Issue #252 / Nov 2021

Highlights:

The security landscape keeps changing, and experienced users know they need to keep their eyes open for tools and techniques that give an edge. This month we study smartcards, hard drive encryption, and a less-bloated alternative to Sudo.

SERVICE: Welcome

Rules for the Garden

There is this abiding faith within the Linux world that walled gardens and single-vendor control over global markets will eventually collapse under the weight of inefficiency. If you look at the history of the last 20 years, however, you would see a very different story.

SERVICE: This Month's DVD

Debian 11 and Redcore Linux 2101

NEWS: News

In the news: System76 Updates the 15" Pangolin with Ryzen; KDE Plasma 5.23 Promises Plenty of Subtle Improvements; Gnome 41 Now in Beta; Debian 11 "Bullseye" Released; and AlmaLinux Makes CentOS SIG Repositories Available.

NEWS: Kernel News

Zack Brown reports on bug hunting and process appreciation, and refusing "useful" patches.

: Doas

Doas authenticates as a simpler version of Sudo

The Sudo privilege management tool is big and complicated, with many advanced options that only an expert would need. Doas is far simpler – which might just make it safer for desktop users.

: OpenPGP Smartcard

Protecting your private key with the OpenPGP smartcard

Improve communication security with GnuPG and the OpenPGP smartcard.

: Nitrokey Pro 2

Securely encrypt passwords with Nitrokey Pro 2

The Nitrokey Pro 2 is a small device that covers a wide range of cryptographic functions.

: SiriKali

Data encryption with SiriKali

SiriKali encrypts files and directories with just a few mouse clicks, without the inefficiency of fixed-size containers.

: A Friendly Derivative

Bringing Gentoo Linux to the masses

With its point-and-click installation, Redcore aims "to be to Gentoo what Manjaro is to Arch Linux."

IN-DEPTH: Pandoc Website

Building a website in Markdown with Pandoc

Build a simple web page in Markdown; then convert it to HTML at the command line.

IN-DEPTH: Colorful lsd

This is your command line on lsd

A revamp of ls, lsd offers color coding plus revised options relevant to the modern computer.

IN-DEPTH: Master of the Keys

Charly makes life easier for himself by using the lean Age tool for command-line data encryption tasks.

IN-DEPTH: imgp

Batch processing image files with imgp

In no time at all, imgp can change the resolution of images, as well as convert files from PNG to JPEG, remove metadata, and rotate images.

IN-DEPTH: Epoptes

Managing and monitoring computer labs

If your school's computer lab consists of Linux machines, Epoptes provides an interesting alternative to conventional management and monitoring programs.

IN-DEPTH: Plan Your Hike

Go retrieves GPS data from the komoot app

The hiking and cycling app komoot saves your traveled excursion routes. Mike Schilli shows you how to retrieve the data with Go.

IN-DEPTH: Popsicle

Simultaneously flashing multiple USB devices

If you need to flash the same image to multiple USB media, Popsicle saves time by letting you write in parallel.

: Saltwater Battery

Build a saltwater battery

Rechargeable lithium batteries are expensive, and manufacturing them damages the environment. Saltwater batteries offer a cheaper and greener approach to storing energy.

: Ren'Py

Cross-platform game and app development for new programmers

Ren'Py helps you create Android, Linux, macOS, Windows, and HTML5 games and apps.

LINUX VOICE: Introduction

This month in Linux Voice.

LINUX VOICE: maddog's Doghouse

Better Bug Reports for Better Help

For a better bug report, maddog offers a refresher course on crafting a clear statement that will help get your problem fixed.

LINUX VOICE: ufw

Simplify your firewall setup

Canonical's ufw lets you configure your firewall without the hassle of the iptables tool, while reducing the risk of misconfiguration and simplifying maintenance.

LINUX VOICE: KXStitch

Create cross-stitch templates with KXStitch

KXStitch lets you design cross-stitch patterns with the option to automatically convert imported images.

LINUX VOICE: FOSSPicks

This month Graham looks at MyGNUHealth, Sniptt, Pigiron, CudaText, KnobKraft Orm, D2X-XL, and more!

LINUX VOICE: Markdown Magic

Write, share, and publish documents with HedgeDoc

HedgeDoc lets you write documents collaboratively in Markdown and publish them online.