[$] Mix and match Linux distributions with Distrobox
Linux containers have made it reasonably easy to develop,
distribute, and deploy server applications along with all the distribution
dependencies that they need. For example, anyone can deploy and run a Debian-
based PostgreSQL container on a Fedora Linux host. Distrobox is a project
that is designed to bring the cross-distribution compatibility to the desktop
and allow users to mix-and-match Linux distributions without fussing with dual-
booting, virtual machines, or multiple computers. It is an ideal way to install
additional software on image-based systems, such as Fedora's Atomic Desktops or
Bazzite, and also provides a convenient way to move a development environment or
favorite applications to a new system.
Security updates for Wednesday
Security updates have been issued by AlmaLinux (abrt and
kernel), Debian (libpng1.6, libsoup2.4, pdns-recursor, webkit2gtk, and
wordpress), Fedora (imhex, libwebsockets, lunasvg, python3-docs, and
python3.14), Mageia (python3 and webkit2), Red Hat (abrt, firefox, mysql8.4, and
postgresql:15), Slackware (mozilla), SUSE (gegl, gnutls, go1.24, go1.25,
libpng16-16, openssh, postgresql13, python-Jinja2, and sssd), and Ubuntu
(fonttools and netty).
The (successful) end of the kernel Rust experiment
The topic of the Rust experiment was just discussed at the
annual Maintainers Summit. The consensus among the assembled developers is that
Rust in the kernel is no longer experimental — it is now a core part of the
kernel and is here to stay. So the "experimental" tag will be coming
off.
Congratulations are in order for all of the Rust for Linux team.
(Stay tuned for details in our Maintainers Summit coverage.)
The 2024 Free Software Awards winners
The Free Software Foundation has announced the recipients
of its 2024 (even though 2025 is almost over) Free Software Awards. Andy Wingo
won the award for the advancement of free software, Alx Sa is the outstanding
new free-software contributor, and Govdirectory takes the award for projects of
social benefit.
[$] Bazzite: a gem for Linux gamers
One of the things that has historically stood between Linux
and the fabled "year of the Linux desktop" is its lack of support for video
games. Many users who would have happily abandoned Windows have, reluctantly,
stayed for the video games or had to deal with dual booting. In the past few
years, though, Linux support for games—including those that only have
Windows versions—has improved dramatically, if one is willing to put the
pieces together. Bazzite, an image-based Fedora derivative, is a project that
aims to let users play games and use the Linux desktop with almost no assembly
required.