Egregoros

I do not think it is a big deal that support for those old 486 CPUs is being removed from the current Linux kernel.

I think no one is asking to be able to run the latest Linux 7.** kernel on a 486.

People who are running that hardware are very likely on older versions on Linux (or other retro operating systems) and not looking to run the latest Linux anyway.

However, on the other side of the argument, why remove it? I do not believe there are any pressing security issues with keeping the code that supports those CPUs. If there are problems, they could just be left with notices of what doesn't work for the three people in the world that may affect.

I don't really think it matters either way.

If someone wants to run a current OS on a 486, there's NetBSD.

... but I do not think we should expect to run a current OS on a CPU that old. That's what the 'retro computing' genre is about. Just run an old OS on that hardware.

#retro #Linux #NetBSD

A few more tweaks to the LXQt desktop.

Put the menu bar at the top of the screen. Removed the start menu (mainmenu) and Quick Launch. Put the Desktop Switcher on the right side of the bar.

I am launching applications with lxqt-runner bound to a shortcut key, 'Super + Space' (so similar to default rofi or drun functionality, but the default built in tool for LXQt).

The default keyboard shortcuts for positioning windows are pretty good but assume having the numpad, which I do since I am using this on a desktop with full size keyboard.

I modified the keyboard shortcut for 'maximize window' to be 'Super + Begin(keypad)' s that the center of keypad does what I intuitively expect it to for window positioning.

Right now I feel very comfy in LXQt. There's just enough for widgets and customization to feel that it is easy to use. Just enough ability to customize, without being overwhelmed with options. It is light and quick.

#LXQt #Linux

Make sure to keep the Optiplex around.

If buying new, I usually recommend AMD Ryzen over Intel.

However, the AceMagic product website didn't display very well for me (also hadn't heard of them before) and specs says memory can be upgraded to 32GB (which is fine).

Intel based Chuwi machine says it can be upgraded to 64GB memory (better) and the website looks good and is informative. More ports on the front.

In my estimation, the Chuwi Intel machine comes out a little ahead between these two.

This distro is a bit of a surprise.

I am not sure what exactly makes it PClinuxOS, if the base is Debian. It does have the extra software tools that usually come with PClinuxOS.

It has a recent 7.0.* Linux kernel. Has xLibre installed by default.

PClinuxOS is a rolling release, but the repositories for this appear to be Debian Trixie... so is this not a rolling release Linux?

SysV init version: 3.14 - so no SystemD

Would be great to chat with someone who knows more about this Distribution.

#Linux #PClinuxOS #xLibre #Debian

Maybe.

There's a possibility that a lot of these companies relying on AI generated code will just completely fail when customers leave due to their products or services not working.

I have very little idea what the future holds for this topic... but I am not optimistic about "tons of jobs".

I have a friend who is all on-board with "how awesome AI is becoming" with helping him do his work (employed at an engineering start-up company).

What do you think? What are you seeing?

RT: https://mastodon.social/users/nixCraft/statuses/116404221945106170

So the herd is avoiding long term thinking that could have lasting benefits and instead going for short term gain and shiny objects. Can we blame them too much for that?

This is one of the reasons why I no longer hold much hope for crypto-currencies to be generally adopted unless market circumstances absolutely force it (central bank completely collapse, while still having usable internet for crypto-currency transactions).

I think things like Bitcoin (as digital cash) and Monero have incredible potential and promise... but people are extremely unlikely to actually use them.

#cypherpunk

Crypto-currencies not being backed by anything physical solves the problem of seizure. Bitcoin's design may have taken that into account, due to the timing of the Liberty Dollar raid and seizure being just a few years before.

Yeah, so with that threat of force are people dumb to avoid alternatives to the dollar? Maybe the incentives still don't add up well enough for regular people to seek alternatives to the dollar.

It is a hard problem.

The dollar currency problem is destroying the viability of most "middle class" American families, but switching to an alternative is nearly impossible for most people to consider.

#economics #dollar #crypto #cypherpunk #gold #liberty