Issue 241 Dec 2020

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Cover Theme: Secure Your System

DVD Theme: KDE neon 5.20.0 and elementary OS 5.2

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Security often means sophisticated tools like firewalls and intrusion detection systems, but you can also do a lot with some common-sense configuration. This month we study some simple steps for securing your Linux. Also inside:

  • Jam.py – an ingenious solution for adding a web interface to your favorite database
  • Clonezilla SE – speed up your roll out by cloning Linux systems en masse

In MakerSpace, we build a Christmas music box, and Linux Voice studies some real-world uses for rsync and tuptime.

Issue 240 Nov 2020

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Cover Theme: It's Alive!

DVD Theme: The Complete Linux Magazine Archive 20 Years

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Build a whole operating system? Seriously? Well maybe not a Linux, but if you're interested, you can implement the basic features of an experimental OS using resources available online. We can't show you the whole process, but we'll help you get organized and take your first steps. Also inside:

  • Open Data -- Graph the COVID-19 pandemic using free data in REST APIs.
  • Mistborn -- Use this one handy tool to secure services on your home network.

Check out MakerSpace for a study of the serial protocol and how to use it in DIY programming, and turn to this month's LinuxVoice for a tutorial on building an Inkscape extension.

Issue 239 Oct 2020

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Cover Theme: Build an IRC Bot

DVD Theme: Debian 10.5 and Devuan 3.0

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IRC bots do the essential work of coordinating and forwarding chat messages on the Internet. This month we show you how to build your own custom bot – and we give you an inside look at how to work directly with IRC. Also in this month's issue:

• Dispatcher Scripts – NetworkManager lets you build scripts to adapt your configuration automatically when you move to a different location.

• Customizing GTK3 Themes – The GTK3 toolkit is the foundation for Gnome and many desktop applications. Find out how to create a custom GTK3 theme.

Learn about distributed weather monitoring in MakerSpace, and turn to LinuxVoice for a tutorial on creating an Inkscape extension.

Issue 238 Sep 2020

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Cover Theme: Speed Up Your System: Hot tweaks for a faster Linux

DVD Theme: openSUSE 15.2 and Bodhi Linux 5.1

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Your Linux experience goes much more smoothly if your system is running at peak performance. This month we focus on some timely tuning techniques, including the kernel’s new Pressure Stall Information (PSI) feature.

Also inside:

* Jitsi -- a reliable solution for open source video conferencing.

* Repology -- this useful web app serves as a universal search engine for Linux packages.

At MakerSpace, we get ready for Halloween, and LinuxVoice offers some new insights on marketing Linux.

Issue 237 Aug 2020

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Cover Theme: Webcams and Linux: Smoothing out hardware wrinkles with Guvcview and QtCAM

DVD Theme: Ubuntu Studio 20.04 and Kubuntu 20.04

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This month we explore webcams, screencasting, and a cool teleprompter tool. Also inside this month's issue:

  • PHP Building Blocks -- The PHPlattenbau project offers useful components for building PHP applications.
  • Guacamole A clientless remote access tool based on HTML5.

Check out MakerSpace for a look at how to make your Pi Zero into a kitchen timer, and turn to LinuxVoice for a study of the handy MystiQ Audio/Video conversion tool.

Issue 236 Jul 2020

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Cover Theme: Smarter Directories: Reinventing the file storage metaphor with semantic tagging

DVD Theme: Fedora 32 workstation and Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 LTS

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The rigid structure of nested files and directories used on computer systems around the world was created more than 60 years ago, and experts believe we can do better. This month, you’ll learn about some scripts for semantic file tagging in Linux.

Also inside:

  • Manage personnel and projects with ProjectLibre
  • Build an e-commerce solution with OpenCart

Turn to MakerSpace if you’ve always wondered how to water your plants with a Rasp Pi, and check out LinuxVoice for a tour of two useful Markdown editors.

Issue 235 Jun 2020

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Cover Theme: What's New in systemd: Reinventing home directories

DVD Theme: Knoppix 8.6.1 and OpenMandriva Lx Plasma 4.1

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Systemd is a mystery that keeps on giving. Now a new feature of the leading Linux init system will change the way you think about user home directories. This month we take a closer look at systemd-homed.

Also inside:

  • Vagrant – cool tool for managing and provisioning virtual machines.
  • Tangram – integrate social media portals in a single convenient interface.

Then turn to MakerSpace for a look at the MetPy Python science library, and check out LinuxVoice for a tutorial on building a 2D computer game with the Lua-based LÖVE framework.

Issue 234 May 2020

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Cover Theme: Edge Computing: Get ready for the low-latency cloud

DVD Theme: Manjaro 19.02 Gnome Edition and SystemRescueCd 6.1

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The Edge is a popular buzz word in high-tech news, but what does it mean really? We introduce you to an exciting new technology that could be changing the way we think about the cloud.

Also in this issue:

  • navi -- interactive cheat sheet for easy help on shell commands
  • chromedp -- extract data from complex dynamic web pages

Check out MakerSpace for a description of the versatile CircuitPython runtime environment, and turn to LinuxVoice for studies on the FreeDOS retro OS and printing in the shell.

Issue 233 Apr 2020

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Cover Theme: Stream to Your TV: Cool Tools for Sound and Video

DVD Theme: Complete Raspberry Pi Geek Archive

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The line between computers and television blurred long ago, but the new tools and new ideas keep coming. This month we highlight some innovative apps for multimedia in Linux, including Gnome Cast for TV, and the easy-to-use Serviio media server. Also in this issue:

  • Apache Cassandra – Find out why this free NoSQL database fills an important niche for companies with lots of data.
  • Metadata in the Shell – Use Bash scripts and built-in commands to track down useful metadata.

Check out MakerSpace for a look at how to create a smart picture frame, and turn to LinuxVoice for a tour of the privacy-focused Jami messenger app.

Issue 232 Mar 2020

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Cover Theme: Stop Ads: Before They Reach Your Browser

DVD Theme: GParted and Kali Linux

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Web ads and ad scripts can slow down your system and gum up your web experience. Browser-based ad-blockers are useful for controlling many types of popups and banners, but they are less effective with ads built into applications – and they are often difficult to implement on mobile devices. This month we look at a couple of alternative tools for blocking ads at the network level: Pi-hole and Privoxy. Also in this issue:

  • Firewalld and OpenSnitch – a practical workshop on configuring firewalls for outgoing, as well as incoming, traffic.
  • Create a Personal Web Archive – Future-proof your bookmark library by downloading and archiving web pages.

Check out MakerSpace for a study of the tiny BBC micro:bit, and turn to this month's LinuxVoice for a look at how to build a unified game library with GameHub.

Issue 231 Feb 2020

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Cover Theme: Tiling

DVD Theme: MX Linux MX-19 and Zorin OS 15 Core

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Are tiling window managers still relevant for today's desktop? This month we explore the possibilities of the tiling paradigm with a modern Linux built for tiling. Other highlights include:

  • Cryptomator – a free tool for encrypting cloud data.
  • Unison – access your files from anywhere with SSH and this popular sync tool.

Check out MakerSpace for a story on building your own security camera with a Raspberry Pi and motionEyeOS, and turn to LinuxVoice for a look at the innovative Kube communication and collaboration client.

Issue 230 Jan 2020

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Cover Theme: Automation Tricks

DVD Theme: Fedora Workstation 31 and Ubuntu Desktop 19.10

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Home automation is no longer the stuff of science fiction. This month we explore some versatile tools for Linux users who are interested in IoT but don't want to surrender the freedom of open platforms and open source. Elsewhere inside:

  • PXE Boot with TinyCore -- Your old computer can live on even without a hard drive. Boot across the network with PXE.
  • Symphytum -- Create a simple and practical database for your notes, recipes, or pine cone collection.

Turn to MakerSpace for a real-world project with the Python Remote Objects Library (Pyro), and check out LinuxVoice for a look at the Gotify push notification tool.

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