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.

Debian 13.2 is now available for download as a new point release to Debian 13 “Trixie” with 123 bug fixes and 55 security updates.

The post Debian 13.2 “Trixie” Released with 123 Bug Fixes and 55 Security Updates appeared first on 9to5Linux - do not reproduce this article without permission. This RSS feed is intended for readers, not scrapers.

shiny-mirrors is an alternative to Manjaro's pacman-mirrors and Arch's reflector, written in Rust.

The post shiny-mirrors – find the best mirrors for Arch-based distros appeared first on LinuxLinks.

If you’re like me, you probably grew up with the classic Linux command-line tools such as ls, cat, du. These commands have carried me through countless scripts and late-night debugging sessions.

Here's the thing. While these tools do their job, they can be plain looking and difficult to use for certain tasks.

Take the du command for example. It shows the disk usage on the system but use it without any option, and it is a mess.

Terminals today support color, Unicode icons, live previews, all things our old favorites weren’t designed for. And the Rust revolution has quietly reshaped the command-line landscape. So there is a wave of Rust-based CLI tools that don’t just replicate the traditional ones; they modernize them. They’re fast, (claim to be) memory-safe, polished, and often come with thoughtful UX touches that make daily terminal work noticeably smoother.

I’ve been tinkering with these tools lately, and I thought it’d be fun to share a list of my favorites.

exa: Alternative to ls

If there’s one tool that convinced me Rust CLI apps were worth exploring, it’s exa. It feels familiar but adds what the original ls has always lacked: sensible colors, icons, and Git awareness.

Highlights:

• Beautiful color themes
• Git integration
• Optional tree view
• Clearer permissions formatting

Installation:

cargo install exa

Usage:

exa -al --git

You can instantly see which files are new, which are modified, and which are pure chaos.

bat: Alternative to cat

cat is great for quick checks, but reading config files or code in raw plain text gets tedious. bat fixes that with syntax highlighting, Git integration, and line numbers, automatic paging, without losing cat compatibility.

Installation:

cargo install bat

Example Usage:

bat ~/.bashrc

It’s basically cat with a glow-up ✨. When I first used it, I found myself opening random config files just to admire the colors.

dust: Alternative to du

du always dumps a mountain of numbers on your screen. dust turns that into a compact, visual representation of disk usage that you can parse at a glance.

It’s instantly more readable than the old command. The output is clean, easy to parse, and shows relative sizes visually. I swear my hard drive has never looked this friendly. 😎

Install dust:

cargo install du-dust

Usage:

dust

fd: Alternative to find

Remember spending 10 minutes crafting the perfect find command? Yeah… me too. fd makes this easier. It has simple syntax, ignores hidden files by default and it is super-fast.

Install fd:

cargo install fd-find

Example:

fd main.rs
fd fossnews

Its speed and simplicity make find feel outdated. After switching, you’ll rarely look back.

ripgrep (rg): Alternative to grep

Rust-based ripgrep has become a must-have for developers. It’s dramatically faster and gives clear, highlighted search results.

Install ripgrep:

cargo install ripgrep

Example usage:

rg TODO src/

It respects your .gitignore and outputs results with color highlighting. I use it every day for searching TODOs, bug reports.

duf: Alternative to df

df is useful, but let’s be honest: the output looks like something printed from a 90s dot-matrix printer😆. duf fixes that. It takes the same disk-usage information and turns it into a clean, colorful, structured table you can actually understand at a glance.

duf gives you a clean dashboard with grouped filesystems, readable sizes, clear partition labels, and a quick view of what’s healthy vs. what’s nearly full.

Installation:

sudo apt install duf

Usage:

duf

procs: Alternative to ps

While ps aux works, it can feel visually overwhelming. procs gives you a more structured, color-coded view of your system processes, letting you quickly see what’s running without the need to launch a full TUI tool like htop.

It’s like a personal dashboard for your processes. I use it every day to keep tabs on what’s running without feeling buried in a wall of text.

Installation:

cargo install procs

Usage:

procs

tldr: Alternative to man

tldr makes navigating manual pages painless by offering clear examples, highlighting essential flags, and keeping things short (no scrolling forever).

Installation:

cargo install tldr

Usage:

tldr tar

Honestly, I wish this existed when I was learning Linux, it's a lifesaver for newbies and veterans alike.

broot: Alternative to tree

If you’ve ever used tree, you know it can quickly becomes overwhelming in large directories. broot upgrades the concept: it lets you navigate directories interactively, collapse or expand folders on the fly, and search as you go.

Installation:

cargo install broot

Usage:

broot

I’ve ditched my old ls -R habit entirely, broot makes exploring directories feel interactive and satisfying, turning a messy filesystem into something you can actually enjoy navigating.

zoxide: Alternative to cd

How many times have you typed cd ../../../../some/long/path? Too many, right? z (or zoxide) solves that by tracking your most visited directories and letting you jump to them with a single command, saving your fingers and making navigation effortless.

Installation:

cargo install zoxide

You also need to initialize it in your shell:

# Bash
eval "$(zoxide init bash)"
# Zsh
eval "$(zoxide init zsh)"
# Fish
zoxide init fish | source

Usage:

z code

It keeps track of your frequently used directories and lets you jump to them instantly.

lsd: Alternative to ls

If you’re tired of the plain, monochrome output of ls, lsd is here to make your directory listings not just readable, but enjoyable. With built-in icons and vibrant colors, it instantly helps you distinguish between files, directories, and executables at a glance.

Installation:

cargo install lsd

You can run it just like a normal ls command:

lsd -la

lsd organizes information clearly and highlights key file attributes, making navigation faster and more intuitive.

bottom: Alternative to top

The classic top command shows system usage, but let’s face it, it can feel like you’re looking at a terminal snapshot from 1995 😆. bottom (or btm) brings a modern, clean, and highly visual experience to monitoring your system. It provides:

• Color-coded CPU, memory, and disk usage
• Real-time graphs directly in the terminal
• An organized layout that’s easy to read and navigate

Installation:

cargo install bottom

You can launch it simply with:

btm

Once you start using bottom, it’s hard to go back. Watching CPU spikes, memory usage, and disk activity while compiling Rust projects feels strangely satisfying. It’s both functional and fun, giving you the insights you need without the clutter of older tools.

hyperfine: Alternative to time and other benchmarking commands

Ever wondered which of your commands is truly the fastest? Stop guessing and start measuring with hyperfine. This Rust-based benchmarking tool makes it effortless to compare commands side by side.

hyperfine runs each command multiple times, calculates averages, and gives you a clear, color-coded comparison of execution times. Beyond simple comparisons, it also supports warm-up runs, statistical analysis, and custom command setups, making it a powerful addition to any developer’s toolkit.

Installation:

cargo install hyperfine

Usage example:

hyperfine "exa -al" "ls -al"

Watching exa obliterate ls in mere milliseconds is oddly satisfying⚡. If you love optimization, efficiency, and a little nerdy satisfaction, hyperfine is your new best friend.

xplr: Alternative to nnn

Now, I don't know if I can call nnn a classic Linux tool but I liked xplr so much that I decided to include it here.

xplr takes the idea of a terminal file explorer to the next level. If you loved broot, xplr will blow your mind with these features:

• Navigate directories using arrow keys or Vim-style bindings
• Preview files directly inside the terminal
• Launch commands on files without leaving the app
• Fully customizable layouts and keybindings for power users

Installation:

cargo install xplr

Usage:

xplr

Wrapping Up

Switching to new commands might feel like extra effort at first, but Rust-based CLI tools are often more than just a trend, they’re fast, modern, and designed to make your workflow enjoyable.

• They handle colors, syntax highlighting, and Git integration right out of the box.
• They save keystrokes, reduce frustration, and make complex tasks simpler.
• They make your terminal feel alive and engaging.

On top of that, using them makes you look extra cool in front of fellow Linux nerds. Trust me, it’s a subtle flex 💪

Start small, maybe install exa and bat first, and gradually expand your toolkit. Soon, your terminal will feel futuristic, your workflow smoother, and your projects easier to manage.

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.

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Read the full article on GamingOnLinux.

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.

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

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