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UNIX - Introduction

Operating System (OS) acts as an interface between users and hardware, managing tasks like process and memory management. UNIX OS, developed in 1969, was a significant advancement for multiuser and multitasking systems.
BSD UNIX, developed in 1977, included enhanced networking features for Local Area Networks. In 1983, the GNU project aimed to create an open-source UNIX-like OS, which, combined with Linus Torvalds' Linux kernel, led to the creation of the Linux OS.
The kernel, central to an OS, manages hardware resources, processes, and interrupts in a protected space, facilitating software-hardware interaction.
In UNIX, data is organized hierarchically in files and directories within the file system. Each file type (ordinary, directory, special) serves different functions.
The shell functions as the user-kernel interface, interpreting and executing commands sent by users via the Command Line Interface (CLI). Commands with or without options alter their behaviors.
Understanding a command's details involves exploring its man page, which provides comprehensive information, including descriptions, options, and examples.
In UNIX, user accounts are classified as normal or admin (root) users, with associated components like username, password, UID, GID, and home directory.
Passwords in UNIX are stored securely, with passwd command used to update passwords. Root users can change passwords without the need for the current user's password.
Searching within man pages can be done by section number or keyword, aiding users in navigating and understanding command documentation effectively.
This overview offers insights into UNIX fundamentals, enhancing comprehension of its structure and functionality for users navigating the UNIX environment.

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Digitaltrends

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The $14,000 Mac Studio is wildly expensive — but don’t tell me it’s overpriced

Apple's Mac Studio, priced at $14,000, is often regarded as expensive but not necessarily overpriced.
The Mac Studio offers high-performance specifications, including an M3 Ultra chip, 512GB of unified memory, 16TB of SSD storage, and impressive build quality.
Compared to similar powerful Windows systems, the Mac Studio is reasonably priced and offers better performance in a smaller form factor.
While it may seem overpriced to some consumers, the Mac Studio is designed for professionals with demanding workloads, making it a worthwhile investment for those specific needs.

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Hackaday

328

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Linux Fu: Use the Source (Command), Luke

Bash has some unique features like dynamic scoping and how variables are handled, which can lead to unexpected behaviors when changing variables.
Using the source command can avoid running a new interpreter and maintain changes within the same shell session, helping in cases like resetting paths.
By sourcing scripts instead of running them separately, changes made within the script persist in the parent shell, which can cause unintended effects.
Implementing aliases for scripts can help in managing functions and variables within the shell environment, providing a cleaner way to handle commands.
Managing variables within functions using local variables and unsetting them after use can prevent pollution of the global namespace in the shell.
A framework using a main function and a cleaning function like go can help in organizing scripts and ensuring proper variable scope management.
The example script discussed in the article focuses on creating aliases and managing variables effectively using bash programming techniques.
The script's structure allows for dynamic alias creation and cleanup of functions to maintain a clean and organized shell environment.
By leveraging the source mode and scripting capabilities in bash, users can optimize their workflows and streamline tasks effectively.
The article provides insights into bash programming nuances, debugging, and efficient script management strategies for advanced users.

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Rockpapershotgun

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No Assassin's Creed sequel has ever matched the weird poetry of the first game's towers

The tower-climbing mechanic in Ubisoft games, dating back to the original Assassin’s Creed, offers a gratifying narrative loop of exploration and map unfogging.
While tower climbing used to be popular, it has faced criticism for its ubiquity in open-world games.
Assassin’s Creed's original metafictional framing and synchronization concept have a poetic complexity that newer sequels lack.
The game's themes of agency, puppeteering, and synchronizing genetic memories add layers to the storytelling and gameplay.
Climbing towers in Assassin's Creed involves synchronizing perspectives and symbolism, like reconciling the protagonist with his archetype.
The act of synchronizing in the game is more than just unlocking map content; it involves stringing together stars into constellations of meaning.
The significance of haystacks in the tower climbing loop provides shortcuts and dramatic falls, emphasizing the leap of faith mechanic.
The concept of 'faith' in Assassin's Creed's leap of faith implies acting without certainty, yet the game always ensures a safe landing.
There is a suggestion of missed potential in making tower-climbing more unpredictable and meaningful, allowing for a deeper form of play and exploration.
While the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows may not delve into such experimentation, other development teams could explore deeper gameplay elements in similar contexts.

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Linux Journal

139

Ubuntu Home Automation: Building a Smart Living Space with Open Source Tools

Home automation has transformed the way we interact with our living spaces, bringing convenience, security, and energy efficiency to our daily lives.
Open source software solutions, combined with the power of Ubuntu, offer a customizable, cost-effective, and secure smart home ecosystem.
Home automation refers to the integration of various smart devices, sensors, and appliances that can be remotely controlled or automated based on predefined conditions.
Open source home automation provides full control over the smart home environment with flexibility, security, and community-driven innovation.

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The Verge

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Fortnite is coming to Windows on Arm

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite is coming to Windows devices with Qualcomm's Arm-based Snapdragon chips.
The partnership with Qualcomm will add Windows on Snapdragon support for Easy Anti-Cheat, making the game compatible with these devices.
The majority of PC games are compiled for x64 architecture, which is not directly compatible with Windows on Snapdragon.
Testing anti-cheat support with Fortnite will help ensure smooth implementations in other games.

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Macstories

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The iPad’s “Sweet” Solution

Some of the best apps with desktop-class layouts and experiences on iPad are web apps rather than native iPad apps, due to cost-saving measures, App Store policies, and young coders turning to the web for projects.
Tech companies prioritize 'build once, ship everywhere' strategies with web apps for cross-platform accessibility, leading to web versions often being more feature-rich than native iPad apps.
Apple's App Store policies, iPadOS limitations, and lack of native, modern iPad apps from popular services contribute to the dominance of web apps over iPad-specific apps.
The rise of web apps is not limited to iPadOS but also prevalent on desktop platforms, with the Mac ecosystem still showing a vibrant indie app market compared to the iPad.
Web apps offer superior multitasking and experiences on visionOS compared to iPadOS, highlighting the limitations and lack of optimization for the iPad.
Examples like Todoist, Readwise Reader, and Shortwave demonstrate the significant differences in features, usability, and experience between their iPad and web versions.
Developers struggle with prioritizing native iPad app development due to limited resources, Apple's policies, and the overall appeal and reach of web apps and cross-platform services.
The decline of groundbreaking native iPad apps is attributed to Apple's choices, and despite some exceptional indie apps, the overall iPad app ecosystem lacks innovation and standout applications.
The author questions the value of investing in an iPad for productivity when relying heavily on web apps and cross-platform services, suggesting that a Mac might be a more suitable choice for many professional users.
The future of iPadOS and its competitiveness in the productivity space remains uncertain, leading to doubts about the platform's evolution and effectiveness for non-artistic, professional users.
The shift towards web apps over native iPad apps raises concerns about the iPad's role as a productivity device and its ability to meet the needs of a diverse user base in the evolving technological landscape.

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Macdailynews

103

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John Gruber finally figures out that Tim Cook has turned Apple into a wheezing vaporware factory

John Gruber criticizes Apple CEO Tim Cook for turning Apple into a 'wheezing vaporware factory,' following disappointments at WWDC 2024.
Gruber points out that Apple's showcase of 'personalized Siri' at WWDC was a concept video, not a demo, signaling company disarray.
He highlights Apple's failure to demonstrate key features, like 'personalized Siri,' even months post-WWDC, damaging the company's credibility.
The article questions key decision-makers at Apple who approved promoting features that were not ready, insinuating Tim Cook's responsibility.
Gruber emphasizes that Apple's credibility, built over decades, is now at risk due to presenting features that turned out to be 'bullshit.'
The article suggests that Tim Cook should hold a crucial meeting to address the Siri and Apple Intelligence debacle or risk further damage to Apple.
MacDailyNews criticizes Apple's lack of vision under Tim Cook and suggests the need for a visionary CEO to lead the company forward.
Criticism extends to Apple's strategy of partnering with other AI companies to mask their own lack of true innovation in AI, labeling it as 'vaporware.'
The article points out that Apple's marketing efforts around AI features are mainly to position themselves as innovators, despite shortcomings in real AI achievements.
Gruber's analysis raises concerns about Apple's trajectory without a visionary leader, highlighting the importance of timely innovation and strategic vision.
Ultimately, the article suggests that Apple's credibility and innovation have been diluted under Cook's leadership, underscoring the need for fresh leadership.

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Arstechnica

440

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Epic Games is addressing one of Windows-on-Arm’s last big app compatibility gaps

Epic Games announced bringing its Epic Online Services Easy Anti-Cheat software to Arm PCs, along with official Windows-on-Arm support for Fortnite.
Windows-on-Arm PCs face app compatibility gaps for online multiplayer games due to kernel-level anti-cheat software issues.
Epic Games' move will address this issue and make Fortnite playable on Arm PCs.
The support for Epic Online Services Easy Anti-Cheat and Fortnite on Arm PCs is expected to be available later this year.

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Macdailynews

431

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Apple’s Swift Assist is MIA

Apple unveiled Swift Assist, an AI-driven coding tool intended to help developers, but its release has been delayed with no updates from Apple.
Despite initial excitement, the delay of Swift Assist has led to frustration within the developer community.
Criticism towards Apple's AI efforts and leadership, particularly Tim Cook, has been mounting due to delays and perceived lack of innovation.
The delay of Swift Assist adds to existing controversies around Apple's delayed personalized Siri features.
Apple's AI strategy has been questioned, with concerns raised about the company's vision under Tim Cook's leadership.
MacDailyNews has been critical of Tim Cook's tenure at Apple, suggesting a need for a more visionary CEO to lead the company's innovation.
The delay in AI features for Apple's products is seen as a marketing strategy to position the company as an innovator in the AI space, despite being behind competitors.
The article discusses the need for new leadership at Apple to drive innovation in AI and catch up with rivals in the industry.
Investors and analysts have raised concerns about Apple's delay in releasing AI-driven products and its impact on the company's competitiveness.
The article mentions Sonos scrapping plans for an Apple TV-like streaming video player and other tech-related updates from various companies.

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Ubuntu Handbook

Install Input Leap to share Mouse / Keyboard between Linux, Windows & macOS

Input Leap is a free open-source application that allows sharing a mouse and keyboard between multiple computers in the same local network.
Input Leap is a fork of Barrier, an application designed for the same purpose.
The active maintainers of Barrier created Input Leap as Barrier is considered unmaintained.
To use Input Leap, install it on all the computers that want to share/use the mouse and keyboard.

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Ubuntu

215

Faizul "Piju" 9M2PJU: Unleash Sonic Perfection: Configuring PipeWire with an RT Kernel for Low Latency Audio

Combining PipeWire with a real-time (RT) kernel on Linux can deliver remarkably low latency for audio enthusiasts, musicians, and producers.
An RT kernel minimizes latency by prioritizing real-time tasks in time-critical applications.
PipeWire is a modern multimedia framework known for its superior audio and video stream handling compared to older solutions.
The step-by-step guide includes verifying the RT kernel, installing PipeWire, granting real-time privileges, fine-tuning PipeWire configuration, optimizing for low latency, enabling real-time priority, and troubleshooting.

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Macdailynews

248

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Apple stock losing safe haven allure amid AI, China headwinds

Investors have viewed Apple stock as a potential safe haven, but this perception no longer holds true.
Apple is facing significant headwinds, including tariff uncertainty, challenges with artificial intelligence, and risks associated with its partnership with Google.
Shares of Apple have dropped 13% this year, and the stock is currently expensive and lacking growth catalysts.
The release of the AI-infused Siri digital assistant has been indefinitely delayed, further highlighting Apple's struggles with cutting-edge technology.

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Ubuntu

166

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Effortless observability for Django applications

Setting up observability for Django applications has traditionally been a challenging and time-consuming task, but tools like Charmcraft and Rockcraft now offer a more efficient solution.
By utilizing native support for Django in Charmcraft and Rockcraft, along with Juju deployment, adding observability to Django applications can now be done quickly and easily.
The Juju ecosystem supports not only Django but also Flask, FastAPI, and Go, making observability setup seamless across different frameworks.
The deployment progress of observability tools like Grafana, Loki, Prometheus, and Alertmanager can be monitored using Juju commands.
Accessing observability dashboards is simplified through commands like 'juju show-unit catalogue/0 | grep url' and 'juju run grafana/leader get-admin-password'.
Through curl commands, traffic can be generated to observe and analyze data on deployed applications via the observability stack.
The ease of integrating observability tools without manual deployment and configuration is highlighted, providing insights into application usage and access to application logs.
By following tutorials on creating OCI images and charms for Django apps, users can further enhance their applications within the Juju ecosystem.
The article encourages readers to explore the comprehensive features offered by Juju and reach out for community support if needed.

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Tech Radar

314

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No, your printer isn't possessed: a Windows 11 23H2 bug could be making it print random characters when connected via USB

Windows 11 23H2 update has a bug that causes printers connected via USB to print random characters upon power-up.
The bug occurs with the 23H2 KB5050092 update, a preview update.
Windows 11 24H2 update has several issues.
The printer bug in 23H2 is not as severe as the issues in 24H2, making it less of a dealbreaker.

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