Table of Contents

Welcome From The Chief Editor

1. Another Great Loss For PCLinuxOS

2. Good Words, Good Deeds, Good News

3. PCLinuxOS Recipe Corner

4. ICYMI: NordVPN Data Breach, Only “Dummy” Data Obtained

5. Setting Up A DIY NAS With OpenMediaVault, Part 1

6. Making Quality Music Easily & Cheaply On PCLinuxOS, Part 1

7. Inkscape Tutorial: Tips & Tricks You Might Not Know

8. Wiki Pick: LibreOffice Manager

9. Tip Top Tips: KDE 6.x.y Change Shutdown/Logout Countdown (Leafpad Method)

10. PCLinuxOS Recipe Corner Bonus

11. Inspiration & Motivation

12. PCLinuxOS Puzzled Partitions

13. Screenshot Showcase

From The Chief Editor's Desk...

Many of us on the staff of The PCLinuxOS Magazine are still reeling after the much unexpected loss of our newest staff member, Artim. After all, he was only 15 years old, and had not even yet begun to experience life when he was taken from us.

While I don’t want to start a political or otherwise emotional debate about the efficacy and value of the COVID-19 shots (in fact, it’s the last thing I want to do), it does appear to be related to what ultimately happened to Artim. Being a teenage male, he was most at risk of developing a cardiac problem directly related to having gotten the “jab.” Testosterone appears to enhance pro-inflammatory responses in male patients. Estrogen, on the other hand, appears to provide a protective, anti-inflammatory effect in females.

That’s not to say that female teens aren’t having cardiac issues following the receipt of the COVID-19 vaccination. But male teens and young men (up to their mid-20s) appear to have the highest risk of cardiac side effects following the shot. The reason for the cardiac issues aren’t entirely clear at this point.

“The family” on a Cub Scout hike in early January

Given that most “kids” don’t have an elevated risk profile with COVID-19, it’s baffling why the vaccination is/was being forced upon them. I can possibly see the rationale for those over 25 years old, but including our youth in the mandatory vaccination push just isn’t making sense. I get that public health officials want to aim for herd immunity, but it does seem to me that we can get there (albeit a bit slower) without putting our youth at risk.

I’m a retired healthcare professional who worked on the front lines of the pandemic, caring for patients who were unfortunate enough to contract COVID-19. I even lost two of my co-workers to COVID-19.

To top it off, my son is just three years younger than Artim was when he passed away. And, he’s just starting puberty. So, I’m in no rush to get him any further COVID-19 shots, at least until they understand why male teens are having the most difficulties of any age group out there with the COVID-19 vaccination, as well as ways to mediate that inflammatory response male teens get from receiving the jab.

I “get it” that government officials had to find a way to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Too many people were dying, especially with that first round with the virus. But, being as rushed to “market” as they were, the vaccines were disseminated without knowing how safe they were … or weren’t … to various segments of the population. There just wasn’t time to run the vaccines through the usual regimen to determine safety.

mRNA vaccines have been around for a while, but they were previously only used in animal populations. The COVID-19 vaccine was (and is) the only mRNA-based vaccine used for humans (as far as I can tell). Thus, there’s a LOT we don’t know about it or its interactions with various age groups, health conditions, and other demographic data. And, researchers have plans to further explore the use of mRNA vaccines for other conditions.

I hope that “they” can figure out more about why these vaccines are triggering adverse health effects in various populations before they go “all in” in using mRNA vaccines to combat multiple health conditions.

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This month's image, created with Bing Image Creator, celebrates Robinson Crusoe Day, with a Tux twist, on February 1. The literary classic is an English adventure novel by Daniel Defoe, first published on 25 April 1719. It is often credited as marking the beginning of realistic fiction as a literary genre, and has been described as the first novel.

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Until next month, I bid you peace, happiness, serenity, prosperity, and continued good health!

Another Great Loss For PCLinuxOS

by Paul Arnote (parnote)

As any long time Linux user knows, people coming and going from our favorite distro – whichever one that may be – is a common occurrence. People move to another distro, people’s priorities in life change, and people pass on to another plane of existence. Oftentimes, this happens suddenly and without explanation, especially when it comes to the latter reason.

PCLinuxOS is not exempt from this. Over my 18+ years running PCLinuxOS, I’ve seen my fair share of users who have “moved on” for one reason or another. Sproggy, Joble, Tara-Rains, Hootiegibbon, joechimp, µT6, BaldBrick, Neal ManBear, Archie, Wamukota, and many others have moved on over those years for one of the reasons listed above.

We usually don’t “report” on those who leave, except for that last reason where our forum friend and family member passes on to another plane of existence. Unfortunately and sadly, we have lost another user. And, because of who it is, this one hurts a bit more than most of the others.

I was notified in early January that we have lost Artim. At only 15 years old, he was one of the youngest PCLinuxOS users amongst our midst. Artim made only 48 posts in the new PCLinuxOS forum during his brief stay with PCLinuxOS, but his impact on those he interacted with was profound.

Image courtesy of Artim’s foster family

Talking to him, you’d never know that Artim was only 15 years old. He possessed a wisdom and sophistication that was far, far beyond his youthful years.

I first noticed Artim from his posts in the PCLinuxOS forum. Back in early June, he sent me a PM, inquiring if there was anything he could do to help with the magazine. Here is his message:

The magazine is amaaaaaazing, beautifully laid out, fun, and informative. I have no technical expertise, but I'd like to help/contribute if I can to the magazine. I'm a bit leery of Google, perhaps without sufficient cause, but all the talk of Google's data mining creeps me out. Is there another way I can help, perhaps with proofreading? I have no other talents to offer (yet), other than enthusiasm for the project.

I wrote a kinda-sorta "review" of PCLinuxOS on my weblog, which chronicles a little of my Linux journey. I'm not sure it qualifies as a review at all, but I'd love to hear your suggestions on what makes a good review and how I can improve my own halting attempts at it.

Once I received his initial PM, I started paying closer attention to his writing style in his posts. Not only did he demonstrate a competent grasp on the topics he was responding to, but his writing ability exceeded that of many adults that I’ve worked with over the years. He definitely had a mastery of the written word, conveying his thoughts and ideas clearly and succinctly. I just knew that I had to see if I could get him to write for The PCLinuxOS Magazine. At that time, I had NO idea that he was only 15 years old.

Over the time I spent talking to him and reading his forum posts, I came to realize what his chronological age really was. One post he initiated in the forum asked for guidance on “What You Wanted To Be When You Grew Up?” That was when I realized how youthful he really was. The replies to his question ended up going on for four pages of replies from many forum members, with each offering up their own pearls of wisdom on the topic.

Artim and I continued to correspond, both by PM and email. Eventually, he submitted his first article, entitled “Why PCLinuxOS?” His first article appeared in the December, 2025 issue of The PCLinuxOS Magazine. He then set out to carve out his own niche with the magazine, choosing to attempt to resurrect the “PCLinuxOS Forum Family & Friends” article series. He renamed it “Getting To Know You,” and his first article in that series was about hunter0one. That article ran in the January, 2026 issue of The PCLinuxOS Magazine. As you’ll see below, I’m not sure if he ever saw his article on hunter0one published in the magazine.

In early December, Artim sent me an email stating that he would need to take a “sick leave.” This is how he explained things:

I have been in the hospital for a few days while they try to figure out why I collapsed at baseball practice. Chest pain, hard to breathe, puking, then collapse. I don't even remember the ambulance ride.

Myocarditis is what they think is going on after doing a bunch of tests. Heart rhythm is all out of whack and there's damage to the muscle. One of the doctors said he is seeing a lot more kids having this since the mandatory Covid-19 shots.

Anyway I am sort of out of commission, with only occasional access to a computer, so I might not be able to contribute very much until I'm home and have unrestricted computer access. And I'm not allowed to play baseball, do SCUBA diving, or much of anything else yet.

He followed up his email nine days later:

They decided I need an implanted defibrillator. They have had to jump start my heart a few times because I have sudden, life-threatening rhythm changes where my heart just sort of quivers instead of beating and pumping like it should.

No more baseball, no more SCUBA diving, but I hope I can still at least do other things. But my heart is pretty damaged, they tell me, and if it can't be managed with drugs and the defibrillator I'll be a transplant candidate.

The next thing I heard was on January 8, 2026, from his foster parents:

I am deeply sorry to share this devastating news, that little Artim has succumbed to the injuries to his heart. I will set his mailbox to an auto-responder so that his many friends and foster siblings will know of his passing.

One of the few things Artim was most excited to participate in was this group and the Linux forum. He was a delightful, cheerful boy in spite of all he'd been through. A lesser person would have become bitter and morose, but Artim was bright, sunny, cheerful, and always grateful. In the end, he gave far more precious love and happiness that we were able to give him as his foster family. We had hoped to formally adopt Artim when this episode interrupted our plans and eventually took his life.

Thank you for the little but meaningful part you played in his life.

When I replied to this email, I informed them that we wanted to write an “In Memorium” article for the magazine. They responded with the following (which included the image near the beginning of this article):

When Artim first came to us, he had been in two previous foster homes, having entered the foster care system at age 11 following years of hideous abuse by his father. His mother's parental rights were taken away when it was proved that she not only failed to report the abuse, but facilitated it. Barely 80 pounds at the time and non-verbal for most of his time in the foster care system, Artim was considered not adoptable. That was before he came to live with us just a little less than two years ago. We have cared for special needs kids before, but none like Artim, who had no diagnosed disabilities other than extreme childhood trauma and obvious malnourishment. He was tiny for a thirteen-year-old boy. Not yet even five feet tall, Artim was frail, shy, and locked inside himself. It was two months before he spoke a word. He said, "Thank you" after supper one evening, and his foster mom and I wept and held him close. That was the beginning of 18 months of raising a scared, timid middle school kid to a dual-enrolled high school sophomore with talents we only began to discover together: He wrote music. He learned to play the violin. Despite his small size and delicate build, he played baseball with phenomenal skill and speed, making the Little League all-star team for his age group. He also wrote brilliant essays, including one that got published last month in a Linux magazine. His interest in that worried us at first, because at the time we were trying to draw him out of his room and into interacting with others, but it was something he enjoyed. It continued to bloom even during his other triumphs in music and baseball.

Artim's doctors and I are convinced that Artim is one of thousands of young boys who were severely injured by the mRNA Covid-19 vaccinations, which were mandatory for him to continue in foster care, in school, and to qualify for an audition to the community orchestra. Little did we imagine what this experimental "vaccine" would leave in its aftermath. Not just for Artim, but for thousands of other young men and women. All these mandates for a virus that presented practically no danger to children at all, and with a 95+% survival rate for all ages. Effective treatments like Ivermectin were for all intents and purposes outlawed in favor of this rushed-to-market "vaccine," school closings, masks that did nothing but hinder breathing, and savagely curtailing gatherings that presented no threat whatsoever to children. I don't mean for this to be a political message, but I am compelled to urge all of Artim's friends to reexamine their trust in government advice on health care, especially when their advice becomes mandatory and enforceable with fines, denials, and threats.

Artim did not know that we intended to adopt him this year until he was facing surgery to implant a cardiac defibrillator. We wanted him to know that he would have the "forever family" he deserved. He rallied fiercely to make that dream come true, even after we all knew that the device would buy him only a short time to become our true son, legally and permanently. His underdeveloped body just could not endure the damage done to his heart muscle, but his true heart remains strong and forever in our lives. For such a small boy, he leaves a vast legacy of mental and spiritual resilience that takes most people a lifetime to develop.

In his brief time, Artim touched the lives and hearts of the entire staff of The PCLinuxOS Magazine. Without a doubt, he was wise beyond his years. During his brief time with us, he endeared himself to all who interacted with him. He acted with poise, passion, concern, and genuine love for all of those he came into contact with.

I only wish that I had the chance to meet him in person, and that he was able to overcome this tragedy that took him from us way, way too early. He showed so much promise and potential in his short life.

You know some people for all your life, and never really “connect” with them. With others, you get to know them for only a short while, and they leave a profound effect on you. Artim was in that latter group.

Rest in peace to our dear friend, Artim. Thank you for gracing our lives with your brief life that was cut way too short.

Good Words, Good Deeds, Good News

compiled by Meemaw

Baby Comes Home For Christmas After 305 Days in NICU

Kamillia was born early in 2025, and born at 35 weeks (normal pregnancy is about 40 weeks). Adding to her condition was being born with an Omphalocele, a congenital defect that caused some of her internal organs to develop outside her abdomen. Some babies will have other conditions. There is a surgery to correct the Omphalocele, which moves the organs and repairs the opening.

Kamillia stayed in the NICU in Texas for 305 days before she could come home, just in time for Christmas!

“She grabs everything,” mother Jacklynn added. “She likes to chew everything, including her fingers. She has about eight teeth now.”

“Born with a rare congenital condition, Kamillia defied the odds through months of intensive, compassionate care,” the Texas Hospital Association said.

H-E-B Store Gives Groceries For Free After Computer Meltdown

An H-E-B store in Texas was having trouble with their computer system. As long lines developed, the manager gave them all a Christmas present, announcing,

“We love having you as our customers, thank you for waiting with us,” the manager said. “Unfortunately, the computers are not coming back up right now, so today everything that you have we are going to bag you up, and we hope that every one of you has a very merry Christmas and continue to shop with us.”

A customer asked one of the clerks,”Is this for real?” and after the clerk answered, “Absolutely!” The store received a round of applause.

H-E-B issued a statement: “During this busy holiday season when our registers were temporarily down at one of our stores, we gave all those with full baskets their groceries for free,” the statement reads. “The customer experience is at the heart of what we do!”

Idaho Secret Santa Awards Gift To Teacher Recovering After A House Fire

An Idaho teacher named Mrs. Mabey was visited by a representative of East Idaho News, who told her that their Secret Santa had a gift for her.

She and her husband had been noticing a weird smell in their house, and when they investigated it, they found smoke in the attic. When the fire department broke through the roof, a fire flared up and damaged the house, so the family went to a hotel while the repairs were being done. They have since moved to a rental house because repairs won't be finished for at least eight months.

Secret Santa loves surprises, so he decided to send East Idaho News’s Nate Eaton and his team to give Mrs. Mabey, who is dedicated to her students, a $5,000 check to help her family as they recover from the fire.

When she opened the gift, the teacher was overwhelmed with gratitude. “Oh my gosh. Thank you. That is really needed right now,” she said.

Jail Inmates Holding Hands, Saying The Lord’s Prayer On Christmas Eve

In a county jail in Michigan, on Christmas Eve, the inmates held hands and recited the Lord’s Prayer.

“I’ve NEVER posted a jail surveillance video like this one. Last night on Christmas Eve, inmates on one of the biggest pods came together on their own. No direction. No prompting. They joined hands and quietly recited the Lord’s Prayer,” Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson wrote in the caption.

“In a place that’s often defined by mistakes and consequences, I saw unity and hope. I saw people choosing something better for themselves and for each other. When this happens, communities are safer and generational incarceration is broken,” Swanson added. “This is what real culture change looks like, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Please join me in thanking the entire jail staff for being a part of the culture change. It matters! Merry Christmas!”

Arkansas Church Members Take Supplies To Elderly Before Storm

Members of Grace Point Church in Arkansas took supplies to 80 elderly apartments to help the people prepare for the winter storm that went through the town in January.

The forecast was for temperatures around 17F, and a wintery mix of snow, freezing rain and sleet over the weekend. Church members brought food and essential items (blankets, socks, and even items for their pets), chosen to help keep the people and their pets warm. When the church members finished, they stayed to pray with the residents.

Resident Ronnie Smith said, “God is good, God is looking out for you. You see how he blessed me, the way he blessed me, He can bless y’all too.”

PCLinuxOS Recipe Corner

Cheesy Beef & Potato Casserole

Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp tomato paste + ½ cup beef broth)

4-5 medium golden potatoes, cubed

1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)

1 tbsp olive oil

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup

½ cup milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

½ cup Gouda cheese

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 375°F during the initial baking process (before the cheese is added).

Add ground beef to the pan and break up the meat into small pieces. Cook on medium heat till meat is mostly cooked, leaving a little pink in color. Drain excess grease from meat. Then add onions to the meat and cook till onions are translucent. Then add garlic paste, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper, and tomato paste. Mix well. Add beef broth and turn the temperature to low and let simmer for 3–4 minutes. Turn off heat and let it set.

Prepare potatoes cutting them into cubes about ½ inch in size. Try to keep your cubed potatoes the same size. Par boil potatoes for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, oil an 18 × 8 baking dish. Drain potatoes and put them into your greased baking dish, layering them evenly. Season potatoes with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Toss potatoes to make sure the seasoning is evenly coated and spread the potatoes, layering them evenly. Spoon your ground beef mixture over the top of the potatoes in an even layer.

Now add cream of mushroom soup* to your milk and mix well. Now spread this mixture evenly on top of your potato and beef mixture. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 30–35 minutes. Remove from the oven and remove the foil cover.

Sprinkle on your cheeses on the top of your cooked ingredients. Sprinkle with parsley. Now reduce the oven heat to 350°F and place your casserole back into the oven for about 15 minutes or till the cheese is lightly brown and bubbly.

TIPS:

* You can substitute cream of mushroom with Cream of Cheddar, Cream of Celery, or Cream of Chicken. For added richness you can substitute the milk with evaporated milk or heavy cream.

NUTRITION:

Calories: 450    Carbs: 30g    Sodium: 1183mg    Fiber: 3g    Protein: 25g

ICYMI: NordVPN Data Breach, Only “Dummy” Data Obtained

by Paul Arnote (parnote)

ChatGPT

A security investigation by insurance powerhouse Aflac has revealed that more than 22 million affiliated people were affected by a data breach in 2025, according to an article from TechRepublic. The breach, which, according to Aflac, has been contained, involved customers’ personally identifiable information (PII). According to the insurance company, some suspicious activities were observed in June 2025. The abnormal network activity was traced to an advanced cybercrime group, warranting a full-scale investigation. Aflac did not publicly identify a specific name, which may be revealed in the future as more information is revealed.

There are warning signs that your home network may have been compromised, such as unusual traffic patterns and slowdowns in system performance, but now there's a simple tool to help determine if your router or connected devices are being used to conduct malicious activity, according to an article from Lifehacker. IP Check, from threat monitoring firm GreyNoise, will alert you if your IP address has been observed scanning the internet as part of a botnet or residential proxy network. As GreyNoise outlines, residential IP compromise often isn't obvious to the user because you're still able to conduct business as usual, such as streaming, emailing, and web browsing. All the while, though, threat actors are routing malicious activity through your home IP address and can potentially exploit your network for everything from account takeovers to malware distribution.

Humanoid robots are moving past simple metal and gears to something much more sensitive. In a major leap for embodied intelligence, researchers in China have developed a “neuromorphic” electronic skin (NRE-skin) that allows robots to experience touch, detect injury, and even react to pain through reflexive movements, mimicking the way the human nervous system protects the body, according to an article from eWeek. While most current robotic skins are limited to basic pressure sensing using complex, bulky wiring, this new NRE-skin takes a page out of biology. Human skin is a sophisticated network where nerve endings turn touch into “pulses” for the brain to read. The NRE-skin does the same, converting physical pressure into neural-like pulse trains. According to the research team, this hierarchical design allows the robot to understand not just that it’s being touched, but exactly where and how hard. As Ars Technica reports, this system uses these activity spikes to create “something akin to a bar code that helps identify which sensor the reading came from.”

NordVPN denied allegations that its internal Salesforce development servers were breached, saying that cybercriminals obtained “dummy data” from a trial account on a third-party automated testing platform, according to an article from Bleeping Computer. The company's statement comes after a threat actor (using the 1011 handle) claimed on a hacking forum over the weekend that they stole more than 10 databases containing sensitive information like Salesforce API keys and Jira tokens, following a brute-force attack against a NordVPN development server. “Today I am leaking +10 DB's source codes from a NordVPN development server. This information was acquired by bruteforcing a misconfigured server of NordVPN, which has salesforce and jira information stored. Compromissed information: SalesForce api keys, jira tokens and more,” the threat actor said. However, as NordVPN revealed today, this is actually test data stolen from a temporary test environment deployed months earlier during trial testing a potential vendor for automated testing. The Lithuanian VPN service added that the test environment had no connection with its own infrastructure and that the stolen data doesn't include sensitive customer or business information.

Hackers no longer need to break into WhatsApp accounts. They just let themselves in. Cybersecurity researchers at technology firm Gen Digital have uncovered a new attack that quietly links an attacker’s browser to a victim’s WhatsApp account, giving them ongoing access without raising alarms, according to an article from TechRepublic. The technique, known as “GhostPairing,” exploits WhatsApp’s device-linking feature, which allows users to connect multiple devices to a single account. By abusing this legitimate function through social engineering, attackers can remain invisible while monitoring messages and gathering personal information.

Researchers warn that critical flaws in popular Bluetooth headphones could enable eavesdropping, data theft, and smartphone compromise, according to an article from eSecurity Planet. The vulnerabilities impact devices from major brands, many of which have yet to be patched. The flaws “… might allow eavesdropping via the device’s microphone,” said researchers. The vulnerabilities impact Bluetooth headphones and earbuds powered by Airoha system-on-chips (SoCs), which are widely used across the consumer electronics market. The flaws are tracked as CVE-2025-20700, CVE-2025-20701, and CVE-2025-20702, with CVSS scores ranging from 8.8 to 9.6, indicating high to critical severity. Despite initial disclosure to vendors in June 2025, some manufacturers have yet to fully patch affected products at the time of publication.

Image by schoithramani from Pixabay

OX Security researchers found that more than 900,000 Chrome users unknowingly exposed sensitive AI conversations after installing malicious browser extensions masquerading as legitimate productivity tools, according to an article from TechRepublic. The campaign highlights how trusted browser ecosystems can be quietly abused to siphon off proprietary data, personal information, and corporate intelligence at scale. The malware “… adds malicious capabilities by requesting consent for ‘anonymous, non-identifiable analytics data’ while actually exfiltrating complete conversation content from ChatGPT and DeepSeek sessions,” OX researchers said in a blog post. Once installed, the malicious Chrome extensions established persistent visibility into users’ browsing activity by leveraging the chrome.tabs.onUpdated API, which allows extensions to monitor tab changes and page loads in real time. This capability enabled the malware to silently observe when users navigated to AI platforms such as ChatGPT or DeepSeek without raising suspicion.

U.S. officials are investigating a suspected Chinese cyber espionage operation compromising email systems used by congressional staff working on House national security committees, according to an article from Bank Info Security. The activity, detected in December, appears to have originated from the threat actor commonly tracked as Salt Typhoon, according to researchers tracking the operation. It appears to have affected staff supporting committees with oversight of China policy, foreign affairs, intelligence and the military. There is currently no public indication that lawmakers' own accounts were accessed, but the targeting of staff networks is raising new concerns about how foreign adversaries may have extracted strategic insights from systems handling sensitive data.

Scientists have created a highly efficient method to produce tagatose, a rare sugar that tastes like real sugar but has fewer calories and a much smaller impact on blood sugar, according to an article from ScienceDaily. Made using engineered bacteria, it could offer a healthier, more natural-feeling alternative to today’s sugar substitutes. Tagatose exists naturally, but only in very small quantities compared with common sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose. It appears in milk and other dairy products when lactose breaks down under heat or enzymatic activity, including during the production of yogurt, cheese, and kefir. Tiny amounts of tagatose are also present in fruits like apples, pineapples, and oranges. However, it typically makes up less than 0.2% of the sugars found in these natural sources. Because of this scarcity, tagatose is usually produced through manufacturing rather than extracted directly from foods.

LG Electronics

LG Electronics showcased LG CLOiD™, an AI-powered home robot at CES 2026, representing its “Zero Labor Home” vision where intelligent machines handle everyday chores through robotics and connected home integration, according to an announcement on the electronics company’s website. LG CLOiD is a robot that uses AI and vision-based technology to perform household tasks like cooking and laundry, connecting seamlessly with LG’s ThinQ ecosystem to automate home life. By unveiling LG CLOiD and its new actuator technology, LG takes a major step toward AI-driven homes, combining robotics, smart appliances and Physical AI to make housework effortless and time-saving.

In 2024, scientists stumbled upon a potential new treatment for hereditary-patterned baldness, the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women worldwide, according to an article from ScienceAlert. It began with research on a naturally occurring sugar that helps form DNA: the 'deoxyribose' part of deoxyribonucleic acid. While studying how these sugars aid wound healing in mice when applied topically, scientists at the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University in Pakistan noticed that the fur around treated lesions grew back faster than in untreated mice.

Comcast is set to appear in court in mid-January as software development company Promptu Systems pushes forward with a revived patent infringement lawsuit originally filed back in 2016 and brought back in 2024, according to an article from Cord Cutter News. The case, which centers on allegations of unauthorized use of voice recognition and command technologies, has been given new life following a recent appellate ruling that overturned key aspects of the initial dismissal. The proceedings are scheduled to commence in a Pennsylvania district court on Thursday, January 15, 2026, where Promptu aims to present fresh arguments demonstrating how Comcast incorporated its patented innovations into various consumer devices. This revival stems from a decision last week by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which determined that the lower court had mishandled the interpretation of critical patent terms. As a result, Promptu now has the opportunity to reargue its claims, potentially exposing Comcast to substantial legal and financial repercussions if the infringement is upheld.

Image by Ernesto Barrachina from Pixabay

The YouTuber named LabCoatz has shaken the soda world with claims that he cracked the code on the flavor of original Coca-Cola, according to an article from The Takeout. Using a mass spectrometer and a whole lot of science, LabCoatz — real name Zach Armstrong — and two other YouTubers mapped out the recipe of the iconic soda by recording the chemical signature of each flavor. Then, they replicated those flavors in a laboratory-made drink that testers said tastes like the real thing.

People are living longer these days, with the average life expectancy for people in the U.S. reaching 80.7 years for women and 74.1 for men, according to a scientific study published in JAMA, according to an article from the Huffington Post. Unfortunately, for many people, their later years are not spent in good health. According to the same study, the U.S. has the largest gap between healthspan (the number of years one spends in good health) and lifespan (the number of years one lives). Dementia is one of the biggest threats to healthspan. According to the National Institutes of Health, researchers estimate that 42% of Americans over 55 will eventually develop dementia. Ready for some good news? You can control your brain health more than you probably think. A 2024 report published in The Lancet says that an estimated 45% of dementia cases are preventable through diet and lifestyle habits. Certainly, it’s our everyday habits that impact our health the most, including our brain health. There’s one common habit in particular that brain health experts we talked to said could be increasing one’s dementia risk without them even realizing it.

Despite all of the horror stories about Google, it does still remain one of the most popular sites in the world for search, email, and many other services offered by them. If you still use Gmail as your primary email (I’m guilty), Lifehacker has an article about some Gmail “hacks” that will make your life easier … well, at least make managing your Gmail account a lot easier.

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Evidence of free-flowing water in Mars’s past has been mounting for a long time. River deltas, water-altered minerals, and more have painted a picture of a wet world long ago. What remains a mystery is its climate. Was it cold and wet or mild and wet? Lots of ice or a stable ocean? New evidence suggests that about 3 billion years ago, there was a hemisphere-spanning ocean in the north of Mars, according to an article from IFL Science. This comes from a team studying Valles Marineris, the largest − though not the longest − canyon system in the Solar System. It is more than 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) long and 200 kilometers (120 miles) wide.

If you’re a billionaire looking to jump into philanthropy there are hundreds of different causes to support. Fans of the seemingly always-cash-strapped NASA will certainly be cheering after news that a former Google CEO is going to foot the bill for a modern, updated replacement to the Hubble Space Telescope, according to an article from the Good News Network. The 3-decade-old observatory which gave so many individuals among the Millennial and Generation X demographics their first views of the cosmos is still operational, but struggles over funding priorities and a new focus on physical exploration rather than photographic exploration will undoubtedly see it retired in the coming years. Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google from 2001 to 2011, and the company’s executive chairman from 2011 to 2015, has announced together with his wife Wendy that their estate will philanthropically fund 4 telescopic observatories, one of which, called Lazuli, will be launched into space and bring capabilities that would outclass Hubble.

NASA, along with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced Tuesday a renewed commitment to their longstanding partnership to support the research and development of a fission surface power system for use on the Moon under the Artemis campaign and future NASA missions to Mars, according to an article from the NASA website. A recently signed memorandum of understanding between the agencies solidifies this collaboration and advances President Trump’s vision of American space superiority by deploying nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit, including the development of a lunar surface reactor by 2030. This effort ensures the United States leads the world in space exploration and commerce.

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Many people who are prescribed statins to lower cholesterol end up stopping the medication because of muscle pain, weakness, or ongoing fatigue, according to an article from Science Daily. These symptoms are among the most common reasons patients abandon the drugs. New research from Columbia University suggests a possible explanation for why this happens in some individuals. The study indicates that certain statins can attach to a protein inside muscle cells, triggering a leak of calcium ions that disrupts normal muscle function.

More than 9 out of 10 Alzheimer's cases could be driven by specific variations in a single gene and the protein it produces, a new study reveals, suggesting that treatments targeting this well-known gene could prevent the disease from developing in the majority of instances, according to an article from ScienceAlert. The gene in question, APOE, has long been associated with Alzheimer's risk. What's new here is the way the different variations of the gene have been analysed and mapped against the chances of developing Alzheimer's. It turns out that the APOE combination we're born with could be even more important than previously realized. Researchers led by a team from University College London (UCL) took a fresh look at the three main variations of the APOE gene: ε2 (linked to a protective effect against cognitive decline), ε3 (historically considered the normal or neutral version), and ε4 (already known to significantly increase Alzheimer's risk). They found, based on four genetic datasets covering almost 470,000 people, that ε3 isn't actually neutral – it can be considered a major risk factor. Part of the reason this hasn't been flagged before is that it's the most common variant of APOE, found in around three-quarters of the population.

Amazon wants Walmart’s shoppers … and it’s willing to build a small city to get them. The company has plans to roll out a sprawling new brick-and-mortar experiment aimed squarely at Walmart’s long-standing dominance in physical retail, according to an article from TechRepublic. The new 229,000-square-foot facility, proposed for the Chicago suburbs (specifically, Orland Park), marks Amazon’s latest attempt to build a grand-scale physical presence. According to GeekWire, experts call the initiative a clear sign of “Walmart jealousy,” as the company plans to leverage its digital tools, such as in-store app ordering, to disrupt its biggest rival. The end goal? To challenge Walmart’s multibillion-dollar hold on consumer dollars.

Scammers are flooding LinkedIn posts with fake “reply” comments that appear to come from the platform itself, warning users of bogus policy violations and urging them to visit an external link, according to an article from BleepingComputer. The messages convincingly impersonate LinkedIn branding and in some cases even use the company’s official lnkd.in URL shortener, making the phishing links harder to distinguish from legitimate ones. Over the past few days, LinkedIn users have been targeted with bot-like activity from several LinkedIn-themed profiles commenting on their posts. These posts falsely claim that the user has “engaged in activities that are not in compliance” with the platform and that their account has been “temporarily restricted” until they visit the specified link in the comment.

If you don't like how the internet makes you feel right now, you're not alone. The entire ecosystem seemingly exists to manipulate you, which can make finding clarity hard. An important step is recognizing when you're being manipulated. RageCheck is a potentially useful tool here, according to an article from Lifehacker. Built using concepts from social science research, this website can analyze any link or screenshot. It points out examples of potentially manipulative language, from us-versus-them framing to emotionally loaded phrasing. “The system analyzes text for linguistic patterns commonly associated with manipulative framing—language optimized to provoke high-arousal reactions over understanding,” says the methodology page. “It does not assess factual accuracy or political bias.” Using the site is simple: just paste a link to an article and hit Enter. After a few moments, you'll see a statistical breakdown of the potentially manipulative language in the piece across five categories—emotional heat, us versus them, moral outrage, black-and-white thinking, and fight picking. The article is excerpted below, with examples of these tactics highlighted. In the left panel you'll see a “Bait Score,” which is an attempt to calculate how manipulative the article is being. Below that, you'll see a list of the potentially manipulative techniques employed in the article. None of this is intended to be used as an alternative to fact-checking or serve as some kind of truth-detecting machine. “A high score means content uses manipulative framing—it doesn't mean the underlying claims are false,” says the about page. “Conversely, a low score doesn't mean content is true.”

Have you ever wondered if the image you’re looking at is an AI-generated “fake?” Well, that’s exactly what one article from eWeek intends to help you out with: tips on how to spot AI Generated Images. A couple of years ago, spotting an AI-generated image was almost a game. You didn’t need sharp eyes; just count the fingers, or recall that bizarre AI clip of Will Smith eating spaghetti. The results were fascinating, funny… and very obviously fake. Today, that’s no longer the case. AI image generators have gotten dramatically better, turning out photos that can look realistic enough to pass at a quick glance… and sometimes even longer. The good news: AI still isn’t perfect. Well, not yet. Even the best-generated images tend to stumble over certain details, especially when scenes get busy or realistic in small, human ways. If you know where to look, those slip-ups are surprisingly easy to spot.

Picture this: you created your Gmail account WAY back, over 20 years ago. Today, it remains your go-to email account. However, back when you set up your Gmail account, you thought it would be cool to showcase your passion with an email address, something like OptimusPrimeRules@gmail.com or ben_and_julie_4ever@gmail.com (and you can barely even remember what attracted you to Julie in the first place). As is typical of younger people, there’s not much thought that goes into how that might sound when fielding job offers (or any other professional endeavor). It’s about as far away from a “professional” sounding email as you can get. And, with Gmail, you’re pretty much stuck with that email address, unless you set up another email account. Or at least, that used to be the case. Google has recently started rolling out the ability to change your Gmail email address, with some limitations, according to an article from Lifehacker.

A new study led by researchers from the University of Bath in the UK suggests a standard unit for measuring cannabis potency, similar to how we quantify alcohol consumption with standard drinks, could help people manage their intake and identify those at risk of cannabis use disorder, according to an article from ScienceAlert. As more countries introduce laws allowing for medicinal and recreational cannabis use, such standard measures could help inform public health strategies around harm reduction. For instance, a 0.45 gram joint of strong herbal cannabis might contain 12.78 standard THC units, while a weaker, seeded herbal cannabis can contain just 3.78 THC units, according to the new estimates.

Researchers found that a common antibiotic-resistant bacterium prevents wounds from healing by chemically paralyzing skin cells rather than attacking them directly, according to an article from SciTechDaily. Scientists from an international research group led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), have identified an approach that may help chronic wounds heal faster, including wounds infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Chronic wounds are a serious global health burden. An estimated 18.6 million people develop diabetic foot ulcers each year worldwide, and as many as one in three people with diabetes may face a foot ulcer at some point in their lives. These long-lasting wounds are a major driver of lower limb amputations. They also often become trapped in a cycle of ongoing infection that keeps the body from repairing the damaged skin.

Age-verification is all the rage these days. Governments around the world are putting pressure on tech companies to make sure users are actually the age they should be in order to access their services, according to an article from Lifehacker. Sometimes, that means uploading an ID to prove your age; other times, it involves an AI system guessing how old you are based on your appearance, activity, and behavior. Roblox is the latest platform to roll out new age-verification rules, following intense criticism from parents, researchers, and even attorneys general, who, among other claims, assert that Roblox enables predators to connect with children via the platform. In response, the company announced new age-verification rules last September and November before rolling them out in select countries in December. This week, Roblox put them into effect in the U.S. That all sounds good—the problem is, the system is a bit of a disaster.

From the “whoa boy … this really sounds like a great idea” department [/sarcasm], OpenAI announced its new ChatGPT Health feature, which will let users upload their medical records and ask health related questions, according to an article from Lifehacker. However, it might not be the best idea for you to do it, for both reliability and privacy reasons. The new ChatGPT Health feature will be a sandboxed tab inside the app that is isolated from your conversation history in other conversations with the chatbot. This tab also allows users to connect a variety of health-tracking apps like Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, and Peloton, as well as uploading medical records directly. (You won’t find me signing up to surrender my privacy any time soon!)

Scientists have devised the most detailed map to date of the terrain hidden below the vast ice sheet blanketing Antarctica, uncovering an exuberant landscape of mountains, canyons, valleys and plains while discerning for the first time tens of thousands of hills and other smaller features, according to an article from Reuters. The researchers used the latest high-resolution satellite observations and a method called ice-flow perturbation analysis, which estimates subglacial topography and conditions based on surface features, to map the full continent including previously uncharted parts. Improved knowledge of the subglacial bedrock landscape may aid in forecasts concerning the climate-related retreat of Antarctica's ice sheet. Previous research indicated that rough terrain like jagged hillsides and mountaintops can slow this retreat.

Are you tired of all the bloatware on your new Android phone? Any new phone almost certainly comes with a handful of preinstalled apps you'll never use, regardless of which manufacturer you buy from or which operating system you're on, according to an article from Lifehacker. Some devices are more bloated than others: Google Pixels have a relatively “clean” build compared to Samsung phones, for example, and don't typically come with third-party apps and games. But you may still want to eliminate apps and features that clutter your home screen, take up valuable space, and create a drag on performance, especially if you have alternatives you like more. On Android, that likely means uninstalling what you easily can and disabling everything else.

Ibuprofen’s anti-inflammatory action may influence cancer risk, but evidence remains complex and routine use for prevention is not advised, according to an article from SciTechDaily. Ibuprofen is one of the most widely used pain relievers, commonly taken for headaches, menstrual pain, and other everyday aches. New research suggests that its effects may extend beyond pain relief and could include potential anti-cancer benefits. As scientists continue to explore how chronic inflammation contributes to cancer, ibuprofen has drawn growing attention. This has prompted fresh discussion about whether a familiar over-the-counter drug might also play a role in reducing cancer risk.

Food delivery platform Grubhub has confirmed a recent data breach after hackers accessed its systems, with sources telling BleepingComputer the company is now facing extortion demands, according to an exclusive story from BleepingComputer. Grubhub would not respond to any further questions regarding the breach, including when it occurred, whether customer data was involved, or if they were being extorted. While Grubhub would not share further details, multiple sources have told BleepingComputer that the ShinyHunters cybercrime group is extorting the company. According to sources, the threat actors are demanding a Bitcoin payment to prevent the release of older Salesforce data from a February 2025 breach and newer Zendesk data that was stolen in the recent breach.

Image by b0red from Pixabay

Bacteria and the viruses that infect them, called phages, are locked in an evolutionary arms race. But that evolution follows a different trajectory when the battle takes place in microgravity, a study conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) reveals, according to an article from LiveScience. As bacteria and phages duke it out, bacteria evolve better defenses to survive while phages evolve new ways to penetrate those defenses. The new study, published Jan. 13 in the journal PLOS Biology, details how that skirmish unfolds in space and reveals insights that could help us design better drugs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria on Earth. In the study, researchers compared populations of E. coli infected with a phage known as T7. One set of microbes was incubated aboard the ISS, while identical control groups were grown on Earth.

For the first time, researchers at the University of British Columbia have shown how to consistently produce a crucial type of human immune cell, known as helper T cells, from stem cells in a controlled lab setting, according to an article from Science Daily. The research, published on January 7 in Cell Stem Cell, removes a major barrier that has slowed the development, affordability, and large-scale production of cell therapies. By solving this problem, the work could help make off-the-shelf treatments more accessible and effective for conditions such as cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and more.

The evolution of display technology has long chased a moving target: how to achieve full flexibility without sacrificing brightness or performance, according to an article from TechSpot. Now, a collaboration between Drexel University and Seoul National University has delivered a major advance, building a stretchable OLED that doubles in size while preserving a steady glow and record efficiency. The breakthrough is based on a class of materials known as MXenes: ultrathin, highly conductive sheets that combine the mechanical resilience of metals with the flexibility of polymers. Co-discovered by Drexel materials scientist Yury Gogotsi, MXenes are layered carbides and nitrides that can deform through bending and sliding between layers rather than fracturing. Researchers have now demonstrated that when used as the transparent electrode in OLEDs, MXenes outperform the industry's standard material, indium tin oxide (ITO), in both stretchability and brightness.

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Scientists at the University of New Mexico have uncovered an unexpected connection between the immune system and brain health, according to an article from ScienceDaily. Their research shows that OTULIN, an enzyme known for regulating immune activity, also plays a major role in producing tau, a protein closely tied to Alzheimer's disease, other neurodegenerative disorders, brain inflammation, and aging. The findings suggest that a single immune related protein may influence several processes involved in how the brain deteriorates over time.

Despite its importance, the heart is one of the few tissues in the human body that can't repair damage very well – or at least, that's what has long been presumed, according to an article from ScienceAlert. Scientists in Australia have now caught heart muscle cells freely regenerating after a heart attack. When something impedes blood flow, the lack of oxygen kills heart cells. The organ can patch itself up with scar tissue, but this inelastic, fibrous tissue doesn't beat, making the heart less efficient. These irregularities can eventually lead to further attacks and heart failure in the future. Mice seem to be lucky enough to have hearts that can regenerate, at least partly. Their cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells) have been seen dividing again after a heart attack, but human heart cells aren't nearly so sprightly after injury.

Scientists have found a way to fine-tune a central fat-control pathway in the liver, reducing harmful blood triglycerides while preserving beneficial cholesterol functions, according to an article from SciTechDaily. When we eat, the body turns surplus calories into molecules called “triglycerides”, especially when those calories come from carbs, sugar, fats, and alcohol. Triglycerides are a type of fat or “lipid”, and the body stores them in fat cells to use as fuel between meals. However, too much of this fat can become harmful. High triglyceride levels can lead to “hypertriglyceridemia” (“excess triglycerides in the blood”), a condition tied to a much higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and pancreatitis. That is why people are widely encouraged to support healthy triglyceride levels through diet and exercise, while more severe cases may require medication.

Setting Up A DIY NAS With OpenMediaVault, Part 1

by David Pardue (kalwisti)

During the pandemic in 2021, I set up a simple “home cloud” by sharing a USB flash drive (64 GB) attached to our Wi-Fi router. Although it has worked well as casual network storage, I have been intrigued by the idea of creating a DIY NAS (Network-Attached Storage) server. Initially, I was window shopping for a Raspberry Pi until I began tallying up the cost of components, and until I went down the rabbit hole of Reddit. My searching there redirected my focus towards the idea of a mini- or micro-PC, which can provide more power and flexibility than a Pi, for about the same — or even lower — cost.

As a holiday splurge, I bought a used Dell OptiPlex micro PC as the hardware for our NAS. This article describes the procedure that my son and I followed to set up the hardware, install OpenMediaVault and configure it for SMB/CIFS file sharing. I will also explain how to access the NAS in different editions of PCLinuxOS. The process is not as intimidating as it sounds, and the results are rewarding. If you have never set up a home NAS, I hope my article will save you some time and effort.

Hardware

- Dell OptiPlex 3050 Micro (refurbished, $125)

- Intel Core i3-7100T (The “T ”suffix stands for “Power-Optimized", i.e., the CPU consumes less power and generates less heat than the regular Intel CPU model.)

- 8 GB RAM (DDR4)

You will need two disk drives: one to hold the OS (OpenMediaVault); another to serve as actual NAS storage. My son donated his spare Toshiba 256 GB M.2 NVMe SSD (which we used as the OS drive) and I purchased a new PNY CS900 500 GB 2.5 ”SSD ($70) to use for NAS storage.

(Optional) If your router lacks enough Ethernet ports to support a connection for your NAS PC, you might need to buy an Ethernet switch to expand your network. We found a TP-Link 5-port unmanaged Gigabit desktop switch (model # TL-SG605, $25) which was plug-and-play and has been performing well. We also had to purchase two 10' Cat-6 Ethernet cables.

If your budget allows you to consider buying a new Mini PC, the market space for them has exploded and there is a dizzying array to choose from. Mini PCs are compact, quiet, energy-efficient, modular and often less expensive than a traditional desktop PC. As a starting point for your search, I would like to mention the “2025 General Mini PC Guide USA,” a meticulous Google Docs spreadsheet compiled by Redditor SerMumble (who is an engineer).

However, one of the advantages of OpenMediaVault is its modest hardware requirements; if you have an older, unused PC, you can repurpose it as a NAS PC and save it from becoming e-waste. Keep in mind, though, that a tower PC will not be as power-efficient as a Mini PC.

NAS Software: OpenMediaVault

Network management has always been mysterious and is typically viewed as a black art, understood only by technical gurus. OpenMediaVault (hereafter abbreviated as “OMV") is great software for content storage which enables an average user to create a NAS file server and achieve digital autonomy at an affordable cost. OMV works well for home or small office networks. It contains services like SSH, (S)FTP, SMB/CIFS, RSync and many more, ready to use. Thanks to the modular design of the framework, it can be enhanced via plugins. Since OMV is based on Debian GNU/Linux, it can be used on nearly any hardware that is supported by Debian.

OMV is developed by Volker Theile. He was initially involved as a developer with the FreeNAS project. In 2009, he decided to begin rewriting FreeNAS's code base due to its shortcomings and its time-consuming package management. However, Theile wanted to switch to a Debian base; the FreeNAS community was unhappy with the prospect of abandoning its FreeBSD base, so he began OMV. The invented name reflects the project’s function and goal. “Open ”for 'free and open/extensible'; “Media ”for 'data/media/music/video'; and “Vault ”for 'secure/vault.'

Typical usage scenarios for home users include the following: home office file sharing; automated backups of PCs; media streaming via Plex or Jellyfin; surveillance camera recording storage.

OMV requires a 64-bit CPU and at least 1 GB RAM — 4 GB is recommended (and 8 GB “for best practice”). My periodic monitoring shows RAM usage hovering around 550 – 600 MB. As mentioned previously, OMV requires 2 drives: a system drive (4 GB or larger, the OS occupies 2.9 GB) and a data drive(s) for network storage.

Install OMV

First, you need to download the OMV ISO file [1.2 GB], verify its sha256 checksum and write the ISO to a USB flash drive. I used the “dd ”utility from the Terminal/Konsole for this, but you can also use PCLinuxOS's GUI utility, ddCopy.

The current stable version of OMV is 8.0.4 (codename “Synchrony”), based on Debian 13 (codename “Trixie”). (When my son and I installed OMV, the stable version was 7.7.24 (codename “Sandworm”) which was based on Debian 12 [“Bookworm”]. So, all my screenshots of OMV's workbench/control panel show ver. 7.7.24.

Note: Your NAS PC will eventually run headlessly, i.e., without a monitor, keyboard or mouse. However, at this stage you must temporarily connect your NAS PC to a monitor, keyboard and an Ethernet cable — a mouse is optional.

In order to boot your NAS PC from the OMV flash drive, you may need to access the BIOS to set the USB flash drive as the primary boot option. Depending on your specific hardware, you may also have to disable Secure Boot.

OMV's installer is the traditional Debian text-based installer. OMV's website has thorough, illustrated instructions that walk you through the installation process. Since this was my first time installing OMV, I accepted its default values for hostname [“ openmediavault ”] and domain name [“ local ”].

Important: Please remember that installing OMV will delete everything from the system drive of your NAS PC, as it is an OS install, not an application install.

Make a note of the root password that you choose and keep it in a safe place. You will need it to perform certain administrative tasks.

When the OMV install finishes, and you reboot the NAS PC, you will boot into a CLI interface. It will display its local IP address, which you can use to access OMV's web control panel / online workbench. Write this IP address down because it is one of the primary methods to access OMV's web interface:

Tips: If you forget OMV's local IP address, you can use the “ping ”command to find the address:

david@debian-trixie:~$ ping openmediavault.local

PING openmediavault.local (192.168.0.156) 56(84) bytes of data.

64 bytes from 192.168.0.156: icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=0.955 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.156: icmp_seq=2 ttl=64 time=1.46 ms

An alternative method is to open a browser and navigate to your router's IP address. (You can often find this information on the back of the router, printed on a reference card that came packed in the original box, in the device's manual, or online [the manufacturer's website]. In most cases, the IP address will look like 192.168.X.X.) In my TP-Link Wi-Fi router's management page, there is a handy 'network map' feature which displays the IP addresses of devices connected to the network:

Christopher Barnatt of the Explaining Computers YouTube channel points out that the OMV IP address was assigned by your router (and might possibly change after a system reboot). If you did not choose to set up a fixed local IP address, he recommends accessing the OMV workbench by entering the hostname and domain that you chose during installation. The default is:

openmediavault.local

Shut Down the NAS PC and Relocate It

Now that the OMV installation has finished, you will be running the NAS PC headlessly; therefore, you probably need to relocate the PC to your desired work area. (In our case, we placed it on top of an IKEA step stool which also supports a refurbished Lenovo ThinkCentre M800 SFF PC.)

First, you must log in to OMV and safely shut down the system.

Log in as root:

Username: root

Password: [the root password you set during OMV installation]

Then type:

# shutdown now

Now you can disconnect the monitor, keyboard, etc. and place the NAS PC in your desired location. It will run headlessly, i.e., with just power and Ethernet cables connected to it.

Set Up OMV via the Workbench/Web Portal

After moving the NAS PC to your chosen spot, reconnect its power and Ethernet cables, then turn it on. Since it is running headlessly, you must access/control it via another computer (with a monitor attached) which is connected to your local network. That machine can either be a desktop PC with a wired Ethernet connection to your network, or a laptop with Wi-Fi access to your LAN.

You will administer OMV via its web interface — this eliminates the need for a desktop environment within OMV itself. The web interface looks like a neat welcome page, with a Categories tree on the left and categorized content on the right. From the workbench, you can enable SSH, SMB/CIFS, FTP, NFS, Rsync and other access protocols, as well as adding users and managing the system.

OMV’s control panel is easy to use, but it presents a plethora of options; you need to know what you want to set up. The most helpful video tutorial that I found was created by Jeremy Leik:

Leik, Jeremy. Practical IT with Jeremy Leik. “"OpenMediaVault 7 Setup Guide That Actually Works".” YouTube, 22 Mar. 2025. (13 min., 59 sec.)

My son and I followed the instructions above and successfully configured OMV for SSH, SMB/CIFS and FTP. I cannot repeat each step here due to space limitations; instead, I recommend that you carefully watch the video and pause it as needed. I will only cover a few of its main points.

Here is an outline of the steps demonstrated in J. Leik's Practical IT video:

- Add a disk and a shared folder

- Set up SMB/CIFS for file sharing

- Configure user access and permissions

- (Demo) Test access on Microsoft Windows 11, macOS and Linux (Ubuntu)

- Manage permissions for NAS audio and video files

Screenshots of OMV's Workbench

The workbench's login page:

Default username: admin Default password: openmediavault

Changing the default administrative password is probably one of the first things that you will want to do. Find the User Settings icon in the top right corner of the toolbar and click on it:

Next, click on the Change Password option in the menu:

Type in the new password, then type it again to confirm the change.

The toolbar also has a Power icon which enables you to Reboot, Shutdown or place OMV in Standby mode:

OMV's workbench has a Dashboard that offers a variety of widgets for monitoring purposes. (Specific widgets can be enabled via the User Settings icon > Dashboard option.)

When OMV system updates are available, you will see a message indicator beside the Notifications icon.

By clicking on the Updates Available widget, you can view the changelog of the packages marked for updating/upgrading. (If you did not enable the Updates Available widget, you may look for updates under the System menu > Update Management > Updates).

After reading about the pending updates [1], click on the Install Updates icon (which looks like a Download arrow) [2]. You will be presented with a Confirmation dialog [3] to proceed with downloading the updates and installing them:

After confirming that you wish to apply the updates, a new dialog window opens; it displays the CLI output of what is happening under the hood:

In addition to English, OMV's workbench interface is available in 20 other languages – including Dutch, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish (although some languages are not fully localized). To change the interface language, click on the User Settings icon > then select the Language option:

Next month, I’ll discuss accessing your shared folder in five different editions of PCLinuxOS: KDE Plasma 6.5.x, Xfce, MATE and Openbox / LXDE.

Making Quality Music Easily & Cheaply On PCLinuxOS, Part 1

by Agent Smith (Alessandro Ebersol)

So, friends, have you always wanted to make music on your computer? But you didn't have that overrated word called talent? Or, you never learned music theory, and so you think you can't produce anything? Or worse, making music on the computer will be an expensive investment, requiring expensive and specific equipment…

Well, friends, if you think all that, this article is for you. Making music today requires neither practice nor skill: even a child can do it. And what's better, it will sound good every time you learn more and more about this fascinating subject that is music in modules and trackers.

Making music today has gotten very easy!

Making music nowadays has become very easy. Websites such as Suno, Udio, and Eleven Labs allow you to “create” music with generative AI, and it actually sounds pretty good. But what I propose here is a different approach: how to create digital music on your computer running PCLinuxOS, with programs that are in the PCLinuxOS repositories.

Well, what led me to do this?

I've always liked modular music, and I've heard incredible compositions and recreations with this type of music, and, of course, deep down, anyone who likes to listen would also like to make their own music.

Of course, not knowing ANYTHING about music theory can get in the way, but things aren't quite like that.

A lot of hip-hop stars know nothing about music and just use autotune and software-generated compositions, with drum machines and everything else. So don't feel so bad.

Now, one inspiration for me was knowing that one of my idols knew nothing about music theory, and that didn't stop him from making the most beautiful and legendary songs ever heard.

Vangelis was self-taught

Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíu, the real name of the artist Vangelis, who died in 2022 at the age of 79, was a legend of electronic music and knew nothing about music theory. Yes, he composed by ear, but that didn't make his songs any less legendary: the soundtracks for the films Blade Runner and 1492, not to mention all his solo work and the creation of the group Aphrodite's Child, with singer Demis Roussos, among others. Of course, over time, he learned and improved his relationship with theory.

And, obviously, his results were much better than some hip-hop singers with autotune. So, we arrive at that moment when we conclude: If he can do it, why can't we? And we can make music without spending a lot and without knowing much either… After all, the important thing is to have an open mind and curiosity. Before we begin, a disclaimer: I don't understand music theory, and what I learned was by playing around with the programs. I still don't know how to compose a song, but I've already started making some noise with the programs in the PCLOS repositories. One more note: I packaged all the modular music composition programs, the trackers, myself.

History: What is module music?

To understand what module music is, we need to go back in time, about 39 years, and analyze one of the best computers ever created: the Commodore Amiga.

Amiga was ahead of its time

Commodore Amiga was a line of computers manufactured by the Canadian company Commodore, which, to this day, I think, was greatly underestimated. To give you an idea (the younger ones, the old guard lived through this, and so did I), in 1985, Amiga was already doing things that Apple and IBM PC platforms would only do 10 to 15 years later.

Graphics with 4096 colors on the screen? Yes!

PCM sound processor? Yes!

Video editing and superimpose capabilities? Yes!

Many TV series and stations used the Amiga for visual effects (the series Babylon 5) and video editing, with Video Toaster.

And audio production on the Amiga was possible thanks to its revolutionary chipset for the time.

The Amiga's custom chips were the secret behind that revolutionary machine

The original architecture of the Amiga, its primary specification, consisted of three custom chips:

Agnus, Denise, and Paula are the custom chips used in the first Commodore Amiga computers. They formed a specialized multiprocessor system that took much of the critical load off the main processor.

Their functions are as follows:

- Agnus. This is the central chip of the design. It controls all access to the chip's RAM, both from the 68000 central processor and from the other custom chips, using a complex priority system. Agnus includes subcomponents known as blitter (fast data transfer in memory without processor intervention) and Copper (video-synchronized coprocessor).

- Denise. This is the main video processor. Without using overscan, the Amiga's graphics screen is 320 or 640 pixels wide by 200 (NTSC) or 256 (PAL) pixels high.

- Paula. It handled audio generation and I/O. There were four sound voices, emitted on two channels (stereo). Nine octaves were available with amplitude modulation (e.g., voice reproduction) and frequency.

Here, we are interested in the Paula chip. Let's talk about it.

Paula, a true Amiga!

As part of the custom chips, Paula was responsible for sound output on the Amiga. It offered four sound channels, each of which could produce samples with 8-bit resolution and 28 kilohertz. It wasn't really CD quality, but it was more than most competing computers could offer. And for comparison: just a few years earlier, you had to pay $25,000 for the Fairlight CMI II digital synthesizer with similar sampling performance.

And in 1987, with the advent of the Amiga 1000, everything changed.

Karsten Obarski programmed the Ultimate Soundtracker tool for the Amiga 1000 in the summer of 1987 and released it through the German software publisher EAS in December 1987. He was 22 years old. It was the first program he had ever completed. He initially wrote it to compose his first song for the first game by his friend Guido Bartels.

Ultimate Soundtracker, how it all began

Soundtracker began as a tool for developing sounds for Amiga games. The program allowed four-channel hardware mixing on all Amiga computers, but unlike later versions, it limited the number of samples/instruments in a song to 15. It could export tracks as a sequence of assembly instructions and later introduced its own MOD file format. A disc with instrument samples (ST-01) was distributed along with the program.

Soundtracker was released as a commercial product in December 1987. It was not successful as general music development software, with critics calling it “illogical,” “difficult,” and “temperamental”; it was overshadowed in this market by programs such as Aegis' Sonix and Electronic Arts' Deluxe Music Construction Set. In fact, the program was quite buggy and crashed very often, one of the reasons for its failure.

However, The Ultimate Soundtracker's interface was groundbreaking and became a standard for game sound production on the Amiga. Despite the problems with the original version, some computer enthusiasts saw its good ideas; the original Ultimate Soundtracker code was quickly reverse-engineered and illegally improved upon, with no regard for Obarski's intellectual property. Soundtracker II was released by The Jungle Command group, followed by a multitude of other illicit versions by various different groups, with numerous improvements over the official, legal commercial version. Modified versions of the program spread throughout the growing Amiga warez scene.

Well, now that we've looked at the history of trackers and music modules, let's learn a little about how they work, and get some theory under our belts so we can understand how to use the programs and make some noise with them.

Important concepts to get started

As we have seen, the music module was born on the Amiga in the late 1980s and quickly became an audio standard for this line of computers.

So much so that many classic Amiga games use this format (and some classic DOS/Windows games as well, as we will see below).

Notable Amiga games that use module music:

- Shadow of The Beast

- Blood Money

- Lotus Challenge

Notable DOS games that use module music:

- Epic Pinball

- One Must Fall 2097

- In pursuit of Greed

How do music modules work?

Music modules, unlike the MID format, encapsulate an instrument sample and instructions on how to play that sample, producing different notes and varied effects.

Most popular music module formats

Musical notation used

The musical notation used by tracker programs is letter notation:

- C = Do

- D = Re

- E = Mi

- F = Fa

- G = So

- A = La

- B = Si

Piano Roll: The foundation of all music creation programs

A piano roll is a music storage medium used to operate a mechanical piano, a piano player, or a player piano. Piano rolls, like other music rolls, are continuous rolls of paper with perforated holes. These perforations represent note control data. The roll moves over a reading system known as a tracking bar; the playback cycle for each musical note is triggered when a perforation passes the bar.

Piano rolls have been in continuous production since at least 1896 and are still manufactured today, although they are no longer mass-produced. MIDI files have generally replaced piano rolls in the storage and playback of performance data, performing digitally and electronically what piano rolls do mechanically. MIDI editing software often offers the ability to represent music graphically as a piano roll.

A piano roll from a DAW program

In the figure above, we see a piano roll from a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) program that moves from left to right, playing the notes in sequence as they appear in the rows (notes), and the columns are the time axis, representing the passage of time in the performance of the music.

In the case of module trackers, the piano roll will work from bottom to top, and each column will be an audio channel where one or more instruments will be played, depending on the type of music module format being played/edited/created.

Piano roll of a 4-channel tracker module, where notes are specified by alphabetic notation

So, to create modular music with a soundtracker, you need to indicate which instrument will play on a given channel and at what point it will play that instrument.

All tracker programs allow you to control the tempo (how many beats per minute) and, depending on the module music format, can perform various sound effects:

- Volume: Amplitude of the channel/instrument

- Delay (or echo). The audio signal is repeated several times at equal intervals, becoming increasingly lower until it finally disappears.

- Reverb. Used to simulate a natural environment, such as a small chamber, a larger room, a church, or a cathedral.

- Chorus. Makes the sound richer, firmer, and full of harmonic oscillations.

- Overdrive. Also called distortion, this effect makes the sound wide and rough.

- Tremolo. The audio signal seems to oscillate or fluctuate in volume, depending on the speed.

In this series of articles, I will cover the following software (in the PCLinuxOS repositories):

- Soundtracker

- Schismtracker

- MilkyTracker

And also OpenMPT software, which is native to Windows but runs perfectly via Wine.

Additionally, the Audacity program will also be used to edit instrument samples that we will use in our songs.

I hope you enjoyed this introduction, and in the next issues, we will learn how to use soundtrackers to make noise.

Until then, I say farewell and be safe.

Inkscape Tutorial: Tips & Tricks You Might Not Know

by Meemaw

In my travels through YouTube to learn more about Inkscape, I ran across a poster called Sweater Cat Designs, who posted a video called Top 13 Inkscape 1.3 Tips & Tricks. As I watched this video, I found a couple of tips that I didn’t know, so I thought I’d discuss a few of them. You might know them all.

Sometimes you add something that has a sharp corner, and you need a curved corner instead. This is an easy way to do it. After you draw your figure, choose the Nodes tool, then click on the setting called Add Corner, circled below.

When you click on it, you’ll get round handles a short distance from the corners. You can grab one and move it back from the corner to get a curve.

Your handles will turn to triangles and you’ll see a curve. When it looks as you want it, let go of the mouse and the corner will disappear, and you’ll have the curve.

Holding <CTRL> and clicking on one of the handles will change the curve to a different kind. The standard curve is called a fillet. You can change to a reverse fillet, as shown at right below, or a chamfer, which will make the curve straight. Holding <Shift> and clicking on one of the handles will give you a window where you can choose what you want. In the window, you can choose how many sides you want in your chamfer. I chose 3, as shown below in the middle.

If you’re working with shapes and want to use a part of one, there is a method for cutting an object into pieces. Draw your shape, plus a line where you want to cut it. Here, I’ve made 2 lines to cut my rectangle into 4 sections.

Select them all, and choose Path > Fracture Path. I hadn’t used this one before. The lines will disappear, and you’ll need to click outside your rectangle. Then you can grab part of it and drag.

I’ve edited text before, but I hadn’t remembered this one. Sometimes you want to make your text look a bit uneven, and this is an easy way to do it. Design your text the way you want it (font, size, fill & stroke colors).

Choose Path > Object to path, then choose Path > Split path. This will make each letter its own path so you can move them around separately.

In the video, he says that if you have a font like a script font that has overlapping edges, you should space out the letters during your design step, so those edges don’t touch. Then, when you split the path, each letter will be separate rather than grouped together.

Something I didn’t know was that you could add colors to the end of your palette (where the black & white are larger squares). If you’re working on a project that uses specific colors, you can pin them to the end with the black & white that are already there. Simply right-click on the color you want and choose Pin Color from the pop-up. I had already added red and purple and wanted to add dark blue.

This would be very useful if you had chosen specific colors and had to keep going down the palette searching for them. When you’re finished with your project, and no longer need that color, you can right-click again and choose Unpin Color.

We’ve all used Path > Difference, putting an object on top of another and cutting a hole out of the bottom object the same shape of the top object. Sometimes, though, you don’t want the top object to completely disappear like it does when you choose Path > Difference. If you use Path > <Shift>, you’ll retain all your objects.

The cool thing is that you can do it with more than one object.

When I export a project, I generally export the page, so the only things exported are those that are on the page. If something’s hanging off the edge, that piece is lost. However, if that makes you nervous, or would rather see what it will look like when you export it, you can go into Document Properties and choose Clip to page. It’s a checkbox at the lower right of the window.

One tip was about adding and editing blur on an object. If you create an object and give it some blur, you can use an easy editing method if you want it changed. I drew a rectangle and gave it a 25% blur.

Maybe I want the blur to extend farther up & down than it does side to side. I’ll change to the Node tool and will get handles at the top and side of my rectangle. Grabbing the top handle and pulling it up makes the blur extend higher and lower.

If I just want to make the blur bigger all the way around, I’ll hold <CTRL> and drag either handle.

I hope you learned something you didn’t know! I didn’t cover all 13 of them, so we can do more later.

Wiki Pick: LibreOffice Manager

Relevant for all versions of PCLinuxOS.

LibreOffice manager or lomanager is a user-friendly tool to:

- install the latest LibreOffice in one of the 107 LibreOffice localizations,

- add additional LibreOffice localizations to an existing LibreOffice installation,

- upgrade LibreOffice from any older version,

- properly remove LibreOffice installation.

It is needed because licensing and disk space restrictions mean that we cannot carry the full set of RPMs in the main repository.

Quick instructions

1. Fully update your system. See update process.

2. Install the latest lomanager. See Installing Software.

3. From the main menu, go to Software Center->LibreOffice Manager and enter the root password when prompted.

4. Select the desired action from the first window (add or remove LibreOffice).

Read and answer the questions in the subsequent pop-up windows.

LibreOffice Manager will download LibreOffice and related files (Help, language packs) from LibreOffice.

When a new LibreOffice version is available, you will have to run LibreOffice Manager again to update to the latest version.

Important notes

Install on multiple machines

When running LibreOffice Manager, you will have the option to keep the downloaded rpm-packages in /tmp/LO-rpms. You can then copy these LibreOffice-packages to a new empty folder, maybe best on a USB-drive. Next, plug the USB-drive in the different machine. On the USB-drive, open the folder with the LibreOffice-rpms. Open a konsole, cd to this folder, and then use the command:

/bin/su -c 'apt-get install *.rpm'

Alternative offline installation

The LibreOffice offline installer provides the latest LibreOffice version in en_US language and can be downloaded from here.

Then follow these instructions on the new PC where you want to install LibreOffice:

1. If an older LibreOffice version is installed, run lomanager and choose: Completely remove LibreOffice.

2. Check in Synaptic that you have java-sun installed, if not, install it. Then close Synaptic.

3. Copy the downloaded archive LO.tar.gz into the user's Home directory (remove any previous LO-rpms directory).

4. Extract the archive via a GUI-application or using the following command in a terminal, e.g.: tar xf LO.tar.gz

You should now have a new directory LO-rpms in the user's Home directory, e.g., /home/Jim/LO-rpms. Open a terminal in the user's Home directory and enter (copy/paste) the following command: /bin/su -c 'LO-rpms/LO_OfflineInstall.sh'

Linux/MS-Windows dual-boot:

If you have a LibreOffice-document shared between the two operating systems:

- Always save the LibreOffice-document and exit LibreOffice before you shutdown the operating system.

- Never suspend one operating system and then work on the document in the other operating system.

- Avoid working on the document in MS-Office and LibreOffice, use only LibreOffice in both operating systems.

- Use a common font of the two operating systems for maximum compatibility. Either automatically done by LibreOffice Manager or manually: open Synaptic, search for and install webcore-fonts, then open LibreOffice and you will have the new default font Times New Roman and other common fonts available.

LibreOffice does not start anymore:

- MSEC: if you use this program, ensure to apply the default settings. Setting MSEC on "secure" will prohibit installing and running LibreOffice!

- only for a given user: delete the hidden folder .config/libreoffice in the user's home directory, either graphically or open a konsole in your home-folder and enter in the konsole: /bin/rm -fr ~/.config/libreoffice

Then start LibreOffice again. Please be aware that deleting the folder .config/libreoffice will remove all LibreOffice-customizations of this user!

- not for root nor for any user: your LibreOffice setup/configuration is borked. Start LibreOffice Manager, select your locale, and a popup window will tell you that this LibreOffice-locale is already installed. In this window, press Cancel to reinstall LibreOffice. Please be aware that reinstalling LibreOffice will remove all LibreOffice-locales and all LibreOffice-customizations of all users!

Other problems:

Open a konsole window, and enter: lomanager

Post the konsole/terminal output in the forum together with additional information like your window manager (KDE, LXDE, etc.), the PCLinuxOS version you use, is your system fully updated, do you get the same error when running lomanager as root, etc. Remember: detailed and concise information is a prerequisite to fix your problem and will help improve LibreOffice Manager.

Using a proxy server:

Open a konsole and enter: export http_proxy="http://proxy.example.com:8080"

Or with authentication: export http_proxy="http://password:username@proxy.example.com:8080"

Then in the same konsole enter: lomanager

Command line options:

To learn about additional command line options, enter in a terminal:

lomanager --help

--debug: verbose output for debugging

--no-updatetest: skip the test to check if your system is fully updated

--vinfo: display information on installed and latest available version

Note: you must have root privileges to execute the script. Either open a root terminal from the respective menu entry, or when becoming root from a user terminal, you must use the command: su -

Additional Information:

Working with LibreOffice applications: LibreOffice Documentation

Optional LibreOffice Extensions

Optional LibreOffice Templates

You can view this wiki entry here.

Tip Top Tips: KDE 6.x.y Change Shutdown/Logout Countdown (Leafpad Method)

Editor’s Note: Tip Top Tips is a semi-monthly column in The PCLinuxOS Magazine. Periodically, we will feature – and possibly even expand upon – one tip from the PCLinuxOS forum. The magazine will not accept independent tip submissions specifically intended for inclusion in the Tip Top Tips column. Rather, if you have a tip, share it in the PCLinuxOS forum’s “Tips & Tricks” section. Occasionally, we may run a “tip” posted elsewhere in the PCLinuxOS forum. Either way, share your tip in the forum, and it just may be selected for publication in The PCLinuxOS Magazine.

This month’s tip is from keltonix.

You can change the shutdown/logout countdown timer for KDE 6.x.y (on 2025-11-29, that's KDE 6.5.3) using a couple different methods. The following method uses the text editor Leafpad.

1. Press and release the Meta key (the Windows Start key on most keyboards).

2. Type: kdesu leafpad.

3. Press and release the Enter key.

The preceding actions will cause a prompt for the root user's password to appear.

4. Type your root user's password.

5. Press and release the Enter key.

The preceding actions will open an instance of Leafpad that has root user powers.

In Leafpad (with root user powers):

1. Press and release the keyboard combination: Ctrl+O

2. Navigate to: /usr/share/plasma/look-and-feel/org.kde.breeze.desktop/contents/logout

3. Select: Logout.qml

4. Click: Open

The preceding actions will open the file:

/usr/share/plasma/look-and-feel/org.kde.breeze.desktop/contents/logout/Logout.qml

in the Leafpad text editor.

1. In the Leafpad text editor, press and release the keyboard combination: Ctrl+F

2. Type: property real timeout

3. Press and release the Enter key

The preceding actions will magically take you to the line that reads:

property real timeout: 30

Change the 30 (which in this case represent seconds) to whatever you prefer, for example 7.

Press and release the keyboard combination: Ctrl+S

Close Leafpad.

Next time you shutdown or reboot your computer, the new countdown timer value will be in effect (until the next update of the file Logout.qml).

PCLinuxOS Recipe Corner Bonus

Baby Lemon Impossible Pies

Makes: 12 mini

INGREDIENTS:

For the Pies:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

½ cup melted butter

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon lemon zest (freshly grated)

¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Garnish:

Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Whipped cream

Fresh berries

DIRECTIONS:

Ready to whip up these zesty, custard delights? Follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Add the milk, melted butter, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Fill the Muffin Tin

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.

Step 4: Bake the Pies

Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the pies are golden brown around the edges and set in the center.

Remove from the oven and let the pies cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Dust the cooled pies with powdered sugar for a touch of elegance.

Serve plain or top with whipped cream and fresh berries for an extra indulgent treat.

TIPS:

Use Fresh Lemons : Fresh lemon zest and juice provide the best flavor–avoid bottled lemon juice if possible.

Don't Overfill : Fill the muffin cups only 2/3 full to prevent overflow during baking.

Cool Completely : Let the pies cool completely before removing them from the pan to ensure they hold their shape.

They store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just add the powdered sugar dusting right before serving.

NUTRITION:

Per pie

Calories: 300    Carbs: 32g    Sodium: 300mg    Fiber: 0.4g    Protein: 4g

Inspiration & Motivation

PCLinuxOS Puzzled Partitions

Sudoku

Download Puzzle Solutions Here

Scrappler

Download Puzzle Solutions Here

February 2026 Word Find

Cats!

Download Puzzle Solutions Here

February 2026 Crossword

Cats!

Download Puzzle Solutions Here

Mixed-Up-Meme Scrambler

Download Puzzle Solutions Here

Screenshot Showcase

Posted by astronaut on January 3, 2026, on Openbox

Posted by francescoinblack January 2, 2026, on IceWM

Posted by luikki on January 9, 2026, on KDE

Posted by Meemaw on January 3, 2026, on XFCE

Posted by Meemaw on January 26, 2026, on XFCE

Posted by mutse on January 5, 2026, on Maté

Posted by Seaplane_tux on January 25, 2026, on KDE

Posted by tbs on January 2, 2026, on KDE

Posted by texstar on January 27, 2026, on KDE

Posted by ximru on January 2, 2026, on XFCE

Table of Contents

1. Table of Contents

2. From The Chief Editor's Desk...

3. Another Great Loss For PCLinuxOS

4. Good Words, Good Deeds, Good News

5. PCLinuxOS Recipe Corner

6. ICYMI: NordVPN Data Breach, Only “Dummy” Data Obtained

7. Setting Up A DIY NAS With OpenMediaVault, Part 1

8. Making Quality Music Easily & Cheaply On PCLinuxOS, Part 1

9. Inkscape Tutorial: Tips & Tricks You Might Not Know

10. Wiki Pick: LibreOffice Manager

11. Tip Top Tips: KDE 6.x.y Change Shutdown/Logout Countdown (Leafpad Method)

12. PCLinuxOS Recipe Corner Bonus

13. Inspiration & Motivation

14. PCLinuxOS Puzzled Partitions

15. Screenshot Showcase

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

From The Chief Editor's Desk...

Another Great Loss For PCLinuxOS

Good Words, Good Deeds, Good News

PCLinuxOS Recipe Corner

ICYMI: NordVPN Data Breach, Only “Dummy” Data Obtained

Setting Up A DIY NAS With OpenMediaVault, Part 1

Making Quality Music Easily & Cheaply On PCLinuxOS, Part 1

Inkscape Tutorial: Tips & Tricks You Might Not Know

Wiki Pick: LibreOffice Manager

Tip Top Tips: KDE 6.x.y Change Shutdown/Logout Countdown (Leafpad Method)

PCLinuxOS Recipe Corner Bonus

Inspiration & Motivation

PCLinuxOS Puzzled Partitions

Screenshot Showcase