The Latest News from Across the FOSS Universe
The Xubuntu 20.04 LTS wallpaper contest is open for entries until March 13, 2020. Six winning entries will ship as part of the Xubuntu 20.04 release.
This post, Xubuntu 20.04 Wallpaper Contest is Now Open for Entries, was written by Joey Sneddon and first appeared on OMG! Ubuntu!.
The upcoming Ubuntu 20.04 release will ship with a Snap version of Ubuntu Software app by default. Ubuntu’s default software management tool joins the desktop calculator and system monitor utility as pre-seeded Snap apps starting […]
This post, Ubuntu Switches to a Software Store Snap for 20.04, was written by Joey Sneddon and first appeared on OMG! Ubuntu!.
Ever since Ubuntu abandoned the Unity project, UBports continued the maintenance and development of Unity. On February 27th 2020, UBports announced that they are giving Unity8 a new branding in the form of Lomiri.
UBports announced that the Unity8 desktop environment would be renamed as Lomiri. They gave three reasons for this fairly drastic announcement.
First, they want to avoid confusion with the Unity game engine. Quite a few people confused the two. UBports noted that they are frequently receiving questions regarding “how to import 3D models and meshes into our shell”. When you search “Unity” in your favorite search engine, most of the top links are for the game engine.
The second reason for the name change has to do with the new effort to package Unity8 for Debian. Unfortunately, many of the Unity8’s dependencies have Ubuntu in the name, for example, ubuntu-ui-toolkit. Debian packagers warned that packages that have Ubuntu in the name may not be accepted into Debian.
Finally, UBports said the name change would improve verbal communications. Saying Unity8 repeatedly can be a mouthful. People would not have to worry about confusing “users of Ubuntu Unity and Unity (the game engine)”.
UBports went on to stress that the name change was not “triggered by any action from Canonical or the Ubuntu community, legal or otherwise”.
They noted that this name change was the perfect time for them to switch to GitHub alternative GitLab for their development.
Interestingly, the announcement did not explain how they picked Lomiri as the new name. All they said is that “We went through many different names before settling on Lomiri. All of them had problems with pronunciation, availability, or other related issues.”
UBports noted that most Ubuntu Touch users would be unaffected by the name change. Developers and power users might notice some changes, but UBports “will strive to maintain backwards compatibility within Ubuntu Touch for the foreseeable future”.
According to the announcement, packages that have either Ubuntu or Unity in the title will be affected. For example,
On top of this, interfaces call will change, as well. “For example, the Ubuntu.Components QML import will change to Lomiri.Components.” For the sake of backwards compatibility, Ubuntu Touch images will not change too much. “Developers will only need to update to the new API when they’d like to package their apps for other distributions.”
Since renaming packages can cause quite a few cascading problems, UBports wants to limit the number of packages they change. They don’t expect the following things to change.
Overall, I think this change will be good for Ubuntu Touch in the long run. I understand why Canonical picked the Unity name for their convergence desktop, but I think the desktop environment was overshadowed by the game engine from the beginning. This will give them room to breathe and also free up valuable coding time. The less time spent replying to questions about 3D models the more time that can be spent creating a convergent desktop.
If you have any further questions or concerns about the name change, you visit the UBports forms. They have set up a thread specifically for this topic.
Don’t hesitate to share our views on it in the comment section.
The biggest video platform YouTube is like a portable cable TV that you can access anytime you want to. All you need is the internet and a device like a smartphone or a laptop to stream videos on it. However, there are times when you really want to watch a video but you don’t have […]
The post Free Video Downloader For YouTube Lets You Save Videos And MP3 Offline appeared first on Fossbytes.
Back in 2018, Facebook first introduced the 3D Photos feature on its social media platform that allowed users to convert any 2D image into 3D. There was one limitation to this feature though: it required a dual-camera smartphone to work (which weren’t so common back then). Now, the latest update by Facebook brings 3D photos […]
The post Facebook ‘3D Photos’ Tool Lets You Convert Any 2D Image Into 3D appeared first on Fossbytes.
Being one of the best and non-derivative KDE focussed Linux distros, KaOS has launched the new version KaOS 2020.02 with major new features after a span of six years. KaOS is an open-source rolling distro built from scratch. It ships with Linux kernel and best-fit package manager, Pacman. What’s New In KaOS 2020.02? KaOS 2020.02 […]
The post KaOS 2020.02 Released: One Of The Best KDE Linux Distros For Desktop appeared first on Fossbytes.
A PUBG mobile player got banned for ten years for using a sly trick to cheat during his PUBG mobile live stream. The player built an uproar on social media that he got banned for no reason. However, PUBG Corp. and Tencent Games has released a video explaining why he got banned and how the […]
The post A PUBG Player Cheated Using ‘Connection Error’: Gets Banned For 10 Yrs appeared first on Fossbytes.
The number of mobile apps downloaded in 2016 was 140.7 billion. By 2019 that figure had climbed to 204 billion. As the quantity of apps continues to grow, the potential for hackers to use them for nefarious purposes is rising as well. That’s why, if you’re creating an app, it’s essential to put security at […]
The post Thinking About Creating a Mobile App? Read These Hacker-Proofing Tips First appeared first on Fossbytes.
Pakistan recently introduced its internet censorship laws as per which tech giants are liable to take down a wide range of content from their platforms if demanded by the authorities. The stringent censorship demands have forced companies like Facebook, Google, and Twitter to join forces and demand the repealing of laws. According to Pakistan’s Citizens […]
The post Facebook, Google, Twitter Might Discontinue Services in Pakistan appeared first on Fossbytes.
Today we have Hyundai i10 Nios Vs Maruti Swift on board. It is surely a tough call to choose between the two hatchback cars. Both cars have a huge market share and are available in both petrol and diesel variants. However, Hyundai grand i10 Nios has just launched a CNG variant. Also at Auto Expo […]
The post Hyundai i10 Nios Vs Maruti Swift Comparison: Specs And Price appeared first on Fossbytes.
AMD has launched its lowest-power Ryzen processor, Ryzen Embedded 1102G, with a new series of embedded chips that feature the lowest Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 6W. After the Ryzen Embedded 1102G, there’s the Ryzen Embedded 1305G SoCs, which features a configurable 8W-10W TDP. This new series of embedded chips in Ryzen processors are designed […]
The post AMD’s Ultra-Low-Power Ryzen Embedded APU Features 6W TDP appeared first on Fossbytes.
If you’re a Spotify Premium subscriber — get you, fancy pants — did you know you easily stream music from the command line? Like, music from the actual Spotify library? Well, you can! And it’s […]
This post, Listen to Spotify from the Command Line with ‘ncspot’, was written by Joey Sneddon and first appeared on OMG! Ubuntu!.
The open-source nature of Android enables developers to tinker with the OS and make something entirely new out of it. This is exactly what programmers behind the Android x86 project did. They ported the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to the x86 desktop processor environment. Later, the Android x86 project became the base for several […]
The post “Android On Your PC” Android x86 Project Updated To Android 9 Pie appeared first on Fossbytes.
The market for Linux-based mobile operating systems isn’t that crowded; UBports is one of the stakeholders in the same market that develops and takes care of Ubuntu-based OS, Ubuntu Touch, for smartphones. Slowly but surely, Ubuntu Touch is gaining popularity with more platform support. Hence, the UBPorts team discussed their name clash of the “Unity8” […]
The post Ubuntu Touch Mobile OS Drops “8” From Its Desktop Environment Unity8 appeared first on Fossbytes.
Celebrating the eighth birthday of Raspberry Pi, Eben Upton, founder & CEO of Raspberry Pi Ltd., came up with a big announcement for all the single board computer lovers. Last year, Raspberry Pi released the Pi 4 model with cost reaching up to $55 for the first time. But, the latest revised pricing of Raspberry […]
The post The Cheapest And Fastest Raspberry Pi 4 Now Offers 2GB RAM At $35 appeared first on Fossbytes.
Rockstar has published a new image on its official website, and fans think that the company is teasing GTA 6 theme with the artwork. The image sparked the rumor that GTA 6 will be based in the 90s and that Rockstar is planning to announce the game really soon. The design published on the website […]
The post New GTA 6 Rumor Is All Over The Place, But Is It Actually True? appeared first on Fossbytes.
It is time for the “Tesla Model S Vs Acura NSX.” Don’t make any mistakes, it is an important drag race battle between an electric car and a Hybrid vehicle. Brooks from “DragTimes” uploaded a video of a drag race between these two monsters of green and sustainable energy and we are here to talk […]
The post Tesla Model S Competes Against Hybrid Acura NSX: Electric Vs Hybrid appeared first on Fossbytes.
TikTok, one of the most popular video-sharing platform, has welcomed a lot of criticism all around the world. Now, Reddit CEO and co-founder Steve Huffman said that the app is “fundamentally parasitic”. Huffman pointed out TikTok’s practice of fingerprinting to track devices as a major security issue in the Social 2020 venture capital conference. As […]
The post Don’t Install TikTok On Your Phone, It’s A Spyware: Reddit CEO appeared first on Fossbytes.
According to a report from The Information, Apple could roll out a new iPad Pro Smart Keyboard this year with a built-in trackpad. With this move, Apple’s tablet can get one step closer to become an alternative to traditional laptops. Apple plans to release the iPad accessory later this year and is currently “preparing the […]
The post Apple Could Release iPad Pro Smart Keyboard With A Trackpad In 2020 appeared first on Fossbytes.
Ikey Doherty, the creator and former lead dev of Solus, is back with a new project. His new company, Lispy Snake, Ltd, uses open source technology to create games, with a focus on Linux support.
I asked Ikey some questions about his new project. Here are his answers.
It’s FOSS: What made you decide to get into game development?
Ikey: Honestly I would have to say a respect for older games. The creativity that came from so much limitation is frankly amazing. If you think of how limited the NES or C64 were, (or indeed my Amstrad CPC) – yet how much joy people experienced from those platforms. It’s a buzz I can’t avoid. Even though we’re a long way now from that world, I still look to model that technical excellence and creativity as best I can. I’m a sucker for good stories.
It’s FOSS: There are already several open-source game engines. Why did you decide to make your own? What is Serpent’s killer feature?
Ikey: There are a good number of open and closed source ones, each with a great set of features. However, I’m a pretty old school developer and there is nothing I hate more than an IDE or ‘drag n drop’ codeless environment. I simply wanted to create indie games with the least fuss possible and using a framework where I didn’t have to compromise. Once you get to ‘must work nicely on Linux and be open source’ you’re kinda short on choice.
I collected a set of projects that I’d use as the foundation for Lispy Snake’s first games, but needed something of a framework to tie them all together, as a reusable codebase across all games and updates.
I wouldn’t say killer features are present yet – just a set of sensible decisions. Serpent is written in D so it’s highly performant with a lower barrier of entry than say C or C++. It’s allowing me to flesh out a framework that suits my development ideals and pays attention to industry requirements, such as a performant multithreading Entity Component System or the sprite batching system.
When you rope together all the features and decisions, you get a portable codebase, that thanks to its choice of libraries like SDL and bgfx, will eventually run on all major platforms with minimal effort on our part. That basically means we’re getting OpenGL, DirectX, Vulkan and Metal “for free”.
Being able to target the latest APIs and create indie games easily, with industry standard features emerging constantly, from a framework that doesn’t impose itself on your workflow…that’s a pretty good combination.
It’s FOSS: Why did you name your company LispySnake? Did you have a pet snake with a speech impediment when you were a kid?
Ikey: Honestly? Naughty Dog was taken. Gotta love some Bandicoot. Plus, originally we were taking on some Python contracting work and I found the name amusing. It’s pretty much a nonsensical name like many of my previous projects (Like Dave. Or Dave2.)
It’s FOSS: After being an operating system developer for many years, how does it feel to be working on something smaller? Would you say that your time as an OS developer gives you an edge as a game dev?
Ikey: OS dev needs a very high level view constantly, with the ability to context switch from macro to micro and back again. Many, many moving parts in a large ecosystem.
Serpent is much more task orientated – though similarities in the workflow exist in terms of defining macro systems and interleaving micro features to build a cohesive whole. My background in OS dev is obviously a huge help here.
Where it especially shines is dealing with the ‘guts’. I think a lot of indie devs (forgive me for being sweeping) are generally happy to just build from an existing kit and either embrace it or workaround the issues. There are some true gems out there like Factorio that go above and beyond and I have to hold my hat to them.
In terms of building a new kit we get to think, properly, about cache coherency, parallel performance, memory fragmentation, context switching and such.
Consumers of Serpent (when released in a more stable form) will know that the framework has been designed to leverage Linux features, not just spitting out builds for it.
It’s FOSS: Recently you ported your Serpent game engine from C to the D language. Why did you make this move? What features does D have over C?
Ikey: Yeah honestly that was an interesting move. We were originally working on a project called lispysnake2d which was to be a trivial wrapper around SDL to give us a micro-game library. This simply used SDL_Renderer APIs to blit 2D sprites and initially seemed sufficient. Unfortunately as development progressed it was clear we needed a 3D pipeline for 2D, so we could utilize shaders and special effects. At that point SDL_Renderer is no good to you anymore and you need to go with Vulkan or OpenGL. We began abstracting the pipelines and saw the madness ensue.
After taking a step back, I analyzed all the shortcomings in the approach, and tired of the portability issues that would definitely arise. I’m not talking in terms of libraries, I’m talking about dealing with various filepaths, encodings, Win32 APIs, DirectX vs OpenGL vs Vulkan…etc. Then whack in boilerplate time, C string shortcomings, and the amount of reinventing required to avoid linking to bloated “cross-platform” standard library style libraries. It was a bad picture.
Having done a lot of Go development, I started researching alternatives to C that were concurrency-aware, string-sane, and packed with a powerful cross-platform standard library. This is the part where everyone will automatically tell you to use Rust.
Unfortunately, I’m too stupid to use Rust because the syntax literally offends my eyes. I don’t get it, and I never will. Rust is a fantastic language and as academic endeavours go, highly successful. Unfortunately, I’m too practically minded and seek comfort in C-style languages, having lived in that world too long. So, D was the best candidate to tick all the boxes, whilst having C & C++ interoptability.
It took us a while to restore feature parity but now we have a concurrency-friendly framework which is tested with both OpenGL and Vulkan, supports sprite batching and has nice APIs. Plus, much of the reinvention is gone as we’re leveraging all the features of SDL, bgfx and the DLang standard library. Win win.
It’s FOSS: How are you planning to distribute your games?
Ikey: Demo wise we’ll initially only focus on Linux, and it’s looking like we’ll use Flatpak for that. As time goes on, when we’ve introduced support and testing for macOS + Windows, we’ll likely look to the Steam Store. Despite the closed source nature, Valve have been far more friendly and supportive of Linux over the years, whilst the likes of Epic Games have a long history of being highly anti-Linux. So that’s a no go.
It’s FOSS: How can people support and contribute to the development of the Serpent game engine?
Ikey: We have a few different methods, for what it’s worth. The easiest is to buy a Lifetime License – which is $20. This grants you lifetime access to all of our 2D games and helps fund development of our game titles and Serpent.
Alternatively, you can sponsor me directly on GitHub to work on Serpent and upstream where needed. Bit of FOSS love.
I would like to thank Ikey for taking the time to answer my questions about his latest project.
Have any of you created a game with open source tools? If so, what tools and how was the experience? Please let us know in the comments below.
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According to a report from The Information, Apple could roll out a new iPad Pro Smart Keyboard this year with a built-in trackpad. With this move, Apple’s tablet can get one step closer to become an alternative to traditional laptops. Apple plans to release the iPad accessory later this year and is currently “preparing the […]
The post Apple Could Release iPad Pro Smart Keyboard With A Trackpad In 2020 appeared first on Fossbytes.
Do you want to see the new default Ubuntu 20.04 wallpaper? Well, you can as exclusively reveal the brand new background below! Every great Ubuntu release needs an equally great wallpaper to go with it […]
This post, It’s Time to Meet Ubuntu 20.04’s New Default Wallpaper…, was written by Joey Sneddon and first appeared on OMG! Ubuntu!.
If you’ve dreamed of using LibreOffice on Android or iOS the release of Collabora Office will be of particular interest. Collabora Office is a free and open source office suite for Android and iOS. It […]
This post, Collabora Office Brings Power of LibreOffice to Android & iOS, was written by Joey Sneddon and first appeared on OMG! Ubuntu!.
LibreOffice 6.4.1 has been released. It is the first point release in the LibreOffice 6.4.x series, which debuted in January with a tonne of improvements.
This post, LibreOffice 6.4.1 Released with 120+ Bug Fixes, was written by Joey Sneddon and first appeared on OMG! Ubuntu!.
