Linux Format

Linux Format is your complete guide to the world of Linux. Whether you've just discovered Linux, or you're a full-time guru, Linux Format has everything you need to make the most of your OS. The editorial formula is a mix of features, reviews and practical tutorials that tackle topics as far ranging as installing software to socket programming and network management. Thought-provoking features and interviews also provide a focus on key technologies, trends and issues in the fast-paced world of Free and Open Source software.

Cutting edges

MEET THE TEAM • This issue, we’re looking at exciting new distributions, so what new distro have you tried recently that you would recommend readers try for themselves?

Linux to save Windows 10 PCs from the apocalypse? • 240 million PCs could be scrapped after October 2025, when free support ends for Windows 10. Or users could just switch to Linux.

NEW YEAR RELEASE!

Chromium Wayland accelerated! • VA-API now works on Linux Ozone/Wayland platform.

Cosmic looking out of this world • Pop!_OS Cosmic DE is to be released as an alpha, with a new terminal and overhauled graphics support.

Unity bans VLC plugin • Unity management making friends and influencing people.

OpenWrt router? • OpenWrt floats the idea of its own hardware router.

Man writes kernel in Rust • Maestro is a Unix-like kernel written from scratch in Rust.

DATABASE BASES

WILY WESTON

Distro watch

Kernel Watch • Jon Masters keeps up with all the latest happenings in the Linux kernel, so you don’t have to.

REISER’S GUILT

Answers • Got a burning question about open source or the kernel? Whatever your level, email it to answers@linuxformat.com

Mailserver

Intel Core i7 14700K • Jacob Ridley thinks this is a perfectly good stand-in for a Core i9.

RlxOS 2023.11 • Nate Drake finds himself washed up on the rock of ages that is RlxOS , only to discover that it still needs work.

Emmabuntüs 5 • Nate Drake finds that despite being hard to pronounce, the name is the only complicated thing about this Debian-based distro.

Manjaro 23.1 Vulcan • Nate Drake boldly goes to take Vulcan for a test spin and finds an incredibly user-friendly and efficient operating system.

Password managers • Security-conscious Michael Reed examines five pieces of software that can safely store and retrieve your passwords and other sensitive data.

THE 5 BEST NEW DISTROS • Blast off into the future with Matt Holder as he explores the technology powering a new generation of Linux distributions.

ProPico

PEERLESS PIN NUMBERS

Cyberdeck

Let them eat lots of Pi! • Hundreds of thousands of Raspberry Pis are hitting the market, with production ramped to the max!

Official Pi 5 Case • Can the new official Raspberry Pi 5 case keep the Pi 5 cool? Les Pounder is – brace yourselves readers – on the case…

Geniatech XPI 3566 Zero • All brains and no brawn applies equally to this SBC and to Les Pounder.

Start using MQTT for sensor logs • Les Pounder is a sensitive soul and his new office needs sensors to record data. He’d better break out the maker kit!

Orange Pi vs Raspberry Pi • Tam Hanna compares the highest-end single-board computer offerings from Shenzhen Xunlong and the Raspberry Pi Foundation to find out which one is best suited for you.

Monitor systems in style • Shashank Sharma doesn’t look dapper in his quickly fading imitation leather jacket, but his terminal is always a sight to behold.

Secure and private comms made easy • Nick Peers takes a fresh look at an old favourite – Jami, a tool that aims to cover all your communication and sharing needs.

Make a Mealie of...