Linux Format

Linux Format is your complete guide to the world of Linux. Whether you've just discovered Linux, or you're a full-time guru, Linux Format has everything you need to make the most of your OS. The editorial formula is a mix of features, reviews and practical tutorials that tackle topics as far ranging as installing software to socket programming and network management. Thought-provoking features and interviews also provide a focus on key technologies, trends and issues in the fast-paced world of Free and Open Source software.

MEET THE TEAM

WELCOME

Newsdesk • THIS ISSUE: Pebble OS rocks up again Distrowatch unwatched DeepSeek censorship dodged Flathub ups gaming offer

Distrowatch blocked, then allowed by Facebook • Facebook’s Linux ban sparks outrage.

GTK winter 2025 update • Upcoming changes include X11 deprecation.

20 YEARS OF ODF

DATA POINTS

AI censorship broken with hex • Chinese AI firm DeepSeek’s censorship has been bypassed by a researcher.

Gnome adds HDR configuration • HDR support answers long-standing requests.

Flathub adds new sections • New We Games and On The Go categories make for easier Flatpak browsing.

Distro watch • What’s behind the free software sofa?

MAKING TRACKS

BURNT OFFERINGS

Kernel Watch • Jon Masters summarises the latest happenings in the Linux kernel, so that you don’t have to.

Answers • Got a burning question about open source or the kernel? Whatever your level, email it to answers@linuxformat.com

Mailserver MAILSERVER

SUBSCRIBE TO LINUX FORMAT MAGAZINE

YOUR DIGITAL ISSUE ACCESS • Linux Format print subscribers can now access digital back issues two ways!* Who’s a lucky bunch of readers?!

Asus ZenWiFi BT8 • Brandon Hill finally thinks this is a worthy Wi-Fi 7 router.

Pop!_OS 24.04 Alpha 5 • Nate Drake picks apart System76’s pet distro, based on Ubuntu. Does Pop!_OS hit with a bang or a whimper?

Siduction 2024.1.0 • Nate Drake has been hobnobbing with Siduction’s developers to inform you about all this Debian-based distro has to offer.

MakuluLinux 2025.1 • Nate Drake heads to Vietnam to explore this feature-rich distro with its own Electra AI assistant. What more could you want?

Ditana 0.9.0 • Nate Drake delves into the beta version of this Arch-based distro. Is it ready to roll or just played out?

Halls of Torment • Management loves the idea of a vast army hammering away at keys all day – Joshua Wolens thinks that’s his current day job.

Roundup • Gentoo Arch Linux Void Linux NixOS Slackware

Installation procedure • It tends to be a learning experience with distributions like these.

Alternative distro builds • Pre-built and configured options with easy-to-use derivatives.

Following the installation guide • An important aspect of these distros.

Educational value • These distributions offer an opportunity to pick up some useful skills.

As a daily driver distro • Using it as a standard desktop distribution for average users.

Community and support • Getting started and troubleshooting problems.

Scope for customisation • Make your vision for a Linux system a reality rather than using defaults.

The verdict

HACKING ACADEMY • Erstwhile academic Jonni Bidwell transmuted his ivory tower book smarts into l33t hacker knowledge. And he’s here to pass it on.

Hacking origins • Some musings on the hacker archetype and today’s common misconceptions about the practice. Plus an intro to BackBox.

Port scanning • Get started with port scanning and probe your systems with Nmap – the bread and butter of pentesting.

Network recon • Explore the...