Untitled Linux Show 195: The Blathering Continues

Released on March 23, 2025, the 195th episode of the Untitled Linux Show, hosted by Jonathan Bennett alongside regular co-hosts Rob, Ken, and Jeff, delves deep into the latest developments in the Linux and open-source ecosystem. This episode covers significant software releases, hardware advancements, and insightful discussions on enhancing user experiences.

1. Major Software Releases

GIMP 3.0: A Long-Awaited Update

The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion on the release of GIMP 3.0, a highly anticipated update that has been in the works for over a decade. Jonathan Bennett shares his excitement about the refined interface and improved functionalities:

“Highlights of this new release include a much refined Interface written in GTK3, a little behind since we have GTK4, but we'll get there... It looks pretty good to me.”
— Jonathan Bennett [02:40]

Key features of GIMP 3.0 include:

• GTK3 Interface: Transitioning to GTK3 provides a modernized look and better compatibility with contemporary desktop environments.
• Enhanced File Exchange: Improved support for BC7DS and PSD files, facilitating smoother interoperability with other applications.
• Non-Destructive Editing: Introduces non-destructive editing for commonly used filters, a game-changer for graphic designers.

Despite some mixed reviews from users on platforms like OMG Ubuntu, Bennett remains optimistic about the updates, emphasizing the visual improvements and functionality enhancements.

Blender 4.4: Expanding Capabilities

Jeff and Marius Nestor delve into Blender 4.4, highlighting its extensive new features:

“The highlight of Blender 4.4 is the rewritten CPU compositor, which brings significant performance improvements...”
— Marius Nestor [10:07]

Notable enhancements in Blender 4.4 include:

• Vulkan Integration: The first release to utilize Vulkan for displaying rendered results in Cycles, ensuring better performance.
• Ray Tracing Improvements: Enhanced support for Vulkan ray tracing, offering more realistic graphics rendering.
• Performance Boosts: Over 700 bugs fixed, with improved caching and reduced memory usage in complex node setups.

Bennett and Jeff commend the Blender team for their relentless efforts in refining the software, making it a robust tool for both amateurs and professionals in 3D modeling and animation.

2. Hardware and System Updates

Raspberry Pi Image Generator

The hosts explore the new Raspberry Pi Image Generator, a tool designed to simplify the creation of custom Raspberry Pi OS images. This utility is particularly beneficial for:

• Custom Deployments: Streamlining the setup process for multiple Raspberry Pi devices with tailored configurations.
• Commercial Use: Facilitating large-scale deployments in industrial environments by allowing easy customization and updates.

“It's based around some YAML config files and if you follow the link, they've got a whole flowchart on all the stuff it does...”
— Jonathan Bennett [16:15]

Fedora 42 Beta and Fedora 43 Roadmap

Jonathan provides insights into Fedora 42 Beta, highlighting the inclusion of the KDE Spin as an official Fedora Workstation alongside GNOME. Additionally, he discusses Fedora’s commitment to reproducible builds in Fedora 43:

“Starting with 43, the actual contents of a package will be completely byte-for-byte reproducible by design...”
— Jonathan Bennett [46:00]

Key points include:

• Dual Workstation Editions: GNOME and KDE are now both official, expanding Fedora’s appeal to a broader user base.
• Reproducible Builds: Enhancing security by ensuring that package contents remain consistent and untampered across builds.

AMD Ryzen 9 X3D Processors

Jeff provides an analytical overview of AMD’s new Ryzen 9 X3D processors, backed by benchmarks from Phoronix:

“Unless you snag a fantastic deal on the 9900X3D, I would skip it... It might shine in specific niche scenarios...”
— Jeff [28:24]

He evaluates the performance benefits versus cost, recommending the Ryzen 9 9800X3D for gamers and the 9950X3D for those needing enhanced productivity alongside gaming.

3. Desktop Environment Enhancements

GNOME 48: Bengaluru Release

The discussion shifts to GNOME 48, codenamed Bengaluru, introducing several performance and usability improvements:

“GNOME 48 also brings improvements to Wayland's color management protocol support, enhanced HDR dynamic range support...”
— Jeff [73:57]

Highlights include:

• Dynamic Triple Buffering: Boosts performance on low-end GPUs, enhancing responsiveness.
• Color Management Enhancements: Improved support for HDR and better color accuracy.
• Well-being Tools: Features to monitor screen time and encourage regular breaks.
• Notification Upgrades: On-screen desktop notifications for hardware events, like headphone connections.
• Enhanced File Manager: Nautilus now supports easier bookmark management and faster directory loading.

These updates aim to streamline the user experience, making GNOME 48 a substantial upgrade for Fedora 42 users.

4. Community and Open Source Projects

Asahi Linux Faces Challenges

The hosts express concern over recent developments in the Asahi Linux project, particularly the pausing of work on Apple GPU drivers by the developer known as Asahi Liena:

“For personal reasons, I no longer feel safe working on Linux GPU drivers...”
— Michael Larabel [58:15]

This setback impacts the progress of Linux on Apple Silicon, sparking discussions on the sustainability of open-source projects and the importance of community support.

Calibre 8.0.1 Update

Marius Nestor and Lawrence Abrams highlight the latest update to Calibre, an essential tool for ebook management:

“Calibre 8.0.1 fixes a failure to start on systems where the user had previously installed the Kobo Touch 2 extended plugin...”
— Marius Nestor [41:19]

Key improvements:

• Enhanced Kobo Support: Native editing and conversion of kepub files for Kobo devices.
• Firmware Updates: Support for the latest Tolino device firmware.
• User Interface Enhancements: Improved thumbnail loading and directory performance.

5. Security and System Improvements

Linux 6.15 Kernel Security Fix

Jonathan discusses a critical security fix in the Linux 6.15 kernel related to the Slab allocator tool:

“This whole randomization function was essentially one big nope. It was always returning the same seed...”
— Jonathan Bennett [67:01]

The patch addresses a vulnerability where predictable randomization could be exploited by attackers, thereby enhancing the overall security posture of Linux systems.

6. Command Line Tips and Tools

Using ifne in Scripts

Rob introduces ifne, a handy command-line utility for executing commands based on input presence:

“If the standard input into ifne is not empty, it's going to run the command that you have after it.”
— Rob [84:54]

Example Usage:

• Check for Non-Empty Input:

  cat file.txt | ifne echo "Not Empty"
  

• Check for Empty Input:

  cat file.txt | ifne -n echo "Empty"
  

Managing Pipewire Metadata

Marius Nestor presents pipewire-metadata, a tool for managing Pipewire configurations:

“Monitor, set, and delete metadata on pipewire objects... It allows you to configure sample rates and buffer sizes directly from the command line.”
— Marius Nestor [88:30]

This tool is invaluable for users seeking granular control over their audio and video configurations within the Pipewire ecosystem.

7. Personal Stories and Use Cases

Enhancing Old Games with GameScope

Jonathan shares his experience using GameScope to scale an old Windows adventure game running via Wine:

“In Lutris, you just enable GameScope, set your output resolution, and it scales the game window appropriately...”
— Jonathan Bennett [84:54]

He navigates challenges with splash screens and multiple executables, ultimately finding workarounds to achieve a seamless gaming experience on modern hardware.

8. Community Engagement and Support

Donations and Support

Rob acknowledges donations from listeners, expressing gratitude and encouraging continued support through platforms like Buy Me a Coffee:

“Thank you to Aunt Pruitt... You can donate a cup of coffee to me at RobertPCampbell.com...”
— Rob [106:12]

The hosts emphasize the importance of community contributions in sustaining their efforts and delivering quality content.

Conclusion

The episode of Untitled Linux Show 195 is a treasure trove of information for Linux enthusiasts, covering pivotal software releases, hardware advancements, and practical tips for enhancing user experiences. The hosts offer a blend of technical insights and personal anecdotes, making the content both informative and relatable. Whether you're a graphic designer looking to explore GIMP 3.0, a gamer assessing the latest AMD processors, or a developer navigating Pipewire configurations, this episode delivers valuable takeaways.

Notable Quotes:

• “We've got something really interesting that is that the KDE Spin is not a spin anymore. It is as official as the GNOME workstation.”
  — Jonathan Bennett [46:00]

• “GNOME 48 also brings improvements to Wayland's color management protocol support, enhanced HDR dynamic range support...”
  — Jeff [73:57]

• “Unless you snag a fantastic deal on the 9900X3D, I would skip it...”
  — Jeff [28:24]

• “This whole randomization function was essentially one big nope. It was always returning the same seed.”
  — Jonathan Bennett [67:01]

For a comprehensive dive into each topic, including installation guides, benchmark results, and more detailed discussions, listeners are encouraged to refer to the show notes linked on the TWiT platform.