Podcast Summary: Untitled Linux Show 198: The Boomer Distro

Release Date: April 13, 2025
Host: Jonathan Bennett
Guests: Rob, Jeff, Michael
Duration: Approximately 84 minutes

1. Introduction to Fedora 42

Release and Features: Jonathan Bennett kicks off the episode by highlighting the imminent release of Fedora 42. He mentions that the beta and the final Release Candidate (RC) are already available, with the official release set for April 15th.

• KDE Plasma Desktop Edition: For the first time, Fedora offers a full-fledged KDE edition, elevating it from a mere spin to a primary edition. "Fedora 42 is going to do a final release. It's going to be widely available to the public on the 15th of this month, which is Tuesday," says Jonathan ([02:42]).

• Cosmic Spin: An experimental spin designed for enthusiasts interested in Wayland and Rust. While still in alpha, it promises a more adventurous user experience.

• Technical Updates: Fedora 42 introduces changes to Anaconda (the installer), updates to DNF (the package manager), and upgrades to Ruby and GCC. Notably, the transition from SDL 2 to SDL 3 includes a legacy layer to maintain compatibility, which might introduce some challenges.

Notable Quote:

"Fedora 42 is introducing several exciting features, including the full KDE edition and the experimental Cosmic spin for adventurous users." — Jonathan Bennett ([02:42])

2. Fedora 42 vs. Ubuntu 25.04: Performance Comparison

Benchmarking Insights: Michael Arabel from Pharonix conducted benchmarking between Fedora 42 and Ubuntu 25.04 beta, both running on Linux kernel 6.14.

• Performance Metrics: Out of 153 benchmarks, Ubuntu slightly outperformed Fedora with 93 wins compared to Fedora's 60. However, the differences were minimal and largely within the margin of error.

• Compiler Versions: Ubuntu utilizes GCC 14.2, a stable release prioritizing optimization, while Fedora uses GCC 15.0.1, which emphasizes new features over immediate optimization. This disparity contributed to Ubuntu's slight edge in code compilation performance.

• Future Prospects: Fedora is expected to close the performance gap as GCC 15 matures and becomes more optimized.

Notable Quotes:

"These two distributions are virtually identical for all practical purposes, so no one should be too quick to claim victory or defeat." — Michael Arabel ([09:50])

"Ubuntu, running GCC 14.2, demonstrated slightly better performance in code compilation compared to Fedora's GCC 15.0.1." — Michael Arabel ([09:47])

3. OpenSSH 10: Enhancements and Security Upgrades

New Features in OpenSSH 10: Rob introduces the latest update to OpenSSH, celebrating its 25-year milestone.

• Post-Quantum Security: OpenSSH 10 now employs the hybrid post-quantum algorithm MLKEM for key agreement, enhancing its resilience against potential quantum computer attacks.

• Cipher Preferences: The update prefers AES-GCM over AES-CTR mode, strengthening encryption protocols.

• Removed Deprecated Algorithms: The weak DSA signature algorithm has been entirely removed from OpenSSH 10, aligning with modern security standards.

• Codebase Refactoring: Authentication processes have been decoupled from the main SSH session binary, reducing the attack surface and improving memory efficiency.

Technical Discussion: Jonathan delves deeper into the cryptographic aspects, explaining the integration of classical and quantum-resistant algorithms to safeguard against future threats. He emphasizes the balance between adopting new technologies and maintaining proven security measures.

Notable Quotes:

"With the new release, OpenSSH now uses MLKEM by default for key agreement, bolstering its defenses against quantum threats." — Rob ([19:04])

"The separation of authentication code into a distinct binary not only enhances security but also yields memory savings." — Rob ([19:04])

4. KDE and Wayland: Introducing Session Restore Protocol

Wayland Enhancements: The discussion shifts to Wayland, the modern display server protocol, and its integration with KDE.

• Session Restore Protocol: A long-awaited feature, this protocol allows users to restore their window layouts upon reboot. Previously, under Wayland, shutting down would result in windows stacking upon restart rather than returning to their previous positions.

• Implementation in KDE Plasma 6.4: KWin, KDE's window manager, in the upcoming Plasma 6.4 release, will support the session restore protocol, enhancing user experience.

• Community Challenges: The development faced hurdles due to Wayland's design by committee approach, causing delays and frustrations among developers.

Upcoming Features: Plasma continues to refine features like night light adjustments and browser integrations, supporting various Chromium-based browsers installed via Flatpak.

Notable Quotes:

"The Wayland session restore protocol has finally landed in the upstream Wayland repo, and KWin in the 6.4 work is finally adding support for it." — Jonathan Bennett ([26:58])

"Wayland is notorious for bike-shedding and design-by-committee problems, which have historically delayed features like session restore." — Jonathan Bennett ([26:58])

5. Flatpak Issues: Resolving Corrupted File Objects

Troubleshooting Flatpak: Michael addresses a common Flatpak issue—corrupted file objects during updates.

• Common Causes: Corrupted runtime files, checksum mismatches, low disk space, mirror issues, and unstable network connections can impede Flatpak updates.

• Step-by-Step Fixes: The recommended approach starts with running flatpak repair, followed by manually removing invalid objects if necessary. If issues persist, switching to a different Flathub mirror or checking disk integrity may resolve the problem.

• Ultimate Solution: As a last resort, completely purging and reinstalling Flatpak can restore functionality.

Disk Space Considerations: Jonathan emphasizes the importance of monitoring disk space using tools like df and ncdu to prevent and address Flatpak-related errors.

Notable Quotes:

"Flatpak is a widely used packaging format, and encountering corrupted file objects can be particularly frustrating for users." — Michael ([60:25])

"Running out of hard drive space on either your root partition or your /home partition can lead to unexpected Flatpak errors." — Jonathan Bennett ([63:39])

6. PC Linux OS Magazine: A Revival of Linux Print Media

Magazine Overview: Michael introduces the latest issue of PC Linux OS Magazine, a volunteer-published, Creative Commons-licensed publication delivering free-to-reproduce content.

• Content Highlights: The April 2025 issue covers topics like the shutdown of Skype, progressive web apps, recipes (e.g., peach cherry pasta and banana pudding), troubleshooting scripts for constrained environments, and Linux desktop screenshots for inspiration.

• Interactive Elements: The magazine includes puzzles like Sudoku and word finds, alongside product reviews and tips for file management.

Accessibility:
Available in multiple formats—PDF, ePub, mobi, and HTML—ensuring broad accessibility for readers.

Notable Quotes:

"PC Linux OS Magazine offers a rich blend of Linux news, tutorials, recipes, and interactive puzzles, all freely accessible under a Creative Commons license." — Michael ([36:34])

"The ability to freely reproduce and share articles ensures that the knowledge within PC Linux OS Magazine can reach a wider audience without restrictions." — Michael ([36:34])

7. Ranger: A Modern Command-Line File Manager

Introducing Ranger: Jonathan presents Ranger as a powerful alternative to the traditional Midnight Commander for command-line enthusiasts.

• Features:

  • Inline Previews: Offers visual previews of files, including image-to-text ASCII art conversions.
  • Navigation: Enables intuitive file and directory navigation within the terminal.
  • Customization: Users can configure Ranger to launch files in preferred applications and tailor the interface to their workflow.

• Installation: Easily installable via package managers like DNF or APT, making it accessible across various Linux distributions.

Use Cases:
Ideal for users seeking a visual and functional command-line file manager without the overhead of a full graphical interface.

Notable Quotes:

"Ranger brings a Midnight Commander-like experience to the command line, complete with visual previews and customizable navigation." — Jonathan Bennett ([86:13])

"It's a tool that you can add to your command-line toolbox, providing both functionality and a bit of fun with its preview capabilities." — Jonathan Bennett ([86:13])

8. Command-Line Tips: Cheat & Sponge

Cheat: Michael introduces cheat, a utility that provides comprehensive cheat sheets for command-line commands by aggregating content from TLDR pages, Stack Overflow, and other resources.

• Usage:

  • Without Installation: Use curl to fetch cheat sheets directly. Example: curl cht.sh tar.
  • Installed Version: Install via Snap (sudo snap install cheat) or Go for enhanced functionality, including custom cheat sheets.

• Benefits:

  • Efficiency: Quickly access concise command explanations without wading through extensive man pages.
  • Customization: Add personal cheat sheets to tailor the tool to individual workflows.

Sponge: Rob showcases sponge, a command-line utility from the moreutils package, which allows for safe in-place file editing by soaking up standard input before writing to the target file.

• Functionality: Prevents issues that arise when redirecting output to the same file being read, such as accidental data loss.

• Example:

  • Problematic Command: cat file1.txt > file1.txt inadvertently clears the file.
  • Safe Alternative: cat file1.txt | sponge file1.txt ensures the file's content is correctly rewritten without data loss.

Notable Quotes:

"Cheat is like an even more extensive collection of cheat sheets, crowd-sourced from TLDR pages, Stack Overflow, and more." — Michael ([86:13])

"Sponge allows you to safely redirect output to the same file you're reading from by absorbing the input first." — Rob ([89:14])

9. Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE7) and OEM Installation

OEM Install Support: Rob announces that LMDE7 will now support OEM installations, enabling pre-installation of Linux Mint Debian Edition on new devices. This streamlines the setup process for end-users, akin to how Windows comes pre-installed on most new computers.

• User Experience:

  • First Boot Wizard: Users will be greeted with a setup wizard to configure language, keyboard layout, hostname, and user credentials.
  • Benefits: Eliminates the need for manual installation steps, making Linux Mint more accessible to newcomers and businesses refurbishing hardware.

• Additional Features:

  • Regex File Search in Nemo: Enhanced search capabilities using regular expressions, allowing for more precise file filtering and organization.
  • Wayland Support Enhancements: Ongoing work to integrate keyboard layouts and input methods into Wayland sessions within the Cinnamon desktop environment.

Community Impact:
This move positions Linux Mint as a more viable option for OEM partnerships, potentially increasing its presence in the pre-installed Linux market.

Notable Quotes:

"LMDE7's OEM install option means that users can receive devices with Linux Mint Debian Edition ready to use right out of the box." — Rob ([70:53])

"This approach simplifies distribution deployment, making Linux Mint a more attractive choice for OEMs and businesses alike." — Jonathan Bennett ([72:25])

10. Final Thoughts and Anecdotes

IT Stories and Community Engagement: The hosts share light-hearted anecdotes and discuss community-driven initiatives, such as creating Linux-themed puzzles and leveraging recycled hardware for Linux distributions.

• Anecdote: Jonathan recounts a humorous incident where a listener's computer became dust-coated and painted due to simultaneous computer use and ceiling painting.

• Community Projects: Discussions around setting up PXE boot servers for bulk installations and the potential for services that recycle old hardware with pre-installed Linux Mint.

Call to Action: Jonathan encourages listeners to support the podcast through Club Twit for an ad-free experience and exclusive content, emphasizing the value of community support.

Notable Quotes:

"If you're considering giving your old hardware a new lease on life, leveraging OEM install support can make Linux Mint the perfect choice." — Rob ([75:13])

"Don't forget to check out PC Linux OS Magazine for a wealth of Linux insights, recipes, and interactive puzzles." — Michael ([36:34])

Conclusion

In this episode of the Untitled Linux Show, the hosts delve deep into Fedora 42's release, perform a nuanced comparison with Ubuntu 25.04, explore significant updates in OpenSSH 10, and discuss enhancements in KDE and Wayland. Additionally, they address common Flatpak issues, celebrate the revival of Linux print media with PC Linux OS Magazine, introduce Ranger as a modern command-line file manager, and share valuable command-line tips. The episode also highlights Linux Mint Debian Edition's strides towards OEM installations, positioning it as a more accessible and user-friendly distribution for both newcomers and seasoned Linux users.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the community, support the podcast through Club Twit, and explore the diverse range of topics presented to enhance their Linux experience.

For more detailed insights and access to resources mentioned in this summary, refer to the show notes accompanying the podcast episode.