Thanks! That was very informative (and not something I could easily find).

I remember playing Rogue way back in the 80's on ASCII terminals :) Many hours. I think I moved on from that fad before NetHack appeared. It is cool that there is an X11 version for Athena and QT, too.

Now I am getting nostalgic.... I remember when we were on X Terminals, Xblast TNT came out. Great times blasting other players on the network. Wow- it is still in the Mint repos, and as a native package! https://community.linuxmint.co...

I know version numbers are often arbitrary, but why did it jump from 3.6.7 to 5.0? Do they not like the number 4?

>"I am not sure if there are any negative ramifications of having algif_aead disabled, though. Does anyone know?"

According to my research, it isn't used on most systems.

"Disabling algif_aead typically does not break anything, as most programs use userspace libraries instead of relying on this kernel module. It is noted that only a few specific applications, like iwd and cryptsetup with certain non-default algorithms, may be affected."

For older enterprise distros, this mitigation method:

# echo "install algif_aead /bin/false" > /etc/modprobe.d/disable-algif.conf
# rmmod algif_aead

Does not work because algif_aead is built into the kernels.

However, this does work:
# grubby --update-kernel=ALL --args="initcall_blacklist=algif_aead_init"

Then reboot. It will disable the vulnerable module that is built-in. I am not sure if there are any negative ramifications of having algif_aead disabled, though. Does anyone know?

Updating to a patched kernel is, of course, the better course.

See https://seclists.org/oss-sec/2...

>"I may have to migrate away. [...]I'm sure I can find another one that will let me use XFCE as opposed to KDE or Gnome."

"Light, simple, efficient: Linux Mint Xfce Edition: Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment. It doesn't support as many features as Cinnamon but itâ(TM)s lighter on resource usage."

https://www.linuxmint.com/down...

Mint also has the popular Cinnamon Edition and also the MATE Edition as well. But it doesn't matter which "edition" you download/install, since you can easily install any desktop environment you want after. I have several installed and switch at will. On this particular desktop I am using to post this, I have Cinnamon, Xfce, and KDE(Plasma) installed, and am currently in Cinnamon.

>"Ubuntu has sparked pushback from users who are concerned"

Mint: https://www.linuxmint.com/down...
Mint Debian: https://www.linuxmint.com/down...
Debian: https://www.debian.org/

>"Save $100 bucks. Use a cheap Windows serial bought online, or install a cracked version of Windows with much of the BS removed."

Or save your sanity, privacy, and security and install only Linux on it for $0.

>"Relatively few are actually going to run Linux primarily."

And you know this how?

>"Framework says it's not counting the "None (bring your own)" option in these Ubuntu numbers."

I run nothing but Linux on all my hundreds of machines, including all my personal ones, and have for decades. For personal laptops, my preference has been ThinkPads for quite a while. I don't care what it comes with, it is going to get wiped and replaced with Linux immediately. No dual boot. I will buy whatever OS option for it that is least expensive (MS-Windows, whatever Linux, or no OS).

If I were in the market for a Framework, which might happen one day, I certainly wouldn't care if Linux were "preinstalled", and if it were Ubuntu, it is certain to be wiped and replaced with Mint or something else. If the Ubuntu option were the same cost as zero OS, I would opt for Ubuntu, even though I would wipe it, simply to show Linux support.

>"An instructional coach at McKinley STEAM says the strategies are working students aren't reaching for their phones during class"

Why would ANY classroom allow students to "reach for their phones during class"?? And we wonder why children have zero attention spans?

I am 100% behind trying to make classes more interesting, more interactive, more engaging, more varied in approach. Not all children learn or engage in the same way. But discipline has to play a major role as well. Allowing students to be disrespectful, disruptive, or distracted has to be a hard no. And students using phones during class is outrageous.

>"To run it they'd hired Collin Burns, who'd worked"

They'd?
Who'd?

"Had" is not needed in either of these cases. Try: "To run it, they hired Collin Burns, who worked"

What is with all these strange contractions lately? And especially using "there's" with plural subjects. English can be difficult, but this should not be difficult for an "editor".

>"But now an open source developer has brought Linux to Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me"

Why?

Besides, people should be replacing MS-Windows with Linux everywhere possible, not running Linux under MS-Windows.

>"There's a glass roof â" but no rear-view window. Instead the Polestar 4 replaces the rear-view mirror with a live feed from a wide-angle camera. [...] the Polestar 4's innovation""

This is not "Polestar's innovation." My Nissan Ariya has a video rear view mirror. It has been offered for years. I am not blinded by any lights, passengers or cargo do not block my view, and I can see much more area.

Now, having no rear window is different, but having a video mirror is certainly not.

>"There's 11 exterior cameras"

Again, "there is 11" is not correct English. "There ARE 11" is correct. "Is" is singular, "are" is for plural. "There's" is a contraction for "there is" and nothing else.

>"I don't understand this trend to use "there's" with singular targets."

Sigh. That was meant to be "plural targets."

>"There's been a few complaints"

There is been a few complaints?

I know English can be challenging, but could the editors PLEASE put forth at least a little effort? I don't understand this trend to use "there's" with singular targets.

There HAVE been a few complaints.

>"I avoid going to the movies these days purely because of the insane amount of commercials shown beforehand."

For me, it is the assholes that go there and reek of perfume and/or weed, mess with their phones, talk, and/or bring disruptive children. It was already getting bad way before the pandemic, even though I had a fantastic theater nearby- huge screen, sharp image, really good sound, very comfortable seats (which is now closed down forever, of course). But none of that matters when others ruin the experience.

Of course, the commercials/ads prior don't help things. But neither does the quality of movies going down the toilet. Barely anything good and original anymore, just sequels/prequels or similar stories.

So, as with lots of things, I just have to hold onto those good memories from decades ago.