# Destination Linux EP75


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**Welcome to Episode 75 of Destination Linux**

I’m Rocco and with me today is Ryan, Michael, and Zeb.
This episode is steaming live on Youtube and Twitch.

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**What have you been up to this week:**
> [Ryan] Completed my Ryzen build out. Vega 56 with the Feral game boost and some tweaking was able to compete with the 1080 so now I'm full AMD and have no need to install drivers everytime I load a new distro.
[Zeb]
[Michael]
[Rocco]

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**DL Emails:** [Rocco]
######

###### > Hi,

###### > Big fan of the show, i listen as soon as i can to each new episode.
###### > I thought you would be interested to know that Linux is already dominant in the high end VFX world. I work for a small animation studio where Linux is the pro-dominant OS, but is the industry standard, not the exception.
###### > There are several high-end products which work on Linux, including Autodesk Maya, Mudbox, Foundry Modo, Nuke, Davinci Resolve, Fusion, SideFX Houdini. The large VFX Studios including Pixar, Dreamworks, ILM, Weta also use linux. (CentOS is the main distro used, i heard ILM just switched to CentOS 7 from 6.).
###### > While Video editing is still a mix of Mac/Windows/Linux, with linux being the weaker for video editing it is still possible to create high-end work from start to finish on Linux using industry leading software.
###### > Also Ryan should try EXWM, i now use that after having used i3 for about 7 years.
>
###### >Regards,
###### > Richard

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## **Distro News:**

### [Linux Mint 19 New Features](https://www.linuxmint.com/rel_tara_cinnamon_whatsnew.php) (Ryan)
- BETA is out now for Mint 19
- Timeshift becomes the focus of Mint 19 strategy. Allowing for security and stability by allowing users to apply all updates but then go back to a snapshot if something breaks.
- Update Manager no longer promotes vigilance and suggests applying all updates using Timeshift
- New streamlined welcome page
- not as fancy or nice as software botique in Ubuntu Mate or the welcome screen in Ubuntu Budgie but definitely a step in the right direction.
- Software store has better interface, faster searching, faster launching
- Cinnamon 3.8 get's snappier and managed to improve performance across the board.
- Better HiDPI support
- New artwork and much more coming to Linux Mint 19.
- Stable release is expected to release a the end of this month.

### [KDE 5.13 Release Announcement](https://dot.kde.org/2018/06/13/plasma-513-new-version-kdes-desktop-environment-here) (Michael)

### [KDE Plasma 5.13 Officially Released with Revamped Lock & Login Screens, Settings](https://news.softpedia.com/news/kde-plasma-5-13-officially-released-with-revamped-lock-login-screens-settings-521521.shtml)
- Revamped lock and login screens
- Lock Screen has a slick fade-to-blur transition for displaying the controls
- Redesigned System Settings to make it easier for users to set up themes, fonts, screensavers, and more
- Plasma Browser Integration for downloads and media controls
- Usability improvements for Plasma Vaults, KDE Connect, Notification History and many more

### [KDE Maintainer Martin Floser Stepping Down](https://mail.kde.org/pipermail/plasma-devel/2018-June/086117.html) (Rocco)

- There is some intesting occurrences in the KDE world this week starting with a blog post from Martin Floser who is stepping down officially as a maintainer.
- In Martin's blog post he gives some interesting critiques to KDE and admitted to losing some passion for the project as being the core reason he is leaving. Martin was very quick to point out he thinks ultimately the teams do amazing work but there are some areas of contension that need to be addressed:
- First he gives an example of a change of lock screen wallpaper and window decorations. Which boils down to his feeling that there has to be a 'fight' between the internal teams to get a viable technical solution to issues.
- The other interesting issue he mentions is the focus on usability that is creating monstrous code that he feels is unmaintainable and more work is being put into adding new usability features vs. improving what's already there.
- There are other issues he brings up as well which all seem to focus around a lack of collaboration between the internal groups that make up the KDE team.
- This blog post from Martin spawned a reply post from a KDE Developer Alex where he addresses some of the critiques and offers some solutions:
- To the fragmented discussions he recommends a single tool for group meetings where representation from the multiple teams is encouraged.
- Apparently the Visual Design Group preferred Google Hangouts while the other groups used 'Telegram' and meanwhile Telegram doesn't interface well with IRC so he wants everyone to use Matrix/IRC
- So the cliff note version is there seems to be a need for a good Project Leader who can coordinate the various organizations onto a single platform and help develop a good design tree and approval process to streamline operations. The good news is this stepping down letter might spawn some important conversations to help KDE in the future.

### [VDG does not exist](http://www.alexl.netsons.org/713/) Article as a response to Martin

Anytime you like Zeb
### [Cannonical Keep Us Safe With New Kernel Patch](https://news.softpedia.com/news/canonical-outs-new-kernel-security-updates-for-all-supported-ubuntu-releases-521516.shtml) (Zeb)
- Canonical has released a new kernel security updates to all of its supported version from 14.04 on up.
- The address security issues were namely potential vulnerabilities that would be executed locally.
- The two main ones would allow for denial of service attacks from the file system EXT4 or the execution of arbitrary code.
- These issues are now patched so make sure to apply your updates.
--------

## **Software News:**

### [Private Internet Access’ “No-Logging” Claims Proven True Again in Court](https://torrentfreak.com/private-internet-access-no-logging-claims-proven-true-again-in-court-180606/) (Ryan)
Once again, PIA proves they do what they say by NO Logging!!
- A recent hacking trial in San Francisco proved for the second time that PIA does not log.
- The 34-year-old was accused of hacking into several local media websites
- The company’s websites were hacked to display the Guy Fawkes image associated with Anonymous and with the message *“Unbalanced Journalism for profit at the cost of human right. Brought to you by the Almanac”*
- The conclusion of the case was that PIA was unable to produce any useful information in the response to the subpoena.
- But while PIA could not connect Colby’s IP addresses to any illegal activity, the same could not be said of other companies. Evidence presented to the Court showed that in addition to the PIA addresses that were used to access the Embarcadero Media email accounts, an IP address belonging to Comcast was also used on 20 occasions.
- It was discussed in the court that the only data PIA retains is the email address used to sign up.
____

### [Gitlab Rejoices - Github gets bought](https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Microsoft-GitHub-Reported-Deal) (Michael)
- We covered the rumor of this last week but the rumors were in fact true. Microsoft has purchased Github for $7.5 Billion
- This has created an interesting amount of stress reportedly over at Gitlab as the non-Microsoft and [FOSS fans](https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2018/06/microsoft-buying-github) jump ship.
- GIMP has also jumped ship along with GNOME and several other projects are rumored to be jumping ship as well
- Additionally Gitlab has struck while the iron is hot and made their premium tiered plans free for open source projects now.
- It will be interesting to see how Microsoft handles this platform and the exodus of open source projects. The fear based on community comments is whether they will look to add in any meta-data grabs or ads to the platform as they will obviously be wanting to find some way to monetize the platform if they stick with their traditional methods.
- Met Jason Plum at SELF

https://www.linuxfoundation.org/blog/microsoft-buys-github-the-linux-foundations-reaction/
we are coming up on an hour, we need to skip something
--- Go to gaming? Because qbit and themes can be in next weeks
we should cover the intel 28 core at least because of the youtube shoutout
### [qBittorrent 4.1.1 Released](http://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2018/05/qbittorrent-4-1-1-released-socks-5-fixed/) (Zeb)

- qBittorrent had a new release and includes some important fixes and new features like:
- Moving state for relocated torrent files
- File recovery setting improvements
- Fixed destination folder issue w/ Nautilus > 3.28
- UI changes
- Remember last save path
- [Discussion] What’s your favorite bit torrent application?
- [Dasgeek] Whatever the distro picks for me on install

### [Top 30 Themes For Ubuntu](https://www.fossmint.com/best-ubuntu-themes/) (Rocco)
- Fossmint has compiled a list of 30 of the best themes to use for Ubuntu.
- Would love to get Rocco's feedback as the theme king.
- One of interest include:
- Flat Remix theme: very modern and clean looking interface. Comes with light and dark options as well as its own icon pack.
- United Gnome brings back the Unity look to the desktop environment
- Blue Face is said to be for Facebook lovers. When we find some of them, we can send them to this theme.
- Human Shell Theme is for the mac OS theme lovers out there. Gray and semi-transparent color scheme that can be coupled with some docks to give you that Apple experience with half the cost.

> 30 themes

* Good themes are hard to come by
* Many themes are not updated
* Dark themes are just not done right, too dark or unreadable text
* Some are not what they look like in the SS
* When you try multiple themes out, many conflict with others so you don't get the right look

> ArcMPD
> good - Minor transparency in the file manager, white/light
> close and minimize are transparent red circles..meh
>
> Flat Remix Gnome theme - Nice
> Slight transparency, dark side panel in file manager, red circle close, transparent panel and dock, line on the dock to highlight open programs
>
> Ant
> 4 variants including pink and dark but meh
>
> Canta
> Dark and light versions, very nice material design theme with a square and round version of highlights. a picture in the file manager. Only one color of green highlights
>
> Paper
> was a great theme but is now an icon set only with the actual theme not being devoloped any longer
>
> Arc
> Always nice but a little overused and trouble installing
>
> United Gnome
> Many variants including an Antergos Version? Dark.....very dark
>
> Matcha
> Very nice with dark and light variants in an orange and blue highlight but too close to Arc
>
> Facebook
> Ummm no! Welcome to 2000 with blue everywhere including the context panes
>
> Adapta
> Stand by theme but trouble installing it. noticed it specifically states it does NOT support ElementaryOS
>
> Pop Theme
> Obviously a great theme
>
> Vimix
> The version I tried does not work well with Gnome, made the screen unreadable. There is a PPA but it does not have a Bionic release
>
> Qogir NICE - ad-arc-win
> A flat theme based on Arc but changes have been made to make it differnt enough. one of the nicer themes out of the bunch. Changes the file manager to add the icon of the folder on an outside panel. Adapta type close and minimize buttons +. Another + it includes a variant that adds the big square windows 10 variant
>
> Materia
> ok variant of Adapta
>
> MacOS High Sierra Theme
> Used to be nice but it gets lost in how much you have to do to get it to look like a Mac
>
> Minimal Conception
> Gnome Shell theme but makes the menu icon huge compared to the other icons.
>
> Windows 10
> What do you want, it's a windows theme
>
> Sector X
> Gnome shell theme but not working properly with issues not matching up
>
> Axion Theme
> Gnome shell theme, uh no
>
> NumixPack
> Numix is something you either love or hate. Numix gets the dark background right but I'm not a fan of the colors or the font colors
>
> Copernico
> A gnome shell theme with nothing special
>
> t4G
> A gnome shell theme that I used to like but either other themes were conflicting with it or it has changed for the bad.
>
> Glassfull
> A gnome shell theme that did not look good
>
> Granite
> A gnome shell theme that did not look good
>
> Human
> A gnome shell with three variants. None of them were spell bounding
>
> Darqlassic
> a gnome shell theme....sigh
>
> Ambrosia
> No
>
> Vertex
> A great theme but not so easy to install
>
> petitlepon
> Didn't work
- [Discussion] Who on the crew changes their theme outside of what's included in the distribution?
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## **Hardware News:**

### [Intel Goes After GPU Market](https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/18/06/12/1658201/intel-says-its-first-discrete-graphics-chips-will-be-available-in-2020?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Slashdot%2Fslashdot+%28Slashdot%29) (Ryan)

- If you're tired of Nvdia and AMD battling it out for supremecy with no other viable competition, your dreams are about to come true.
- Intel has announced during an analyst event they're going to release dedicated GPU graphics cards for gaming, data centers, and AI.
- This will certainly help push competition in the markets and Intel has a good track record of support for Linux.
- The cards are expected in 2020 so we have to wait a few years but hopefully they offer open source support just like AMD and provide some price relief for the GPU market.

### [Intel Announces i7 8086k with 28 Cores](https://www.techspot.com/news/74931-intel-announces-28-core-cpu-5ghz-core-i7.html) (Michael)
- Intel feeling some pressure from AMD Ryzen and Threadripper series announced they're releasing a 28 core i7 chip at 5.0Ghz with overclocking.
- The chip is expected to cost around $425
- BUT AMD had something to say about this announcement. Being on top of their game like never before AMD announced a new CPU as well. A 24 and 32 core Threadripper 2nd Generation chip with 64 threads and it will maintain compatibility with the Threadripper first gen socket.
- These CPU wars are heating up and this ultimately benefits us as the consumers who will likely see some incredible new hardware on the market and price cuts to prior generation CPU's.

[Shoutout] - shoutout to Gamers Nexus

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# Gaming

### What I’ve been playing: Tomb Raider
Overwhelmingly positive reviews. Beautiful graphics and puzzle based action that Zeb and Rocco will be happy to know is full on AAA graphics.

### [Winepak Is A Flatpak Repository For Windows (Wine) Games And Applications](https://www.linuxuprising.com/2018/06/winepak-is-flatpak-repository-for.html) (Michael)
It's not something you can't already do through WINE or Lutris but it is pretty cool for people who don't know how to set those up

### [Games Coming to Linux](https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/what-linux-games-are-you-looking-forward-to-this-year-heres-my-top-picks.11881) (Zeb)
> [Zeb] you need to point out the pixel games...
- Our friends over at GamingOnLinux released a list of anticipated Linux titles coming this year including:
- [Life Is Strange (Feral)]( https://www.feralinteractive.com/en/games/lifeisstrange/) NP
- [Total War: Thrones of Brittania]( (Feral)https://store.steampowered.com/app/712100/Total_War_Saga_Thrones_of_Britannia/) NP
- [Battletech (Mech Battles)](https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/battletech-to-launch-in-april-linux-version-will-be-2-3-months-behind.11489) NP
- [Them's Fightin' Herds (2D fighter)](https://store.steampowered.com/app/574980/Thems_Fightin_Herds/) P
- [Insomnia](https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/story-driven-rpg-insomnia-the-ark-has-a-new-teaser-trailer-still-coming-to-linux.11507) NP
- [Serious Sam 4](https://store.steampowered.com/app/257420/agecheck) NP
- [We Happy Few](https://store.steampowered.com/app/320240/We_Happy_Few/) NP
- [Drag](https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/realistic-racing-game-drag-coming-to-linux-soon-built-on-linux-and-it-looks-astonishing.11069) NP
- [OffGrid](http://www.offgridthegame.com/videos) NP/P
- [Hypergate](https://store.steampowered.com/app/809530/Hypergate/) NP
- [Artifact (Valve Card Battle Game)](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/05/01/artifact-dota-card-game-from-valve-preview/) P
- [Crazy Justice (Battle Royale game)](https://crazyjustice.co/) NP/P

### [Nvidia 390.67 Linux Driver Has Been Released](https://phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=NVIDIA-390.67-Linux-Released) (Rocco)
- Nvidia has released its 390.67 driver to the Linux world which comes with a lot of bug fixes like:
- Fixed a bug that could cause kernel panics when using Quadro SDI Capture hardware.
- Fixed a bug that caused kwin OpenGL compositing to crash when launching certain OpenGL applications.
- Fixed an intermittent crash when launching Vulkan applications.
- Fixed an intermittent crash when launching applications through Wine.
- Fixed a bug that caused the driver, in some low bandwidth DisplayPort configurations, to not implicitly enable display dithering. This resulted in visible banding.
- Added support for X.Org xserver ABI 24 (xorg-server 1.20).
- Improved nvidia-bug-report.sh to check for kern.log which is the default kernel log-file location for many Debian-based Linux distributions.
- Fixed a bug which could cause X servers that export a Video Driver ABI earlier than 0.8 to crash when running X11 applications which call XRenderAddTraps().

### [Dota 2 Vulkan Performance MacOS vs Linux vs Windows](https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=dota2-vulkan-redux&num=1) (Ryan)
- Apple was in the news this week with their announcement of going to their Metal platform and deprecated their OpenCL and OpenGL support and not jumping on board the Vulkan train.
- This move had some wondering whether this would impact Linux gaming as MacOS has a slight edge on Linux for desktop gaming market share and now developers would have to potentially have less synergies between porting to MacOS and Linux with Apple going to this Metal platform.
- However, Valve has shown they can use a Vulkan layer wrapper to call to Apple Metal drivers and showed it works pretty well. Though in the benchmarks Linux and Windows beat the MacOS version in performance across the board and in these tests by our friends at Phoronix it also showed the performance gains of Vulkan overall against the OpenCL platform which is considerable.

________________

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### Where Can You Find Us This Week
Rocco can be found at www.bigdaddylinux.com
Ryan can be found on youtube at www.youtube.com/dasgeek
Zeb can be found on youtube at www.youtube.com/zebedeeboss
Michael can be found at www.tuxdigital.com
All of us can be found on [Big Daddy Linux Live!](https://www.youtube.com/bigdaddylinux/live) Which is on every Saturday night on the [BigDaddyLinux Youtube channel](http://www.youtube.com/bigdaddylinux)
Twitter
[@bigdaddylinux](https://twitter.com/BigDaddyLinux) [@dasgeekchannel](https://twitter.com/dasgeekchannel) [@TuxDigitalcom](https://twitter.com/TuxDigitalcom) [@zebedeeboss](https://twitter.com/zebedeeboss)

[Rocco] A big thank you to each and every one of you for supporting us by watching or listening to Destination Linux. Zeb....how can they get a hold of us.

[Zeb] Talk about e-mails and correspondence we want from our listeners.

[Michael] Watch us live on Twitch

[Ryan] We appreciate all the continued support of our Patrons and those who support the channel. Also, thank you for those that leave comments, send us emails, subscribe, and hanging out with us on our individual channels. This feedback and support helps us to continue getting better.

#### <p style="text-align: center;">Everybody have a great week and remember the Journey ITSELF is just as important as the Destination</p>