BetaNews: Huge BootHole flaw in GRUB2 bootloader leaves millions of Windows and Linux systems at risk from hackers. “A serious vulnerability dubbed BootHole has been discovered in the GRUB2 bootloader. Millions of systems run the risk of being exposed to hackers — primarily those running Linux, but Windows is also affected.”
Linux
The Register: Linux Foundation starts new group to build pandemic-popping software
The Register: Linux Foundation starts new group to build pandemic-popping software. “The Linux Foundation has announced a new Public Health initiative (LFPH) that ‘builds, secures, and sustains open source software to help public health authorities (PHAs) combat COVID-19 and future epidemics.'”
MakeTechEasier: Virtual Assistants for Linux You Can Use on Your Desktop
MakeTechEasier: Virtual Assistants for Linux You Can Use on Your Desktop . “You have most likely heard about virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and even Google Assistant. It isn’t common, however, to hear about virtual assistants for Linux. That doesn’t mean Linux doesn’t have anything to offer, however. Here, we’ll take a look at two virtual assistants that are available for Linux.”
BetaNews: Ubuntu-based Linux Mint 20 ‘Ulyana’ is here
BetaNews: Ubuntu-based Linux Mint 20 ‘Ulyana’ is here. “Earlier this month, we told you about Linux Mint 20 BETA . Code-named ‘Ulyana,’ it was a very controversial release, as the developers decided to cancel the 32-bit version. Unfortunately, the devs also shocked the world by revealing their intention to remove Snapd starting with version 20 of the operating system. Don’t forget, all of this follows the unpopular decision by the developers to pull both GIMP and VLC from Mint too.”
Neowin: Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) 4 available for download
Neowin: Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) 4 available for download. “At the time of writing, the Linux Mint project is still to announce the release of Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) 4 but if you check out mirror services, you can grab the new version right now. The new update brings improvements that were shipped with Linux Mint 19.3 such as Cinnamon 4.4, new default software, a boot repair tool, and more.”
BetaNews: Official how to switch from Windows 7 to Ubuntu Linux tutorial now available
BetaNews: Official how to switch from Windows 7 to Ubuntu Linux tutorial now available. “Understandably, many people are scared of Windows 10 — Microsoft’s data collection through extreme telemetry can make it feel like your own computer is spying on you. In that case, a Linux-based operating system should be considered. Today, Canonical releases an official guide for those thinking of switching to Ubuntu from Windows 7. Not only does the guide address potential hardware incompatibilities, but it provides a handy list of popular Windows software and its comparable Linux alternatives.”
Make Tech Easier: Zorin OS 15.1 Review
Make Tech Easier: Zorin OS 15.1 Review. “Hailed as the last good version of Windows by many, Windows 7 is now officially retired. Zorin OS’s creators know this leaves a massive chunk of users with a choice between two equally uncomfortable solutions: upgrade to Windows 10 or jump ship to Linux. This is primarily the user group Zorin OS targets and, to Microsoft’s chagrin and as we’ll see, probably the better choice.”
OMG! Ubuntu! How to Make Linux Mint Look Like Windows 7
OMG! Ubuntu!: How to Make Linux Mint Look Like Windows 7. “We’ve shown you how to make Linux Mint look like a Mac before so aping the appearance of a different system (while not to everyone’s tastes) is something you already know is possible. But we’ve never really touched on how to make your desktop look like Windows — and Linux Mint is the ideal starting point if you want to do that as it looks and behaves more like Windows than regular Ubuntu does.”
Softpedia News: Linux Lite 4.8 Arrives as a Windows 7 Alternative, Based on Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS
Softpedia News: Linux Lite 4.8 Arrives as a Windows 7 Alternative, Based on Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS. “Linux Lite creator Jerry Bezencon announced today the release and general availability of the Linux Lite 4.8 operating system as an alternative to the soon-to-be-deprecated Windows 7 OS.”
Make Tech Easier: Thirteen Useful Tools for Working with Text on the Command Line
I’m not going to lie to you, sometimes I include stuff because I want it for later. Make Tech Easier: Thirteen Useful Tools for Working with Text on the Command Line. “GNU/Linux distributions include a wealth of programs for handling text, most of which are provided by the GNU core utilities. There’s somewhat of a learning curve, but these utilities can prove very useful and efficient when used correctly. Here are thirteen powerful text manipulation tools every command-line user should know.”
ZDNet: Linux Mint 19.3 is here and better than ever
ZDNet: Linux Mint 19.3 is here and better than ever. “While many of us were getting ready to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah, Linux Mint quietly gifted us with the latest long-term support (LTS) version of its popular desktop Linux desktop, Linux Mint ‘Tricia’ 19.3.”
Neowin: Linux Mint 19.3 ‘Tricia’ now available in three editions
Neowin: Linux Mint 19.3 ‘Tricia’ now available in three editions. “The team behind Linux Mint has announced the availability of Linux Mint 19.3, the announcement comes less than a week after we reported that the final disc images were undergoing tests. As is the case with the last few Linux Mint version, Tricia will be available in three editions: Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce.”
BetaNews: Zorin OS 15.1 Linux distro is ready to replace Microsoft’s dying Windows 7 on your PC
BetaNews: Zorin OS 15.1 Linux distro is ready to replace Microsoft’s dying Windows 7 on your PC. “If you are ready to ditch the soon-to-be-unsupported Windows 7 for a more secure Linux-based operating system, you have plenty of great options. One of the best choices, however, is Zorin OS — a Linux distribution that specifically targets people switching from Windows. Today, the latest version of that operating system, Zorin OS 15.1, is released to the world.” If you’ve got someone who’s used to Windows, has Windows 7, and can’t/won’t upgrade to Windows 10, Zorin is great. If all they want to do is get on the Internet and do their stuff in the cloud, it’s really great.
Ubuntu 19.10: It’s fast, like “make old hardware feel new” fast (Ars Technica)
Ars Technica: Ubuntu 19.10: It’s fast, like “make old hardware feel new” fast. “Leaves are turning. Temperatures have dipped. These are sure signs—if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, at least—that Canonical’s Autumn release is upon us. Things are a bit different in 2019, however. Not only is Ubuntu 19.10 nicknamed Eoan Ermine (no, I don’t know how you pronounce it either), but it’s the best non-LTS Ubuntu release Canonical has ever put out.”
BetaNews: Zorin OS 15 Lite Linux distro can rejuvenate your aging Windows PC
BetaNews: Zorin OS 15 Lite Linux distro can rejuvenate your aging Windows PC. “Why buy new hardware if you don’t need it? A better operating system can often make the computer run fast again. Today, you can download an excellent such Linux-based operating system. Called ‘Zorin OS 15 Lite,’ it is not only lightweight, but thanks to the Xfce desktop environment and integrated Flatpak support, it should be quite familiar to those switching from Windows. In fact, the developers are intentionally targeting existing Windows 7 users, as Microsoft’s operating system will be unsupported beginning January 2020.” I migrated my husband to Zorin. Very easy learning curve if you’re at all familiar with Windows 7.
