GPL(GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE) FREEDOM 0:
The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose.
FREEDOM 1:
The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your computing as you wish.
FREEDOM 2:
The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others.
FREEDOM 3:
The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others.

KDE Frameworks 6.20 open-source software suite is out now with various improvements and bug fixes for KDE apps and the Plasma desktop. Here’s what’s new!

The post KDE Frameworks 6.20 Adds a Fancier Push/Pop Animation to System Settings Pages appeared first on 9to5Linux - do not reproduce this article without permission. This RSS feed is intended for readers, not scrapers.

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Read the full article on GamingOnLinux.

Sendworm is software for sending files quickly and securely using the magic-wormhole protocol, which makes it compatible with other tools.

The post Sendworm – send files securely appeared first on LinuxLinks.

Russian hackers use Hyper-V to hide malware within Linux virtual machines.

Firefox has been pushing AI features for a while now. Over the past year, they've added AI chatbots in the sidebar, automatic alt text generation, and AI-enhanced tab grouping. It is basically their way of keeping up with Chrome and Edge, both of which have gone all-in on AI.

Of course not everyone is thrilled about AI creeping into their web browsers, and Mozilla (the ones behind Firefox) seems to understand that. Every AI feature in Firefox is opt-in. You can keep using the browser as you always have, or flip on AI tools when you actually need them.

Now, they are taking this approach a step further with something called AI Window.

Firefox AI Window: What's Cooking?

Mozilla has announced it's working on AI Window, a new browsing mode that comes with a built-in AI assistant. Think of it as a third option alongside the Classic browsing mode and Private Window mode.

Before you get angry, know that it will be fully optional. Switch to AI Window when you want help, or just ignore it entirely. Try it, hate it, disable it. Mozilla's whole pitch is that you stay in control.

On the transparency front, they are making three commitments:

• A fully opt-in experience.
• Features that protect your choice.
• More transparency around how your data is used.

Why bother with all this, you ask? Mozilla sees AI as part of the web's future and wants to shape it their way. They figure ignoring AI while it reshapes the web doesn't help anyone, so they want to steer it toward user control rather than watch browsers from AI companies (read: Big Tech) lock people in.

Ajit Varma, the Vice President and Head of Product at Firefox, put it like this:

We believe standing still while technology moves forward doesn’t benefit the web or humanity. That’s why we see it as our responsibility to shape how AI integrates into the web — in ways that protect and give people more choice, not less.

The feature isn't live. Mozilla's building it "in the open" and wants feedback to shape how it turns out. If you want early access, there's a waitlist at firefox.com/ai to get updates and first dibs on testing.

Suggested Read 📖

Exploring Firefox Tab Groups: Has Mozilla Redeemed Itself?

Firefox’s Tab Groups help you organize tabs efficiently. But how efficiently? Let me share my experience.

It's FOSSSourav Rudra

Gone are the days when Skype was the go-to VoIP tool for every chat, call, or meeting. While Skype once

We did it again, Fedora at Kirinyaga university in Kenya. This time, we didn’t just introduce what open source is – we showed students how to participate and actually contribute in real time.

Many students had heard of open source before, but were not sure how to get started or where they could fit. We did it hands-on and began with a simple explanation of what open source is: people around the world working together to create tools, share knowledge, and support each other. Fedora is one of these communities. It is open, friendly, and built by different people with different skills.

We talked about the many ways someone can contribute, even without deep technical experience. Documentation, writing guides, design work, translation, testing software, and helping new contributors are all important roles in Fedora. Students learned that open source is not only for “experts.” It is also for learners. It is a place to grow.

Hands-on Documentation Workshop

After the introduction, we moved into a hands-on workshop. We opened Fedora Docs and explored how documentation is structured. Students learned how to find issues, read contribution instructions, and make changes step-by-step. We walked together through:

• Opening or choosing an issue to work on
• Editing documentation files
• Making a pull request (PR)
• Writing a clear contribution message

By the end of the workshop, students had created actual contributions that went to the Fedora project. This moment was important. It showed them that contributing is not something you wait to do “someday.” You can do it today.

“This weekend’s Open Source Event with Fedora, hosted by the Computer Society Of Kirinyaga, was truly inspiring!

Through the guidance of Cornelius Emase, I was able to make my first pull request to the Fedora Project Docs – my first ever contribution to the open-source world. ”
– Student at Kirinyaga University

Thank you note

Huge appreciation to:

• Jona Azizaj — for steady guidance and mentorship.
• Mat H. — for backing the vision of regional community building.
• Fedora Mindshare Team — for supporting community growth here in Kenya.
• Computer Society of Kirinyaga — for hosting and bringing real energy into the room.

And to everyone who played a part – even if your name isn’t listed here, I see you. You made this possible.

Growing the next generation

The students showed interest, curiosity, and energy. Many asked how they can continue contributing and how to connect with the wider Fedora community. I guided them to Fedora Docs, Matrix community chat rooms, and how they can be part of the Fedora local meetups here in Kenya.

We are introducing open source step-by-step in Kenya. There is a new generation of students who want to be part of global technology work. They want to learn, collaborate, and build. Our role is to open the door and walk together(I have a discourse post on this, you’re welcome to add your views).

What Comes Next

This event is part of a growing movement to strengthen Fedora’s presence in Kenya. More events will follow so that learning and contributing can continue.

We believe that open source becomes strong when more people are included. Fedora is a place where students in Kenya can learn, grow, share, and contribute to something global.

We already had a Discourse thread running for this event – from the first announcement, planning, and budget proposal, all the way to the final workshop. Everything happened in the open. Students who attended have already shared reflections there, and anyone who wants to keep contributing or stay connected can join the conversation.

You can check the events photos submitted here on Google photos(sorry that’s not FOSS:))

Cornelius Emase,
Your Friend in Open Source(Open Source Freedom Fighter)

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The next iteration of Linux Mint is going to make some interesting changes to the user experience, including a redesigned Start Menu for Cinnamon. Clement Lefebvre, aka Clem, the project and development team leader of the distro has published some details about the upcoming features.

This is what the Cinnamon Menu applet, or the Start Menu, looks like in its current style on Linux Mint 22.2.

Here's the dark theme version with the default menu icon.

It looks fine, and works perfectly. Notice how it blurs out the last item in the list?

Also, here are the current options for customizing the menu.

Well, here is a screenshot of the new Start Menu. It's detached from the bottom of the screen, and looks way better.

(Image courtesy: Linux Mint)

It seems to be wider, yet not taller, and still manages to display more items. This design makes better use of the screen real-estate. The sidebar has been expanded and displays the labels of each shortcut. Moving to the right pane, the list of app categories now uses the same 9-dot grid icons like "All Applications" does. Another improvement that this menu will bring is that it has a description for each shortcut. It kind of reminds me of macOS' Settings app.

(Image courtesy: Linux Mint)

Users will be able to choose where the system buttons are placed (Lock Screen, Log Out, Shut Down), you can choose to keep it as it is, on the left sidebar, or move them to the right of the search bar. Their icons have been redesigned slightly. The search bar can be moved to the bottom of the menu, and this is customizable, so if you like to keep it at the top, you can. If you move the system icons to the left, the search bar will be longer. A customizable Start Menu, imagine that.

The next big change that is heading to Mint users in the future is a new System Reports tool. It has been rebranded as the System Information tool. But, we already have a System Info applet.

(Image courtesy: Linux Mint)

Jokes aside, Clem admitted that the old tool is not enough if a user wanted to troubleshoot problems, such as finding what steps they need to do, or how to use a fix. The System Information tool is designed to provide additional data to help users troubleshoot common issues. It as 4 new pages including a USB page that lists devices connected via a USB port along with their type, name and ID.

The GPU page has details about graphics card and hardware acceleration info, while the PCI page that lists details about your computer's internal components and drivers. There is a BIOS page with info about your motherboard, BIOS version, boot mode and secure-boot.

And finally, there is a new tool, System Administration, which has a similar UI, but is meant for admins. Currently, it only has a boot menu, where you can show/hide the boot menu, configure how long it stays open before the default option for dual-booting/multiple kernels. Users can also add boot parameters while troubleshooting hardware problems.

(Image courtesy: Linux Mint)

When a user asked whether Linux Mint 23 will improve support for Wayland session, i.e. switch from experimental to beta, Clem explained that Wayland Cinnamon is missing a screen locker, and that it’s a complex feature to implement. It may not be ready for Mint 23, but it’s possible. That is very interesting.

The other changes are expected to ship with Mint 22.3 in December 2025.

On a side note, LMDE 6 will reach End of Life on January 1st 2026. Please be aware that LMDE 7 is 64-bit only.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Linux Mint's upcoming changes include a redesigned Cinnamon Start Menu, a System Information tool appeared first on gHacks Technology News.