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| Reader Comments • Jump to last comment |
1 • Linux Phone (by Sebastian on 2022-01-24 03:28:56 GMT from Canada)
We need a viable Linux phone with at least one viable mobile Linux distribution and a viable app store. The world is run by two mobile OSs which stifles freedom. Also, it would be really great if the hardware of the Linux phone were up to par and modern.
2 • UBports (by Andy Prough on 2022-01-24 03:36:15 GMT from United States)
It's very disappointing that PinePhone has
been around for a couple years and you
still can't make calls or send texts with
ubports or manjaro. Not really a useful
phone at all in that state.
Seems like priorities are out of order.
3 • Linux Phones (by Sam Crawford on 2022-01-24 03:43:08 GMT from United States)
I just need a phone that works. Banking, web browser, email, calendar and ordering fast food from an app aren't a lot to ask for. I'd like to be able to call 911 if I need help.
Unfortunately I don't see this happening with linux phones.
While I appreciate the efforts of those trying to make them work, I wonder how many Distrowatch readers, linux users or the general public would actually consider purchasing one?
4 • Linux on phones (by Dan on 2022-01-24 04:17:35 GMT from United States)
Well........to answer number 3 Sam. I still don't own a cell phone because I don't like either option at the moment. So YES I would like to see linux work on the phone. Till then I'll stick with my landline.
5 • Linux phones (by Jeff on 2022-01-24 04:29:23 GMT from United States)
Until they actually work as a phone they will only be a a small market novelty item bought to play with.
Last month I had to replace my phone with a newer one, would have bought a Linux phone if there was one that worked as a phone but.....
Meanwhile we will be stuck with using phones with a non-free OS but they work as a phone, and those who will only spend money on one phone will buy the ones that work.
I agree, their priorities are off.
6 • linux phone (by dave on 2022-01-24 04:47:21 GMT from United States)
I feel like the concept of a 'linux phone' is missing the boat.. what a lot of people want is not really a smartphone at all, but a basic phone that has a qwerty keyboard, so they can still (easily) text and do some very basic web & computing functionality.
Think about it.. those who want a linux smartphone, probably want it for software freedom principles and because they prefer linux. (and/or hate apple and android) Pretty much everyone else in the phone market just doesn't care and is happy enough living in their dystopian appledroid false dichotomy.
However, there are a decent number of people who don't care about linux, hate smartphones, but still want to be able to text (and maybe email, do some basic searches, etc). The phone manufacturers have totally 100% abandoned that usage scenario. Everything is either a touchscreen with android or apple, or a basic basic basic phone with only a numpad. So the only choices are to buy a smartphone or go back to the most primitive form of text messaging on a really tiny display.
I am a bit of both. I would like a linux phone, but I don't need fancy mobile app / touch screen gimmicks. A basic phone with a keyboard, built upon an accessible linux system would be highly desirable to me. I agree with @2 that the linux phone people seem to have somewhat misguided priorities. I don't believe they are doing themselves any favors by trying to be on par with appledroid and there are actually several reasons to avoid mimicking that entire concept.
It seems to me that a 'linux phone' in the sense that I described could potentially appeal to an atypical demographic, outside of the normal linux enthusiast folks. Remember Java Phones?? Linux phones should be attempting to recapture THAT market.
7 • Security (by Andy Figueroa on 2022-01-24 04:49:46 GMT from United States)
The most important security protection for a new Linux setup, or any other computer on your network, is to ensure the Internet is accessed through a router with NAT (Network Address Translation) turned on. By default, no PC should be on the Internet using the WAN (Wide Area Network -- aka external Internet) address, and no ports should be open to your new PC. That way, in order to access any IP address/port on your computer from the Internet, that port has to be opened on the router specifically for said computer. For more information see: https://www.comptia.org/content/guides/what-is-network-address-translation
8 • Cut down the review to one line. (by nooneatall on 2022-01-24 05:00:14 GMT from United States)
"Attempting to send texts or make calls fail due to the inability to use the SIM card."
Why is THE crucial point buried near the end? To waste reader's time?
9 • @8 Cut down the review (by Greigh Swain on 2022-01-24 05:51:11 GMT from United States)
Fair point, but it's presupposing that the only reason for a review is to tell you if you should buy it/run it (at least that's how I'm reading your comment.)
I'm reading DW reviews to see how the situation with the PinePhone is evolving. I want to see this thing work, or failing that, how it crashes and burns (for the lesson; I want to see a Linux phone someday and the failures need to be studied.)
If you just want to consume a good product and not get ripped off or disappointed then there are all kinds of good sites to get that sort of review. This review happened to be exactly what I was looking for.
10 • Insane priorities (by Simon on 2022-01-24 09:38:54 GMT from New Zealand)
I agree with #8 that there's not enough attention given to the simple fact that the phone doesn't work, AT ALL, as a phone: it is completely useless when it comes to its core purpose. It's not a tablet, it's a phone: calling and sending text messages are its most important functions so to claim that a phone incapable of either is "not quite ready for use as a daily driver" seems much too generous...or else it's imagining a world in which phones aren't actually used as phones, they're just little pocket tablets...so it's all about the apps. Evidently the developers feel the same way, since they've put so much effort into developing a snazzy UI around a non-functional phone. Get the basics working first...fix the phone so it actually works as a phone...and then people like me will be happy to make some compromises with apps etc., for the sake of a FOSS phone. But offer us a "phone" that doesn't even make calls or send/receive texts...who cares about the rest? Who's so impressed by a salesperson's raving about a car's awesome foglights and reversing camera that they buy it despite the fact that it's incapable of moving?! The priorities in some FOSS projects are completely out of whack...but I guess that's to be expected when folk are working on whatever interests them rather than what actually needs to be done.
11 • UBports (by Alexandru on 2022-01-24 10:01:31 GMT from Romania)
I tries UBports on my PinePhone (not so recently). I was surprised how polished and functional the default user interface is. I don't remember if I could use PinePhone for calls / SMS though. And I agree with review conclusion: too few mainstream applications are there in the market.
My primary concern with UBports is division of application in 2 categories:
1. UBports curated / optimized applications from the market. Sadly, they are too few.
2. Linux applications. There are plenty of them, but their look and feel is usually inconsistent with UBports and thus difficult to use.
I don't like this division. I would like to use Linux Phone exactly for availability of Linux applications.
12 • Linux Phone and Priorities (by Alexandru on 2022-01-24 10:13:37 GMT from Romania)
I agree that the first ability of a device that has "Phone" in its name is the ability to make and receive the calls and SMS. It is pity Jesse was unable to do either in PinePhone with both Manjaro and UBports.
But PinePhone is not to blame for it. PinePhone had functional modem (read: capable of calling / texting) from the day one of its availability to wide audience. Yes, my PinePhone with Mobian and Phosh can be used as the phone in the first place.
The modem of PinePhone has no artificial restrictions (supported GSM standards and frequences) and is not locked to certain GSM operator. It offers true freedom unlike both Apple and Google.
The modem blobs in PinePhone are not free software, but there is a work in progress to implement true libre modem firmware. Its functionality compared to proprietary one is another discussion, but at least Pine64 offers a choice unlike Apple and Google.
So, as a priorities, PinePhone was a capable Phone before it was capable Tablet / Mini PC / etc. And these are right priorities to me.
13 • UBports (by penguinx86 on 2022-01-24 10:31:12 GMT from United States)
It's good to see a continuation of Ubuntu Touch. I always wanted to try it, but none of my devices were supported and it was only available to insider developers. It was more like Ubuntu Don't Touch! I'd like to try it for a couple of days, but I doubt it could replace Android or iOS as my daily driver.
14 • Comment No. 6 (by Barnabyh on 2022-01-24 11:44:48 GMT from United Kingdom)
Seems to me that there is still a use case for something like the Blackberry, or even the Palm and Handspring devices which could then be used together with a basic phone for those people you mentioned. Or updated to take modern SIM cards.
15 • voip plus telco (by John on 2022-01-24 12:00:31 GMT from United States)
Hi,
Seems to me that Linux should offer both voip calling and telco calling over either WIFI or telco 'internet' connectivity.
John
16 • Linux Non-Phone (by Wally on 2022-01-24 14:44:29 GMT from Australia)
Let's see: If it can't call or text, it's not a phone, and if it keeps falling asleep on the job it ain't good for much else. Since I do like -and use- smartphones, I guess I'll stay with the "dystopian false dichotomy". You know, the one where things work, as opposed to the world of choice and freedom where if a gadget works for a short time without crashing it's a great triumph.
For those yearning for QWERTY, there is a phone called F(x)tec Pro¹. It sports a sliding keyboard and they say it can load other OSes. Available for pre-order and probably a tad expensive, but also probably worth the price to those who would abandon dystopia.
As for landline phones, I would, but the cord gets a little heavy and hard to pull after a few meters.
17 • Security: (by dragonmouth on 2022-01-24 15:34:06 GMT from United States)
"only run software from trusted sources."
Simplistic and empty advice. "Sources" do not come labeled as "trusted" or "untrusted". For example, one would expect Google App Store to be a site users should be able to trust. Yet, over the past few years, Google has had to remove thousands of malware-ridden apps.
"Don't run software from third-party repositories"
Then why are AURs and PPAs are being pushed by all tech writers and pundits as if they were The Greatest Things Since Sliced Bread? How well are AURs and PPAs vetted and by whom?
18 • Trusted sources (by Jesse on 2022-01-24 15:46:39 GMT from Canada)
@17: > "Simplistic and empty advice. "Sources" do not come labeled as "trusted" or "untrusted". For example, one would expect Google App Store to be a site users should be able to trust. Yet, over the past few years, Google has had to remove thousands of malware-ridden apps."
No, sources don't come labelled as "trusted" or "untrusted". That is up for the user to decide. Which is sort of the whole point - only install software from sources _you trust_. I don't trust the Play Store, for example. Most products on F-Droid I do trust though.
>> "Don't run software from third-party repositories"
> Then why are AURs and PPAs are being pushed by all tech writers and pundits as if they were The Greatest Things Since Sliced Bread? How well are AURs and PPAs vetted and by whom?
They're not. There is a small minority of fans of the AUR (or PPAs) which vocally praise these third-party repositories. "All tech writers" definitely do not push third-party repositories. This one, for example would not recommend using those. Some tech writers might promote these options, but definitely not ones who are talking about trust and security.
The AUR usually is not vetted and PPAs almost never are. Which is why I recommend people use more carefully examined sources like mainstream distribution repositories.
19 • Something missing in review (by Landor on 2022-01-24 16:12:39 GMT from Canada)
First, I've had great interest in the PinePhone, but I stay away from purchasing it due to it being unable to shut off GPS fully, unless I'm mistaken.
The Review:
You discussed trying take a screenshot. Then you discussed trying to find a fix for it that didn't work. Yet, we see screenshots with no explanation on how it was done, if done from the phone.
Lastly, I know we all make typos(disclaimer there). I find it very unprofessional of Pine to leave typos and such on their main site. For me it's hard to take a business seriously due to it.
Personally, I'm considering going back to an old Blackberry and hanging up my flashed Nexus 5.
Keep your stick on the ice,
Landor
20 • PinePhone (by Jesse on 2022-01-24 16:19:35 GMT from Canada)
@19: > "You discussed trying take a screenshot. Then you discussed trying to find a fix for it that didn't work. Yet, we see screenshots with no explanation on how it was done, if done from the phone."
I get the impression you didn't read to the end of the paragraph where I was discussing screenshots. The solution was in the next sentence after mentioning the first option didn't work. Here it is again in full:
"I asked around and someone told me that I could press and hold the Power button on the side of the phone and then select Screenshot in the menu that pops-up. This didn't work and I discovered it's because I was running the Stable branch of UBports. Upgrading to a development release installs the screenshot option in the Power menu."
> "I stay away from purchasing it due to it being unable to shut off GPS fully, unless I'm mistaken."
If you're talking about hardware switches, then you're correct. GPS is not one of the five toggle options from the hardware switches: https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/PinePhone_FAQ#What_are_the_privacy_switches_doing.3F
However, if you're talking about software, then UBports will allow you to block access to location services for all apps.
21 • Hitchhiker (by Marvin The Paranoid Android on 2022-01-24 16:35:19 GMT from United States)
@Jesse:"You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is."
Got ya!
"I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to" the internet.
Cheers!
22 • Sad (by Dan on 2022-01-24 20:11:29 GMT from United States)
It's really sad to see that sooo many people seem to feel that they can't funtion without a cell phone at hand at all times. WOW........Really? Believe me it wouldn't kill anyone to put the dang thing down from time to time. It won't kill ya!
23 • Forget KaiOS... (by Bob Anderson on 2022-01-24 20:34:46 GMT from Finland)
theres only one usable linux phone and that's the Sony Xperias running Sailfish OS. You supply the phone and flash it for free. For a few bucks extra you also get android support: https://shop.jolla.com/
24 • RE: 21 (by Landor on 2022-01-24 20:39:16 GMT from Canada)
I didn't assume you installed the development release since you didn't directly state it. All I understood was that you discovered it was due to stable, and you previously had asked around. Maybe not for others, and I'm in no way nitpicking, it was definitely unclear.
GPS hardware is what I'd be looking to disable via a switch. Again, If I'm not mistaken, there was a Linux phone a number of years ago that did indeed have a hardware switchable GPS.
Keep your stick on the ice...
Landor
25 • please clarify (by mandated on 2022-01-24 22:15:21 GMT from New Zealand)
Jesse, thanks for the writeup on basic security. It is at the level that I can almost send out to non-tech family.
On one thing however I had to re-read, scratch my head and surrender. Sometimes OSS tools can just be so darn obscure that they border on useless.
QUOTE:
For instance, the following command prevents more than six connection attempts to the OpenSSH service in 30 seconds, making automated password attempts mostly ineffective:
ufw limit 22/tcp
Que?! How do SIX connections and THIRTY seconds for OPENSSH ever ever reconcile to "limit 22/tcp"
How completely non-intuitive! Setting up cron jobs has a logic, this seems to have no connection between the values of any kind. I can maybe handle it that OpenSSH will be coming in over TCP, but the "22"?
26 • Limiting connections (by Jesse on 2022-01-24 23:53:47 GMT from Canada)
@25: >> "How do SIX connections and THIRTY seconds for OPENSSH ever ever reconcile to "limit 22/tcp" ?
In the line "ufw limit 22/tcp" you can break it down as follows:
ufw - is the name of the program, the uncomplicated firewall.
limit - means limit the number of connections to a service or port. The default limit is six connections per thirty seconds.
22 - is the default port number for OpenSSH.
tcp - is the protocol. This will be tcp for most services, but may be udp for others.
You could also use "ufw limit openssh/tcp" if you want. In fact, it's one of the examples given in the manual page for ufw.
27 • My phone is an UBports (by Stebbi on 2022-01-25 00:40:43 GMT from Iceland)
Installed on a LG Nexus 5 (2013). It is a perfectly usable phone, but I do have to reboot 2 or 3 times a month when it hits a bug. The best thing with UBports it isn't needy like Android/iOS. It is a phone that doesn't constantly demand ones attention. Android's/iOS's game on the other hand is to consume the owners time as much as possible and use various tricks to achieve that. The UBports is a tool; it does what I want it to do and when I want. Not more, not less.
28 • @22 SAD (by penguinx86 on 2022-01-25 03:12:40 GMT from United States)
A cell phone in the hand at all times? How about a cell phone in EACH hand? I even see some people who carry 3 of them! Aye Carumba! But if I had a PinePhone running UBports, I'd need a 2nd phone running Android or iOS to get stuff done.
29 • sad I have to leave ubports (by Laubster on 2022-01-25 03:51:01 GMT from United States)
The modem in my UBports-running Nexus4 daily driver can't do VoLTE (something required starting next week in the USA), so I've had to buy new hardware. I made sure to get something that UBports supports - at least it does for the moment - so that if/when they get VoLTE working, I hope I can go back. I also made sure to get something supported by either e.foundation, lineageos, or CalyxOS to tide me over. I settled on a Pixel 2 XL running /e/, but I sure feel straight-jacketed.
That said, all this is just to tide me over until my Librem5 supports VoLTE; I'm really Really REALLY looking forward to that day. I appreciate that UBports is open-sourcing their VoLTE code so others - like Purism - can use it.
30 • UBPorts, @27, function sans smartphone @22 (by Dr Hu on 2022-01-25 05:30:54 GMT from Philippines)
@27, I wanted to try UBPorts, and the only phone I'd consider is the Nexus5, as you have. But although they are available online, the cost is more than I want to spend on a look-see. "it isn't needy like Android/iOS" My experience is with Android, and it will only be as needy as you let it. If you allow notifications, you will get notifications, etc. My phone sits quietly all day and will only ring for a text or a call, which is seldom. I can even set quiet hours so it won't ring at all.
@22, "can't function without a cell phone at hand at all times" I can live without my phone. I can also live without internet, a car, or electricity. But why? My phone is in my pocket wherever I go. It takes notes without pen and paper. It's a grocery list. It's a map with directions wherever I am. I can start or receive video calls without being in front of a computer, or anywhere at all. It's a camera, should I get the urge. It can alert me if I need to go somewhere. It's a music library for my car. It's a valid airline ticket presented at the airport. These days it's also a valid vaccine card. My phone is also used for banking, with biometrics instead of passwords. It's used for bill paying and online ordering. I travel often, and the first thing I do arriving at a city, like Kuala Lumpur, is buy a sim card for my phone, load a few dollars, and I will always know where I am and where I'm going. Then I can also get transportation without paying high taxi fares or being overcharged or taken for a roundabout tour.
Other than those things and a few others, I don't need a smartphone for anything. But any cell phone that can't do at least that is badly crippled.
31 • 101 uses for a pinephone (by uselessful tek on 2022-01-25 08:50:08 GMT from Canada)
The pinephone isn't a total loss - afterall, you won't be interrupted by any scam phone calls. Plus, there are other useful things that it could be good for:
* gift one to a friend who never stops calling or texting.
* give one to a person who needs a sleeping-aid.
* tell all the Win***s fanbois that due to M****soft's new love for linux, they recommend getting a pinephone as a replacement for the old Win***s phone.
* gift one + keyboard to a person who's used to thumb-typing on a touchscreen.
* Recommend it to avid network gamers.
* Bolt one to your front door, and instruct your pesky neighbors to call for entry.
32 • PostMarketOS Edge for the Win on PinePhone! (by Marvin Was_already_taken on 2022-01-25 14:39:22 GMT from Austria)
Two Words - PostMarketOS Edge. Makes and receives calls, and sends and receives SMS! Spam calls started within hours of putting in the SIM card. OS choice is key, or maybe it's a network thing. Or maybe it's always having your towel!! Whatever the DistroWatch site says, this comment is from USA. Not saying PostMarket Edge is perfect by any means, but making calls is a good start for a phone! Please review soon. :D
33 • GUFW (by DachshundMan on 2022-01-25 16:51:25 GMT from United Kingdom)
Personally, I go with the recommended UFW setting of incoming=deny, outgoing=-allow. Seems to work perfectly well for anything I want to do on my RPi or my Laptop. I suppose that not many home users actually need to open up ports for incoming.......or am I wrong ?
34 • Some nonsense (by Walrus on 2022-01-26 01:19:45 GMT from France)
> ...while UBports failed to work as a phone, it failed differently...
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter.
Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
Sorry, but I couldn't help it. This part of your sentence was just too close to Beckett's famous line.
35 • Ubports on Nexus (by James T on 2022-01-26 10:37:00 GMT from United Kingdom)
I started out with Ubuntu touch on a BQ Aquaris, and that was fine until I lost the phone. After that I briefly tried a cheap Android phone, that was such a pain that I got a secondhand Nexus 4 and installed Ubuntu touch -- happy again.
When Ubuntu dropped the support I installed UBports -- still happy until the touch screen failed.
Now using UBports on Nexus 5, does all I need of it.
36 • UBPorts (by Dave Fogg Postles on 2022-01-26 12:19:36 GMT from United Kingdom)
Still have my Aquaris M10 tablet with UBPorts. Has enough apps for me, including LibreOffice.
37 • Linux Phone (by Bogus on 2022-01-26 19:48:13 GMT from Switzerland)
Considering a Linux phone, may I suggest the Librem5 from PureOS? And yes, you can make calls, send messages, browse the web, order a pizza, use a calendar and so on with that phone. Although the list of native applications is limited, it can be extended installing Flatpak. Nonetheless, the company behind the Librem5 phone focuses on privacy and security, so cuts in terms of applications are to be expected or you have to solve them yourself via compiling the application from its source code.
38 • Linux "phone" (by Sam on 2022-01-26 23:06:57 GMT from United States)
If the device is unable to make calls or send/receive SMS text messages, shouldn't we use quotes around "phone" (since those seem like kind of essential features for a device we'd call a phone)?
39 • Linux "phones" Librem? @38 (by Wally on 2022-01-27 02:17:55 GMT from Australia)
Please don't offer "freedom seekers" false hopes. The Librem 5 has a lead time of 52 weeks, which will most probably turn out to be longer. As fast as technology moves, by the time you get it, it will be ancient. And it's USD1,199 plus shipping and any customs fees your country may want to add. Sure, you can "send messages, browse the web, order a pizza, use a calendar and so on with that phone." You can do the same with a new USD150 os so Android phone or an old clunker with Android, LineageOS or even UBPorts, if you are daring. The savings will buy a hell of a lot of pizzas.
Of course, there's the LIbrem 5 USA, which is free from parts made in the Dragon Empire. That's only a four month wait, but the price is USD1,999. That's enough pizzas to feed yourself and maybe a couple of hungry families. Even the fruit company will sell you a phone for much less.
40 • Underserved Market (by Dumb Phone User on 2022-01-27 04:25:45 GMT from United States)
@6 Reddit has a forum for dumbphones aka feature phones and interesting products exist.
https://www.reddit.com/r/dumbphones/comments/e5r9y1/looking_for_something_with_lte_support_in_the_us/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XkduXGNfno
41 • UBPorts (by Will on 2022-01-28 10:02:23 GMT from United States)
I soooo wanted my experience with UBPorts to be a good one. The navigation apps would never figure out where I was. It took 30 minutes for the phone to get a fuzzy idea of my location and then it would lose it after 30 seconds or so. Ugh. I only need a smart phone for phone, text, nav, and email, pretty much in that order. The phone worked pretty well as a phone, SMS worked ok, but attachments didn't, nav sucked... bad, email worked. All in all, I figure maybe in a decade... in the meantime, I'm contemplating going flip-phone :).
42 • 'feature phone' (by Dave Fogg Postles on 2022-01-28 15:58:16 GMT from United Kingdom)
KaiOS is employed in 'feature phones', but not as smart (touch/capacitive) phones. It's derived from FierfoxOS so I wonder why it is not developed as a smart phone.
Number of Comments: 42
Display mode: DWW Only • Comments Only • Both DWW and Comments
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| • Issue 1167 (2026-04-06): Origami Linux 2026.03, answering questions for Linux newcomers, Ubuntu MATE seeking new contributors, Ubuntu software centre is expanding Deb support, FreeBSD fixes forum exploit, openSUSE 15 Leap nears its end of life |
| • Issue 1166 (2026-03-30): NetBSD jails, publishing software for Linux, Ubuntu joins Rust Foundation, Canonical plans to trim GRUB features, Peppermint works on new utilities, PINE64 shows off open hardware capabilities |
| • Issue 1165 (2026-03-23): Argent Linux 1.5.3, disk space required by Linux, Manjaro team goes on strike, AlmaLinux improves NVIDIA driver support and builds RISC-V packages, systemd introduces age tracking |
| • Issue 1164 (2026-03-16): d77void, age verification laws and Linux, SUSE may be for sale, TrueNAS takes its build system private, Debian publishes updated Trixie media, MidnightBSD and System76 respond to age verification laws |
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| • Issue 1162 (2026-03-02): AerynOS 2026.01, anti-virus and firewall tools, Manjaro fixes website certificate, Ubuntu splits firmware package, jails for NetBSD, extended support for some Linux kernel releases, Murena creating a map app |
| • Issue 1161 (2026-02-23): The Guix package manager, quick Q&As, Gentoo migrating its mirrors, Fedora considers more informative kernel panic screens, GhostBSD testing alternative X11 implementation, Asahi makes progress with Apple M3, NetBSD userland ported, FreeBSD improves web-based system management |
| • Issue 1160 (2026-02-16): Noid and AgarimOS, command line tips, KDE Linux introduces delta updates, Redox OS hits development milestone, Linux Mint develops a desktop-neutral account manager, sudo developer seeks sponsorship |
| • Issue 1159 (2026-02-09): Sharing files on a network, isolating processes on Linux, LFS to focus on systemd, openSUSE polishes atomic updates, NetBSD not likely to adopt Rust code, COSMIC roadmap |
| • Issue 1158 (2026-02-02): Manjaro 26.0, fastest filesystem, postmarketOS progress report, Xfce begins developing its own Wayland window manager, Bazzite founder interviewed |
| • Issue 1157 (2026-01-26): Setting up a home server, what happened to convergence, malicious software entering the Snap store, postmarketOS automates hardware tests, KDE's login manager works with systemd only |
| • Issue 1156 (2026-01-19): Chimera Linux's new installer, using the DistroWatch Torrent Corner, new package tools for Arch, Haiku improves EFI support, Redcore streamlines branches, Synex introduces install-time ZFS options |
| • Issue 1155 (2026-01-12): MenuetOS, CDE on Sparky, iDeal OS 2025.12.07, recommended flavour of BSD, Debian seeks new Data Protection Team, Ubuntu 25.04 nears its end of life, Google limits Android source code releases, Fedora plans to replace SDDM, Budgie migrates to Wayland |
| • Issue 1154 (2026-01-05): postmarketOS 25.06/25.12, switching to Linux and educational resources, FreeBSD improving laptop support, Unix v4 available for download, new X11 server in development, CachyOS team plans server edtion |
| • Issue 1153 (2025-12-22): Best projects of 2025, is software ever truly finished?, Firefox to adopt AI components, Asahi works on improving the install experience, Mageia presents plans for version 10 |
| • Issue 1152 (2025-12-15): OpenBSD 7.8, filtering websites, Jolla working on a Linux phone, Germany saves money with Linux, Ubuntu to package AMD tools, Fedora demonstrates AI troubleshooting, Haiku packages Go language |
| • Issue 1151 (2025-12-08): FreeBSD 15.0, fun command line tricks, Canonical presents plans for Ubutnu 26.04, SparkyLinux updates CDE packages, Redox OS gets modesetting driver |
| • Issue 1150 (2025-12-01): Gnoppix 25_10, exploring if distributions matter, openSUSE updates tumbleweed's boot loader, Fedora plans better handling of broken packages, Plasma to become Wayland-only, FreeBSD publishes status report |
| • Issue 1149 (2025-11-24): MX Linux 25, why are video drivers special, systemd experiments with musl, Debian Libre Live publishes new media, Xubuntu reviews website hack |
| • Issue 1148 (2025-11-17): Zorin OS 18, deleting a file with an unusual name, NetBSD experiments with sandboxing, postmarketOS unifies its documentation, OpenBSD refines upgrades, Canonical offers 15 years of support for Ubuntu |
| • Issue 1147 (2025-11-10): Fedora 43, the size and stability of the Linux kernel, Debian introducing Rust to APT, Redox ports web engine, Kubuntu website off-line, Mint creates new troubleshooting tools, FreeBSD improves reproducible builds, Flatpak development resumes |
| • Issue 1146 (2025-11-03): StartOS 0.4.0, testing piped commands, Ubuntu Unity seeks help, Canonical offers Ubuntu credentials, Red Hat partners with NVIDIA, SUSE to bundle AI agent with SLE 16 |
| • Issue 1145 (2025-10-27): Linux Mint 7 "LMDE", advice for new Linux users, AlmaLinux to offer Btrfs, KDE launches Plasma 6.5, Fedora accepts contributions written by AI, Ubuntu 25.10 fails to install automatic updates |
| • Issue 1144 (2025-10-20): Kubuntu 25.10, creating and restoring encrypted backups, Fedora team debates AI, FSF plans free software for phones, ReactOS addresses newer drivers, Xubuntu reacts to website attack |
| • Issue 1143 (2025-10-13): openSUSE 16.0 Leap, safest source for new applications, Redox introduces performance improvements, TrueNAS Connect available for testing, Flatpaks do not work on Ubuntu 25.10, Kamarada plans to switch its base, Solus enters new epoch, Frugalware discontinued |
| • Issue 1142 (2025-10-06): Linux Kamarada 15.6, managing ZIP files with SQLite, F-Droid warns of impact of Android lockdown, Alpine moves ahead with merged /usr, Cinnamon gets a redesigned application menu |
| • Issue 1141 (2025-09-29): KDE Linux and GNOME OS, finding mobile flavours of Linux, Murena to offer phones with kill switches, Redox OS running on a smartphone, Artix drops GNOME |
| • Issue 1140 (2025-09-22): NetBSD 10.1, avoiding AI services, AlmaLinux enables CRB repository, Haiku improves disk access performance, Mageia addresses service outage, GNOME 49 released, Linux introduces multikernel support |
| • Issue 1139 (2025-09-15): EasyOS 7.0, Linux and central authority, FreeBSD running Plasma 6 on Wayland, GNOME restores X11 support temporarily, openSUSE dropping BCacheFS in new kernels |
| • Issue 1138 (2025-09-08): Shebang 25.8, LibreELEC 12.2.0, Debian GNU/Hurd 2025, the importance of software updates, AerynOS introduces package sets, postmarketOS encourages patching upstream, openSUSE extends Leap support, Debian refreshes Trixie media |
| • Issue 1137 (2025-09-01): Tribblix 0m37, malware scanners flagging Linux ISO files, KDE introduces first-run setup wizard, CalyxOS plans update prior to infrastructure overhaul, FreeBSD publishes status report |
| • Issue 1136 (2025-08-25): CalyxOS 6.8.20, distros for running containers, Arch Linux website under attack,illumos Cafe launched, CachyOS creates web dashboard for repositories |
| • Issue 1135 (2025-08-18): Debian 13, Proton, WINE, Wayland, and Wayback, Debian GNU/Hurd 2025, KDE gets advanced Liquid Glass, Haiku improves authentication tools |
| • Issue 1134 (2025-08-11): Rhino Linux 2025.3, thoughts on malware in the AUR, Fedora brings hammered websites back on-line, NetBSD reveals features for version 11, Ubuntu swaps some command line tools for 25.10, AlmaLinux improves NVIDIA support |
| • Issue 1133 (2025-08-04): Expirion Linux 6.0, running Plasma on Linux Mint, finding distros which support X11, Debian addresses 22 year old bug, FreeBSD discusses potential issues with pkgbase, CDE ported to OpenBSD, Btrfs corruption bug hitting Fedora users, more malware found in Arch User Repository |
| • Issue 1132 (2025-07-28): deepin 25, wars in the open source community, proposal to have Fedora enable Flathub repository, FreeBSD plans desktop install option, Wayback gets its first release |
| • Issue 1131 (2025-07-21): HeliumOS 10.0, settling on one distro, Mint plans new releases, Arch discovers malware in AUR, Plasma Bigscreen returns, Clear Linux discontinued |
| • Issue 1130 (2025-07-14): openSUSE MicroOS and RefreshOS, sharing aliases between computers, Bazzite makes Bazaar its default Flatpak store, Alpine plans Wayback release, Wayland and X11 benchmarked, Red Hat offers additional developer licenses, openSUSE seeks feedback from ARM users, Ubuntu 24.10 reaches the end of its life |
| • Issue 1129 (2025-07-07): GLF OS Omnislash, the worst Linux distro, Alpine introduces Wayback, Fedora drops plans to stop i686 support, AlmaLinux builds EPEL repository for older CPUs, Ubuntu dropping existing RISC-V device support, Rhino partners with UBports, PCLinuxOS recovering from website outage |
| • Issue 1128 (2025-06-30): AxOS 25.06, AlmaLinux OS 10.0, transferring Flaptak bundles to off-line computers, Ubuntu to boost Intel graphics performance, Fedora considers dropping i686 packages, SDesk switches from SELinux to AppArmor |
| • Issue 1127 (2025-06-23): LastOSLinux 2025-05-25, most unique Linux distro, Haiku stabilises, KDE publishes Plasma 6.4, Arch splits Plasma packages, Slackware infrastructure migrating |
| • Issue 1126 (2025-06-16): SDesk 2025.05.06, renewed interest in Ubuntu Touch, a BASIC device running NetBSD, Ubuntu dropping X11 GNOME session, GNOME increases dependency on systemd, Google holding back Pixel source code, Nitrux changing its desktop, EFF turns 35 |
| • Issue 1125 (2025-06-09): RHEL 10, distributions likely to survive a decade, Murena partners with more hardware makers, GNOME tests its own distro on real hardware, Redox ports GTK and X11, Mint provides fingerprint authentication |
| • Issue 1124 (2025-06-02): Picking up a Pico, tips for protecting privacy, Rhino tests Plasma desktop, Arch installer supports snapshots, new features from UBports, Ubuntu tests monthly snapshots |
| • Issue 1123 (2025-05-26): CRUX 3.8, preventing a laptop from sleeping, FreeBSD improves laptop support, Fedora confirms GNOME X11 session being dropped, HardenedBSD introduces Rust in userland build, KDE developing a virtual machine manager |
| • Issue 1122 (2025-05-19): GoboLinux 017.01, RHEL 10.0 and Debian 12 updates, openSUSE retires YaST, running X11 apps on Wayland |
| • Issue 1121 (2025-05-12): Bluefin 41, custom file manager actions, openSUSE joins End of 10 while dropping Deepin desktop, Fedora offers tips for building atomic distros, Ubuntu considers replacing sudo with sudo-rs |
| • Issue 1120 (2025-05-05): CachyOS 250330, what it means when a distro breaks, Kali updates repository key, Trinity receives an update, UBports tests directory encryption, Gentoo faces losing key infrastructure |
| • Issue 1119 (2025-04-28): Ubuntu MATE 25.04, what is missing from Linux, CachyOS ships OCCT, Debian enters soft freeze, Fedora discusses removing X11 session from GNOME, Murena plans business services, NetBSD on a Wii |
| • Issue 1118 (2025-04-21): Fedora 42, strange characters in Vim, Nitrux introduces new package tools, Fedora extends reproducibility efforts, PINE64 updates multiple devices running Debian |
| • Issue 1117 (2025-04-14): Shebang 25.0, EndeavourOS 2025.03.19, running applications from other distros on the desktop, Debian gets APT upgrade, Mint introduces OEM options for LMDE, postmarketOS packages GNOME 48 and COSMIC, Redox testing USB support |
| • Full list of all issues |
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| Random Distribution | 
Wifislax
Wifislax is a Slackware-based live disc containing a variety of security and forensics tools. The distribution's main claim to fame is the integration of various unofficial network drivers into the Linux kernel, thus providing out-of-the-box support for a large number of wired and wireless network cards.
Status: Active
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| Star Labs |
Star Labs - Laptops built for Linux.
View our range including the highly anticipated StarFighter. Available with coreboot open-source firmware and a choice of Ubuntu, elementary, Manjaro and more. Visit Star Labs for information, to buy and get support.
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