30# Weekly Linux and Tech Update

Microsoft Breaks Dual Boots for Linux and Windows

• Microsoft recently pushed a patch meant to fix a flaw related to Grub 2, which could allow attackers to bypass Secure Boot.

• The patch inadvertently affected dual-boot systems running both Linux and Windows, causing numerous issues.

• Microsoft has yet to respond to those affected. For now, users can disable Secure Boot or uninstall the latest Windows security update to fix the issue.

Google’s Influencer Controversy

• Google was caught trying to coerce influencers to speak positively about their latest Pixel phone.

• Google admitted there was an issue and claimed their communication “missed the mark,” but the attempt to manipulate influencers was still apparent.

New NVIDIA Drivers for Linux

• NVIDIA released stable drivers for Linux version 5.560, featuring numerous fixes:

  • Resolved plasma shell freezes under Wayland.

  • Improved support for multi-monitor setups.

  • Enhanced XWayland support, particularly for running games.

  • Added hardware-accelerated screen sharing through PipeWire, even for multiple clients.

GNOME 47 Beta Released

• GNOME 47 beta brings significant changes:

  • Hardware-accelerated screen recording.

  • New features for drawing tablets and styluses.

  • Initial steps towards color management protocol for HDR support.

  • Enhanced handling of secondary GPU failures.

  • New customization options like accent colors and ICS file import for calendars.

  • Updates to the Epiphany web browser with features like auto-fill, privacy reports, and more.

  • Improved remote desktop support under Wayland.

  • Various bug fixes and backend updates.

KDE’s User Feedback Insights

• KDE shared findings from its SL Telemetry tool, which gathers voluntary user feedback:

  • Wayland adoption among KDE users is at 45%, but reaches 80% among KDE Plasma 6 users.

  • The majority of X11 users rely on AMD GPUs, while Wayland users are less likely to use NVIDIA.

  • Some users still use very low-resolution displays (800x600 or 640x480), often for virtual machines.

  • The feedback data led to preserving support for OpenGL2, despite earlier plans to drop it.

  • KDE plans to propose changes to improve data collection and make the tool more useful.

Linux vs. Windows Gaming Performance

• Linux has caught up to, or even surpassed, Windows in gaming performance in some cases:

  • Jason Evangelho’s benchmarks showed Linux outperforming Windows in games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Cyberpunk 2077, using Fedora 40 and Proton.

  • Differences in performance are minimal, making Linux a viable option for gaming.

  • The results were based on lower-powered hardware, so high-end setups might yield different outcomes.

Wine Version 9.16 Released

• Wine’s new release, version 9.16, introduces significant updates:

  • First implementation of the Windows driver store from the Vista era.

  • Updated Wine Wayland driver.

  • 25 bugs fixed, improving compatibility for applications like Anarchy Online, Foxit PDF Reader, and Paint Shop Pro X7.

  • Enhanced overall application performance, not just for games.