Exciting Updates in Linux and Open Source: Fedora Ditches Legacy BIOS, Nvidia Embraces Open Source, Steam Gaming on Chrome OS

Exciting Updates in Linux and Open Source: Fedora Ditches Legacy BIOS, Nvidia Embraces Open Source, Steam Gaming on Chrome OS

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Fedora Dropping Support for Legacy BIOS
3. NVIDIA's Open Source Code for Drivers
4. Details about Steam on Chrome OS
5. Linux Security Best Practices
6. New Features in KDE
7. Updates for Raspberry Pi OS
8. Compatibility with GNOME 42
9. Upcoming Release of Linux Mint 21
10. Latest Updates in Distro Releases
11. NVIDIA's Tegra 4 Driver for Linux
12. Future of LXQt
13. GPU Screen Recorder for Linux
14. Steam Deck Updates
15. Steam on Chrome OS
16. Latest Version of Wine
17. Sponsor Highlight: Slimbook
18. Conclusion

1. Introduction

Hey everyone, it's Nick here. As always, I'm here to bring you the latest news in the world of Linux and open source. This week, we have some interesting updates and developments to discuss. From Fedora dropping support for legacy BIOS to NVIDIA's open source code for drivers, there's a lot to cover. So, let's dive right in!

2. Fedora Dropping Support for Legacy BIOS

🔍 Fedora 37 marks a significant change as it drops support for older legacy BIOS architectures. Moving forward, new installs won't be possible on these architectures. While existing installs will still be supported, this move is driven by the need to focus on more recent UEFI BIOS, which offer better support for modern features such as secure boot and firmware updates.

3. NVIDIA's Open Source Code for Drivers

🔍 NVIDIA has surprised the open source community by releasing the code for their Tegra 4 driver for Linux. This is a step towards open source, although it currently only supports Tegra graphics hardware. However, the presence of references to other GPUs in the code gives hope for a complete open-source driver in the future. While it's still early days, this development could be a significant win for the Linux community.

4. Details about Steam on Chrome OS

🔍 Google has provided insights into how Steam will run on Chrome OS. Steam will be running on a virtual machine running a modified version of Arch Linux, named Borealis. This virtual machine is updated with every Chrome OS update, ensuring seamless integration. To optimize performance, Google has implemented the Venus driver, providing near-native performance when using Vulkan. This development opens up new possibilities for gaming on Chromebooks and Linux systems in general.

5. Linux Security Best Practices

🔍 Want to ensure that your organization follows Linux security best practices? Check out the research sponsored by TuxCare. The research, conducted by the independent Ponemon Institute, provides a benchmark to assess your organization's security processes against industry best practices. With insights on patching systems and managing downtime, the report can help you enhance your Linux security strategies. Head over to the link in the description to download the full report for free.

6. New Features in KDE

🔍 The KDE team continues to make improvements to the desktop environment. Nate Graham's articles provide detailed updates on the team's work. In recent developments, KDE introduces a 15-minute bug fix and a smoother cross-fade when changing accent colors. The info center in the system settings now displays additional device details, such as the serial number and manufacturer. KDE's Music player, Elisa, and text editor, Kate and KWrite, have also received interface improvements. These updates enhance the overall user experience of KDE.

7. Updates for Raspberry Pi OS

🔍 Raspberry Pi OS receives significant updates to enhance security and user experience. The latest release now includes a mandatory setup wizard, ensuring that each user creates a unique account. This change addresses security concerns related to the default "pi" user. Additionally, the OS introduces support for renaming users on existing installs, eliminating the need for a fresh installation. The update also brings experimental Wayland support and a more streamlined initial setup process, making Raspberry Pi OS a more secure and user-friendly choice.

8. Compatibility with GNOME 42

🔍 If you're using GNOME 42 and rely on certain extensions, there's good news for you. The Dash to Panel and Material Shell extensions are now compatible with GNOME 42. These extensions offer enhanced features and customization options for the GNOME desktop environment. Whether you're looking for a more efficient taskbar or a Windows-like window manager, these extensions provide a seamless experience on the latest GNOME release.

9. Upcoming Release of Linux Mint 21

🔍 Linux Mint 21, codenamed Vanessa, is set to be released soon. Based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, Linux Mint 21 will continue to support Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce desktop environments. The Linux Mint team is also working on a new upgrade tool to simplify the process of moving from one version to another. The graphical tool will perform checks, automatically migrate repositories, and preserve mirror settings for a smoother and safer upgrade experience. This improvement aims to enhance the user experience and ensure hassle-free updates for Linux Mint users.

10. Latest Updates in Distro Releases

🔍 Several Linux distributions received significant updates this week. EndeavourOS, an Arch-based distro, released its latest version named Apollo. With the inclusion of Linux kernel 5.17 and Mesa 22 graphics drivers, EndeavourOS ensures optimal hardware support. The distro also introduces a new window manager called Worm, designed for X11. MX Linux, based on Debian 11, launched version 21.1 featuring the Linux kernel 5.16 and an improved installer. These updates provide users with enhanced hardware compatibility and an improved out-of-the-box experience.

11. NVIDIA's Tegra 4 Driver for Linux

🔍 In a surprise move, NVIDIA has released the code for their Tegra 4 driver for Linux. While the current version is limited to Tegra graphics hardware, this development opens up possibilities for a complete open source driver in the future. The driver, licensed under the MIT license, Hints at the potential for broader support for NVIDIA GPUs. This exciting development demonstrates NVIDIA's continued progress towards open source solutions for Linux.

12. Future of LXQt

🔍 LXQt, a desktop environment that often goes under the radar, is undergoing significant changes in its upcoming release, version 1.1.0. This release introduces color palettes matching dark themes, two new menu choices (simple and compact), an improved color picker, and a separate settings panel for configuring the look of GTK apps. The transition to Qt 6 begins in this release, paving the way for future enhancements. Additionally, LXQt will support the portal spec used by many Flatpak apps, improving integration and usability.

13. GPU Screen Recorder for Linux

🔍 If you've been struggling with OBS's performance impacts while Recording gameplay, there might be a solution on the horizon. Developers are working on a new solution called GPU Screen Recorder that aims to provide a lightweight alternative. Using CUDA, this recorder offloads the screen recording process to the GPU, resulting in significantly reduced CPU usage and minimal impact on gameplay. While it's currently limited to NVIDIA GPUs and the NVNC protocol, plans are underway to support AMD and Intel GPUs in the future.

14. Steam Deck Updates

🔍 The Steam Deck, Valve's handheld gaming device, continues to gain traction with more games becoming playable. There are now over 2100 games playable on the Steam Deck, with 1090 verified titles and 1013 officially supported games. Noteworthy additions include Metro 2033 Redux, Resonance of Fate, Overlord: Equinox, and Deus Ex: Invisible War. These developments further solidify the Steam Deck's position as a versatile gaming device for on-the-go gaming enthusiasts.

15. Steam on Chrome OS

🔍 Google has revealed the inner workings of Steam on Chrome OS, shedding light on how it seamlessly integrates with the operating system. Steam runs on a virtual machine named Borealis, a modified version of Arch Linux specifically designed for gaming. The virtual machine, which receives updates with every Chrome OS update, utilizes a lightweight Vulcan virtualization driver named Venus to achieve near-native performance. This approach ensures compatibility with Linux games and enables a robust gaming experience on Chromebooks.

16. Latest Version of Wine

🔍 Wine 7.6, the latest version of the popular compatibility layer for running Windows applications on Linux, has been released. This version includes updates to the Mono engine, bringing it to version 7.2. Additionally, Wine 7.6 sees further advancements in migrating graphics drivers to the PE executable format, improving compatibility with a wide range of applications. With bug fixes and compatibility improvements, Wine continues to provide a valuable solution for running Windows software on Linux.

17. Sponsor Highlight: Slimbook

🔍 Today's video is sponsored by Slimbook. If you are in the market for Linux laptops, desktops, or all-in-one PCs, look no further than Slimbook. They offer a wide range of Linux-powered devices that come pre-installed with your favorite distribution. From the Slimbook Pro X14 laptop to the Slimbook Chimera desktop, their devices are designed for Linux users. Head over to the link in the description to learn more about their products and support this Channel's sponsor.

18. Conclusion

That wraps up this week's Linux and open source news. We covered a range of exciting developments, from Fedora dropping support for legacy BIOS to NVIDIA's open source driver for Tegra 4. We also discussed updates from KDE, Raspberry Pi OS, Linux Mint, and various Linux distributions. With advancements in gaming on Chrome OS and the Steam Deck, as well as updates to LXQt and Wine, the Linux ecosystem continues to evolve. As always, stay tuned for more exciting news and updates in the world of Linux and open source.

Highlights

• Fedora drops support for legacy BIOS, focusing on UEFI architecture
• NVIDIA releases R&D code for the Tegra 4 driver, potentially leading to an open-source driver in the future
• Google shares insights on Steam integration with Chrome OS, offering near-native performance
• Linux security best practices report sponsored by TuxCare provides benchmarking for organizations
• KDE introduces bug fixes and interface improvements for a better user experience
• Raspberry Pi OS updates improve security and offer a streamlined setup process
• GNOME 42 now compatible with Dash to Panel and Material Shell extensions
• Linux Mint 21 brings new upgrade tool for seamless version transitions
• EndeavourOS and MX Linux receive major updates, enhancing hardware support and user experience
• GPU Screen Recorder in development to provide a lightweight alternative to OBS
• Steam Deck expands its playable games library with big-name titles
• Wine 7.6 released with updates to the Mono engine and graphics driver migration
• Slimbook offers a wide range of Linux-powered devices, catering to the needs of Linux users

FAQs

Q: How can I download the Linux security best practices report sponsored by TuxCare? A: You can download the full report for free by visiting the link provided in the video description.

Q: Are NVIDIA's open source drivers currently compatible with regular desktop GPUs? A: No, the current open-source driver for Tegra 4 is limited to Tegra graphics hardware. Compatibility with regular desktop GPUs may be explored in the future.

Q: Will Steam Deck support non-Steam games? A: Yes, the Steam Deck can potentially support non-Steam games through various methods, such as running them via the Proton compatibility layer.

Q: Can I upgrade to Linux Mint 21 from an older version without reinstallation? A: Yes, Linux Mint 21 will introduce a new upgrade tool that simplifies the process of moving from one version to another. This tool will perform checks, automatically migrate repositories, and preserve mirror settings, enabling a smooth upgrade experience.

Q: Does the GPU Screen Recorder support AMD and Intel GPUs? A: Currently, the GPU Screen Recorder in development only supports NVIDIA GPUs and the NVNC protocol. Support for AMD and Intel GPUs is planned for future releases.