37]).

Jonathan Bennett shares his personal affinity for Thunderbird, emphasizing its reliability and standing as a robust alternative to web-based email clients.

OpenAI's Open Source Strategy: On the Wrong Side of History?

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing OpenAI's stance on open-source practices, particularly in light of recent remarks made by CEO Sam Altman during a Reddit AMA.

• Sam Altman's Admission: Altman acknowledges that OpenAI might need to revisit its open-source strategy. He states, "not everyone at OpenAI shares my view that they need to figure out a different meaning more open open source strategy" ([43:26]). While admitting that it's not the company's current priority, he hints at the possibility of open-sourcing previous models that are no longer cutting-edge.

• Chief Product Officer's Response: Reinforcing Altman's sentiments, OpenAI's Chief Product Officer mentions, "they're considering open sourcing older models that aren't state of the art anymore" ([43:26]).

• Community and OSI's Perspective: The conversation touches upon the Open Source Initiative's (OSI) criteria for open-source AI. According to OSI, for an AI project to qualify as open source, it must provide sufficient details about the training data used, either by sharing the data itself or divulging enough information to replicate it. This transparency is crucial, especially when handling sensitive data such as medical information.

• Comparison with Deep Seek: David highlights the irony in comparing OpenAI's open-source practices with Deep Seek, a Chinese AI company that released an AI model under the MIT license. Despite being closer to open source in terms of licensing, Deep Seek falls short of OSI's comprehensive criteria as it doesn't fully disclose its training data.

Notable Quotes:
Jonathan Bennett critiques OpenAI's approach, stating, "It's just hilarious to me that Deep Seek actually uses the MIT license and is closer to an open source AI than what the nonprofit called OpenAI is willing to push out" ([44:14]).
David Ruggles adds, "It's interesting to see how openness either does or does not play into all of these relationships out there" ([43:26]).

The discussion underscores a broader debate within the AI community about the balance between proprietary advancements and open-source transparency.

Challenges in Linux Kernel Maintainers

Jonathan Bennett addresses a pressing issue within the Linux community: the dwindling pool of kernel maintainers.

• Recent Departures: Several maintainers have stepped down recently, some due to health reasons, while others were dismissed for geopolitical reasons. Notably, Cale Vallo, a Qualcomm Atheros engineer, has resigned, leaving the Linux wireless drivers without a dedicated maintainer.

• Impact on Kernel Development: The absence of maintainers for critical components like wireless drivers poses significant challenges. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of these roles, noting, "having working Wi-Fi drivers is sort of important and there's a lot of companies out there that are pretty invested in having working Wi-Fi drivers."

• Aging Maintainer Base: There's a growing concern about the average age of kernel maintainers increasing, potentially leading to a sustainability issue as seasoned developers retire or move on.

• Mentorship and Onboarding Efforts: Efforts are underway to attract new contributors through mentor programs and by highlighting the pathway from patch submissions to maintainer roles. Jonathan notes, "it only takes you three or four patches to the kernel to land a job offer."

Notable Quote:
Jonathan Bennett reflects on the maintainer pool, stating, "Does the kernel have that group of people going forwards? And I think so. I think it's going to be a problem that takes care of itself, but I don't know that for sure" ([55:21]).

The episode calls for community involvement, urging interested developers to step up and fill the maintenance gaps to ensure the Linux kernel's continued robustness and evolution.

Command-Line Tips: PipeWire and Certbot

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts share valuable command-line tips for Linux users.

PipeWire V4L2

Ken introduces the pwv4l2 command, a compatibility layer that maps PipeWire video devices to applications using Video for Linux (V4L2).

• Usage Options:

  • -h: Displays a brief help screen.
  • -R [remote]: Connects to a remote PipeWire instance.
  • -V: Enables verbose debug information.

• Brightness Adjustment Example:

  • Lowering Brightness:
    Command: pwv4l2 -V [device] --brightness=0
    Outcome: Adjusts the camera brightness to the minimum, verified through Video Ninja screenshots.

  • Increasing Brightness:
    Command: pwv4l2 -V [device] --brightness=255
    Outcome: Sets the camera brightness to maximum, as observed in subsequent terminal displays.

• Integration with OBS Studio: Ken shares an attempt to launch OBS via pwv4l2, encountering an error related to the Nvidia or AMD encoders. The suggestion is to ensure video drivers are up-to-date when troubleshooting such issues.

Notable Quote:
Ken explains, "PWV4L2 does give you the option of controlling your cameras and any other PipeWire video devices from within PipeWire" ([62:28]).

Certbot: Automating TLS Certificates

David Ruggles highlights Certbot, a command-line utility that leverages the ACME protocol to obtain and renew TLS certificates automatically. This tool simplifies securing web communications, especially when used in conjunction with Let's Encrypt.

• Key Features:

  • Automated Certificate Issuance: Streamlines the process of obtaining certificates without manual intervention.
  • Compatibility: Supports various web servers, including NGINX and Apache.
  • Renewal Automation: Ensures certificates are renewed before expiration, maintaining uninterrupted security.

• Historical Context: Before Let's Encrypt, obtaining TLS certificates was often costly and cumbersome. David reminisces, "Before let's encrypt, there was like one other provider that would give you free certificates. It was a little bit sketchy" ([67:13]).

Notable Quote:
David emphasizes the utility, stating, "Certbot is available to encrypt all your web traffic" ([64:16]).

For developers and system administrators, integrating Certbot into their workflows ensures secure and efficient management of TLS certificates, bolstering the overall security posture of their web services.

Conclusion

Untitled Linux Show Episode 188 offers a rich tapestry of discussions that cater to both novice and seasoned Linux enthusiasts. From tool enhancements and installer innovations to strategic shifts in open-source philosophies and critical infrastructural challenges, the episode encapsulates the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the Linux ecosystem. The inclusion of practical command-line tips further adds value, empowering listeners with actionable insights to optimize their Linux environments.