Ubuntu 24.04 glänzt mit aktueller Software und bringt sonst nur wenige große Neuerungen. Für Admins bestehender Server ist das Update eine sichere Bank.

ARD und ZDF wollen gemeinsam ein Betriebssystem speziell für Mediatheken entwickeln. Die Ergebnisse sollen als Open Source erscheinen. (Streaming, IPTV)

LLW 2024: A forum for difficult legal topics of Free Software in Gothenburg

For the second year in a row, the Swedish city of Gothenburg hosted an edition of the Free Software Legal & Licensing Workshop (LLW), the annual conference for Legal Network members. The 2024 edition brought new faces and great discussions and presentations on current legal and licensing issues related to technological developments such as AI.

Under a sunny and blue sky, the beautiful Swedish city of Gothenburg once again hosted FSFE’s Free Software Legal & Licensing Workshop (LLW), a two and a half day conference for members of the Legal Network community to meet face-to-face and share legal expertise in a safe space. It was great to have attendees engaging with the speakers in interesting legal discussions, as well as to see them use the venue to engage in impromptu discussions on legal theory, policy, and case law related to Free Software topics. This shows how valuable this conference has become for Free Software legal professionals, who arrived from Europe, the Americas, and Asia, and the importance of a healthy community to encourage discussion of the most current Free Software legal topics and to network in order to build a culture of knowledge exchange in the legal sector.

Discussion, even controversial, can help legal experts to make better decisions while accomplishing the mission of empowering users to control technology. Good examples are Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, that continued to be hot topics during this year’s edition, with a number of discussions on the conference agenda touching on the legal ramifications of AI developments on software and licensing.

Nevertheless, there were many other developments from the past year for attendees to discuss as well, from new legislative initiatives and case law in various jurisdictions within and outside the European Union, to presentations to introduce various community-initiated compliance tools, to conversations about more philosophical ideas regarding Free Software and community.

"I have been working for 2 years in this field now. In the past 2 days I learnt more on those topics than in the 2 years before", said one participant in LLW 2024

This conference also gives newcomers who may be a little shy about participating in discussions on the mailing list a chance to introduce themselves and meet various more established members of the community in person. The FSFE believes in the importance of supporting young professionals, which is why this conference also offers a mentoring programme, so that experienced members can help integrate newcomers into the Free Software legal community, as well as to help them build professional connections and expertise.

We appreciate all Legal Network members who took the time to participate in person and hope to see them again next year. It is extremely heartening for us to see the Free Software legal community grow in strength and knowledge with regular meetings like the LLW.

We want to thank our sponsors: Intel, Red Hat, Microsoft, Amazon, Bosch, Ericsson, Siemens, Volvo, Bird & Bird, Google, the law firm Heuking, and the Open Invention Network.

The Legal Network

The Legal Network is a neutral, non-partisan group of experts in different fields involved in Free Software legal issues. Currently the Legal Network has over 400 participants from different legal systems, academic backgrounds and affiliations.

The aim of the Legal Network is to promote discussion and foster better knowledge of the legal constructs that back Free Software. The conversations on the Legal Network are intended to be dynamic, thought-provoking, and up to speed with the most recent developments.

The Legal Network is a safe space to promote legal knowledge about Free Software so that companies can make strategic decisions about Free Software development based on an understanding of how Free Software licensing and other related legal issues work. This allows Free Software developers and legal professionals who work within larger companies to continue to contribute to software freedom.

Admission to the Legal Network is restricted, and the discussions held there are confidential. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the content of the mailing list is contained away from the larger Free Software community. The Chatham House Rule applies to all discussions on the Legal Network mailing list and at Legal Network events, which enables members to use the information received, but not to reveal the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker or any of the participants involved in the discussion.

Support FSFE

Die freie Software SystemRescue ist in Version 11.01 erschienen und bringt neben dem Linux-Kernel 6.6.30 (LTS) auch kleine Verbesserungen. Beispielsweise wurde die ins Betriebssystem implementierte Partitions-Software GParted in einer aktualisierten Fassung (GParted-1.6.0) eingepflegt. Auch Fehlerkorrekturen sind inkludiert.

Jede Mastodon-Instanz ruft die für die Link-Vorschau nötigen Daten selbst vom zugehörigen Webserver ab. Dadurch entsteht nicht selten eine Anfragenflut mit DDoS-Charakter. (Mastodon, Server)

Der Instant Messenger Telegram erhält in der aktualisierten Version 5.0.0 für den Desktop neue Features. Dazu zählen unter anderem das Anzeigen von letzten Chats und häufigen Kontakten im Suchfeld. Darüber hinaus können Premium-Nutzer in der neuen Version animierte Emojis in Umfragen verwenden.

Die freie Software FrostWire ist in Version 6.13.2 mit einigen Neuerungen und Optimierungen erschienen, auch kleinere Fehlerbehebungen zählen dazu. Eine der wichtigsten Verbesserungen ist die Korrektur der SoundCloud-Suchfunktion. Darüber hinaus enthält FrostWire 6.13.2 jetzt die neueste Java Runtime Environment 22.

Eine Softwareingenieurin, die nur als Hazel bekannt ist, hat seit mehr als zwei Jahren fast 7.500 Firefox-Tabs auf ihrem Mac offen gehalten. (Firefox, Browser)

Bei Pokémon Go ist seit dem 22. April das Wurm-Pokémon Schligda erhältlich. Einige Spieler greifen zu fragwürdigen Mitteln, um es zu fangen. (Openstreetmap, Spiele)

Keycloak als Spitzenreiter unter den Open-Source-Tools für Identity und Access Management (IAM) gewährleistet eine effiziente Authentifizierung und Autorisierung. Dieser dreitägige Workshop bietet einen fundierten Einstieg. (Golem Karrierewelt, Server-Applikationen)

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Statt zu programmieren will sich der Entwickler des Linux-Tools Neofetch in Zukunft lieber der Landwirtschaft widmen. (Softwareentwicklung, Linux)

Der Instant Messenger Telegram erhält in der aktualisierten Version 5.0.0 für den Desktop neue Features. Dazu zählen unter anderem das Anzeigen von letzten Chats und häufigen Kontakten im Suchfeld. Darüber hinaus können Premium-Nutzer in der neuen Version animierte Emojis in Umfragen verwenden.

Ubuntu 24.04 alias Noble Numbat alias Snubuntu ist fertig. Im Vergleich zur letzten LTS-Version gibt es einen neuen Installer, der nach einigen Kinderkrankheiten (Version 23.04) inzwischen gut funktioniert. Ansonsten kombiniert Ubuntu ein Kernsystem aus Debian-Paketen mit Anwendungsprogramme in Form von Snap-Paketen. Für die einfache Anwendung bezahlen Sie mit vergeudeten Ressourcen (Disk Space + RAM).

Installation

Das neue Installationsprogramm hat bei meinen Tests gut funktioniert, inklusive LVM + Verschlüsselung. Einfluss auf die Partitionierung können Sie dabei allerdings nicht nehmen. (Das Installationsprogramm erzeugt eine EFI-, eine Boot- und eine LVM-Partition, darin ein großes Logical Volume.) Zusammen mit der Installation erledigt der Installaer gleich ein komplettes Update, was ein wenig Geduld erfordert.

Standardmäßig führt das Programm eine Minimalinstallation durch — ohne Gimp, Thunderbird, Audio-Player usw. Mit der Option Vollständige Option verhält sich der Installer ähnlich wie in der Vergangenheit. Ein wenig absurd ist, dass dann einige Programme als Debian-Pakete installiert werden, während Ubuntu sonst ja bei Anwendungsprogrammen voll auf das eigene Snap-Format setzt. Wenn Sie Ubuntu installieren, entscheiden Sie sich auch für Snap. Insofern ist es konsequenter, eine Minimalinstallation durchzuführen und später die entsprechenden Snaps im App Center selbst zu installieren.

Snaps + Ubuntu = Snubuntu

Auf das Lamentieren über Snaps verzichte ich dieses Mal. Wer will, kann diesbezüglich meine älteren Ubuntu-Tests nachlesen. Für Version 24.04 hat Andreas Proschofsky in derstandard.at alles gesagt, was dazu zu sagen ist. Der größte Vorteil von Snaps für Canonical besteht darin, dass sich der Wartungsaufwand für Desktop-Programme massiv verringert: Die gleichen Snap-Pakete kommen in diversen Ubuntu-Versionen zum Einsatz.

Netplan 1.0

Mit Ubuntu 24.04 hat Netplan den Sprung zu Version 1.0 gemacht. Größere Änderungen gab es keine mehr, die Versionsnummer ist eher ein Ausdruck dafür, dass Canonical die Software nun als stabil betrachtet. Wie bereits seit Ubuntu 23.10 ist Netplan das Backend zum NetworkManager. Netzwerkverbindungen werden nicht in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/ gespeichert wie auf den meisten anderen Distributionen, sondern als /etc/netplan/90-NM-*.yaml-Dateien (siehe auch meinen Bericht zu Ubuntu 23.10).

HEIC-Unterstützung

Ubuntu 24.04 kommt out-of-the-box mit HEIC/HEIF-Dateien zurecht, also mit am iPhone aufgenommenen Fotos. Vor einem dreiviertel Jahr hatte ich noch über entsprechende Probleme berichtet. Im Forum wurde damals kritisiert, dass meine Erwartungshaltung zu hoch sei. Aber, siehe da: Es geht!

Versionsnummern

Basis              Programmierung    Server
---------------    ---------------   --------------
Kernel      6.8    bash        5.2   Apache     2.4
glibc      2.39    docker.io  24.0   CUPS       2.4
Gnome        46    gcc        13.2   MariaDB  10.11
X-Server   21.1    git        2.43   MySQL      8.0
Wayland    1.34    Java         21   OpenSSH    9.6
Mesa       24.0    PHP         8.3   qemu/KVM   8.2
Systemd     255    Python     3.12   Postfix    3.8
NetworkMan 1.46                      Samba     4.19
GRUB       2.12

Bewertung

Seit ich Ubuntu auf dem Desktop kaum mehr nutze, habe ich mehr Distanz gewonnen. So fällt mein Urteil etwas milder aus ;-)

Für Einsteiger ist Ubuntu eine feine Sache: In den meisten Fällen funktioniert Ubuntu ganz einfach. Das gilt sowohl für die Unterstützung der meisten Hardware (auch relativ moderne Geräte) als auch für die Installation von Programmen, die außerhalb der Linux-Welt entwickelt werden (VSCode, Android Studio, Spotify etc.). Was will man mehr? Ubuntu sieht zudem in der Default-Konfiguration optisch sehr ansprechend aus, aus meiner persönlichen Perspektive deutlich besser als die meisten anderen Distributionen. Ich bin auch ein Fan der ständig sichtbaren seitlichen Task-Leiste. Schließlich zählt Canonical zu den wenigen Firmen, die noch Geld in die Linux-Desktop-Weiterentwicklung investieren; dafür muss man dankbar sein.

Alle, die einen Widerwillen gegenüber Snap verspüren, sollten nicht über Ubuntu/Canonical schimpfen, sondern sich für eine der vielen Alternativen entscheiden: Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora oder Linux Mint. Wer nicht immer die neueste Version braucht und sich primär Langzeit-Support wünscht, kann auch AlmaLinux oder Rocky Linux in Erwägung ziehen.

Quellen/Links

• https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop (Download)
• https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/noble-numbat-release-notes/39890 (Release Notes)
• https://ubuntu.com/blog/canonical-releases-ubuntu-24-04-noble-numbat

Tests

• https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000217545
• https://www.heise.de/news/Ubuntu-24-04-LTS-Viel-Evolution-keine-Revolution-9696939.html
• https://www.golem.de/news/linux-distribution-canonical-veroeffentlicht-ubuntu-24-04-lts-noble-numbat-2404-184599.html
• https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/04/ubuntu-24-04-lts-20-changes-to-look-out-for
• https://lwn.net/Articles/971143

Der Multiplayer-Online-Hit League of Legends hat zum Start in den Mai ein Update auf Version 14.9 erhalten. Damit halten die Anti-Cheat-Software Vanguard und TPM-2.0-Pflicht Einzug. Spieler, die den für Windows veröffentlichten Titel zuletzt unter Linux gespielt haben, sind damit raus. Doch Riot Games sah keinen anderen Weg.

Ein Wechsel der Zertifizierungsstelle hat das öffentliche Content Delivery Network JSDelivr für einige Stunden lahmgelegt.

The German Federal Office for Information Security warns of security threats from artificial intelligence. However, much is still up in the air.

The "MuseBook" and the Banana Pi BPI-F3 are equipped with the SpacemiT Keystone K1, whose RISC-V cores are designed to outperform the ARM Cortex-A55.

Das "KI-Update" liefert werktäglich eine Zusammenfassung der wichtigsten KI-Entwicklungen.

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Das "MuseBook" sowie der Banana Pi BPI-F3 sind mit dem SpacemiT Keystone K1 bestückt, dessen RISC-V-Kerne den ARM Cortex-A55 übertreffen sollen.

Meet Antoni and Tobias, YH4F participants

Find out more about the Youth Hacking 4 Freedom participants of the 2023 edition. We are continuing this series talking with Antoni and Tobias: Antoni developed a dictionary to preserve endangered languages, and Tobias conceived a rich featured calendar.

Antoni and Tobias participated in YH4F in 2023, being both currently in their last year of high school. Antoni is Polish and he developed the Endangered Languages Dictionary, software with the purpose of keeping languages at risk of extinction alive, valuing the contribution of native language speakers. Tobias comes from the Netherlands, and he developed Plan2Go, a calendar webapp he got the idea for while talking with his friends.

Read along to learn more about these projects and their developers!

FSFE: Hi Tobias and Antoni! Can you introduce yourselves before explaining your projects?

Tobias: I’m Tobias from the Netherlands and I’m 17 years old. I love programming and helping others by making software. Sometimes I play video games or make stuff for video games.

Antoni: My name is Antoni, I am a high school student from Poland. I’m mainly a linguistics and computer science nerd, but am also interested in sociology, psychology, cultural studies, literature, and philosophy. I would like to study computer science and classics.

FSFE: What is the project you developed for YH4F 2023? How does it work?

Antoni: The Endangered Languages Dictionary (ELD) project aims to be a dictionary for the world’s languages that are at risk of extinction. The project home page–still in construction–intends to only have a title in Esperanto and a bar redirecting to the selected language main page. There one can search for a phrase. The browser calculates Levenshtein’s distance between the phrase being searched and all the phrases in the given sub-dictionary (the upper limit of the search is the number to the left of the search bar that one can specify, the default is 2). All phrases meeting the specified criteria are displayed on the page as hyperlinks to their specific pages.

The landing page of the Endangered Languages Dictionary

Tobias: I developed Plan2Go with the idea to make a planning app that is fully customisable and with many features. The front end has been coded with HTML and CSS, and the calendar and customisations are made using JavaScript. You can get access to the calendar by using the website hosted on GitLab Pages, by cloning the code and building the source, or by using the desktop app.

The main page of Plan2Go with example events

Tobias: Once you are in, you see an overview of the current month and you can click to add new events. If you click on an existing event, you can view more details about it and you can delete it. If you click above an event, you can add another event. Using the “Back” and “Next” buttons you can go back and forward in months. When an event starts, you could get a notification [not fully working, see below in the interview]. Overall, its key features are: multiple events per day, theme switcher, exporting and importing iCals, secret Easter Eggs, PWA installable and a desktop app version available.

Plan2Go example event details window

FSFE: What motivated you to create this software?

Antoni: I wanted to provide an online presence of the endangered languages to prevent their native speakers, especially the young ones, from abandoning their tongues. I believe “if you aren’t online, you don’t exist” to be an unjust rule. This dictionary was going to be the first step in achieving this.

Tobias: Mostly, the idea came while talking with my friends, who just started programming. We made a whole list of stuff that we could make, and we shared this list publicly. Eventually, I just let my friends choose what to do. They chose to go with a planner, and we made that.

FSFE: Your projects are Free Software! When and how did you get in touch with the movement?

Antoni: One day, at school, I was chatting with a classmate and introduced Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to him. He replied he preferred VirtualBox, as “it is open source” After I explained to him that he was wrong [VirtualBox is licensed under GPL, but the extensions are proprietary], and the openness of the source code of WSL, he asked for evidence, and he got it. After examining the codebase, he wrote me: “It is quite similar to the situation when you would paint a beautiful white shirt in brown just to wallow it in the mud. (of course the shirt is Linux)”. This has influenced me to the degree that I got pushed even further in that direction than my classmate.

Tobias: I always only made software for myself, I began to do it more seriously when I found out that other people might also want my software. So I published it online, without any license.

FSFE: So it seems that at the time you did not know that by default, if you do not specify a license, it is copyrighted.

Tobias: Yes, I discovered Free Software licenses thanks to YH4F!

FSFE: Both projects are very interesting and ambitious. Why did you decide to code them from scratch, rather than to contribute existing projects?

Tobias: It’s always nice to have one [project] that you can completely modify the way you want. If you are going to contribute to other projects that are already kind of finished, there is only a little bit of stuff that you might be able to add. We had about six months, and I did not really think I could just spend all of it contributing to just an existing project. Most probably, I would have been done before the end of the coding period. Above all, it is very helpful to know what’s behind a project you build from scratch by your own.

Antoni: I didn’t find any Free Software similar to mine, though I didn’t actively do any in-depth research. If it comes to the value of ELD, it is low-bandwith friendly as it doesn’t depend heavily on stylesheets. Additionally, this also implies a decrease of resources. needed only to render a webpage!

FSFE: How was the experience of developing your software during YH4F 2023?

Antoni: What I enjoyed the most was the fact that this is not only a competition, but also an opportunity to learn something, just by participating! I think that is mainly because of the long timespan given and the short list of requirements.

Tobias: I liked the whole thing! You can program stuff, you can join meetings with other participants and have a discussion. For example, you can explain your project and then get some feedback. That’s the deal: making software and getting feedback from others. And just having fun.

FSFE: What are the future plans for your project?

Antoni: I would like to share the message to conserve endangered languages because it is quite sad that we are losing linguistic diversity. The world would be less interesting and less rich. About extending the project, I am going to pause its development, and get back to it once I have resources, such as time and money.

Tobias: If I find the time and I get an idea to add something to the software or just fix a feature that does not work right now (like the time notifications) then I will work on it. Otherwise, I will just leave it as it is right now.

FSFE: Thank you Antoni and Tobias. We wish you a bright future and a lot of success with your plans!

The 2024 edition of Youth Hacking 4 Freedom is still going on now! The coding period ends on 30 June and you can still take part in the 2024 edition via last minute registration. Check out the YH4F website to find out all the details of this competition or feel free to reach out to the organisers via mail!

Support FSFE

Der Open-Source-Videoeditor Shotcut, plattformübergreifende Videoschnittsoftware, die zahlreiche Audio- und Videoformate unterstützt, ist in der neuesten Version 24.04.28 für Windows, macOS und Linux erschienen. Neu ist unter anderem die Aktualisierung auf das Media Lovin' Toolkit („MLT“) 7.24.0.

Genehmigung für Teslas FSD + Razer zur Kasse gebeten + China zeigt humanoiden Roboter + Microsoft nimmt Sicherheit ernst + Digitaler Euro mit Fürsprecher

With Tiangong, the Chinese government has made a platform for humanoid robots largely available as open source.