Linux support Archives

Winsage

December 17, 2024

I Don’t See a Reason to Switch to Windows from Linux Anymore in 2025

Users are increasingly favoring Linux over Windows in dual boot setups, often using Windows as a backup. The rise of web-based tools and Software as a Service (SaaS) has diminished the importance of the operating system choice, as essential services can be accessed through web browsers. Linux offers a variety of distributions tailored to different user needs, providing customization options that Windows does not. Gaming on Linux has improved with a growing library available through Steam and the introduction of handheld consoles like the Steam Deck. Many software developers are beginning to support Linux, with notable applications like DaVinci Resolve and Surfshark VPN now available. Electron-based applications have increased the availability of productivity tools for Linux users. Linux is free from intrusive advertisements, unlike Windows 11, which can overwhelm users with promotional content. For containerization and self-hosting, Linux is considered superior due to its built-in tools and extensive documentation, offering more control and flexibility than Windows.

AppWizard

November 4, 2024

Valorant is winning the war against PC gaming cheaters

In 2020, multiplayer games experienced a surge in cheating during COVID-19 lockdowns, with titles like Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG, and Destiny 2 struggling against aimbots and wallhacks. Riot Games launched Valorant with its anti-cheat system, Vanguard, which has effectively deterred cheat developers. Vanguard employs a kernel-level driver that detects unauthorized access attempts and has led to a decrease in traditional software cheats, although some cheaters have shifted to hardware solutions like direct memory access (DMA) techniques. Vanguard has also been successful in detecting and blocking suspicious hardware-level DMA attempts. Currently, triggerbots account for about 80 percent of cheats in Valorant. Vanguard was introduced to League of Legends, resulting in over 175,000 account bans. A study from the University of Birmingham indicated that Valorant has the top anti-cheat system, while other games like Call of Duty: Warzone continue to struggle. Riot is exploring collaborations with Microsoft to enhance security and may adjust Vanguard's activation based on Windows 11 features. There are no plans for Linux support due to risks of kernel manipulation. The potential rise of AI-powered cheats presents a new challenge, as AI could replicate human gameplay, complicating anti-cheat efforts.

AppWizard

October 27, 2024

Snapdragon 8 Elite Has Full Linux Support, Making It Easier To Run PC Games Through Emulation, GPU Side To Require Patches To Ensure Optimum Performance

Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which has garnered attention from the Linux kernel team, leading to the release of patches for the new chipset. This chipset is expected to support PC gaming through emulation and will have 'day one' Linux support for running professional PC applications. The Director of Engineering at Qualcomm indicated that the Snapdragon 8 Elite can handle PC-emulated games, although it may not fully utilize its potential due to a limited selection of newer Android titles. Benchmark tests show that the Snapdragon 8 Elite outperforms AMD’s Radeon 780M, suggesting it can run AAA games with adjusted visual settings. Discussions indicate that the Snapdragon 8 Elite could enable a Linux user interface with touch and pen support for mobile devices and tablets to run professional PC applications.

Winsage

October 19, 2024

Qualcomm cancels its miniature Windows on Arm PC

Qualcomm has canceled its Snapdragon Dev Kit, a compact Windows on Arm PC originally set for release in June, citing that it "has not met our usual standards of excellence." Customers will receive full refunds for their orders. The launch faced multiple challenges, and Qualcomm has not provided specific reasons for the delays. Some developers received units before the announcement, with one noting performance comparable to Apple's M3 Pro but lacking Linux support and having peculiar resale restrictions. A missing HDMI port was identified as a potential issue, with suggestions that it may have caused production delays and failed FCC compliance testing. The dev kit was intended to help developers adapt applications for Windows on Arm, with notable successes in native Arm64 applications. The cancellation raises concerns about Qualcomm's strategy for desktop PCs as it approaches its upcoming Snapdragon summit.

Winsage

October 19, 2024

Qualcomm’s canceled mini-PC could spell trouble with consumers down the line

Qualcomm's Snapdragon Elite chips are key for AI PCs launched in 2024, enhancing performance and battery life. The company has canceled its Snapdragon mini-PC development kit intended for Windows on Arm, originally set for a June 2024 release, due to not meeting quality standards. Developers, including YouTuber Jeff Geerling, had received the mini-PC for review, noting it matched Apple’s M3 Pro performance but lacked Linux support and had resale restrictions. The cancellation may also be linked to the absence of an HDMI port, which could have caused delays in compliance testing. Qualcomm informed customers that a USB-C to HDMI dongle would be included with orders. Compatibility issues with Windows on Arm applications remain a challenge for Qualcomm, affecting its market reach. The canceled mini-PC was expected to help developers adapt applications for Windows on Arm, potentially increasing app availability. Qualcomm faces competition from Intel and AMD, who have formed the “x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group” in response to Qualcomm's challenges.

Winsage

October 18, 2024

Qualcomm axes its Windows on ARM PC dev kit

Qualcomm has discontinued its Snapdragon X Elite Developer Kit for Windows on ARM PCs, ceasing sales and support, and processing refunds for customers. The cancellation was attributed to quality control issues, as the mini PC did not meet Qualcomm's standards. Initially set for release in June, the product faced delays and ultimately was canceled after developer Jeff Geerling's review highlighted significant drawbacks, including the lack of Linux support, resale restrictions, and the absence of an HDMI port. Qualcomm had planned to ship the kit with a USB-C to HDMI dongle instead of a traditional HDMI port, which may have contributed to production delays. The kit was intended to help developers port applications to Windows on ARM, a project supported by Microsoft and Qualcomm.

AppWizard

October 14, 2024

Android will soon let you run Linux apps with refreshed Terminal app

Google is integrating Linux support into Android by developing a new "Terminal" app that uses Android's Virtualization Framework to run a Linux virtual machine (VM). The app is currently in early development, requiring users to manually configure the Linux VM with a Debian image. Future updates from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) will simplify this process by incorporating the "LinuxInstaller" utility into the Terminal app, allowing users to download and set up a Debian Linux instance directly. Additionally, Google is enhancing the Virtualization Framework with features like backup and restore for VM snapshots, nested virtualization, and compatibility with ARM and x86 processors. The Terminal app will also receive updates to improve functionality, including settings for disk space resizing and port forwarding. These developments are expected to benefit developers by enabling the use of Linux tools and applications, potentially launching with Android 16.

AppWizard

October 11, 2024

Google is preparing to let you run Linux apps on Android, just like Chrome OS

Google is developing a Linux terminal app for the Android ecosystem, integrated into the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF). This app will allow users to run Linux commands directly on their Android devices. A new developer option for the Terminal app has been introduced in Settings, simplifying access. Although some manual configuration is still required, Google plans to automate these tasks and merge the existing LinuxInstaller app into the Terminal app. Future enhancements will include features like snapshot backup, nested virtualization, and compatibility with x86_64 architecture devices. Testing has been conducted on devices such as the Pixel Tablet and Pixel 9 Pro XL, indicating a potential broader reach beyond Chromebooks. The app is speculated to debut with the upcoming Android 16 update. This development aims to benefit developers by enhancing Android's capabilities as a desktop-class platform.

TrendTechie

October 3, 2024

Релиз qBittorrent 5.0

qBittorrent 5.0 was released at the end of September 2024, developed using the Qt toolkit as an open-source alternative to µTorrent. The source code is available on GitHub under the GPLv2+ license, and builds are compatible with Linux, Windows, and macOS. Key features include an integrated search engine, RSS feed subscription, remote management, sequential downloading, advanced settings, a bandwidth scheduler, and UPnP support. Significant changes in this version include the discontinuation of support for Qt5 and 32-bit Windows, new requirements for Qt 6.5 and OpenSSL 3.0.2, the use of C++20 standards, the ability to pause and resume all downloads, a setting to shut down after a session, support for regular expressions in filters, and improved tracker data handling. Additional features include options for file deletion, larger block sizes for torrent files, DHT node specifications, MoTW identifiers, unique instance naming, and enhanced web interface responsiveness. Linux support now includes power management mechanisms from systemd.

Tech Optimizer

September 25, 2024

PC Matic vs Norton Antivirus: Feature Comparisons

eSecurity Planet emphasizes its editorial independence and potential revenue through affiliate links. PC Matic and Norton are notable security providers for consumers and small businesses, offering antivirus and antimalware services. PC Matic is ideal for families with multiple devices, while Norton is better suited for home offices and entrepreneurs. PC Matic pricing starts at annually for five devices, while Norton pricing begins at .99 annually for one device. Both support Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. PC Matic supports 5-15 devices depending on the plan, while Norton supports 1-10 devices. Both offer automated updates and VPN features, but PC Matic lacks a firewall. Norton is rated higher overall, with a score of 4.2/5 compared to PC Matic's 3.7/5. Norton provides a comprehensive suite of security features, including a password manager and dark web monitoring, while PC Matic focuses on ease of use and administration. PC Matic offers a free antivirus plan but lacks a native firewall and Linux support. Norton has responsive support and affordable pricing but does not support large families or Linux. Key features of PC Matic include VPN security, ad blocking, and cloud backup, while Norton offers advanced features like identity theft protection and intrusion prevention. Alternatives to consider include Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, and McAfee, each providing various security solutions tailored to different needs. The evaluation of PC Matic and Norton was based on pricing, core features, advanced capabilities, usability, and customer support.